GAMEKEEPERS have taken their campaign to end the ban on tail docking of working dogs to the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) has presented a 4158-signature petition to Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, calling for the ban to be reversed on the grounds of animal welfare.

The SGA says working spaniels are suffering tail injuries as a result of the 2007 ban, which covers all dogs. Working dogs are at risk as they enter thick undergrowth to flush out or retrieve game.

The SGA says research, carried out by Glasgow University for the Scottish Government, shows that almost 57% of working spaniels suffered at least one tail injury in the 2010/11 season.

Mr Lochhead said he will study at the research and "consider the option of revisiting the legislation if there is a scientific case to do so".