Kosher slaughter is done without stunning. Most kosher plants in the United States use a restraining device to hold the animals upright. Regarding downer cattle, Dr. Grandin believes they are usually in terrible condition before ever leaving the farm. There is speculation that much of the problem derives from poor breeding practices resulting in lameness. Whatever the reason, the downer cow should be euthanatized prior to transport, she said.
Some cattle become lame from injury during transport.
To reduce incidents of injury, Dr. Grandin said truck drivers should be held accountable for some of the damage to the animals. During the question-answer portion of the forum, Dr. Grandin said in her 25 years of working with slaughter operations, she has never witnessed more change in the industry than when the McDonald's Corporation began auditing its meat suppliers in 1999. Then people started getting serious.