Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of

70
Guidelines for humane handling, transport and slaughter of livestock
Fig. 66: Prestunning
of
buffalo through
blow with a
hammer
number of pigs are driven into a stunning pen and indiscriminately
treated with hammer blows. Because they move around, many
animals are not hit efficiently; they need additional blows or arrive
fully conscious at bleeding (Fig. 66, 67).
In many places in the developing world, immobilization of
large ruminants (cattle, buffalo) is still carried out through the use of
a sharp, pointed knife sometimes called a puntilla or Spanish pike
(Fig. 68, 69). The knife is used to sever the spinal cord through the
space (Foramen magnum) between the skull and neck position of the
backbone. Upon inserting the knife and severing the spinal cord, the
animal will collapse. It remains immobilized and the operators have
easy access; however, the animals remain conscious until bleeding is
complete. This practice should be discontinued, as it is not humane.
An equally inhumane method of immobilization of large
animals involves severing the Achilles’ tendons, which lead to the
collapse of the animal. This practice can in particular be observed in
camel slaughterhouses. In camel slaughtering it can also be
observed that the animals are immobilized by bending the joints of
the fore- and hind legs through tying thin wires around. This forces
the animals into a painful sitting position. They may be kept like this
for many hours before they are slaughtered.