Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-11-21
HANDLING OF CATTLE.
Humane Method of SIaughtering
Animals Is Sought.
Extract of an Address by George Dite-
wig, D.. 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
nlations governing the inspection of
ocean vessels carrying animals. A
decade or so ago there was much agi-
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 were
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 deplor-
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 hu-
name handling of animals on ocean
vessels. AS result the losses in
transit soon diminished to one-third
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 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
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 is
an amendment to the present law or
q separate enactment to fix mini
mum speed for trains carrying live
stock.
The shipping of young calves long
distances without the mothers Is a
cruelty and the enactment Of a law
to remedy this abuse has many ad-
vocates, among which are officials of
the agriculture department.
There still occurs frequently at diff
ferent public stock yards the cruelty
of depriving cattle Of water. Those
arriving too late for the market Of the
day are not watered until the follow
ing morning in order to get what Is
known as ''fill''-in other words, to
gain weight. While weight is gained,
the deception Is recognized instantly
by buyers. The practice is deliber-
ate cruelty and should be suppressed.
Like many other useful processes
dipping is susceptible Of abuse and
may entail suffering and even death If
precautions are not exercised in its
use. The federal regulations require
that the animal be handled as hui
namely as possible, and that cattle be
freely watered before they are dipped.
During the last fiscal year, irspec-
tors of the department supervised the
clippings of more than 12,400,000 sheep
and cattle, and the requirements as
to humane handling were met.
While the federal meat inspection
law does not have authority TO pr
scribe particular methods of slaugh-
ter, the government co-operates, how
ever, with others working to prevent
abuses. The three general methods
of slaughter used among civilized peo-
pie are: Bleeding, preceded by stun
ming; bleeding, preceded by pithing,
and bleeding without stunning or
pithing.
Stunning produces conclusion of the
brain and the immediate destruction
of consciousness. Stunning previous
to bleeding meets the demands of hui
manitarian sentiment and of hygienic
requirements.
Pithing is performed by a knife
thrust through the space between the
base of the skull and the first verte-
bra into the medulla. The pithed
animals fall instantly under a com
plete muscular paralysis, but neither
consciousness nor sensibility is imIne-
diately destroyed Moreover, the par
alysis of the vital centers interferes
with effective bleeding. Pithing does