Professional Assessment of Cattle Dehorning Practices and Welfare Implications in Benue State

Dehorning of cattle is a widely practiced management procedure to reduce injury risks in herds, yet it carries significant animal welfare implications depending on the technique, age at dehorning, and availability of pain management. This study professionally assesses dehorning practices, operator qualifications, welfare standards, and regulatory compliance among cattle farmers and veterinary professionals in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, from April to November 2023. A structured field survey encompassing 96 cattle farmers and 22 veterinary practitioners across eight local government areas was conducted, combined with direct observation of 34 dehorning procedures. Horn removal by saw or dehorning iron was the most frequently employed technique in adult cattle, used in 71% of observed procedures. Analgesia before, during, or after dehorning was provided in only 18% of observed cases. Disbudding of calves before four weeks of age, widely considered the most humane approach, was practiced by only 11% of famers. Infections and fly-strike complications at dehorning sites were documented in 38% of recently dehorned animals. Operator knowledge of dehorning best practices was significantly higher among formally trained veterinary professionals than among farmers. These findings reveal widespread deviation from internationally recognized dehorning welfare standards in Benue State. The study recommends mandatory veterinary supervision for commercial herd dehorning, integration of dehorning pain management protocols into extension service training, and enforcement of animal welfare guidelines by Benue State agricultural authorities. Keywords: cattle dehorning, animal welfare, pain management, Benue State, dehorning practices.