109 



their stock ? A. They would be justified if the pain were so slight as to make it a secondary 

 consideration. I would favor tipping, and then cattle can be prevented doing injury by 

 putting on brass knobbs or a beard across from horn to horn. 



Q. Do you think there is a possibility of fraud as to age if the horns are off? A. Not 

 much ; if the teeth are good the cow is all right. I would judge by the teeth and the general 

 appearance. What we want is to get better blood into our cattle ; it is these old bushwhackers 

 that make the trouble, and I would recommend that they have their horns taken off low down in 

 the neck. 



Henry Wickson, Toronto, sworn, said: I am a retail butcher and have handled cattle in 

 a small way for a good many years. 



Q. Have you ever seen danger from the horns in handling cattle 1 A. We see a good many 

 scratches, but there are bruises from other causes than the horns. The injury to the flesh from 

 horns is not very great. I don't think it would be any special advantage to have cattle dehorned. 



Q. You don't think there is an element of danger from the horns when strange cattle are 

 bi'ought together ? A. Not largely; doubtless they do chase each other a good deal. I have seen 

 mixed loads, where there would be two or three without horns aud these would be subjected to 

 persecution from the others. Then a broken horn is a very painful thing. Of course I have 

 seen cattle hook each other, but they are generally surface scratches. I have not seen enough 

 injury done to make me consider that dehorning is desirable, Cattle often injure themselves 

 by knocking up against gates or posts and this could not be blamed on the horns. 



The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock to meet on the following morning at 10 o'clock. 



Wednesday, June 15th. 



The Commission resumed the hearing of evidence on Wednesday morning, all the members 

 being present. 



John Mallon, Toronto, sworn, said : I have been extensively engaged in the cattle trade, 

 but at present merely buy for local consumption. At one time I bought up cattle in various 

 parts of the province. 



Q. Have you seen any damage to cattle from horns in bringing them together at the start- 

 ing point 1 A. Yes, from the beginning to the end. 1 have seen the whole sides of cattle des- 

 troyed—not only the beef, but the hide. At the Western cattle market I have always seen two 

 or three out of every carload that would bear marks of horns. There would be 10 per cent, in- 

 jured, more or less, and two or three percent, seriously damaged. This will always happen as 

 long as there are horns." 



Q. Would there be a good deal of suffering from all this ? A. There must be tremend- 

 ous suffering. 



Q. What is your idea as to the pain of the operation ? A. I think it is no more pain to 

 take the horns off a bullock than it is to cut the ears of a dog. We had a cow once that the 

 doctor said was suffering from the hollow horn ; we cut the horns off and, although she was too 

 far gone to recover, the operation did not seem to be a very painful one. 



Q. As a buyer would you be much influenced by the horns in buying ? A. I would look at 

 the body. I would be influenced to some extent by the horns, as a bullock with good horns 

 would look better and heavier than a similar animal without horns. We don't calculate the 

 weight quite so heavy where the horns are off. As to the age, a butcher who understands his 

 business can tell without looking at the horns whether its an old or young animal. The teeth 

 are the main thing. Up to seven years < Id the teeth would be in good condition. 



Q. Do you consider that the amount of advantage would counterbalance the infliction of 

 pain ? A. Yes, by one hundred percent. I believe that the cattle would all be better off with- 

 out horns. They would be better for ordinary use, better for shipping and less dangerous. 

 About ten years ago there was a Mr. Reeves killed here by a two-year-old steer. 



Q. If you were buying would you give a preference to dehorned cattle? A. Yes, because 

 then there would be no injury to the beef or to the hides. 



Mr. Giuson. — Would it not be better to tie up the cattle if you are suffering to the extent 

 of ten percent. A. Yes, it would, perhaps, if you were only handling a small lot, but as a busi- 

 ness there is a great deal of work and trouble about it, and people would not take the time to 

 do it. 



Mr. Macpherson. — You believe the suffering is greater from hooking than from the oper- 

 ation ? A. Yes, over 100 per cent. I look upon dehorning as something like pulling a couple 

 of teeth. 



