I think the critters would think differently
I don't. Its no more traumatic, painful or life-altering than getting spayed, neutered or getting their dew claws removed.
I'm more concerned with literal abuse and neglect, BSL, over-population, ect.
I could really care less if a young pup under anesthesia had its ears cropped by a vet or a 2 day old pup had its tail docked (properly) than I do when a dog goes in for a spay or neuter or gets its dew claws removed.
Now if its a home crop, sure. That I find incredibly cruel. But under anesthesia by an experienced vet? Hardly.
Its a waste of time, funds and energy to try and outlaw a practice that is done humanely. When there are piss-poor laws and penalties for actual abuse, neglect and cruelty like dog fighting or dragging a living animal behind a truck. Or laws like BSL being passed that support the banning or mass slaughter of dogs based on breed alone. And shelters being so over-populated they're more like live animal disposal facilities than adoption locations.
Sorry, crop/dock is low, low, LOW on my list of concerns. Frankly, so long as its done properly... Its not on the list at all.
ex of docked GSD Security Forces K9 at Beale AFB:
http://www.beale.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/web/091209-F-2405O-023.jpg
As it turns out, not all of them are docked, but a good many here at Beale are. Whether as a safety measure (as a pup to prevent injury. harmless) or due to tail injury (as an adult, noticeable to the animal).