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 04 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 01 Jul 2021Checked 04 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 04 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 04 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 04 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 04 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 01 Jul 2023Checked 04 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 01 Jul 2023Checked 04 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 04 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 06 Mar 2014Checked 04 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 06 Mar 2014Checked 04 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 06 Mar 2014Checked 04 Nov 2026

Goats kept for milk production or on petting farms.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 04 Nov 2026

Designated intervention.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.5Checked 04 Nov 2026

Designated intervention.

Besluit diergeneeskundigen, ch. 2, art. 2.4Checked 04 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 09 May 2021Checked 04 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 09 May 2021Checked 04 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 01 Oct 2019Checked 04 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 04 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 04 Nov 2026

An anaesthetic must be administered.

SI 2007/1100, Sch. 1 and Sch. 2In force since 06 Apr 2007Checked 04 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 02 Apr 2012Checked 04 Nov 2026

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

SSI 2010/387, Sch. 1In force since 05 Nov 2010Checked 04 Nov 2026

An anaesthetic must be administered.

WSI 2007/1029, Sch. 2In force since 28 Mar 2007Checked 04 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 04 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 04 Nov 2026