Question Summary:
Is Qurbani valid on an animal without a tail?

Question Detail:

Assalamualaykum.when it comes to qurbani if a person cuts an animal without a tail for qurbanis this valid ? Secondly pertaining to this if a person stays in Durban and the people who sell animals here dont generally sell with tails ,would he have to go search for one and if he does have to then to what extent?does he have to go to jhb or some other place ?or because he cannot get it here so it's valid ?

Answer :

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, if half or more than half of an animal’s tail is cut, the Qurbāni of such an animal is invalid.  The juridical references below may be referred to. [1] One must endeavor to find an animal (whether goat, sheep, or cow) with a full tail or more than half the tail. 
There was a Fatwā issued in the past that the Qurbāni of an animal without a tail or cut tail is valid. The circumstances of that time were different.  Presently farmers breed animals with tails and such animals are available.
Qurbānī is a sacred act of worship.  It should be carried out with due diligence. One must avoid a doubtful situation.  If Muslims are determined to slaughter only animals with tails, this will create a demand in the farmers to produce animals with tails and prevent them from docking in the future.  However, if Muslims show laxity in this regard, then animals will continue to be docked, and the ideal animal for Qurbānī will not be available.    
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.