Patent ID: 8574042

Claim:
An apparatus for removing a portion of a hide from an animal, the apparatus comprising: a base; a tether that is adjustable relative to the base; a hide connector that cooperates with a portion of loose hide that extends from the animal, but is connected to a remaining portion of the hide on the animal that is to be removed, wherein the hide connector comprises at least one of (i) a clamp assembly with at least one adjustable jaw that is adjustable to exert a compressive force on a portion of the hide and (ii) a ball and a loop with an adjustable diameter that is to extend around the portion of loose hide draped over the ball; an animal connector that cooperates with a portion of the animal, wherein a first one of the hide connector and the animal connector is coupled to the base and another one of the hide connector and the animal connector is coupled to the tether; and a motor-driven winch that is operable to adjust a position of the tether relative to the base and cause separation of the hide connector and the animal connector, thereby removing at least some of the remaining portion of the hide from the animal.