An easily operated castrating tool that allows placement of an improved continuous elastic band for ligation and removal of an appendage. The present invention includes a tool that allows such bands to be placed in a manner that is significantly more easy to use, and less fatiguing to the parties that utilize the device. The instant invention is also an improved elastic band which allows for better compressive ligation about a body part as well as a simple, but effective, spreading tool that allows for quicker and easier placement of the improved elastic band about a body part to be ligated.