Hong Kong Butcher Dies After Pig Regains Consciousness Mid-Slaughter
The pig was already shot with an electric stun gun when it regained its consciousness and knocked him over.
By Deborah Chan — 03 Feb 2023, 10:49 AM
A butcher died while trying to slaughter a pig in Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse, Hong Kong, on 20 January
According to CNN, the 61-year-old butcher, was about to slaughter a pig that had been paralysed by an electric stun gun, when it regained consciousness, and knocked him over.
"The man sustained a wound from a 40cm meat cleaver," the Hong Kong Police Force told the media company.
A colleague had found the man unconscious with the cleaver in his hand, and a wound on his left foot. He was rushed to hospital and was later certified dead.
The police said the cause of death has yet to be determined.
The Hong Kong Labour Department (LD) said it has launched an investigation
In a statement released by the LD, they said they were deeply saddened by the news, and expressed their deepest sympathy to the man's family.
"We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident, and warned the employer concerned. We urged them to comply with the relevant occupational health and safety regulations, and adopt suitable precautions to ensure the safety of workers," said the LD spokesperson.
The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), which oversees livestock slaughterhouses, also offered its condolences to the man's family in a statement, reported CNN.
They went on to add that that the location of the accident is not the main production line of the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse, and therefore, the slaughtering service remains normal, and the supply of fresh meat is not disrupted.
It is unclear whether the pig managed to escape
According to the Daily Mail, it is unclear whether or not the pig managed to escape its death.
Pigs are considered highly intelligent due to their capacity for social interaction, emotional contagion, ability to feel pain, and general hygiene. They are rarely violent animals, except when protecting their young.
