(1) No slaughterer or packer shall bleed or slaughter any livestock except by a humane method: Provided, that the director may, by administrative order, exempt a person from compliance with this order for a period of not to exceed six months if they find that an earlier compliance would cause such person undue hardship.

(2) The use of a manually operated hammer, sledge or pole axe is declared to be an inhumane method of slaughter within the meaning of chapter 16-24 WAC.

(3) Any person violating any provision of chapter 16-24 WAC is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $250 or confinement in the county jail for not more than 90 days.

(4) Nothing in chapter 16-24 WAC shall be construed to prohibit, abridge, or in any way hinder the religious freedom of any person or group. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this order, ritual slaughter and the handling or other preparation of livestock for ritual slaughter is defined as humane.