The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw a donkey that had been branded on its face and said: "Did I not forbid this?" Sayyiduna Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Certainly, I will not brand except at the place farthest from the face." Then he branded it on its haunches.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب قسم الصدقات / 13261