136 Agkicultubal Expebimeni' Station, Ithaca, N. Y. 



operation and observed its effects were in favor of it, while those who 

 had not seen it were opposed to it. 



Indeed, as regards all the evidence received by the Commission it 

 might almost be given as the rule that where the operation was prop- 

 erly and skillfully performed those witnessing it, however prejudiced 

 before, became converts to it, while the great bulk of the opposition 

 came from parties not acquainted with the operation, and who enter- 

 tained exaggerated ideas as to its severity. 



In no case were witnesses able to refer to an instance where a farmer 

 was dissatisfied with the results or willing to give up his right to con- 

 tinue the practice, after having performed the operation. 



In addition to the evidence as to the amount of pain involved in 

 the operation, much evidence was received as to the commercial 

 advantages accruing from the operation, and emphasizing the point 

 that a great deal of suffering is prevented by the removal of the 

 horns. 



No fault could be found with the character and bearing of those 

 who testified in favor of the practice, 'i'hey were men who would 

 readily be selected as representative of the best clabs of farmers, and 

 even those opposed to them on this question willingly testified to their 

 respectability and good standing in the community. 



A great deal of opposition to the practice was met with from mem- 

 bers of humane societies and others who believed that the operation 

 was purely for commercial considerations and therefore unjustifiable, 

 and that the pain inflicted was excessive. These witnesses were 

 strengthened in their belief by the judgment of Lord Chief Justice 

 Coleridge and Mr. Justice Hawkins,* a verbatim report of that adverse 

 decision having been printed and distributed by the Royal Society for 

 the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 



Recommendations of the Commission. 



The Commission would therefore recommend as follows : 

 1st. That the practice of dehorning be permitted where performed 

 with reasonable skill, with proper appliances, and with due regard to 

 the avoidance of unnecessary suffering, and that the Ontario Govern- 

 ment should bring to the attention of the Dominion Government the 

 desirability of amending the law relating to cruelty to animals, so as 

 to give effect to this recommendation. 



2d. That the Ontario Government should direct the manawemeut 

 of the Ontario Experimental Farm to experiment Avith chemicals 



*P. 187. 



