Detaching the head, tongue and oesophagus According to the Regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing, the work phases can be started only when the animal has died. In practice this means that an animal whose body moves/trembles is given time to bleed out still and its processing is not started. It would be good to let blood bleed for five minutes before continuing with the slaughtering. "Death is ensured by stating the missing of all life signs after bleeding." The death of an animal, like unconsciousness, cannot be stated by watching just one factor. The following signs indicate to the death of the animal: • The animal does not breath • The heart does not beat • There is no pulse when trying to find it underneath the front shoulder • Unchanged gaze, no eye reflexes • The eye does not react to touch at all * No corneal reflex * No eyelid reflex • No pupil reaction * Pointing a bright light to the eye does not cause pupil contraction • Gums are slowly turning pale/white • Muscles may twitch slightly even though the animal is dead”
SOURCE Finnish Centre for Animal Welfare 2013, Hyvä toimintatapa teurastuksessa – Nauta (good practices in slaughtering – Bovine)
Slaughter of reindeer in Finland
•
35
