Animal welfare groups are applauding vets in British Columbia for banning cosmetic tail cropping, bringing the province in line with the majority of Canada.

A total of 91.5 per cent of B.C. College of Veterinarians (CVBC) members just voted in favour of outlawing the controversial – and often painful – procedure for dogs, horses and cattle.

The four Atlantic provinces and Quebec already have a ban in place, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) already opposes cropping. Ear cropping was already outlawed in B.C. in 2015.

Under the expanded ban, cropping is now considered an "unethical practice" by the CVBC and vets caught performing the procedure will face disciplinary action, as well as possible cruelty charges through the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Tail docking was historically performed on working dogs to prevent injury – or to maintain a certain breed standard for show dogs that were being exhibited in competitions.

But College President Dr. Brendan Matthews said no scientific evidence supports a welfare or medical benefit for docking or alteration, and the risk associated with it are great.

"Evidence does show a detrimental effect on behaviour and animal communication, as well as the risk for infection and phantom pain," Matthews said.

The BC SPCA agrees. The group has been pushing to have the practice stopped for more than two decades.

“We feel this is a big step forward in the humane treatment of animals in our province, and evidence that veterinarians in B.C. are very interested in animal welfare first and foremost,” said Dr. Emilia Gordon, BC SPCA senior manager of animal health.

Not everyone agrees with the ban, including breed associations and kennel clubs that say it's still a common breed standard and many pet owners still want their dog's ears and tails cropped.

The B.C. vet college is calling on other provinces to follow suit and for breed associations to "recognize the changing times."

"Veterinarians have an ethical responsibility to the animals they treat and tail docking goes against that responsibility," Matthews said.