Pithing

Pithing /ˈpɪθɪŋ/ is a technique used to immobilize or kill an animal by inserting a needle or metal rod into its brain.

It is regarded as a humane means of immobilizing small animals being observed in experiments, and while once common in commercial slaughtering is no longer practiced in some developed countries on animals intended for the human food supply due to the risks of embedded metal fragments and general spread of disease.

Current United States and European Union regulations prohibit importation of beef from cows pithed due to risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease). It is, however, encouraged for animals in emergency or specific disease control situations where the meat will not be consumed.