WO2001058270A1

WO2001058270A1 - Animal handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001058270A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Phillip Boyce; Jeffrey Owen; Andrew Finney; Andrew Hinsch
Original assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO; Australian Food Industry Science Centre
Current assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO; Australian Food Industry Science Centre
Priority date: 2000-02-14
Filing date: 2001-02-14
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2002-08-14
Also published as: AUPQ559500A0

Abstract

An animal handling apparatus for use with cattle or other animals comprising (a) an animal positioning frame (31) having wall members and/or doors to hold an animal within a localised controlled space; (b) a treatment arm (51) having an arm member and a movement means allowing the arm member to be adjustably positioned; (c) a control means for controlling the position of the treatment arm (51); and (d) a position determining means (61) including an imaging means or sensor for determining the position of a selected localised region on an animal held in the animal positioning frame (31) and providing information indicative of the determined position to the control means; wherein the control means directs the treatment arm (51) to provide specific localised treatment to an animal at a pre-determined position. The apparatus also includes an adjustable floor part (29) wherein (e) in a first position, two pivotally mounted arms (72, 73) forming an inverted V-shaped (71) extending longitudinally along the animal positioning frame (31) and essentially of a height sufficient to fit under the animal held in the animal handling apparatus wherein the inverted V-shaped floor part (39) assists in positioning the animal in an upright and central location with the legs of the animal on either side of the V-shaped floor part (39) and (f) in a second position, the two arms (72, 73) extend upwards and substantially parallel from a base to support and position a collapsed animal substantially beneath the joints between the legs and the body.

Description

ANIMAL HANDLING APPARATUS Field of Utilisation

This invention relates to apparatus for handling ammals, and particularly for applying specific localised treatment to an animal It has particular application in abattoirs, although the mvention is also applicable to other animal handling such as branding an animal or providing a veterinary or therapeutic injection to an animal Prior Art

It is necessary to provide a method and apparatus for processing ammals, particularly for processing cattle m an abattoir The ammals must be fed individually into an animal capture arrangement where each animal in turn is restrained for stunning or other animal handling requirements This process usually requires each annual to be completely separated from a following animal However this can be difficult to achieve, particularly automatically since ammals in a feed race of the land used for leading ammals to a capture assembly will frequently crowd forwardly so that a following animal can move forwardly and be partially beside the leading animal Two ammals can wedge in the race halting the flow of animals through the race In particular the following animal frequently places its head beside the rump or over the rump of the lead animal making it difficult for automatic separation of the two animals, particularly if a mechanism such as a hoπzontally sliding gate is attempted to be inserted in between the two ammals upon sensing of the passing of the lead animal

The inadequacies in known capture assemblies is more severe when a localised treatment must be performed on each animal In this situation it is necessary to not only ensure a constant positior of each annual as it is being treated but to allow for variations of positions due to different sized and shaped aninals

The following is an outline of problems observed when using V restrainers to process cattle The V restrainers evaluated were not using lead in ramps or false floors as part of the system The first problem observed was that most ammals enteπng the system would baulk at entrance to the V restramer This was due to the ammals being able to see a large drop off to the floor located under the V restramer

Ammals also had to be forced into the V restramer which caused them to jump mto it as there was no ramp to walk down This caused some of the trailing ammals forelegs to overlap the leading animals hindlegs Due to the shape of the V m the restramer both forelegs and hindlegs are crossed over when m the device

The sloping conveyor of the V restramer applies excessive pressure on the ammals' sides dunng transportation This excessive pressure cai cause them to reflexly regurgitate stomach contents when they are stunned

When stunned the ammals drop tr eir heads very low in the V restramer This makes it difficult to locate the head for oπentaϋon All of the problems listed will increase the stress levels m cattle, cause potential bruising and blood splatter Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invenUon to provide an improved ammal handlmg apparatus, and particularly for applying specific localised treatment to an animal

It is a further and preferred object of the present invention to provide an ammal handlmg apparatus capable of automaUcally handlmg ammals m abattoirs including providing specific localised treatment to each animal

It is a further and preferred object of the present mvention to provide an improved and effective ammal stunning system that overcomes the localising difficulϋes of the pπor art without substantial πsk of pre- lnjunng the animals or stressing the ammals that affects meat quality Summary of the Invention

