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There are two methods of killing animals: (1) euthanasia and (2) slaughter. Euthanasia which is coined from two Greek words – eu (well) and thanatos (death) is defined as the process of inducing a painless death to pets. It has rapidly gained acceptance in many aspects of scientific procedures. It has, in fact, become an accepted method in veterinary medicine. Slaughter, on the other hand, is killing animals for food consumption and is done after the animals are stunned.

Euthanasia and slaughter should be done rapidly and humanely and must occur with the least fear, anxiety, pain and distress to the animals. Consideration must be given to how the animal is handled immediately prior to and during the procedure. The personnel performing either method should have the technical competence and should be under the supervision of a veterinarian. Both should be trained and accredited by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and in the case of slaughter, by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC).

Euthanasia and slaughter shall always be done away from public view.

In case a firearm is used, the following are required: (1) only licensed firearms shall be used; (2) only sharpshooters and members of the Philippine National Police and Gun Club deputized by the BAI and authorized by the concerned local government unit shall perform this duty.

In case barbiturates are used, veterinarians involved shall secure a license from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

SECTION 1.      Euthanasia

1.1       Dogs and Cats

1.1.1 Intravenous/intraperitoneal injection of pentothal/thiamylal, sodium barbital or any other barbiturate overdose thereof.

1.1.2 Inhalant anaesthetics

1.1.3 Other injections such as magnesium sulfate, potassium, chloride and neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g. atracurium, curare, gallamine, pancuronium, succinylcholine and vecuronium may be used; however, the dogs must be in deep plane of anaesthesia before drug administration.

1.1.4 Tiletamine with zolazepam or Ketamine with diazepam or other anesthetic sedative combinations or any other equivalent may be given intramuscular or intravenous to anaesthetise the animal and immediately thereafter administer drugs in number 3 of this paragraph.

1.1.5 Firearms with no less than caliber .22 using non-expansive bullets may be used provided that the animal is pursued until death (target area: head or heart).

1.1.6 Carbon monoxide from a car exhaust using gasoline engines. Provided that the chamber shall be so designed that the dogs inside are not too crowded and could be viewed from the outside. Using charcoal filters would be more ideal.

1.2       Horses

1.2.1 Intravenous injection of any barbiturate such as but not limited to penthothal, thiamylal, pentobarbital, pentobarbitone, etc. The drug is administered until the heart stops.

1.2.2 Firearms with no less than caliber .38 using non-expansive bullets may be used in lieu of 1.2.1. Target area in the head is between the lateral canthus of the eye and the base of the ear or between the two eyes.

1.2.3 A head collar or bridle may be put on the animal to enable it to be quietly restrained by an assistant who must stand out of the line of fire. Restless animals should be blindfolded.

Frontal method: the captive-bolt pistol or firearm should be directed at the point of intersection of diagonal lines taken from the base of each ear to the opposite eye. The bullet should be directed horizontally to ensure that the brain is damaged (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Humane destruction of horses

Temporal method: only suitable for firearms; the horse is shot from the side so that the bullet enters the skull midway between the eye and the base of the ear on the same side of the head. The bullet should be directed horizontally.

The above procedures shall be done in a place away from public view. Provided, however, that when it is done in open areas such as polo field, race track, or in the street where the horse has been rendered immobile, the euthanasia for the injured animal may be done on site but appropriate curtains or any other materials to block the view shall be used.

SECTION 2.      Slaughter

2.1       Handling Prior to Slaughter

2.1.1 Loading, unloading, moving and drafting of livestock shall be supervised by an experienced livestock handler.

2.1.2 Employees handling livestock shall be regularly monitored to ensure they are handling livestock competently.

2.1.3 Moving and drafting of livestock shall be achieved with the minimum excitement of the animals.

2.1.4 Natural following behavior shall be exploited as much as possible.

2.1.5 Contact instruments used for moving animals shall be employed as little as possible.

2.1.6 Lighting shall be located as to encourage animals to move forward.

2.1.7 Animals with extremely wide horns or pronounced lameness shall not be introduced into the lead race unless they are able to move freely along the race.

2.1.8 Forcing pen or single file race entrance or the race itself shall not appear as to be dead end, thereby hampering stock flow.

2.1.9 Single file race entrance shall not be too wide to avoid overtaking each other or turning around.

2.1.10      The divider fence between two races is “see through” to promote the natural following behavior of the animals.

2.1.11      The walls of the forcing pen or single file race shall be solid to avoid visual distraction from the outside.

2.1.12      Large stock shall not be moved into a knocking box until the way is clear to stunning and sticking.

2.2       Slaughter Implements

2.2.1 Sticks, metal pipes, clubs or pointed objects shall not be used for moving livestock.

2.2.2 Gates shall not be used as an implement for forcing the animal along races or into the knocking box unless they are designed especially for this purpose.

2.2.3 Canvass or leather flappers, soft polyethylene pipes and rattles shall be used in such a way as to create a sufficient noise to encourage movement of stock.

