Half Measures Attacked In Cattle Dehorning Proposal

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17911, 15 October 1932, Page 14

Half Measures Attacked In Cattle Dehorning Proposal

A GISBORNE instance is quoted by ** “Huntaway” in the Christchurch Sun in criticising the exemption of pedigree cattle from the proposed legislation for the dehorning of cattlo. He states: —

“Gratification will be felt by tlioso who have long been advocating such a step at the promise made this week by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, that a bill making compulsory the dehorning of cattlo will be introduced into Parliament this session.

“It is a reform that has been badly needed for a long while. Attempts have been made in the past by certain interested .organisation to have a statute passed, but up to now the Government has turned an indifferent ear to these representations. It has been hinted that the protests of a certain section of stud breeders have been responsible for this, and tho reservation about pedigree cattle made by the Minister rather strengthens this suggestion. “Why the Minister has seen fit to exempt this section is difficult to understand. If the thing is to bo done at all, it must be done properly if it is going to be effective. A compromise of this nature is likely to lead to all sorts of trouble in the future.

“Judges do not asses the milk or beef producing qualities of an animal on the shape, size or polish of the horns. They might be a spectacular feature on some of the horned breeds, and a source of joy and pride to the owners, but their importance in most experts’ eyes is insignificant. “The main argument in favor of the proposal are based on two broad facts —economic loss and cruelty—and nothing that opponents to tfie proposal cuu say can weaken them. It is estimated that losses amounting to thousands of pounds are caused by horned cattle in damaged hides and bruised meat. There is evidence of it at Addington market almost weekly. Cattle —particularly beef cattle from the high country —come out of the railway trucks with their sides and flanks scored and cut by the horns of their companions. They are drafted into pens, three and four in each, and here, milling round in their excitement, the painful, damaging work continues, and the jab and rip of the horns only infuriates the beasts further, with the result that at the abattoirs bruised carcases and ruined hides have to be east out as so much waste.

“Tho cruelty aspect deserves as much attention, if not more. It is not uncommon, for instance, for u beast to break a horn through crashing up against the side of a pen or snapping it in an effort to dislodge it after being caught in the bars of a truck. It is an ugly sight.

“At least one local body has already taken steps on its own initiative to sec what can be done about dehoriiing bulls. The Cook County Council, in Poverty Bay, following the death of a farmer who was killed by a bull, is investigating the question, within its own boundaries, and it was suggested at the time that horned bulls should bo debarred from show rings. This might be hard to carry out, as country shows rely largely on the pedigree men for support, but if judges were instructed to deduct points for horns instead of giving them, it might help.

“There can- be little argument against dehorning on the score of causing pain to' the animal. Modern preparations anj appliances are quite humane in their operation if carried out properly. ’ ’