According to the present mvention there is provided an animal handling apparams for use with cattle or other ammals compπsing an animal positioning frame having wall members and/or doors to hold an animal within a localised space, a treatment arm having an arm member and a movement means allowing the arm member to be adjustably positioned, a control means for controlling the position of the treatment arm, and a position determining means including an imaging means or sensor for determining the position of a selected localised region on an ammal held m the ammal positioning frame and providing information indicative of the determined position to the control means, wherein the control means directs the treatment arm to provide specific localised treatment to an animal at the determined position

The ammal posiUoning frame can include an inverted V-shaped floor portion extending longitudinally along the ammal positioning frame and essentially of a height sufficient to fit under the ammal held in the ammal handling apparatus wherem the inverted V-shaped floor part assists in posiUomng the ammal m an upπght and central location with ammals legs on either side of the V-shaped floor part The inverted V-shaped floor part can compnse an animal support portion for supporting the ammal held in the ammal handlmg apparams from below and between the anunal's legs to support an ammal m a collapsed state still substantially in an upright position. The animal suppo t mechanism goes from a first closed position forming the inverted V floor part to an open position wherein the two arms extend upwards from a base to support a collapsed animal substantially beneath the joint between t s leg and body.

The animal positioning frame can include neck bails comprising pivotally mounted arms extending from a top portion of the animal positioning frame and able to close around the neck of the animal head to position and support the head vertically in the centreline of the machine without injuring the animal. The animal positioning frame can also include a chin rest at or near a lower portion of the animal positioning frame and is able to support and position the head of a collapsed animal within the animal positioning frame.

The animal positioning frame includes a side wall means which in a first closed position forms part of the wall members to retain tlie animal within the animal positioning frame and in a second open position allows for expulsion of a collapsed animal sideways out of tlie animal positioning frame through the resultant side wall opening. The side wall means of the animal positioning frame pivots downwards to form at least a portion of an exit chute. An associated cradle is located adjacent to the side wall opening to be able to receive via a gentle and controlled rolling motion a collapsed animal expelled through the side wall opening. The cradle is pivotally mounted to move between a tilted position where one of the cradle side walls co-operates with the open side wall forming a portion of the exit chute so as to feed the expelled collapsed animal directly into the cradle, and which in a second position the cradle pivots so as to locate centrally and balance the animal within the cradle for further processing.

The treatment arm can incorporate a substantially linear telescopically extendable arm pivotally mounted on a portion of the animal positioning frame such that tlie length of the arm can be readily extended and tlie arm can pivot between a first position in which the required length of the aπn and/or or die pivot angle of the arm is determined and a second position assessed by the control means at which position the freatment device applies tlie specific localised freatment to the anima at tlie determined position. In use in an abattoir the specialised treatment device comprises of a device for stunning an animal. Alternatively the treatment device can comprise a veterinary or therapeutic injection means.

The control means can incorporate a closed circuit digital camera for assessing die position of the animal and providing information to a computer which is able to analyse the image and determine the required specific localised position for the treatment and controls a programmable logic control forming part of the control means to confrol the position of the treatment arm to apply specific localised treatment to the animal held m the ammal positioning frame

In accordance with the invention there is also provided a method of handlmg an ammal to provide specific localised treatment including the steps of providing an ammal posiUoning apparatus to retain an animal in a particular position, initiating a position determining means including an imaging means to take an image of the front of the ammal positioning apparatus, pushing an ammal mto and towards the front of the ammal positioning apparatus, tπggeπng a sensor to close neck bails to a predetermined pressure at least partially around tlie neck of the ammal wherein the neck bails support and position the head of the ammal, initiating the imaging means to take another image of the ammal positioning apparatus for companson against the previous image, providing an automatic analysis of the image to determine the position of a preselected specific localised treatment region, providing a treatment device including an automatically adjustable treatment arm for providing tlie freatment, controlling the adjustment of the treatment arm in accordance with tlie automatic analysis and determined position of the preselected specific localised treatment region, and providing the treatment at the preselected specific localised treatment region

The neck bails position the head of the animal to a treatment position and the treatment device can include a stunning device mounted on tlie treatment aπn such that tlie treatment is to humanely stun tlie ammal

The treatment arm automatically adjusts by either telescopically extending or retracting to a determined length and the arm then pivots down until the stunning device is in contact v> ltli the animal's head to provide the treatment at the preselected specific localised treatment region

The method of handlmg an animal can include the step of providing an adjustable floor part which m a first position two pivotally mounted arms form an inverted V-shaped extending longitudinally along the ammal positioning frame and essentially of a height sufficient to fit under tlie ammal held in the ammal handling apparams wherein the inverted V-shaped floor part assists in positioning the ammal in an upπght and central location with ammals legs on either side of the V-shaped floor part and in a second position the two arms extend upwards and substantially parallel from a base to support a collapsed animal substantially beneath the joints between the legs and the body.

