Current through 2024 Regular Session legislation effective June 6, 2024
Section 603.065 - Slaughter methods(1) Cattle, equines, sheep or swine shall be slaughtered by a licensee and handled in connection with slaughter, by any method which: (a) Renders each such animal insensible to pain by a single blow or gunshot or by an electrical, chemical or other means that is rapid and effective, before the animal is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast or cut; or(b) Is in accordance with the ritual requirements of any religious faith that prescribes a method of slaughter whereby the animal suffers loss of consciousness by anemia of the brain caused by the simultaneous and instantaneous severance of the carotid arteries with a sharp instrument.(2) No licensee engaged in the slaughter of animals described in subsection (1) of this section shall slaughter by any method other than therein described, nor shall shackle, hoist, or otherwise bring such animals not previously rendered insensible to pain in accordance with subsection (1) of this section into position for slaughter by any method which shall cause injury or pain.