SCOTTISH ministers are considering relaxing the ban on the docking of dog's tails following complaints the existing legislation is flawed and needs to be changed.

The Government said it will consult on the issue in the new year, on the back of new research by Glasgow University and campaigning by the Scottish Game Keepers Association.

But any planned changes can expect fierce opposition from animal charities, who has continually railed against previous calls for an easing up of the legislation.

One group accused ministers of giving too much stock to the views of gamekeepers while ignoring other animal welfare issues such as puppy farms.

Since the law took effect in April 2007, opponents have been arguing for an exemption for working dogs like spaniels and hunt point retrievers.

The Glasgow study said docking the tails of working dog puppies could significantly cut their risk of injury by the time they are adults.

The government said if a change in the law was implemented, vets would be able to use their judgement to decide whether tail docking was in the best interest of the puppy in certain circumstances in line with the law in the rest of the UK.

Rural Affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "The issue of tail docking is one that divides opinion because nobody wants to see a dog suffer avoidable harm at any point in its life.

"Despite the ban on tail docking being in place since 2007, some stakeholders have continued to make the case to me that it is possible to bring forward a tightly defined exemption to the ban that would permit certain breeds of working dogs to be docked.

"I think it is therefore right that the government hears the views of all those with an interest on how any proposed exemptions for specific breeds, likely to be spaniels and hunt point retrievers, could work in practice.

"The consultation will therefore give everyone a chance to have their say and help inform us the best way to take this issue forward."

Tail docking comes with penalties of a fine of up to £5000 and/or six months imprisonment.

Exemptions are only made where a tail is injured or diseased. Prior to the ban, working pups' tails could be shortened by a vet at two to three days old.

Scotland is the only part of the UK that does not permit tail docking for working dogs.

Opponents to the practice include the British Veterinary Association, SSPCA, Kennel Club and the Canine Trust.

John Robbins of the group Animal Concern said: "This is something we're totally opposed to. We don;t want the law relaxed, in fact we want it strengthened in a number of areas.

"If these claims of injuries were true there would be hundreds of dogs needing emergency amputations. We also have the issue of owners putting working dogs into situations they shouldn't be."