accomplish the anesthesia quickly and calmly, with a minimum of excitement and
discomfort to the animals.
(b) Mechanical:
(i) Captive bolt. The slaughtering of sheep, swine, goats, calves, cattle, horses, and
mules by using captive bolt stunners and the handling in connection therewith, in
compliance with the provisions contained in this subrule, are hereby designated and
approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling of such animals under
the act. The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with
this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they
are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a
manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and
discomfort. Immediately after the stunning blow is delivered, the animals shall be
in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout
shackling, sticking, and bleeding.
(ii) Gunshot. The slaughtering of cattle, calves, sheep, swine, goats, horses, and
mules by shooting with firearm is hereby designated and approved as humane
method of slaughter. The firearm shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or a
projectile from a barrel containing rifling into the animal so as to produce immediate
unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown,
cast, or cut. The caliber and choice of firearm shall be such as to render the animal
unconscious with a single shot, but caliber shall not exceed .25 caliber.
(c) Electrical. Stunning with electric current. The slaughtering of swine, sheep,
calves, and cattle with the use of electric current and the handling in connection
therewith, in compliance with the provisions contained in this subrule, are hereby
designated and approved as humane methods of slaughtering and handling of such
animals under the act.
(i) The electric current shall be administered so as to produce surgical anesthesia in
the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be
exposed to the electric current in away that will accomplish the anesthesia quickly and
calmly, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals.
(ii) Each animal shall be given a sufficient application of electric current to insure
unconsciousness immediately and through the bleeding operation.
History: 1979 AC.
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