The method of handling an animal can include the step of ejecting a treated animal through a side opening of the animal positioning frame formed by openable side doors by providing side ejection means mounted on the animal positioning frame. At least one of the openable side doors provide at least part of a chute for transporting the expelled animal. The step of ejecting a treated animal through a side opening of the animal positioning frame can include changing the heights of at least portions of the floor of the animal positioning frame.

Each side of the floor is individually controlled thus providing varying heights for aiding in gentle expulsion at the end of the process. Brief Description of the Drawings

Possible and preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in, and described with reference to, the drawings are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of an animal handling apparatus in accordance with the invention.

FIG 2 is a front view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1;

FIG 3 is a side view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1;

FIG 4 is an overhead plan view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1;

FIG 5 is a front diagrammatic view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1 in a first position;

FIG 6 is a front diagrammatic view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1 in a second position;

FIG 7 is a front diagrammatic view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1 in a third position;

FIG 8 is a front diagrammatic view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1 in a fourth position; and

FIG 9 is a front diagrammatic view of the animal handling apparatus of Figure 1 in a fifth position. Embodiment of the Invention

Referring initially to FIGS 1 to 4 an animal handling apparams 11 according to the invention is shown and is usually positioned at the end of a lead-up or feed race assembly (not shown) along which animals are moved assisted by a pusher. In FIG 5 the animal is shown in an upright after a pusher 19 has forced the animal's forebody into engagement with a capture means including neck bails 84 where the animal can be captured for stunning and slaughter when used in an abattoir. Almost simultaneously with the animal being captured, the ammal is stunned and slumps to be supported by a support mechanism including an adjustable inverted V-shaped floor part 71 which the ammal initially straddles upon enteπng the ammal handlmg apparatus 11 The stunned ammal is then expelled sideways out of the animal handling apparams 11 mto an adjacent cradle 91 for further processing The ammal handlmg apparatus 11 includes an ammal positioning frame 31 having spaced upstanding side walls formed by a combination of wall parts and doors mounted on upπght spaced posts 32 and 33 connected by longitudinal upper and lower members 34 and 35 The walls are maintained spaced by lateral members 36 connecting the top of the upper longitudinal members 34 and to form a substantially box shape The upstanding side walls diverge at their upper ends to accommodate the horns of the cattle and are maintained as close together as possible for a large portion of their height to inhibit any tendency of cattle therein to move around The walls have limited adjustment to cater for a range of annual sizes This adjustment may be automated

Along the floor 39 of tlie animal positioning frame 31 is an inverted "Vee" 72 which the ammals straddle The Vee 72 steadies the ammals and discourages them from rushing forwards and encourages the ammals to walk single file rather than their preferred side by side It encourages them to keep each foot on the correct side of the Vee 72 It can also be an extension of a lead-in race having a gradually increasing height inverted V-shaped floor section which prevents the following ammal from putting its head between the rear legs of the lead animal which is a normal tendency of ammals in a race when in single file

As shown in Figure 5, the ammal walks into the animal handling apparatus 11 and the pusher 19 is lowered behmd it An animal moving through the open ammal positioning frame 31 tπggers the pusher 19 to begin closing behind the annual Since the travel of this pusher 19 is relatively short, a h\draulιc ram or other smtable actuator is used to move the pusher 19 This pusher 19 pushes the ammal into and towards the front of the animal positioning frame 31

The operator initiates the cycle and the closed circuit digital (CCD) camera takes an image of the front of the ammal handlmg apparatus 11 The ammal places its head through a head hole and tπggers a sensor for the neck bails 84 to close The neck bails 84 close and the pusher 19 returns to the start position The neck bads 84 are tilted upwards to a specified freatment position and then the CCD camera 61 takes another image for compaπson against the previous image A personal computer (PC) connected to the CCD camera 61 completes its analysis of the image and determines the stun pomt and then transfers that information to the programmable logic control (PLC) that controls the movement of the treatment device 51 The treatment device 51 includes a telescopic treatment arm 52 pivotally mounted on a pivot point 53 at the top of the animal positioning frame . 1 with a counterweight 54 at the other end of the treatment arm 52. The treatment arm 52 first either extends or retiacts to the determined length sufficient to reach the stun point. The arm 52 is then pivoted down until the stunning device 55 mounted at the end of the treatment arm is in contact with the animal's head. The stunning device fires to stun the animal on contact and the arm 52 pivots back up to the start position.

