Some religious authorities use heartrate to determine whether or not the animal is dead. When either penetrating or non-penetrating captive bolt is used, the heart will continue to beat for up to 8 to 10 minutes if bleeding is delayed (Vinnic et al, 1983). The heart will continue to beat even when the brain has been destroyed. It will continue to beat until the heart runs out of oxygen. The heart eventually runs out of oxygen because captive bolt stunning stops breathing. However, if cessation of a heartbeat is used as a definition of death, then an animal shot with a captive bolt will be alive for 8 to 10 minutes. This provides sufficient time for death to be induced by a throat cut on the neck (and still be considered Halal or Kosher).
Reference: “Questions about death of the animal when different stunning methods are used before Halal or Kosher Slaughter” by Temple Grandin, Colorado State University
