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http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livest...thanasia_cc.htm
The decision to humanely end the life of an animal may be necessary in cases of severe injury or disease or as a result of disasters such as fire or flood. On-farm euthanasia may be the most practical and humane way for a livestock producer to relieve an animal's pain and suffering if it is unfit to travel, or to prevent drug residues from entering the food supply.
Whenever possible, livestock producers should consult with a veterinarian before deciding to euthanize an animal. The following questions will help in deciding whether to treat, slaughter or euthanize an animal that is injured, extremely weak or disabled:
Is the animal in pain or distress? If yes, consider treatment.
Is the animal likely to recover? If yes, consider treatment.
Does the animal have the ability to access feed and water? If yes, consider treatment.
Have medications been administered? If yes, check withdrawal period.
Have drug withdrawal times been cleared? If yes, consider slaughter.
Can the animal be humanely transported? If yes, consider slaughter; you will need a veterinary certificate to transport the animal.
Does the animal show any clinical signs that you don't recognize or that you recognize as a reportable disease? If yes, you must contact your veterinarian.
Methods of Euthanasia
Euthanasia must be performed in a way that minimizes fear and anxiety in the animal. Good stockmanship practice dictates that producers have an ethical and moral responsibility to provide a humane death for animals in their care, without causing additional pain or suffering.
There are three basic methods appropriate for on-farm euthanasia: overdose by barbiturate; stunning with a penetrating captive bolt, followed by bleed-out; and gunshot. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Euthanasia by barbiturate overdose must be performed by a veterinarian. Producers who choose the captive bolt pistol or gunshot method must take precautions to prevent serious injury to themselves and others.
To choose the most appropriate method for your operation, consider human safety, animal welfare, required skills, costs and other factors.
Table 1 outlines the three methods and considerations for each. Method Human Safety Animal Welfare Skills Required Cost Other Overdose by Barbiturate Intravenous administration of a barbiturate Restrain the animal Excellent rating Proper technique for intravenous injection Veterinary fee Can only be administered by licenced veterinarian
Information your deadstock collector of the drug residue in the carcass
Penetrating Captive Bolt Penetration of the skull and brain by captive bolt, followed with bleed-out by cutting all the main arteries and veins in the neck Restrain the animal
Be cautious of falling or thrashing animals
Good rating
Correct cartridge strength, target site and penetration angle on animal is essential
Correct and safe use of captive bolt pistol
Correct and safe use of sharp knife
Low - after purchase of captive bolt pistol Results in some body movement
Results in large volume of blood that requires proper disposal
Gunshot Penetration of the skull and brain by bullet Restrain the animal
Be cautious of falling or thrashing animals
Be extremely cautious about bullet ricochet
Good rating
Correct size of firearm and ammunition, and correct target site and penetration angle on animal is essential
Correct and safe use of firearm Low - after purchase of firearm Results in some body movement and blood
Requires firearm acquisition certificate
Local by-laws may prohibit the use of firearms
<a name="penetrating">Penetrating Captive Bolt and Gunshot
An experienced person can produce rapid unconsciousness in an animal by using a penetrating-type captive bolt or shot from a firearm which is aimed at the correct target site and penetration angle for the species and age of animal. The same anatomical targets and penetration angles are used for both a penetrating captive bolt pistol and a firearm (see Figure 1 and Figure 2).
Penetrating Captive Bolt
Ensure the animal is well restrained.
Use the appropriate cartridge strength for the animal (refer to the manufacturer's manual).
Place the captive bolt pistol firmly against the animal's head on the target site, and shoot.
Be careful to avoid injury from thrashing limbs when the animal collapses.
Cut both the carotid arteries and jugular veins in the neck with a sharp knife to bleed-out the animal after stunning. These arteries and veins are on both sides of the throat.
Gunshot
Ensure the animal is well restrained.
Plan to shoot outdoors when possible.
Have a backstop (e.g., an earth berm, manure pile, or something that will stop the bullet if you miss or it over-penetrates) behind the area you are aiming at.
Use a firearm and ammunition that are appropriate for the size, age and type of animal. The ammunition used to euthanize an animal must be powerful enough to make the animal immediately unconscious and to penetrate the head deeply enough to destroy the areas of the brain that control breathing and circulation.
A shotgun using Buckshot cartridges that contain 6 pellets weighing a total of 30 g, or a 9 mm or a .357 calibre firearm, can be used to successfully euthanize most cattle older than six months. A larger calibre firearm will be needed for large bulls.
For calves aged six months and younger, .22 calibre "long-rifle" hollow-nosed ammunition is generally adequate.
[*]Hold the firearm 5-25 cm (2-10 in.) from the target site. To avoid personal injury, do NOT place the firearm muzzle against the animal's skull. Aim the shot down the line of the spine so that the bullet will enter the brain stem (the beginning of the spinal cord), and shoot.
[*]Be careful to avoid injury from thrashing limbs when the animal collapses.
Target Site and Penetration Angle For cattle older than six months, the captive bolt or gunshot should penetrate the skull at the intersection of lines extending from the lower base of each side of the horn bed to the inside corner of the opposite eye as shown in Figure 1.
