Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of
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<strong>Guidelines</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>humane</strong> <strong>h<strong>and</strong>ling</strong>, <strong>transport</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>slaughter</strong> <strong>of</strong> livestock 61<br />
Electrical stunning<br />
while st<strong>and</strong>ing or lying on s<strong>of</strong>t ground to prevent<br />
the bullet from ricocheting.<br />
This method <strong>of</strong> stunning is well suited <strong>for</strong> pigs, sheep or<br />
goats, poultry <strong>and</strong> ostriches. (Use in cattle or other large species is<br />
in development, but if not properly applied it may result in excessive<br />
haemorrhage in the muscles or spinal fractures.) Electrical stunning<br />
induces electroplectic shock or epileptic state in the brain. This state<br />
should last <strong>for</strong> long enough <strong>for</strong> bleeding to be carried out so that the<br />
animal dies from cerebral anoxia. A low voltage alternating electric<br />
current is applied by means <strong>of</strong> two electrodes, which are placed on<br />
either side <strong>of</strong> the brain using tongs. Since the brain <strong>of</strong> animals is<br />
small, the electrodes should be accurately <strong>and</strong> firmly placed high up<br />
on the sides <strong>of</strong> the head in sheep, goats, pigs <strong>and</strong> ostriches (Figs. 56,<br />
57, 58, 59).<br />
Fig.56: Tongs<br />
<strong>for</strong> electrical<br />
stunning <strong>of</strong><br />
sheep or goats
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