Time required for cattle to lose sensibilityRitual slaughter is slaughter done according to the religious requirements of either the Jewish or Muslim religious faith. The animal is slaughtered, without being stunned, with a razor sharp knife. When the cut is done correctly, the animal appears not to feel it. From an animal welfare standpoint, the major concern during ritual slaughter are the stressful and cruel methods of restraint (holding) that are used in some plants. Progressive slaughter plants use devices to hold the animal in a comfortable, upright position. Unfortunately, there are some plants which use cruel methods of restraint such as hanging live animals upside down. At Grandin Livestock Systems, we believe that the practice of hanging live cattle and calves upside down should be eliminated. For both humane and safety reasons, plants which conduct ritual slaughter should install modern upright restraining equipment. There are many different types of humane restraint devices available.
Time required for cattle to lose sensibilityPrinciples of Low Stress RestraintMaintaining acceptable animal welfare during Kosher or Halal slaughterRitual Slaughter TipsASPCA Pen for
Ritual SlaughterSchematic
Details of the ASPCA Pen for Ritual SlaughterConveyor
Restrainer SystemsSmall
Restraint Systems
A Discussion For Meat Scientists
Conservative Jewish Law and Standards on shackling and hoisting
Translated article on Kosher slaughter from a religious journal in Israel
Kosher Meat from UruguayAnswers to questions about cattle insensibility and pain during kosher slaughter and analysis of the Agriprocessors videoEvaluation of Methods of Restraint for holding (fixation) of Cattle,Calves, and Sheep for kosher and halal slaughterVocalization Scoring of Restraint for Kosher Slaughter of Cattle for an Animal Welfare AuditRecommendations to facilitate onset of rapid insensibility after religious slaughter
The Cut of Ritual Slaughter
Meat International. November / December (pages 36-39)
Slaughter: Religious Slaughter and Animal Welfare
A Discussion For Meat Scientists
Meat Focus 3 : 115 - 123
Euthanasia and Slaughter of Livestock
Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association
volume 204 : 1354 - 1360
Observations of Cattle Restraint Devices
For Stunning and Slaughtering
Animal Welfare 1 : 85 - 90
Humanitarian Aspects Of Schechitah In The United States
Judiasm 39 : 430 - 446
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