At an abattoir there was investigated the visual detectable atony and the provoking of reactions in 545 cattles (127 bulls, 150 heifers, 268 cows) in the period between capitive bolt stun and cutting off of the carpus. In part 1, the complete atony of the carcass, especially of the tail, was used as the basis for the cutting off of the carpus, and there was a mild reaction in 9.8%, a strong reaction in 4.4%. Remarkably, the responsiveness of cows was high and long lasting as compared with bulls

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... and heifers. With exception of 2 improper stunned animals, no animal reacted after 5 minutes. In part 2, reactions were provoked with a knife stabing in the pastern region. The frequency and intensity of reactions decreased in the course of time and increased ascending in the order bulls, heifers, cows. After 5 minutes there was only a weak reaction in one animal. In part 3, the progress of atony every minute was investigated. In almost all animals complete atony was achieved in five minutes, and predominantly identifiable at the tail or by outflowing of ruminal fluid. If an akinesia – as demanded in the German "Tierschutzschlachtverordnung (TierScHV)" – was used as a precondition for the cutting off of the carpus, the number of animals with reactions greatly increased up to 30.8%. It is concluded that it is insufficient only to wait for an akinesia before cutting off of the carpus as the TierSchV demands. It is recommend to change the original term to "complete atony" and to set a time limit of 5 minutes after sticking. The results were ascertained for bleeding by chest stab. Other bleeding methods presumably require higher values.