Cattle that are unfit for transport due to injury or illness face some of the worst welfare outcomes in the agricultural system when moved through standard channels.
The transport of compromised cattle represents a welfare failure that begins well before the transport event itself. Animals reaching non-ambulatory status are typically experiencing significant pain and distress from underlying conditions. Transporting them adds further suffering while typically resulting in condemned carcasses on arrival. Economic pressure to recover any value from compromised animals creates strong incentives that welfare regulations must actively counteract. On-farm euthanasia training and access to emergency slaughter services reduces suffering for the most compromised individuals.