SLAUGHTER OF PIGS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 10

SLAUGHTER OF PIGS

Successful Dunedin Trials The recent reference made in these columns to the electrical method of stunning pigs and the possible introduction of this system into one of the Hawke’s Bay freezing works finds an echo in the announcement that the Dunedin City Corporation has installed an electro-lethaler in the city abattoir. The results that have so far been achieved have been very sat isfactoi'y, and this report will doubtless encourage the Hastings works to instal this ( ipmedt. Commenting on the electrical stunning, the “Otago Daily Times’’ says: “The electric power and lighting department of the Dunedin City Corporation in its search for new avenues for the expansion of electric power consumption has turned its attention to pigs. Whether the pigs are fortunate or unfortunate in this respect only the pigs themselves can decide, but it would seem that the slaughter-house staff of the city abattoir at least will benefit from the introduction of modern methods into the killing of pigs. “For the first time, the stunning of ptgs by electricity, prior to sticking, was tried out. at the abattoirs with conspicuous success last week. By the use of an ■ trically charged apparatus which resembles • gi.»nt pair of pincer*.

pigs destined for the curing vat or the hooks can be rendered unconscious in a moment. The pincers are placed on the top of the head, a clamp behind each ear, and the shock of the electricity effects the prostration ,f the pig for at least ten minutes.’’ Producing a whiter earcase, free from blemishes such as occur where the old system of stunning and sticking is in operation, it is to be hoped that other freezing works and abattoirs will also take steps to introduce this electrical stunning method.