As shown in Figure 6 simultaneously of the stun firing, the inverted vee 71 opens and the floor 39 drops away. A spinal inactivation voltage (500 VAC for 5 seconds) is applied between the neck bails 84 and an electrode mounted onto the lead in plate. This gives a similar result to pithing (manual cutting of the spinal cord to induce paralysis).

A chin rest 81 raises into position and the neck bails 84 open to allow the animals head to rest upon it and the front door 38 lowers. The chin rest 81 can then position the head height for optimal stick if required.

A blood collection apparatus means shown in Figure 3 is mounted on a height adjustable stick post 115 and includes a stick knife 112 which is raised to a predetermined height. A top hydraulic cylinder 113 extends quickly to plunge the stick knife 112 into the thoracic cavity to sever the brachiocephacic junction of the stunned animal. Once the knife cylinder 113 is fully extended, a vacuum is applied through a bleed tube 114 mounted underneath the fixed blade of the stick knife 112. The blood collection means remains in place for forty seconds to retrieve the blood and then retracts clear of the animal. Sterile cut prior to stick is optionally feasible.

As shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 there is a cycle of handling of animals in the animal positioning frame 31. An animal having been processed is upside down in the cradle 91 alongside the animal positioning frame 31 while a following animal has positioned itself within the confines of the animal positioning frame 31 including the confines of the upright posts 32 and the side door means 41 including the top door 42 and the bottom door 43. Also the animal has straddled an inverted Vee 71 formed by two upwardly extending arms 72 and 73. Thereby the animal has been positioned in a controlled localised space that is reasonably consistent to allow localised treatment. Further positioning can occur by altering tlie height of the floor 39.

This localised treatment as shown in Figure 6 can include stunning which causes the animal to collapse and at the same time the arms 72 and 73 forming the inverted Vee 71 open to extend vertically and support the animal between the legs and the body of the animal. Further, the floor 39 upon which the legs of the animal were standing fall away so that the animal is hanging on the support arms 72 and 73.

As shown in Figure 7 the side doors 42 and 43 of the animal positioning frame 31 open towards the cradle while the cradle 91 pivots around its pivot point 96 to lean towards the opening 41. Further the floor 39 which is in two parts to fit under the left legs and the right legs respectively of the animal extend upwardly with the portion of the floor 39 furthest from the side doors 42 and 43 extending higher than the initial floor level so as to provide a tilt or rotation of the animal towards the side doors 42 and 43. Side injection means 98 including an injector cylinder mounted on the side of the animal positioning frame 31 opposite the side opening doors 42 and 43 assist the animal in being gently ejected out tlie opening 44 formed by the open doors 42 and 43 on the side of the animal positioning frame 31.

As shown in Figure 8 the lower side door 43 co-acts with the side wall 92 of the cradle 91 in order to form a continuous chute for the animal to be gently expelled from the animal positioning frame 31 into the cradle 91. As shown in Figure 9 upon the animal entering the cradle 91, the cradle orientation is adjusted around the cradle's pivot point 96 to its initial vertical position with the animal on its back to allow for further processing of the animal. The animal positioning frame 31 then re-sets to return to the position of Figure 5.

In the preferred form substantially all the operations described above are controlled by a programmable controller or computer and accordingly, each movement and/or section of the apparams has monitoring means associated therewith for sensing such things as travel limits, operative positions, operating pressures, carcass positions and the like, as applicable.

It will be seen that the apparatus is herein described and particularly illustrated with reference to the drawings will enable animals to be fed along a race and to be automatically and reliably treated at the specified localised treatment region.. The apparatus is reliable, does not injure or bruise the animals, and can be operated automatically.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the features of the possible and preferred embodiments) of tlie invention as herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The system can be adapted to a continuous processing line using a new double rail conveyor restrainer system, which is adjustable for a wide variety of animal sizes. Baby calves, sheep and large 225 kg (500 lb) calves can all be handled in the same restrainer. For adult cattle, a slightly wider conveyor is used. The width of the moving conveyor that the adult animals straddle is 30 cm (12 inches). Standard V restrainer conveyors may cause petechial haemorrhages during electric stunning (Thornton et al., 1979; Lambooy, 1986). This new system may reduce bloodsplash and speckle in electrically stunned animals. With the double rail conveyor animals are supported under the brisket and belly while straddling the conveyor so that even large wild calves will ride quietly. The double rail requires less space than a V conveyor restrainer and it is compatible with existing shackling and bleeding systems.

