Off the Trailer

Once the cows are unloaded, they are forced through a chute.

Cow restrained for stunning.

Shortly after, they are stunned, which is a bolt which makes the animal unconscious. 

the bolt penetrates the brain with a high concussive impact. For cattle, the stunner is placed on the middle of the forehead on an "X" marked between the eyes and the base of the horns.

Electric stunning is also used on cattle. It is when an electric current is passed through the animal's brain, causing it to temporarily loose consciousness. Sometimes, it is passed through the animal's heart so it is killed rather than just stunned.

Cows and pigs are stunned using electric stunning tongs

After the cow is stunned, it is shackled by a hind leg and hoisted above the ground OR it is placed in a skinning cradle. It is sticked, which means stabbed to ensure death, and then skinned and slaughtered.