Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the torso portion of the skin from the carcass of an animal, such as a hog, includes an overhead support from which a carcass is suspended during the skin removing operation. The skin is first removed from the hind quarters of the carcass and then a cut is made in the skin of the torso completely around the carcass just rearwardly of the fore limbs. A flap forming blade makes a longitudinal cut in the carcass and the longitudinal edge of the skin defined by the longitudinal cut is gripped by revolvable toothed cylinders carried by a revolvable drum to form a flap which is wound about the toothed cylinder. A carcass engaging device holds the carcass against the drum during the flap forming operation. A flexible pressurized movable blade positioned adjacent the drum progressively cuts the skin from the carcass as the drum is revolved.