This same ramp design can also be used with V conveyor restrainers. The sides of the ramp should be closed-in and animals should not see light coming up through the bottom of the restrainer. A stationary leg spreader bar over the ramp and in the first section of entrance race guides the animals legs to the correct position. Calves enter this system with less baulking compared to a V restrainer. The conveyor is constructed from metal segments attached to a moving chain. Each segment is bent to form the double rail configuration. Total width of the conveyor frame is 21.5 cm (%'A inches). The moving segments are 19 cm (7! ₂ inches) wide with a 7.6 cm (3 inch) space in the middle to accommodate the animals' brisket. For adult cattle, a slightly wider conveyor is used. The width of the moving conveyor that the adult animals straddle is 30 cm (12 inches).

Another important design feature is the use of a solid hold down rack and a solid false floor. To keep the animal calm, the hold down rack should be long enough to prevent the animal from seeing out until its rear feet are off the entrance ramp. The solid false floor prevents the animal from seeing the "visible cliff' effect under the restrainer. This greatly reduces the amount of animals baulking and refusing to enter. This system should have a solid false floor just below the animal's feet. Cattle will baulk and refuse to enter if they see a steep drop off below the conveyor.

Adjustable sides accommodate different sized animals. The adjustable sides press lightly against the top portion of the animal's body. They are on pivots and the bottom edge of the adjustable side is slightly above the top of the conveyor. This provides room for the animal's leg joints. Pressure on the leg joints causes stress and discomfort. The pivot mechanism simultaneously adjusts the width between the sides and the leg joint space. For calves, the width between the adjustable sides can be varied from 51 cm (20 inches) to 25 cm (10 inches). The space between the bottom of the adjustable sides and the top of the double rail is 5 cm (2 inches) when the sides are spread 25 cm (10 inches) apart and 12.7 cm (5 inches) when the sides are spaced 45 cm (18 inches) apart.

A double rail conveyor restrainer can incorporate a leg spreader bar, cleated non slip entrance ramp at 25 degrees, a solid false floor, solid hold down rack and a double rail belly/brisket conveyor. This system is recommended for the following reasons.

Animals enter the conveyor restrainer through a stationary leg spreader which guides the animals legs to the correct positions.

They walk down a cleated non slip entrance ramp to a double rail conveyor which supports the animals under the brisket and belly and conveys them to the stun position. Animal entering this system baulk less compared to V restrainers.

To induce animals to remain calm it is recommended the entrance be well tit and the hold down rack to be long enough so that the animal can not see out until its fee are off tlie entrance ramp.

The sides of the ramp should be closed in and the animal should not see light through the bottom of the restrainer.

The system also should have a solid false floor just below the animals feet.

An animal positioning frame as previously described with a head capture unit and chin lift mechanism allowing for automated stunning can be adapted to tlie double rail conveyor restrainer for Kosher slaughtering of cattle. This may however slow the slaughtering rate of tlie conveyor system. The head capture unit and chin lift mechanism could also be used to locate the head so that the vision sensing module and automatic stun and stick modules could be incorporated into the system.

To exit the animals from a double rail conveyor restrainer or a V restrainer they can be driven out the end of the restrainer and onto a slat conveyor. Because there is no control of tlie animals and there is a drop from the restrainer to the slat conveyor there are problems with trying to achieve a repcatable oriental' on υf tiie animal and with bruising.

The preferred system would include a lift and tilt double rail module. This module could be adapted to the end of the double rail conveyor restrainer to lift, tilt and gently place tlie animal in a repeatable orientation onto the slat conveyor as previously described.

Automatic shackling would be performed on the slat conveyor when the low voltage inactivation is applied. However it could also be applied under tlie double rail conveyor.

