CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

7.2 Methods allowed
Crimes Without ConsequenCes
Neither the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, nor the regulations under the law,
specifically prohibits the use of a sledgehammer or ax to stun an animal for slaughter. As
a result, when animal advocates worked with state legislators during the 1960s and 1970s
to pass statewide prohibitions on inhumane slaughter methods, use of these implements
was often included. 196 Connecticut law, for example, provides that “Use of a manuallyoperated
sledge, hammer or poleax to render an animal insensible to pain is prohibited.”
However, although federal law does not prohibit use of a hammer or ax, the USDA-FSIS
does not consider these to be acceptable mechanical means of stunning. 197
7.3 Exemptions
The Federal Humane Methods of Slaughter Act identifies slaughtering in accordance
with ritual requirements of the Jewish or other religious faith as humane. Moreover, the
law spells out that not only slaughter, but “the handling or other preparation of livestock
for ritual slaughter are exempted” from the Act. 198 All states with humane slaughter laws
have included a similar exemption for religious slaughter. However, while the federal law
includes language that covers handling, state laws typically refer to slaughter only.
A few states have attempted to encourage, if not require, the use of holding pens for
religious slaughter in order to avoid shackling and hoisting of conscious animals.
Connecticut was the first state to require use of holding pens that allow animals not
previously stunned to be cut while upright. However, a general exception to the law for
religious slaughter makes use of the pens voluntary under Connecticut’s law. 199
Section 22-272a. Approved methods of slaughter
(b)(2) restraint of the animal by means of a pen approved by the commissioner which
firmly encloses the animal and, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort, places
the animal in such a position that a cutting stroke may be administered quickly and
efficiently; (3) restraint of the animal by means of a body harness approved by the
commissioner which lifts, supports and cradles the animal and, with a minimum of
excitement and discomfort, places it in such a position that a cutting stroke may be
administered quickly and efficiently, and (4) restraint of the animal by any other means
approved by the commissioner which causes the animal no unreasonable or unnecessary
pain and which, with a minimum of excitement and discomfort, places the animal in such
a position that a cutting stroke may be administered quickly and efficiently.
196 Use of a hammer or ax to stun an animal is prohibited under the laws of Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois,
Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and
Washington.
197 USDA-FSIS, Human Resources Development Staff, For the welfare of livestock (interactive CD training
guide), July 1998.
198 7 U.S.C. Section 1906.
199 Section 22-272(e).
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