Dehorning: the law by country

Not law by itself; each state decides. Standards: skilled operator; pain relief unless under 6 months old, or under 12 months at first yarding where the jurisdiction approves that age.

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle (endorsed January 2016), S6.1, S6.4, S6.6Checked 4 Nov 2026

Mandatory code per the national standards body. We read the national text, not the regulation: skilled operator; pain relief unless under 6 months old, or under 12 months at first yarding where approved.

Animal Care and Protection Regulation 2012 (Qld), national Cattle Standards as a code of practiceIn force since 1 July 2021Checked 4 Nov 2026

From 6 months old needs an analgesic or anaesthetic, except at first yarding of an animal under 12 months not yarded before 6 months. The Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA), not in operation on 2026-11-04, will repeal these regulations when it starts.

Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 (SA), r 68(1), (2)In force since 15 Apr 2017Checked 4 Nov 2026

National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). Only if necessary for the goat's health and welfare, by a veterinarian with sedation or anesthesia and analgesia.

NFACC Code of Practice: Goats (2022), s.5.9 (industry code, not a statute)Checked 4 Nov 2026

National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). If necessary, by a licensed veterinarian with anesthesia and perioperative analgesia.

NFACC Code of Practice: Sheep (2013), s.5.9 (industry code, not a statute)Checked 4 Nov 2026

National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice: an industry code, not a statute. NFACC says Code requirements are not explicitly binding in most provinces but can be evidence of distress. Referred to in provincial law: adopted in NL (NLR 36/12; NLR 35/12 s.15 makes a practice a code prohibits a prohibited one), prescribed in SK (Reg 1 s.3-4), named as a defence in NB (Reg 2000-4 s.4(2), Sch A) and BC (B.C. Reg. 34/2019, as generally accepted practice), accepted in NS (Act s.28(b)). Dairy: past 2 months only exceptionally, with anesthesia and analgesia, no banding. Beef: competent personnel; pain control after bud attachment since 2016-01-01.

NFACC Code of Practice: Dairy Cattle (2023), s.4.2.2; Beef Cattle (2013), s.4.4 (industry codes, not statutes)Checked 4 Nov 2026

Under anaesthetic with prolonged pain relief, by a vet; caustics, rubber bands and elastrators banned.

Bekendtgørelse nr. 631 af 31. maj 2023, ss.7-8In force since 1 July 2023Checked 4 Nov 2026

Under anaesthetic with prolonged pain relief, by a vet; caustics, rubber bands and elastrators banned.

Bekendtgørelse nr. 631 af 31. maj 2023, ss.7-8In force since 1 July 2023Checked 4 Nov 2026

To be done before the calf is 2 months old; not routine in adult bovines; chemicals not recommended. The agency page cites no section numbers; the statute itself could not be opened (Riigi Teataja needs a script-enabled browser), so check the current wording.

Animal Protection Act (Loomakaitseseadus), as stated by the Agriculture and Food Board (PTA)Checked 4 Nov 2026

Goats over 8 days, by a veterinary practitioner.

Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 4In force since 6 Mar 2014Checked 4 Nov 2026

By a veterinary practitioner.

Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 3In force since 6 Mar 2014Checked 4 Nov 2026

By a veterinary practitioner.

Animal Health and Welfare (Operations and Procedures) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 127/2014), Schedule, Part 1In force since 6 Mar 2014Checked 4 Nov 2026

Goats kept for milk production or on petting farms.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4 Nov 2026

Designated intervention.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 4 Nov 2026

Designated intervention.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.4Checked 4 Nov 2026

The goat must be given pain relief authorised by a veterinarian. The operator must be trained or experienced.

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58AIn force since 9 May 2021Checked 4 Nov 2026

Throughout the procedure the animal must be under pain relief authorised by a veterinarian. The operator must be trained or experienced.

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58BIn force since 9 May 2021Checked 4 Nov 2026

Throughout the procedure the animal must be under pain relief authorised by a veterinarian. The operator must be trained or experienced and able to recognise distress.

Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018, r 58In force since 1 Oct 2019Checked 4 Nov 2026

Allowed without veterinary reasons; by a vet, other animal health staff, or someone the vet finds suitable.

Djurskyddsförordning (2019:66), ch. 4 s.1Checked 4 Nov 2026

Allowed without veterinary reasons; by a vet, other animal health staff, or someone the vet finds suitable.

Djurskyddsförordning (2019:66), ch. 4 s.1Checked 4 Nov 2026

An anaesthetic must be administered.

SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1 and Sch. 2In force since 6 Apr 2007Checked 4 Nov 2026

An anaesthetic must be given.

Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (NI) 2012 (S.R. 2012/153), Sch. 1In force since 2 Apr 2012Checked 4 Nov 2026

Exempted for handler safety or herd welfare; these Regulations list no condition.

SSI 2010/387, Sch. 1In force since 5 Nov 2010Checked 4 Nov 2026

An anaesthetic must be administered.

WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 2In force since 28 Mar 2007Checked 4 Nov 2026

After horn eruption, pain management must be used; must be done humanely.

Ohio Admin. Code 901:12-13-02(A)(1)In force since 13 Feb 2025Checked 4 Nov 2026

After horn eruption, pain management must be used; must be done humanely.

Ohio Admin. Code 901:12-6-02(A)(1) (dairy), 901:12-7-02(A)(1) (beef)In force since 13 Feb 2025Checked 4 Nov 2026