Euthanasia Specifics
Dogs and Cats
- Methods include intravenous/intraperitoneal barbiturate overdose (pentothal, thiamylal, sodium barbital)
- Use of inhalant anesthetics
- Use of other injections (e.g., magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride) but animal must be deeply anesthetized first
- Anesthetic sedative combinations (e.g., tiletamine + zolazepam, ketamine + diazepam) to induce anesthesia prior to euthanasia drugs
- Firearms (.22 caliber, non-expansive bullets) targeting head or heart permissible
- Carbon monoxide chambers designed to avoid overcrowding and allow viewing; charcoal filters preferred
Horses
- Barbiturate overdose intravenously until heart stops
- Firearms (.38 caliber, non-expansive bullets), targeting specific head points
- Use of head collar/bridle for restraint; blindfold restless animals
- Two firearm targeting methods: frontal and temporal, both ensure brain damage
- Euthanasia conducted away from public view; if in open areas, use barriers to block view
Slaughter Handling Prior to Slaughter
- Supervised by experienced handlers during loading, unloading, moving, drafting
- Handlers should be regularly monitored for competence
- Minimize excitement during handling
- Exploit natural following behavior
- Minimal use of contact instruments
- Lighting arranged to encourage forward movement
- Animals with wide horns or lameness managed carefully
- Race entrance design avoids dead ends, too wide gates
- Fence dividers see-through to promote following behavior
- Walls solid to avoid distractions
- Large stock only moved into knocking box when way to stunning/sticking is clear
Allowed and Prohibited Implements in Slaughter
- No sticks, metal pipes, clubs, pointed objects used to move livestock
- Gates only used if designed for forcing animals
- Use canvass/leather flappers, soft pipes, rattles to encourage movement
- Pig boards not for moving animals
- Electric prods regulated: max 32 volts RMS for conventional current, higher allowed for special wave forms but lowest effective voltage
- Electric prods' use restricted and forbidden on sensitive parts (eyes, muzzle, anus, vulva)
Handling Injured, Disabled, or Sick Animals
- Animals may be: treated for slaughter suitability, slaughtered with meat inspection authority requirements, or humanely destroyed if treatment refused
- Animals injured during transport causing severe suffering must be humanely destroyed promptly
- Authorized meat inspectors may approve emergency slaughter if no delay occurs
Handling Injured or Disabled Animals Unable to Walk
- Treated as emergency slaughter during operation hours
- Removed humanely under supervision
- Humane conveyance to sticking or holding pen provided
- Alternatively treated as emergency slaughter or destroyed
Handling Escaped Animals
- Retrieved humanely
- Treated as emergency slaughter or humanely destroyed
- Water sprays recommended in hot weather to reduce heat stress, used minimally
Stunning Before Slaughter
- All animals must be effectively stunned prior to sticking unless ritual slaughter exempted upon approval
- Stunning to cause immediate unconsciousness, irreversible stunning preferred
- Cattle not to be shackled or hoisted before sticking post-irreversible stunning
- Stunning rate must match bleeding rate in reversible stunning
- Stunning personnel must have expertise, minimize excitement or suffering
- Use electric stunners, firearms for large animals, mechanical stunners for captive bolt stunning
- Alternative approved devices may be used
- Reversible stunning equipment must have backup options
- Equipment must be properly maintained, adjusted and checked
- Electrical stunning not to be used as driving or catching method
- Non-penetrative percussion stunning restricted to bovine and frontal use
- Placement of stunner varies by species, equipment type
- Animals must be restrained properly during stunning
- Animals showing signs of consciousness after stunning must be immediately re-stunned
- Escaped stunned animals must be recaptured and stunned again promptly
Equipment Maintenance and Regulations
- Stunning devices cleaned daily, maintained regularly
- Electric stunners have adjustable voltage/current/time and indicators
- Mechanical stunners stored and used according to specifications
- Firearms used suitable for species, subject to licensing and stored accessibly
- Maximum stun-to-stick intervals prescribed per species and method
Penal Provisions
- Violators face imprisonment 6 months to 2 years, or fines P1,000 to P5,000, or both
- Alien offenders to be deported immediately after serving sentence
Separability Clause
- Unconstitutional or unlawful provisions severable without affecting remaining provisions
Repealing Clause
- Existing inconsistent administrative rules repealed or modified
Effectivity
- Law effective 15 days after publication in newspaper of general circulation