Q. Last year we had a situation that we think we cut the animal in the wrong way or did not feel we cut what needed to be cut. What happened was [unique story edited for sake of brevity]… .

A. In future, make sure the following basic rules are observed so as to remove any doubt:

• Intention for the person you are cutting the animal with their consent.
• Make sure the air passage, the esophagus area is well severed, the two jugulars swiftly cut with a very sharp knife, so as to minimize the distress of the sacrificial animal.
• Simultaneously recite Bismillah Allahu akbar (In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest).
• Wait until the animal has lost all motion prior to skinning the animal and dismembering its portions. It is makrooh to do anything to the animal prior to it becoming fully motionless. E.g. skinning, piecing the animal, etc.
• Wash the knife before you slaughter the next animal.

Allah certainly knows best.