Method and device for stunning an animal for slaughter

Abstract

A method of stunning an animal for slaughter includes the steps of providing the animal for slaughter; conveying the animal using conveying means; while conveying, causing a first current pulse having a maximum duration of 10 seconds to flow through the head and/or neck region of the animal to stun the animal; and, while conveying, causing a second current pulse to flow through the body of the animal to cause a cardiac arrest. The first and second current pulses may be applied successively or may be overlapping or partly overlapping.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method for stunning an animal which has a head, a neck, and a main body, comprising the steps of: 
       a) providing the animal for slaughter on a conveyor;  
       b) moving the animal on the conveyor toward a destination;  
       c) causing a first current pulse to flow through the head and/or neck of the animal to stun the animal; and  
       d) causing a second current pulse to flow through the body of the animal to cause a cardiac arrest;  
       wherein step c) is carried out with an effective voltage of a maximum of 1000 volts and with the first current pulse having a maximum duration of 10 seconds;  
       wherein steps (c) and (d) are executed during step (b); and  
       wherein step (d) has a duration of a maximum of 10 seconds.  
     
     
       2. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the second current pulse is caused to flow through a heart region of the animal. 
     
     
       3. Method as claimed in claim  2 , wherein the second current pulse is also caused to flow through the neck and/or head of the animal. 
     
     
       4. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein step (c) has a duration of 1-2 secs. 
     
     
       5. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein step (c) is carried out with an effective voltage on the order of magnitude of 250 V. 
     
     
       6. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein step (d) has a duration of 1-2 secs. 
     
     
       7. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the steps (c) and (d) together have a duration of 2.5-3 secs. 
     
     
       8. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein step (d) is carried out with an effective voltage of a maximum of 1000 V. 
     
     
       9. Method as claimed in claim  7 , wherein step (d) is carried out with an effective voltage on the order of magnitude of 125 V. 
     
     
       10. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the first current pulse consists of an alternating current with a frequency of a maximum of 1000 Hz. 
     
     
       11. Method as claimed in claim  10 , wherein the first current pulse consists of an alternating current with a frequency having the value of a mains frequency. 
     
     
       12. Method as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the second current pulse consists of an alternating current with a frequency of a maximum of 1000 Hz. 
     
     
       13. Method as claimed in claim  12 , wherein the second current pulse consists of an alternating current with a frequency having the value of a mains frequency. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus for stunning an animal having a head, a neck, and a main body, comprising: 
       a) a conveyor for transporting the animal for slaughter;  
       b) at least one first electrode for engaging the head and/or neck of the animal being transported on the conveyor;  
       c) an electrical supply connected to the first electrode for causing a first current pulse to flow through the first electrode and into the head and/or neck of the animal;  
       d) at least one second electrode for engaging the body of the animal, the electrical supply being further connected to the second electrode for causing a second current pulse to flow through the second electrode and into the body of the animal and cause a cardiac arrest;  
       wherein the first and second electrodes are movable together with the conveyor in a direction of transport of the animal,  
       wherein the at least one first electrode is carried by a first carriage which can be moved reciprocally along said conveyor such that said at least one first electrode can make contact with an animal for slaughter carried by said conveyor during the first current pulse for the maximum duration of 10 seconds; and  
       wherein the second electrode is carried by a second carriage which can be moved reciprocally along said conveyor such that said second electrode can make contact with an animal for slaughter carried by said conveyor during the second current pulse for a maximum duration of 10 seconds.  
     
     
       15. Device as claimed in claim  14 , further comprising means for lowering the transition resistance between the electrodes and the animal. 
     
     
       16. Device as claimed in claim  15 , wherein the second electrode is adapted to be pressed against the thorax region of the animal such that the second current pulse is caused to flow to at least a significant degree through the heart region. 
     
     
       17. Device as claimed in claim  15 , further comprising a pressing device for pressing the electrodes against the animal with predetermined forces. 
     
     
       18. Device as claimed in claim  14 , wherein the first carriage comprises the second carriage. 
     
     
       19. Device as claimed in claim  14 , wherein the at least one second electrode forms part of an outer surface of the conveyor.