Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1877 — Cattle Slaughtering. [ARTICLE]

Cattle Slaughtering.

An interesting experiment was made last week at a horse-slaughtering establishment at Dudley, with a view of testing a new system of slaughtering cattle by means of dynamite, and thus putting them out of existence more speedily and with less suffering than by the ordinary pole-ax. Two large,powerful horses and a donkey (disabled for work) were arranged in a line about half a yard apart, under a shed, the donkey being placed in the center. A small primer of dynamite, with an electric fuse attached, was then placed on each of their foreheads and fastened in position by a piece of string under the jaw. The wires were then coupled up in circuit and attached to the electric machine, which stood about five yards in front. The handle of the machine being then turned an electric current was discharged, which exploded three charges simultaneously, and the animals instantly fell dead without a struggle. The whole affair was over in ten minutes, and the experiment appears to have been a perfect success. By this means, it is stated, even a hundred or more cattle may be instantly killed by the same current of electricity. There cannot be a doubt that the present system of slaughtering cattle is open to the charge of being cruel and barbarous, and the slightest want of skill on the part of the slaughterer often subjects the unhappy beast to horrible torture. Ary attempt to extinguish life painlessly is a step in the right direction, not only as regards cattle but also as regards criminals sentenced to capital punishment, whose case equally deserves consideration.— Pall Mall Gazette.