Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-11-21
HANDLING OF CATTLE
Humane Method Of Slaughtering
Animals Is Sought.

Extract Of an Address by George 0fte-
wio, o. v. s., Bureau Of Animal
Industry, U. s. Department OF
Agriculture, on Subject.
Washington.--It Is interesting to
know what Is being accomplished IN
the humane handling of animals as
the result Of the federal law and reg
ulations governing the inspection OF
ocean vessels carrying animals. A
decade or so ago there was much agf-
tation in Great Britain on account OF
the frequent occurrence of cruelties
In transatlantic shipping OF animals.
In many instances where tramp and
other unsuited ships were used for
cattle transportation. the fittings we're
ill-arranged and insecure, and the
spaces, ventilation and the stores OF
food and water were inadequate for
the number Of animals carried. Many
were lost at sea, while those which
arrived at destination were In depior-
able condition.
Under an act Of congress, the bu-
reau Of animal industry investigated
the conditions OF handling cattle and
enforced regulations designed for
their protection and proper handling
which has resulted In safe and hui
name handling Of animals on ocean
vessels. As a result the losses In
transit soon diminished to one-thtrd
of one per cent. and insurance rates
on animals fell from eight to less
than one per cent
In recent years the cattle losses
have been only about one-tenth OF
one per cent. The animals arrive at
destination in good condition and u.s.
ually show increased weight.
The enforcement by the department
OF agriculture of the 2S-hour law,
which is designed for the purpose OF
preventing cruelty to animals during
interstate shipments. has resulted in
reducing the frequency with which
animals in transit have been subject
ed to cruel treatment. Many trans
portation companies have established
additional unloading and feeding sta
tons, as well as placing those al
ready in existence in better condition.
Prosecutions undoubtedly have kept
many carriers from showing a total
disregard for the law.
Violations. however. still persist
chiefly for two reasons.
First, the shippers insist on getting
their live stock to destination prompt
ly, and they are Indifferent to viola
ton of the law If this object is at.
tanned: second, many carriers appa'
rently consider it cheaper to pay fines
than to conduct their operations on a
basis OF reasonably rapid service with
out violations.
The only course open to the depart
ment under the statute Is to continue
to collect evidence and to report VIC
lations as they occur. A measure pro
posed to further remedy this evil Ii
an amendment to the present law OF
q separate enactment to fix mini
mum speed for trains carrying live
stock
The shipping of young calves long
distances without the mothers is Z
cruelty and the enactment of Law
to remedy this abuse has many ad
vocates, among which are officials Of
the agriculture department.
There still occurs frequently at dit
ferent public stock yards the cruelty
of depriving cattle of water. Those
arriving too late for the market Of thu
day are not watered until the follow
ing morning in order to get what II
known as a "filI'-in other words, tt
gain weight. While weight is gained
the deception is recognized Instant!
by buyers. The practice is a deliber
ate cruelty and should be suppressed
Like many other useful processes
dipping Is susceptible of abuse ant
may entail suffering and even death
precautions are not exercised in IT
use. The federal regulations require
that the animal be handled as hu
namely as possible, and that cattle b.
freely watered before they are dipped
During the last fiscal year. inspec
tors Of the department supervised tn
dippings of more than 12,400,000 sheel
and cattle, and the requirements al
to humane handling were met.
While the federal meat inspection
law does not have authority to pre-
scribe particular methods of slaugh
ter, the government co-operates. how
ever. with others working to proven
abuses The three general msthod
OF slaughter used among civilized pee
pie are: Bleeding. preceded by stun
ming; bleeding, preceded by pithing
and bleeding without stunning o
pithing.
Stunning produces conclusion Of tn
brain and the immediate destruction
of consciousness. Stunning previou
to bleeding meets the demands of hu
manitarian sentiment and of hygieni
requirements.
y Pithing is performed by a knit
thrust through the space between tn
base of the skull and the first verte
bra into the medulla. The pithe'
animals fall instantly under a com
J. plete muscular paralysis, but neithe
consciousness nor sensibility is imme
diately destroyed. Moreover, the par
alysis OF the vital centers interfere
with effective bleeding. Pithing doe
not satisfy either humanitarian o
hygienic requirements and its U.S.
should not be encouraged.
The claim that the simple bleeding
Of animals without previous stunning
pithing, or operations other than tina