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105
The Report gave details of what the Committee considered the most
humane, expeditious, and practical methods of killing after stunning various
animals used for food.
The Committee, practically tested a number of appliances, such as masks
and patent killers, and recommended their use in the case of quiet cattle or
injured horses only, as their adjustment was found very difficult in the case
of wild or restive animals.
The Committee found that the poll-axe, when used by an expert is, on the
whole, the most satisfactory method of slaughtering cattle. This view will be
endorsed by all having a knowledge of the subject.
A noticeable feature of the Report is the expression of opinion that the
Jewish method of slaughtering must be condemned on grounds of humanity,
and arrived at this conclusion on the ground that:—
"(a) The Jewish system fails in the primary requirements of
"rapidity, freedom from unnecessary pain, and instantaneous loss of
"sensibility, and that it compares very unfavourably with the methods
"of stunning as recommended by the Committee.
"(b) The preliminary operations of ' casting' and of forcing the
"animal's head into position for the cut, are difficult, painful, and
"objectionable from a humanitarian standpoint.
"(c) The subsequent operation of cutting the throat is at best an
"uncertain method of producing immediate loss of sensibility, and
"frequently causes great and unduly prolonged suffering to the animal.
"(d) Until some method is devised and adopted for rendering the
"animal unconscious previous to the ' casting' and throat-cutting
"operations, the Jewish system of slaughtering cattle should not be
"permitted in any establishment under Government control."
In addition, the Committee submit some model Clauses, as under, dealing
with methods of slaughter that could with advantage be universally
adopted and strictly enforced by Local Authorities having power to make
Bvedaws for regulating slaughterhouses:—
(a) All animals (cattle, calves, sheep, lambs, and pigs), without
exception, must be stunned, or otherwise rendered unconscious before
blood is drawn.
(b) Animals awaiting slaughter must be so placed that they cannot
see into the slaughterhouse, and the doors of the latter must be kept
closed whilst slaughtering is going on.