I dont take full stock in PETAs facts, but in their outreach video they say that the bolt thing is fine and dandy - but there are some issues. Each cow gets 1 hit with the bolt gun, if it doesnt kill the animal by chance, it goes right on through the process without further attempts to humanely kill it. I saw video of cows being boiled alive...chopped into while still alive....very very uncool.
Im not a vegetarian, I dont blindly support PETA. But slaughterhouse practices definitely need to be reformed. Current FDA ruling allows cows to be butchered that are dragged from the truck when they arrive. Also, Cows with cancerous growths or other abnormalities are able to be labled GRADE A as long as the infected/suspect region isnt included.
There are lots of curious short-cuts and loopholes...as with many things, but some things should be under tighter watch. I mean, c'mon we are eating this stuff...we should be pretty concerned with quality.