Claims

Claims:

1 An ammal handlmg apparatus for i se with cattle cr other ammals compπsing an ammal positioning frame having a'l members and/or doors to hold an ammal within a localised controlled space, a treatment arm having an arm member and a movement means allowing the arm member to be adjustably positioned, a confrol means for controlling the position of the treatment arm, and a position determining means including an imaging means or sensor for determining the position of a selected localised region on an animal held in the animal positiomng frame and providing information indicative of the determined position to the control means, wherein the confrol means directs the freatment arm to provide specific localised treatment to an animal at a pre-determined position

2 Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the animal positioning frame includes an inverted V-shaped floor portion extending longitudinally along the ammal positiomng frame and essentially of a height sufficient to fit under the animal held in the ammal handling apparatus wherein the inverted V-shaped floor part assists m positiomng the ammal m an upπglit and central location with the ammal's legs on either side of the V-shaped floor part

3 Apparatus as claimed m claim 2 wherein the inverted V-shaped floor part compπses an ammal support portion for supporting the animal held in the animal handling apparatus from below and between the ammal's legs to support and position an animal in a collapsed state still substantially in an upπght position

4 Apparams as claimed m claim 2 or 3 wherein the ammal support mechanism goes from a first closed position forming the inverted V floor part to an open position wherein the two arms extend upwards from a base to support a collapsed ammal substantially beneath the joint between the leg and body to position and oπent the animal in the vertical plane

5 Apparatus as claimed m any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the ammal positiomng frame includes neck bails compπsmg pivotally mounted arms extending from a top portion of the animal positiomng frame and able to close around the neck of the ammal head to support and position the head m tlie correct centrehne oπentation

6 Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the neck bails position the head in a required freatment position

7. Apparams as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the animal positioning frame includes a chin rest at or near a lower portion of the animal positioning frame and is able to support and position the head of a collapsed animal within the animal positioning frame.

8. An animal handling apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the animal positioning frame includes a side wall means which in a first closed position forms part of the wall members to position the head in a required treatment position to retain the animal within the animal positioning frame and in a second open position allows for gentle and controlled rolling motion expulsion of a collapsed animal sideways out of the animal positioning frame through the resultant side wall opening.

9. Apparatus as claimed in the claim 8 wherein the side wall means of the animal positioning frame pivots downwards to form at least a portion of an exit chute.

10. An animal handling apparatus according to any one of claims 8 and 9 wherein the animal positioning frame includes an associated cradle located adjacent to the side wall opening to be able to receive a collapsed animal expelled through the side wall opening.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein tlie cradle is pivotally mounted to move between a tilted position where one of the cradle side walls co-operates with the open side wall forming a portion of the exit chute so as to feed the expelled collapsed animal directly into the cradle, and which in a second position the cradle pivots to locate centrally and position tlie animal within the cradle for further processing.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the freatment arm incorporates a substantially linear telescopically extendable arm pivotally mounted on a portion of the animal positioning frame such that the length of the arm can be readily extended and tlie arm can pivot between a first position in which the required length of the arm and/or or the pivot angle of tlie arm is determined and a second position assessed by the control means at which position the treatment device applies the specific localised treatment to the anima at the determined position.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the specialised treatment device comprises a stunning device for humanely stunning an animal.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the treatment device comprises a veterinary or therapeutic injection means.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of tlie preceding claims wherein tlie control means incorporates a closed circuit digital camera for assessing the position of the animal and providing information to a personal computer which is able to analyse the image and determine the required specific localised position for the freatment and controls are programmable logic control formmg part of the confrol means to confrol the position of the treatment arm to apply specific localised treatment to the animal held m the ammal positiomng frame

16 Apparatus as substantially as hereinbefore descnbed with particular reference to the accompanying drawings

17 A method of handlmg an animal to provide specific localised treatment including the steps of providing an ammal positioning apparams to retain an animal in a particular predetermined treatment position, initiating a position determining means including an imaging means to take an image of the head profile of the animal when m the positiomng apparatus, pushing an animal into and towards the front of the ammal positioning apparatus, tπggeπng a sensor to close neck bails at least partially around the head or neck of the ammal wherein the neck bails support and position the head of the animal, initiating the imaging means to take another image of the ammal positiomng apparatus for companson against tlie previous image, providing an automatic analysis of the image to determine the position of a preselected specific localised treatment region, providing a treatment device including an automatically adjustable treatment arm for providmg the freatment, controlhng the adjustment of the treatment arm in accordance with the automatic analysis and determined position of the preselected specific localised freatment region, and providmg the treatment at the preselected specific localised treatment region

