Electrical stunning and humane slaughter

Authors: Blackmore DK, Petersen GV, Newhook JC
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 27, Issue 10, pp 224, Oct 1979
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Animal handling, Slaughter
Article class: Correspondence

---

Abstract: The introduction of electrical stunning of sheep and calves prior to slaughter has created certain problems for those concerned with animal welfare. During the last 4 years, we have studied the onset and duration of insensibility of sheep and calves stunned and slaughtered by different methods. Although publications on this work are in preparation, we felt that, before the 1979/80 killing season commenced, a summary of our findings would be of value to those concerned with the humane aspects of stunning and slaughter. Insensibility and cardiac function were assessed from recordings of transhemispheric electrocorticograms (ECoG) and from electrocardiograms (ECG)…

---