Disturbing trend in slaughter methods

[Catherine]

I had no idea how to name this thread. Slaughter methods are not great at the best of times.
However with an increase in Ritual slaughter methods there is an increase in the practice of killing a fully conscious animal. The stunning practices are inadequate, but these methods want to omit them altogether.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/hom...12559.html

I am having trouble grasping why it matters that the animal be awake and aware when it is killed. How is this more spiritual?
It is certainly not better for the animal.