Is the method used to kill the horses during slaughter humane?
Yes. Acceptable euthanasia techniques result in a rapid loss of consciousness, cardiac or respiratory arrest (the heart and lungs stop), and loss of brain function. The penetrating captive bolt is a physical method of euthanasia. Its action is similar to that of a gun, but it does not release a bullet; instead, a steel pin is driven through the skull and into the brain, producing instantaneous brain death. It can be safer to use a penetrating captive bolt than a gun, because there is no bullet and therefore no risk of ricochet or injury to people or other animals from the bullet passing through the animal’s body. In large animal emergency situations, such as fatally injured horses trapped in overturned trailers, the penetrating captive bolt is an accepted method of euthanasia; many large animal emergency rescue units carry penetrating captive bolts for use in these situations. In the United States, horses were rendered insensible during slaughter using a penetrating captive bolt. The A
