IMPROVEMENTS IN/OR RELATING TO THE STUNNING OF ANIMALS

Abstract: Electrical stunning apparatus for beef cattle or other live­ stock uses head restraining means (18) to hold the animal's head in place during contact by electrodes (23, 17). The an­ mal's head is prevented from moving upwardly by a pusher (18) which contacts the top of its head or neck, whilst a chin lifter (21) moves in from below the animal's head to hold it in place. An electrode (17) on the chin lifter contacts the an­ imal's nose allowing a stunning current to pass through the animal's head to another electrode on the pusher (for head stunning). If deep stunning is required an additional electrode (26) may be moved into contact with the rear of the animal to apply a heart-stopping current.

Description: The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to the stunning of animals, and in particular to a method of stunning including the application of an electrical current via the mouth and/or nose of the animal and about the neck of the animal. Hitherto it has been known, in apparatus such as that shown in Belgian Patent No 902 574, to provide an apparatus for electrically stunning livestock according to the features disclosed in the preamble of Claim 1. The present invention provides a dispersed restraining assembly with the features of the characterizing portion of the claim. Preferably the animal is restrained prior to the electrode being operatively positioned. Preferably the animal is then released and discharged from the stall or box within which preferably the animal is disposed for stunning. Preferably means is provided to sense when an animal is appropriately positioned for the neck restrainer to actuate and thus capture the animal. Preferably means is provided to sense when an animal is appropriately constrained by the neck restrainer. Preferably, in normal use, when said animal is appropriately constrained by the neck restrainer, said sensing means actuates means for bringing the mouth and/or nose contacting electrode into contact with the animal. In a further aspect the invention provides apparatus, including a constraining box or stall, having at least sides and a front end, having neck restraining means to substantially prevent upward movement of the head of an animal having its neck restrained and also to provide electrical contact, and having means carrying an electrode which in normal use may be brought to bear on the mouth and or nose region of an animal having its neck restrained in said neck restraining means. Alternatively, the box or stall is arranged to tip or rotate, whereby said animal can move or be moves upside down out of the box or stall, through the top. Preferably in such a case, the box or stall has a moveable front end, being the end towards which the animal's head is faced, which can move away from the animal after said animal has been stunned, to facilitate rotation or tipping of the box. These, and other aspects of This invention, will be made apparent in the following description of a preferred form of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 _ illustrates apparatus of the present invention in side view, with the nearside side wall not present, the various parts in an inoperative configuration, in conjunction with an animal as in use. Figure 2 _ shows the apparatus of the figure 1, with the various parts in an operative configuration in conjuction with an animal as in use. Figure 3 _ is a view of the apparatus of figure 1 in front view and in section along line A-A. Figure 4 _ is a perspective view of the preferred apparatus in conjunction with other apparatus and with animals, as it might appear in use. As shown in Figure 1, the preferred apparatus includes a stall 10 having side walls 11 and a front wall 12. A restraining frame 13 stands in the stall 10 at a point approximately three quarters of the way into the stall from th entrance at the rear 14, such that in normal use, there is provided in the stall both room enough infront of the frame for an animal's head, and room enough behind the frame for an animal's body. Preferably the rear entrance 14 is fitted with a gate. The frame 13 is preferably of a form similar to a traditional guillotine, having a vertical support member 15 disposed to either side of a central aperture 20 and a horizontal cross piece 16 surmounting said support members 15 and aperture 20. One or both support members 15 may be directly associated with a side wall 11. Associated with the cross piece 16 is a moveable restraining bar 17 and the hydraulic or pneumatic ram 18, which in normal use may lower the bar 17 on the neck of an animal to restrain it against upward movement of its head, and also electrically earth it in the neck region. The support members 15 may also have moveable portions associated therewith, to in use reduce the width of the aperture 20 between them around the neck of an animal, and thereby restrict or prevent sideways movement of the animal's head. Restraining apparatus of this type, acting in normal use to hold the neck region of an animal, is known and used in a variety of other applications, and it will readily be appreciated that a number of other designs of neck restraint might equally well be used with the present invention. A photosensor 19 or other sensing means is provided infront of the frame 13, vertically or horizontally directed across infront of the aperture 20 to detect correct positioning of an animal's head through the aperture 20 and in the area of the stall infront of the frame 13. Detection of an animal's head by this sensor 19 may actuate the ram 18 to lower the restraining bar 17, and also actuate apparatus associated with moveable pots of the support members 15 to further restrict the size of the aperture 20. Once the animal has been appropriately restrained both from the sides and from above, the electrode assembly 21 may move up to the stunnig position, as shown in figure 2. The electrode assembly 21 comprises a plate 22 and an electrode 23, set on a moveable mounting. The electrode assembly 21 is moved by a pneumatic ram 24 up and down guides 25 in the front wall 12, and in normal use, catches the chin of an animal held in the stall by the restraining frame 13, and lift it on the plate 22, to the position shown in figure 2. In this position the electrode 23 can be moved along the plate 21 into contact with the moist nose region of a healthy animal, and electric current of a stunning effect may be applied, passing through the head of the animal to be restraining bar 17. If it is intended that the animal be killed by the Halal method, it may be taken from the stall and dealt with at this time, while in a stunned state. Preferably one side 11 of the stall 10 is openedpossibly tilting down or up, or rolling up out of the way if formed as a roller door. The support member 15 of the restraining frame 13 on that side should similarly be moved away, such that a clear opening is provided, through which the stunned animal may fall, preferably onto a conveyor or table for further processing. The front wall 12 may also back away from the animal, and the electrode assembly 21 drop to its starting position, to completely clear away from the animal. Alternatively, the box or stall is arranged to tip or rotate whereby said animal can move or be moved upside down out of the box or stall, through the top. Preferably in such a case, the box or stall has a moveable front end, being the end towards which the animal's head is faced which, can move away from the animal after said animal has been stunned, to facilitate rotation or tipping of the box. If it is not necessary for the killing to be made in accordance with Halal requirements, it may be desirable to provide a heart-stopping electrical current, with an additional body contacting electrode 26, preferably mounted on a pivot at the rear of the stall as shown in figures 1 and 2. This electrode 26 might be brought into contact with the animal simultaneous with the head-directed stunning current, or might be brought into contact with the animal after it has been stunned, but before it has been released from the restraining frame 13 and from the stall 10, as described above. Preferably a sensor is placed in such a way as to detect exit of the animal from tire stall 10, such that when this occurs, means may be actuated to close the side wall 11, in preparation for entry to the stall by the next animal. Manual override of all automatic functions is preferably provided. It will readily be appreciated that a wide variety of alterations are possible in the above example, to suit the invention to different situations and applications. The dimensions of the various parts may be altered to suit use on different species of animal, and similarly the distances moved by the various parts in operation may be altered. Parts and operations of the apparatus may be adjustable such that the same equipment can be used on different species and/or breeds of animal. The body contacting electrode 26 may take any of a number of forms. Instead of the anus or tail contacting electrode as illustrated, a back contacting electrode may be used, mounted on a pivotal arm, extending from the rear of the horizontal cross-piece 16 of the restraining frame. As a further alternative, a brisket contacting electrode, possibly mounted on an extensible arm near the base of the restraining frame 13, could be used, but a back or anus region cntacting electrode is perhaps preferable over this option, as the heart-stopping current will also depolarise spinal neurones, and thereby eliminate reflex movement in the dead animal. The stun current preferably runs for 3 seconds, but may vary depending on the type of animal to be stunned or killed. The current preferably runs at approximately 2 amps and 400 volts (AC), but this also might be varied. An alarm is arranged to sound if no current is flowing after 0.5 seconds. Preferably opening of the door to the stall, feeding of the animal into the stall and into a position where the restrainer may operate, and closing of the door to the stall, are controlled by an operator. Preferably also, this operator activates and deactivates the stunning current when the animal is properly restrained, and opens the exit door to release the animal after stunning.