18 A method of handling an animal as claimed in claim 17 wherein the neck bails position the head of the ammal in a treatment position,

19 A method of handlmg an animal as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein tlie treatment device includes a stunning device mounted on the treatment arm such that the treatment is to stun the ammal

20 A method of handlmg an animal as claimed in claim 17. 18 or 19 wherem the treatment arm automatically adjusts by either telescopically extending or retraαmg to a determined length and the arm then pivots down until the stunmng device is in contact with the ammal's head to provide the treatment at the preselected specific localised treatment region

21 A method of handlmg an ammal as claimed in claim 17, 18, 19 or 20 cludmg the step of providmg an adjustable floor part which in a first position two pivotally mounted arms form an inverted V-shaped extending longitudinally along the ammal positiomng frame and essentially of a height sufficient to fit under the ammal held m the ammal handling apparatus wherein tlie inverted V-shaped floor part assists in positioning the ammal m an upπght and central location with animals legs on either side of the V-shaped floor part and in a second position the two arms extend upwards and substantially parallel from a base to support and position a collapsed ammal substantially beneath the joints between the legs and the body

22 A method of handlmg an animal as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 including the step of ejecting a treated ammal through a side opening of the ammal positioning frame formed by openable side doors by providing side ejection means mounted on tlie animal positiomng frame

23 A method of handling an animal as claimed m claim 21 wherein at least one of the openable side doors provide at least part of a chute for transporting the expelled ammal

24 A method of handlmg an animal as claimed m claim 22 or 23 wherem tlie step of ejecting a treated animal through a side opening of the ammal positioning frame includes changing tlie heights of at least portions of the floor of the ammal positioning frame

25 A method of handling an animal to provide specific localised treatment substantially as hereinbefore descnbed with reference to the accompanying drawings

26 An ammal handling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore descnbed with reference to tlie accompanying drawings

27 An ammal handlmg apparatus having an animal positioning frame including an inverted V-shaped floor portion extending longitudinally along tlie animal positioning frame and essentially of a height sufficient to fit under the ammal held in the animal handling apparatus wherein tlie inverted V-shaped floor part assists in positioning the ammal in an upπght and central location with the ammal's legs on either side of tlie V-shaped floor part

28 Apparatus as claimed m claim 27 wherein the inverted V-shaped floor part compπses an ammal support portion for supporting the animal held m tlie animal handling apparatus from below and between the ammal's legs to support and position an animal in a collapsed state still substantially in an upπght position

29 Apparams as claimed in claim 27 or 28 wherein the animal support mechamsm goes from a first closed position forming the inverted V floor pa 1 to an open position wherein the two arms extend upwards from a base to support a collapsed animal substantially beneath the joint between the leg and body to position and orient the animal in the vertical plane.

30. A continous multiple animal handling apparatus for use with cattle or other animals comprising a conveyor system leading to an animal positioning frame having wall members and/or doors to hold an animal within a localised controlled space; a treatment arm having an arm member and a movement means allowing the arm member to be adjustably positioned; a control means for controlling the position of the treatment arm; and a position determining means including an imaging means or sensor for determining the position of a selected localised region on an animal held in the animal positioning frame and providing information indicative of the determined position to the control means; wherein the control means directs the treatment arm to provide specific localised treatment to an animal at a pre-determined position the animal handling apparatus having openable side doors of the animal positioning frame for ejecting a treated animal and side ejection means mounted on the animal positioning frame pushing the treated animal through the side doors to a continuos removal apparams.

31. A continuous multiple animal handling apparams for use with cattle or other animals comprising a conveyor system leading to an animal positioning frame having walls or underbody support members comprised of continuous conveying sections to hold an animal within a moving confrolled space at predetermined speed; moving at the same speed is a frame supporting; a treatment arm having an arm member and a movement means allowing the arm member to be adjustably positioned; a confrol means for controlling the position of the treatment arm; and a position determining means including an imaging means or sensor for determining the position of a selected localised region on an animal held in the animal positioning frame and providing information indicative of the determined position to the control means; wherein the confrol means directs the treatment arm to provide specific localised treatment to an o

animal at a pre-determined position the animal handling apparams ejecting a treated animal through the front of the conveying means onto a moveable table in a controlled speed and incorporating suitable directional stabilizing means to ensure the animal is oriented upon ejection in a consistent and repeatable fashion onto a subsequent conveying means as a continuos removal apparams.