Pithing is a humane technique for ensuring proper slaughter, protecting biosecurity, and eliminating the need for bleeding out an animal. A stainless steel rod is inserted into the skull to destroy brain tissue and the spinal cord. This procedure is necessary after using a captive bolt on large animals. Best practice recommendation is to use a secondary procedure to ensure death occurs after stunning. Overall length: 46 cm.
Pithing is a secondary technique used to ensure kill and
immobilisation of a stunned animal.
They ensure humane slaughter, provide good biosecurity protection,
and eliminate the need to bleed out the animal.
A stainless steel pithing rod is inserted into the skull entry site created by
the penetrating captive bolt, destroying brain tissue and the spinal cord.
It is initially inserted as if to pass down the spinal
column of the neck. When it strikes bone at the bottom rear of the brain cavity
withdraw it slightly and with a stirring action macerate the brain, especially
the brainstem toward the bottom rear of the skull.
Such measures are required practice after use of a captive
bolt device on a large animal (bull or horse). Discuss with your Veterinarian.
DairyNZ best practice recommendation: Any animal rendered
insensible by a captive bolt or shot to the brain must receive a secondary
procedure to ensure death occurs before recovery from stunning (e.g., pithing
or bleeding out).
