Abstract: A striking device for stunning and/or killing smaller animals for slaughtering, and fish in particular, is proposed which ensures simple and secure handling and high reliability. This new striking device comprises a shaft-like carrying body on which is held a striking shackle at one of the ends which can be tensioned against the action of a spring force and a tensioning device which is associated with the latter and which is provided with a swiveling lever with a handle-like trigger and an engaging tooth which can be brought into and out of combing engagement with an end claw which is provided on the free end of the striking shackle, with the outermost curve of movement of said tooth intersecting the outermost curve of movement of the end claw.