Prevention of inhumane slaughter

(1) Where the authorised person is satisfied that an incident of inhumane slaughter or inhumane handling in connection with slaughter has occurred because of the use of any facility or equipment which is faulty, deficient or in a state of disrepair, he shall direct the operator in writing to discontinue the use of such facility or equipment until it is repaired or replaced. (2) Any facility or equipment found to be faulty, deficient or in a state of disrepair may be marked by the authorised officer with a reject tag kept for that purpose. (3) (a) Any person who, without the permission of the authorised officer, removes or destroys a reject tag which is placed on any facility or equipment in accordance with this regulation shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars. (b) If there shall be any contravention of the provisions of this regulation every person who Slaughter of Animals 11 is a party to such contravention also the operator of the slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard with respect to which the contravention takes place unless he proves that the contravention took place without his knowledge, instigation, consent or approval, shall be guilty of an offence under this regulation. (4) No equipment, facility, alleyways, pen or compartment found by the authorised officer to be faulty, deficient or in disrepair shall be used for the handling or slaughter of animals until it has been repaired to the satisfaction of the said officer. (5) Where the inhumane treatment in the handling or driving of animals is attributable to the actions of an employee the matter shall be reported to the operator and the movement of animals to the stunning area shall cease until the authorised officer receives satisfactory assurances from the operator that adequate steps have been taken to prevent the recurrence of such inhumane treatment. (6) Where the inhumane treatment is attributable to the improper working of any stunning equipment the authorised officer may require the operator to discontinue the use of the equipment until the authorised officer is satisfied that the said equipment has been put into proper working order.