Electro-immobilisation is a form of restraint used on livestock as part of

animal husbandry Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, animal fiber, fibre, milk, or other products. It includes day-to-day care, management, production, nutrition, selective breeding, and the raising ...

. It involves applying an

electric current An electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface. The moving particles are called charge c ...

to the animal to interfere with normal nervous activity. The electric current may either be applied via external electrodes, or via an electrode inserted into the anus. The mechanism of immobilisation is by general

spastic paralysis Spasticity () is a feature of altered skeletal muscle performance with a combination of paralysis, increased tendon reflex activity, and hypertonia. It is also colloquially referred to as an unusual "tightness", stiffness, or "pull" of muscles ...

resulting from the electric current, and does not have electroanalgesic or anesthesic effects; the animal remains aware while paralysed, and can experience pain. Numerous researchers have found electro-immobilisation to be highly aversive to animals. Electro-immobilisation is banned in several countries and disapproved of by numerous animal welfare organizations.

References

Physical restraint Electricity Animal welfare {{vet-stub

See also

References