TIR has long been opposed to the routine removal of animal horns, given that these organs are supplied with blood and nerves, and is greatly disappointed at the negative outcome of the initiative. TIR published a detailed legal opinion on the dehorning of cows as far back as 2011 where it concluded that the process of dehorning cows and goats, which is carried out for purely financial reasons, impairs the animals' ability to communicate and constitutes a disregard for their dignity. Animal dignity is protected on both the constitutional (article 120 paragraph 2 of the Federal Constitution) and a statutory (articles 3 litera a and 4 paragraph 2 of the Animal Welfare Act, AWA).

Disregarding an animal's dignity is liable to prosecution according to article 26 paragraph 1 litera a AWA. Consequently, the dehorning aught to be banned altogether. However, as long as this is not the case, TIR welcomes measures aimed at creating incentives to rear horned animals.

However, the close result of the vote and the international media echo garnered by the initiative indicate that there is an increasing awareness of the practices farm animals, cows and goats in particular, are subjected to. It also goes to show that the objective of the initiative is becoming more and more popular. TIR applauds Armin Capaul, the driving force behind the initiative, for achieving such widespread interest for this important issue and will continue to support his work for the wellbeing of animals