HUMANE KILLING

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 92, 15 October 1927, Page 11

HUMANE KILLING

(To the Editor.)

Kir,—As one long" experienced amongst animals, 1 wish to bear testimony, to tue sympathetic consideration towards animals whicli one meets everywhere. This is in striking contrast in comparison with that which obtained years ago. Our methods of handling, caring for, and slaughtering cattle |at our abattoirs especially have vastly improved. Much of this kindliness towards annuals must be attributed to the activities of societies and individuals who have the welfare of animals at heart, yet much remains to be done," and I congratulate your correspondent, Mies B. George,, on the stand taken in reference to humane killing. . :' ■

The writer, of necessity, frequently visits various slaughtering establishments, and, though 1 have nothing but praise for the humaue conduct and consideration of the men engaged in the slaughtering works, I must support your correspondent's condemnation of the- hammer method of felling cattle. 1 have many tines seen beasts after receiving the first unsuccessful blow with the hammer so roused that they defied the operator for several minutes before he could get it in position to receive the second or following blowo to fell it. I am not blaming the operator, as he is only human. After lbng; experience I roundly condemn the system without hesitations • ■ " ' . . ■ . .

I am also conversant witu the shooting method as practised. in various parts of the world,, and also in. some of.-our. own freezing works in the t)ominion. For quiet, methodical, and instantaneous killing, the hammer method is apt'comparable with it. Have the members and officials of thie S.P.C.A. responsible for the report approving the use of the hammer had personal knowledge ■ of the process and its' effect? If they had,*l. am sure they -would not so summarily dismiss the shooting method-as they have done. I suggest to the members of the S.PjC.A. that- they could prevent, more dumb animals suffering every day by insisting on the shooting method as employed in the South Otago freezing works and elsewhere. —I am, etc., . '' . . JOHNSONVILLE. (To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have read the: reply of Mr. Anderson, which only aggravates the position. The report justifying the hammer method of killing cattle was not a report of the S.P.C.A., because no conclusion was arrived at, nor am I aware of any instructions being given to issue a report to the Press. It is evident that someone took it upon themselves to commit the society without a resolution of the committee.

Mr. Anderson says it would be futile to alter the present methods unti) a better one is suggested. Reports were submitted showing that the methods used round Wellington were far from humane, while the shooting. method .which is now, I am informed, in general use throughout America and.in some Darts of Europe, and which has been used in. New Zealand for years without one failure, was suggested. Yet. these suggestions were given very scant consideration before being dismissed by those furnishing the report ■. to your paper. ,' ■ ... . It was at! least our duty-to give the suggested method a fair trial before experts, especially so when one'of our works offered to carry out this trial, but instead, of accepting this offer a' report was issued to the Press wherein-the matter was apparently dismissed in haste and' 'without regret, and, we as a society set' up to prevent cruelty to animals have failed.in our duty.—l am, etc., , /.

B. GEORGE.