2.2.4 Pig boards used for blocking of pigs in races shall not be used as moving implement.

2.2.5 If used with conventional alternating current (50 Hz frequency), electric prods regulated to the lowest possible voltage shall not exceed 32 volts (RMS); and must be acceptable to the safety standards of the local electricity authority.

2.2.6 Electric prods may be used a higher voltages with especially selected wave forms, whether battery or mains supplied, provided that they are regulated to the lowest effective voltage and the equipment is acceptable to the safety standards of the local electricity authority.

2.2.7 They shall be checked regularly to ensure required electrical parameters are being met.

2.2.8 They shall not be used indiscriminately and never on the more sensitive parts of the animal, i.e., eyes, muzzle, anus and vulva.

2.3       Handling of Injured, Disabled or Sick Stock

2.3.1 Animals which are disabled or sick may be:

a)      Held for proper treatment to render the animal suitable for slaughter.

b)      Slaughtered in accordance with the requirements of the relevant meat inspection authority or

c)      Humanely destroyed if the owner or his agent does not wish the animal to be treated or rendered suitable for slaughter.

2.3.2 Animals which are disabled or injured during transport to or while held at an abattoir and the injury or disability causes severe suffering to the animals should be destroyed humanely without avoidable delay, notwithstanding that where an authorized officer of the relevant meat inspection authority is available and there is no delay in inspecting the animal then it may be inspected by the authorized officer to determine its eligibility for emergency slaughter.

2.4       Handling

2.4.1 When an animal which is injured, disabled, or sick and unable to walk from a transport vehicle is to be salvaged, it shall be handled as follows:

a)      if eligible, treated as emergency slaughter animal when it arrives during the hours of slaughter operation, or

b)      under the direct supervision of an experienced stockman removed from the transport vehicles as humanely as possible.

2.4.2 Where an animal is unable to walk:

a)      humane means of conveyance shall be available to transport the animal to the sticking area or to holding pen for treatment, or

b)      the animal may be treated as an emergency slaughter case or destroyed.

2.5       Handling of Escaped Animals

2.5.1 When an animal escapes from holding pens, it shall be:

a)      retrieved by the use of humane handling methods covered in this Section.

b)      treated as an emergency slaughter case, or a mechanical stunner (penetrating or percussion) including cartridge and pneumatic captive bolt types.

c)      Humanely destroyed.

2.5.2 The use of water sprays for wetting pigs, cattle, carabao, horses, goats is recommended in hot weather. The use shall be kept to a minimum.

2.6       Stunning of Livestock Prior to Slaughter

2.6.1 Animals to be stunned prior to slaughter

a)      Except in the case of the next paragraph (paragraph b) all animals presented for slaughter shall be effectively stunned (rendered immediately unconscious) prior to sticking where irreversible stunning causing permanent unconsciousness is the method of choice.

b)      In the case of religious or ritual slaughter the appropriate legislation may require the relevant meat inspection authority to approve slaughter without prior stunning. Any such approval shall be subject to condition or restrictions of that authority.

c)      Where irreversible stunning is used cattle shall not be shacked and hoisted prior to sticking. Shacking and hoisting of reversibly stunned small stock is only permitted where the stunning to sticking interval is always achieved.

2.6.2 Stunning Procedures

a)      Stunning and sticking shall proceed in a manner that ensures that the animals do not regain consciousness.

b)      Where reversible stunning is used, the rate of stunning shall be commensurate with the rate of which animals are bled.

2.6.3 Personnel stunning animals shall

a)      Possess the expertise necessary to ensure that the animal is rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement or disturbance and without suffering.

b)      Perform the stunning procedure in a manner that shall normally ensure that each animal is immediately rendered unconscious, and

c)      Operate the stunning equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for effective stunning.

2.6.4 Effective stunning shall be performed by means of

a)      An electric stunner.

b)      A firearm in case of cattle, carabao and matured boars.

c)      A mechanical stunner (penetrating or percussion) including cartridge and pneumatic captive bolt types.

d)      A firearm when stunning of any animal not covered in (c) above, any other method would place the operator at risk of personal injury, or

e)      Any other device which effectively stuns an animal in a humane manner.

2.6.5 Where stunning equipment that produces a reversible stun is used

a)      In the case of a large stock an operational captive bolt stunner shall be available in the stunning area; and

b)      In the case of small stock where the stunning equipment is fixed and cannot be used to stun animals which may recover an alternative means of stunning the animals shall be available in the stunning area.

2.6.6 Electrically live electrodes of electrical stunning equipment shall not be used for driving, catching, or immobilization of an animal prior to stunning.

