Banners have no cracking animation

I was testing making/placing/removing banners in a new world I created in 1.8 pre2.

I placed a white banner on the ground and proceeded to remove it with my fist. I didn't get a cracking animation, but the banner did break and drop as an item.

I placed the white banner again on the ground and proceeded to remove it with a wooden axe. I didn't get a cracking animation, but the banner did break and drop as an item.

Is there no cracking animation on purpose?