Modern Stunning Techniques Used Prior to Slaughtering

Critics of Islamic and similar Jewish procedures in slaughtering animals oppose the fact that 1902 (a) is not implemented, which calls, though optionally, that animals be stunned before their throats be cut.  This is based on the claim that stunning renders the animal insensible to pain, although the more favorable opinion is that it renders the animal easier to control in mass factory-like slaughter houses.  Some modern means of stunning are the following:

Mechanical Methods:

·                    Captive Bolt Pistol (CBP): This stunning method is widely used for all farmed animals and rabbits.  Gun powder (cartridge), compressed air and spring under tension drive bolts through the skull of animals.  This type of stunning is widely used for all farmed animals.  It is called ‘captive’ since the bolt is shot out of the barrel but remains attached to the pistol.

·        Concussion stunning.  A mechanically operated instrument delivers a blow to the brain and concusses the brain.  Used for cattle, sheep, calves, rabbits.

·        Free bullets.  Used for animals difficult to handle such as wild pigs, bison, deer, horses or in emergencies.

After stunning animals may be pithed, involving inserting a rod into the cavity made by the bolt to destroy the lower portion of the brain and the upper spinal cord.  In all these methods, unconsciousness is caused either by penetration of the skull which causes brain damage or by causing a concussive blow to the brain without penetration.  After stunning the animal undergoes sticking which cuts off the blood supply to the brain.  After animals are stunned and stuck, they are bled, and it is the bleeding that causes death.  The industry requires that the heart should remain beating as long as possible after sticking to ensure that as much blood as possible is removed from the flesh and blood vessels.  This apparently maintains the quality of the meat and its keeping potential.

Electric Stunning

·        Head-Only Stunning: Cattle, sheep, goats and ostriches are all stunned using this method.  The technique involves the application of a pair of electric tongs on either side of the animal’s head.  An electric current is then passed through the brain and this supposedly leads to the temporary loss of consciousness.

·        Cardiac arrest stunning: Used for cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits and goats.  An electric current is either sent through the head and body at the same time to span the brain and heart or is sent though the head first and then across the chest or through the head and body at the same time.

·        Water Bath Stunning: This is a widely used method of stunning for chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.  In this method, birds are shackled upside-down on a moving conveyor belt that takes them to the electric water bath.  The birds’ heads are to supposedly be immersed in this water causing their electrocution.  In recent years, the strength of the electric current has been raised to ensure the death of the birds by cardiac arrest.

Gassing

Birds may be stunned using CO2 and Argon gas while they remain in their crates.  Pigs are also gassed using CO2.

Sticking

In this method a knife is stuck into the animal’s throat or neck causing brain death from the rapid loss of blood supply to the brain.

Does the Animal Feel Pain in This Method?

Studies have shown that stunning the animal with the mentioned techniques put the animal through unnecessary pain.  Concerning CBP, the study at the German University showed the following result for stunned animals:

1.    The animals were apparently unconscious soon after stunning.

2.    EEG showed severe pain immediately after stunning.

3.    The hearts of the animal stunned by CBP stopped beating earlier as compared to those of the animals slaughtered according to the Halal method resulting in the retention of more blood in the meat.  This in turn is unhygienic for the consumer.

Although the animals were rendered unconscious, they felt severe pain from the stunning, a factor not present in the Islamic manner.