Abstract: A cutting means particularly for dehorning animals comprises a frame mounting a pair of opposed blades relatively movable between open and closed positions, one of said blades being operated by an hydraulic ram, a pair of handles extending in parallel array from the frame, one of the handles accommodating a rotary valve for controlling fluid flow to the ram, to actuate the movable blade, said one handle being rotatable to operate the rotary valve and the disposition of the handle being such that when only the one handle is gripped, the weight of the cutting means tends to rotate the valve to move the movable blade towards an open position.