Emergency Slaughter

Question 1

What are the options for an animal when treatment is not possible?

Answer 1

open market
transport direct to slaughter
emergency on farm slaughter
slaughter and disposal via fallen stock

Question 2

What are the considerations when transporting direct to slaughter?

Answer 2

loading/unloading
distance
special bedding?
Single pens

Question 3

What constitutes an animal ‘unfit for transport’?`

Answer 3

Unable to walk independently without pain or walk unaided
Severe open wound or prolapse
pregnant >90% or given birth within 7 days
blind
infirm
newborn with unhealed navel
calves <10 days old (unless transported <100km)

Question 4

What is the legislation regarding transporting animals that are ‘slightly injured or ill’?

Answer 4

animals that are slightly injured or ill may be transported under veterinary supervision to the nearest place for treatment or slaughter if the animal is unlikely to be subjected to unnecessary suffering by reason of its unfitness

Question 5

What is the legislation regarding transport of lame animals

Answer 5

allows transport of mild to moderately lame animals:
- single pens
- sufficient space to lie down
- adequate (deep) bedding
- direct route
- careful driving
- sympathetic loading/unloading

Question 6

Who carries out an ante-mortem for an emergency on-farm slaughter?

Answer 6

private veterinary surgeon

Question 7

What are the considerations for emergency on-farm slaughter?

Answer 7

is it an emergency?
was it an accident?
was the animal healthy before the accident?
does the animal fulfill ante mortem conditions?
medicine withdrawal periods
Clean Livestock Policy (CLP)

Question 8

Fallen Stock Methods of Slaughter

Answer 8

Captive bold stunner (bled or pithed)
Free bullet
Shotgun
Barbiturate

Question 9

What are the signs of an effective stun with the captive bolt gun?

Answer 9

Animal collapses instantaneously
no rhythmic breathing
fixed, glazed expression in eyes
no corneal reflex
relaxed jaw tone
tongue hangs out