It is true that shechita, when properly performed, has been found in
some scientific tests conducted in the United States and other countries to be
a relatively painless method of slaughter [see the extensive discussion in Schochet,
Animal Life in Jewish Tradition, pp. 283-287.] But can we consider only
the final minutes of an animal's life? What about the tremendous pain and cruelty
involved in the entire process of raising and transporting animals? When the consumption
of meat is not necessary and is even harmful to people's health can any method
of slaughter be considered humane? Is this not a contradiction in terms?
In addition, while kosher slaughter can be relatively humane, it often isn't. When the world's largest glatt kosher slaughterhouse was found ripping the tracheas out of conscious animals, the Orthodox Union stated that such cruelty does not violate the rules of kosher slaughter. (See HumaneKosher.com for more information on this case.) Therefore, kosher certification today provides no assurance of humane slaughter.
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