Abstract: An electronic animal stunning system is disclosed, wherein animals can be continuously stunned while being moved through a stunning passageway, and wherein the current for the stunning process utilizes a series of electrodes for sequentially contacting the animal to be stunned and providing the stunning current. In particular, a series of pivotally mounted overhead electrode paddles are provided, wherein each paddle in the series of paddles pivots when contacted by the animal's head and slides across the face of the animal's head thereby setting up an electric current through the animal's head. The present invention is particularly useful for the slaughtering of hogs.