The effects of bolt length on penetration hole characteristics, brain damage and specified-risk material dispersal in finished cattle stunned with a penetrating captive bolt stunner

Wagner, Daniel H.; Kline, Helen C.; Martin, Miriam S; Alexander, Lacey; Grandin, Temple; Edwards‐Callaway, Lily N.

doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.05.006

Cited by 13 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…For all three years, the majority of stunning-related HHEAs involved the mechanical stunning of bovines (2018: 41.57%; 37 of 89, 2019: 50.67%; 38 of 75, 2020: 48.28%; 42 of 87, 2018-2020: 46.61%; 117 of 251). Recently, there has been a growing body of literature on differing aspects of mechanical stunning for cattle, specifically investigating technical aspects of stunning and the relationship to brain damage: impacts of pneumatic PCB bolt length on brain damage in a fed cattle slaughter establishment ( Kline et al, 2019 ; Wagner et al, 2019 ); impacts of a single stun and a two-stun (single stun, plus security stun) on brain damage and hemorrhage in fed cattle ( Casagrande et al, 2020 ). This growing body of literature reflects the need for continued refinement and validation of mechanical stunning methods and expansion to more diverse animal populations, such as those that have been culled from breeding or milk-producing herds.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service Humane Handling Enforcement Actions: 2018–2020

Anderson

Kirk

Vogel

2022

Translational Animal Science

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Federally inspected slaughter establishments in the United States must adhere to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and regulations that enforce it. Failure to comply with this law results in a humane handling enforcement action (HHEA) issued by USDA FSIS. The objective of this study was to systematically analyze and describe HHEAs issued between 2018 and 2020. Enforcement action notification letters were accessed from the USDA FSIS website and date, location, regulatory action, reason for non-compliance, species, and follow up action for each HHEA was recorded. Summary statistics (proportions and percentages) were calculated for the entire population dataset. Between 2018 and 2020, FSIS issued 293 HHEAs; 109 in 2018, 85 in 2019, and 99 in 2020. The majority of HHEAs (64.16%; 188 of 293) were related to the mechanical stunning of bovine (39.93%; 117 of 293) and porcine (24.23%; 71 of 293) species. The majority (50.23%; 107 of 213) of causative reasons for mechanical stun failure across all species were not clearly described; however, of those that were, most (39.12%; 68 of 213) were related to the placement of mechanical stuns. Addressing these issues through improved training and research would help to reduce the total number of HHEAs. Additional detail in reporting the events that result in HHEAs from USDA FSIS would aid in guiding corrective actions on an industry-wide scale.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mechanical stunning-related HHEAs were most common in bovine, ovine, and porcine species between 2018 and 2020. Within mechanical stunning methods, opportunities exist to investigate modifications that may improve stun efficacy, such as captive bolt length ( Kline et al, 2019 ) and actions to prevent operator fatigue ( Wagner et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service Humane Handling Enforcement Actions: 2018–2020

Anderson

Kirk

Vogel

2022

Translational Animal Science

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“…Longer bolts (16.5 and 17.8 cm) are used in order to induce more brain damage and increase the effectiveness of the stun, but also increase the prevalence and intensity of post stun convulsions (Martin et al, 2018;Kline et al, 2019). Wagner et al (2019) reported that the longer bolt length inflicted more visible damage to the brain. Bolt length had no significant impact on specified risk material (SRM) dispersion.…”

Section: Incorrect Captive Bolt Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wagner et al. (2019) reported that the longer bolt length inflicted more visible damage to the brain. Bolt length had no significant impact on specified risk material (SRM) dispersion.…”

Section: Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of cattle at slaughter

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2020

EFS2

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The killing of cattle for human consumption (slaughtering) can take place in a slaughterhouse or on farm. The processes of slaughtering that were assessed for welfare, from the arrival of cattle until their death (including slaughtering without stunning), were grouped into three main phases: pre-stunning (including arrival, unloading from the truck, lairage, handling and moving of cattle); stunning (including restraint); and bleeding. Stunning methods were grouped into two categories: mechanical and electrical. Twelve welfare consequences that cattle may be exposed to during slaughter were identified: heat stress, cold stress, fatigue, prolonged thirst, prolonged hunger, impeded movement, restriction of movements, resting problems (inability to rest or discomfort during resting), social stress, pain, fear and distress. Welfare consequences and their relevant animal-based measures are described. In total, 40 welfare hazards that could occur during slaughter were identified and characterised, most of them related to stunning and bleeding. Staff were identified as the origin of 39 hazards, which were attributed to the lack of appropriate skill sets needed to perform tasks or to fatigue. Measures to prevent and correct hazards were identified, and structural and managerial measures were identified as those with a crucial role in prevention. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal-based measures, origin of hazards, and preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences are proposed.

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“…Longer bolts (16.5 cm and 17.8 cm) are used in order to induce more brain damage and increase the effectiveness of the stun but also increase the prevalence and intensity of post stun convulsions (Martin et al, 2018;Kline et al, 2019). Wagner et al, 2019 reported that the longer bolt length inflicted more visible damage to the brain. Oliveira et al, 2018 reported that pneumatically powered penetrating captive bolt resulted in immediate collapse, indicative of effective stunning, in 99% of cattle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Welfare of cattle during killing for purposes other than slaughter

Nielsen¹,

Álvarez²,

Bicout³

et al. 2020

EFS2

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Cattle of different ages may have to be killed on farm for purposes other than slaughter (the latter being defined as killing for human consumption) either individually or on a large scale, e.g. for economic reasons or for disease control. The purpose of this scientific opinion is to assess the risks associated with the on-farm killing of cattle. The processes during on-farm killing that were assessed included handling and moving, stunning and/or killing methods (including restraint). The killing methods were grouped into mechanical and electrical methods as well as lethal injection. In total, 21 hazards compromising animal welfare were identified and characterised, most of these related to stunning and/or killing. Staff was identified as an origin for all hazards, either due to lack of appropriate skills needed to perform tasks or due to fatigue. Possible preventive and corrective measures were assessed: measures to correct hazards were identified for 19 hazards, and the staff was shown to have a crucial role in prevention. Three welfare consequences of hazards to which cattle can be exposed during on-farm killing were identified: impeded movement, pain and fear. The welfare consequences and relevant animal-based measures related to these were described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal-based measures, origins of the hazards, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise the welfare consequences are proposed.

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The effects of bolt length on penetration hole characteristics, brain damage and specified-risk material dispersal in finished cattle stunned with a penetrating captive bolt stunner

Cited by 13 publications

References 12 publications

Assessment of United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service Humane Handling Enforcement Actions: 2018–2020

Assessment of United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service Humane Handling Enforcement Actions: 2018–2020

Welfare of cattle at slaughter

Welfare of cattle during killing for purposes other than slaughter

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