Introduction

The methods used to slaughter animals can affect carcass and meat quality, the animals’ welfare and the safety of the personnel operating the system. Many methods are influenced by religious beliefs. For example, some Jews and Muslims will not consume the meat from animals unless these have been slaughtered according to a set of religious codes. The different methods of slaughter are as follows:

A. Scientific method of slaughter

I. Stunning

Particularly with large animals, stunning is important to immobilize the animal to facilitate severing the blood vessels (sticking) to kill it. Operator safety would be severely compromised by trying to stick a conscious animal unless it was fully restrained. Manual restraint is feasible for small animals like sheep but not for cattle. The value of stunning in preventing the animal feeling pain or distress at exsanguination has been mentioned already. To be effective in this regard the stunning process must render the animal insensible immediately, or, if it is not immediate, the process must be completely pain and stress-free. By relaxing the body, some stunning techniques may also benefit carcass quality.

II. Killing

The cleaning includes Exsanguination and sticking

B. Ritual method of slaughter

I. Halal method

a. Halal method

This method is widely practiced across the world. The act of slaughter (Al-Dhabh) is allowed in the name of God; therefore, pronouncing the name of Allah is the usual practice. This is to remind the slaughterer that he is taking the life of a living creature. Dead animals and consumption of pigs and blood is forbidden accordingly. There is a question of animal welfare since this practice seems cruel. Stunning is allowed. A trained Muslim slaughter man with or without prior stunning cuts the neck in order to sever the jugular veins and carotid arteries, esophagus and trachea without severing the spinal cord while the animal is alive. Slaughtering must not be done at the sight of other animals

b. Jhatka method

It the method of slaughter where bleeding is made by decapitation. A single blow with much sharp knife/sword is practiced so that separate head from whole body. This method is prevalent in Hinduism. It is easy and quick method. However, perfect bleeding can’t be ensured.

c.Jewish Method

This method follows the ritual methods of obtaining KOSHER per the requirement of Jewish law.

A few Jewish rules –

• the animals intended for slaughter must be alive, healthy and must not suffer from any kind of injury
• Diseased meat; the Terefa is unacceptable for consumption
• Animals in recumbency and unable to stand must not be slaughtered
• Slaughtering the animals with a single deliberate swift action of a rajor sharp knife PM examination by Shochet by making an incision to the posterior to the Xiphoid process to reveal any adhesion in the thoracic cavity
• A kosher must be sold out in 3 days