Claims: 1. Stunning apparatus for electrically stunning livestock such as beef cattle, including two or more head-contacting electrodes (17, 23) and animal restraining means (13) including a substantially vertical member (15) on either side of a passage through which an animal's head can be inserted, a downwardly movable restraining member (17) extending across an upper part of said passage and capable of being brought downwardly into contact with said animal's head or neck, to prevent upward movement thereof during stunning, and characterized by an upwardly movable chin lifting member (22) in a lower part of said passage capable of being brought upwardly into contact with said animal's head and of moving said head into contact with said downwardly movable restraining member (17), at least one said electrode (17, 23) being provided with each of said restraining member (17) and chin lifting member (22), so that in normal use the animal's head can be clamped between said restraining member (17) and said chin lifting member (22) while an electrical current is passed between the electrodes to stun the animal. 2. Stunning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said one or more electrodes (23) provided with said chin lifting member (22) are adapted to contact the moist nose region of an animal in normal use. 3. Stunning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further characterised in that said animal restraining means (16) includes body movement limiting means (10). 4. Stunning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further characterised in that said body movement limiting means comprises a stall (10) having side walls (11) and rear gate (14), with exit means provided in one said side wall. 5. Stunning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further characterised in that said body movement limiting means comprises a stall (10) having side walls (11) and rear gate (14), and a substantially open top, with means provided by which said stall may be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis, such that in normal use an animal may exit through said open top. 6. Stunning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further characterised in that said stall (10) includes one or more body contacting electrodes adapted to in normal use impart a heart-stopping electrical current to an animal held by said animal restraining means (13).

Inventors: BOWMAN, DEREK WALLACE, RICHARDSON, JOHN COLWILL
Applicants: JARVIS EQUIPMENT NZ LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A22B3
IPC codes: A22B3, A22B1