What is the process for slaughtering cows and other livestock? Do they experience any pain?
The slaughterhouse process differs by species and region. A typical procedure follows: (Kosher and halal religious laws prescribe specific methods of slaughter that differ from those described below.) Animals are received by truck or rail from a ranch, farm, or feedlot. Animals are herded into holding pens (see Judas goat). Animals receive a preslaughter inspection. Animals are rendered insensible (unconscious) by stunning (method varies) Animals are hung by hind legs on processing line. A main artery is cut, the animal’s blood drains out and it dies. Animal’s hide/skin/plumage is removed. Carcass is inspected and graded by a government inspector for quality and safety. (by the Food Safety Inspection Service in the US, and CFIA in Canada) Carcass is cut apart and the body parts separated. Meat cuts are quickly chilled to prevent the growth of microorganisms and to reduce meat deterioration while the meat awaits distribution. The remaining carcass may be further processed to extract any
I’ve seen many cows slaughtered for food. Not one of them “screamed” and none of them seemed to be in pain. As much of the body was used as possible. If we eliminated the slaughtering of cows and other livestock, world hunger would skyrocket. I’m sorry, but kill the cows and save the people. Of course it should be done humanely, but the life of a cow is not as valuable as that of a human.
1) “In the United States, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) specifies the approved methods of livestock slaughter: – Chemical (carbon dioxide): This method is approved for sheep, calves and swine. The animal is asphyxiated by the use of carbon dioxide gas. – Mechanical (captive bolt): This method is approved for sheep, swine, goats, calves, cattle, horses, mules, and other equines. A captive bolt stunner is applied to the livestock so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are butchered. – Mechanical (gunshot): This method is approved for cattle, calves, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and other equines. The gun is used to render the animal immediately unconscious (and presumably dead) before butchering. – Electrical (stunning or slaughtering with electric current): This method is approved for swine, sheep, calves, cattle, and goats. The current applied is sufficient to ensure surgical anesthesia throughout the “bleeding” of the animal.
