Cow tail debate returns to Colorado House

DENVER — Dairy cow tails are back before the Colorado Legislature, which is considering a divisive proposal to prevent farmers from cutting cattle tails.

The bill would ban so-called docking except when performed by a veterinarian using anesthesia. A House committee delayed a vote last week after hours of contentious debate.

The Humane Society of the United States and other animal advocates want to limit tail docking because research has found it doesn’t make milk or workers safer. The groups also argue tail docking robs cows of their built-in fly swatters and causes pain.