Confirming death

After using a firearm or penetrating captive bolt livestock should be monitored for at least five minutes to ensure that death has occurred. The signs listed below should be used to confirm death of the animal: 

• loss of consciousness and deliberate movement 
• absence of corneal ‘blink’ reflex when the eyeball is touched 
• maximum dilation of the pupil 
• absence of rhythmic respiratory movements for at least five minutes

Note, that after a lapse of up to a minute, the animal may start to twitch. This can occur in an animal that has been shot correctly. 

The earliest sign of an ineffective shot is a return to normal rhythmic breathing. If in doubt, re-shoot.