Shooting as Euthanasia

rifles used to euthanize wildlife

Employ:

Shooting can exist the virtually painless and is sometimes the only available method to humanely dispose of an fauna. However, a number of factors must be considered before discharging a firearm:

  • Local laws and regulations regarding the transportation and discharge of firearms must be complied with. It is the responsibleness of the permittee and employee(s) to ensure the safe handling and use of firearms. The careless, negligent, or reckless use of firearms is a violation of state law.
  • The operator and firearm must be capable of producing a quick death past a shot to the brain of the animal. The creature'due south movement must be restricted enough to allow proper shot placement. The carcasses of animals killed by shooting may be sold if sale is lawful.
  • The target animate being will not need to exist tested for rabies.

The cage of the gun should be 1.5-two.0 inches from the animal's brain when using a .22 cal long-rifle mushroom shell or a .410 shotgun with slugs or pellets. The gun cage should exist 39-78 inches away from the creature's encephalon for larger firearms, such as a .308 rifle.

In general, the bullet should pass through the brain toward the spine. While verbal placement differs slightly for each species, the rule of thumb is to draw an imaginary line between the right centre and left ear and the left eye and the right ear. The two lines volition intersect at the bony ridge of the skull. Attempt to identify the bullet just off-eye of the intersecting bespeak to avert the bony ridge. Straight the bullet so that it will pass through the brain toward the base of operations of the skull – where information technology attaches to the spine. This way, the bullet will cause a great deal of tissue damage and ensure a more humane death.

The principles backside bullet placement for domestic animals shown beneath apply to wildlife:

horse shot

sheep shot

dog shot
(All images holding of ICWDM.org)

Fifty-fifty a properly placed shot tin upshot in violent convulsions of the dying animal. The death is considered humane because the beast is unconscious during its passing. Shot animals can also disperse claret and saliva over the area. Technicians should avoid becoming exposed to animal fluids. They should avert shooting where fluids may expose other animals to potential diseases.

Publications

  • AVMA 2020 Euthanasia Guidelines
  • J. (Al) Longair; et al. Guidelines for Euthanasia of domestic animals by firearms. 1991. Canadian Veterinary Periodical. 32:724-726 as reprinted in The Probe Issue 149, November 1994 pp. one, half-dozen-7.