2.6.7 Non-penetrative percussion stunning equipment shall not be used

a)      On species other than bovine

b)      In other positions other than the frontal position.

c)      On any animal where an effective stun cannot be anticipated.

d)      After the stun is ineffective with two (2) applications. In this situation a penetrative captive bolt shall be used without avoidable delay.

e)      On cattle not slaughtered in accordance with religious/ritual requirements (unless the change is sufficient to cause penetration of the cranial cavity, i.e. is effectively an irreversible stun).

2.6.8 The placement of the stunner shall be appropriate to the species of livestock being stunned and the type of stunning equipment used.

2.6.9 Restraint of animals to be stunned

a)      At the time of stunning, the animals shall be restrained.

b)      Where “V” shaped conveyor type restrainers are used they shall:

(1)        Be of design suitable for effective restraint of the animal.

(2)        Not be used to hold animals during anticipated breaks.

In the case of knocking boxes they shall:

(1)        Be long enough to comfortably accommodate one animal.

(2)        Not be used to accommodate more than one animal at the time of stunning; and

(3)        Not be used to hold an animal during anticipated breaks.

c)      In the case of pen stunning, the pen shall be of appropriate size that provides adequate restraint of the animal (so as to ensure an effective stunning operation). Pen stunning is only permitted where the stunning to sticking intervals is always achieved.

d)      Where an animal shows signs of recovery from the stun, it shall be immediately re-stunned and slaughtered.

e)      Where an animal or animals recovers from the stun the reason shall be identified and steps taken to prevent reoccurrence.

f)       Where an animal escapes at the time of or after stunning, the animals shall be retrieved immediately and then immediately stunned and slaughtered.

2.6.10      Stunning Equipment

a)      Stunning equipment shall be maintained in good operational condition.

b)      Electrical stunning equipment shall be:

(1)        Capable of achieving humane and effective stunning.

(2)        Provided with operational and conveniently located means of adjustment of the electrical voltage and/or amperage and time setting indicated in the appropriate units of measurements, and such adjustments being made by approved personnel.

(3)        Provided with an operational and conveniently located light or buzzer to indicate when current is flowing; and

(4)        Approved by the relevant electrical authority.

c)      Mechanical stunning equipment shall be:

(1)        Of a make and model suitable for the size and weight range of the livestock slaughtered.

(2)        Operated at a cartridge or air pressure not less than the manufacturer’s specifications.

(3)        Used with cartridge stored in a dry place in a manner which maintains cartridge efficiency; and

(4)        Cleaned at least daily and regularly maintained.

d)      Where firearms are used:

(1)        The power of the firearm shall be suitable for the animal being shot.

(2)        They shall be stored in a place readily accessible to livestock handlers or livestock inspectors and be available for emergency destruction of livestock outside working hours, and

(3)        National/local licensing requirements must be complied with.

(4)        A suitable firearm shall be available at all abattoir and slaughterhouses where large livestock are slaughtered.

e)      Stunning and Sticking Intervals (SSI’s)

The maximum SSI shall be appropriate to:

(1)        The method of stunning, and

(2)        The species of animal.

f)       The following SSI’s are considered to be the maximum acceptable for reversible stunned animals at this time.

(1)        Pigs, sheep, goats, lambs – 15 seconds

(2)        Calves – 10 seconds

(3)        Cattle (mushroom head percussion stunning which does not capitate the cranial cavity) –30 seconds

(4)        Cattle (electrical stunning) - 10 seconds

(5)        Poultry (electrical stunning) – 10 seconds

SECTION 3.      Penal Provisions . — Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Order shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished with imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than two (2) years or a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) or both at the discretion of the Court. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without any further proceedings.

SECTION 4.      Separability Clause . — In case any provisions of these rules and regulations is declared contrary to law and or unconstitutional, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be enforced and in effect.

SECTION 5.      Repealing Clause . — All Administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuance or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Regulation are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6.      Effectivity . — This Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 26 April 1999

(SGD.) WILLIAM D. DAR Acting Secretary
Recommending Approval:
(SGD.) ENRIQUE T. CARLOS (PVMA) Chairman
(SGD.) NITA HONTIVEROS-LICHAUCO (PAWS) Vice-Chairman	(SGD.) TEODORO A. ABILAY (BAI) Vice-Chairman
Members:
(SGD.) EDGARDO C. DIMALANTA National Meat Inspection Commission	(SGD.) ADOLFO R. ACORDA  Philippine College of Swine Practitioners
(SGD.) FIDEL F. MALBAS, JR.  Agricultural Training Institute	(SGD.) JOSE V. VALENZUELA Philippine Society of Animal Science
(SGD.) ABELARDO B. AGULTO Philippine College of Canine Practitioners	(SGD.) CONRADO FRANCISCO Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SGD.) MENANDRO C. VALERIO  Philippine Animal Hospital Association	(SGD.) ARWINNIE A. SERRANO  Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines
(SGD.) ELEANOR R. JAVIER  Department of Education, Culture & Sports	(SGD.) MANUEL M. PABLO  Department of Interior and Local Government
(SGD.) NORMA M. MOLINAYAWE Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau