An employee is not just going through the motions of a specific duty, one is expected to follow humane slaughter laws and treat the animals with respect. When the 1958 Humane Slaughter Act was passed in the U.S., this was in order to prevent livestock from “needless suffering.” After the 1993 incident at a Jack in the Box where an episode of E. Coli killed four children, people wanted to improve conditions. Along with acknowledging the well-being of the animal the laws focus on higher sanitation ratings and more efficient facilities. Temple Grandin was a huge influence on the industry. In a slaughter facility there was a quote hanging to remind workers to be respectful of the animals. “I believe that the place where an animal dies is a sacred one. The ritual could be something very simple, such as a moment of silence. No words, just one pure moment of silence. I can picture it perfectly….” (This is What Humane Slaughter Looks Like. Is It Good Enough?) Grandin has designed equipment that is used on more than half of U.S. and Canadian cattle such as the stun gun, also known as a CASH knocker. This device is used to instantly stun cattle with a bolt into the cow’s forehead. The efficiency of the aforementioned device is that approximately 95 percent of cattle are stunned on the first …show more content…
Is It Good Enough?) There are standards that Grandin has created alongside the American Meat Institute (AMI) but the degree to which they are followed is up to the certifier. Some will go above and beyond what is required while others barely pass standards. For example, the Animal Welfare Institute has above average standards compared to AMI’s. On the other hand, Global Animal Partnership does not have standards for slaughter. In Chapter 48 Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter 1902 Humane methods, “in the case of cattle, calves, horses, mules, sheep, swine, and other livestock, all animals are rendered insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or an electrical, chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut,” (Full Statute Name: United States Code Annotated. Title 7. Agriculture. Chapter 48. Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter) Not only for sanitary reasons, but due to pressure from the ever increasing urbanized world, welfare of animals has become one of the main goals when slaughter is discussed. Grandin believes that efficient facilities start with the managers. In most facilities managers who “care” practice good handling and stunning practices. Considering the