page_title: Animal euthanasia
section_title: Shooting
hierarchical_section_title: Animal euthanasia / Methods / Shooting
caption_attribution_description: English: Smith and Wesson model 34-1 kit gun
context_page_description: Animal euthanasia is the act of putting an animal to death or allowing it to die by withholding extreme medical measures. Reasons for euthanasia include incurable conditions or diseases, lack of resources to continue supporting the animal, or laboratory test procedures. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress. Euthanasia is distinct from animal slaughter and pest control although in some cases the procedure is the same.
  In domesticated animals, this process is commonly referred to by euphemisms such as "put down" or "put to sleep".
context_section_description: This can be a means of euthanasia for large animals—such as horses, cattle, and deer—if performed properly. This may be performed by means of:
  Firearms
  Traditionally used in the field for euthanizing horses, deer or other large game animals. The animal is shot in the forehead with the bullet directed down the spine through the medulla oblongata, resulting in instant death. The risks are minimal if carried out by skilled personnel in a suitable location.
  Captive bolt gun
  Commonly used by the meat packing industry to slaughter cattle and other livestock. The bolt is fired through the forehead causing massive disruption of the cerebral cortex. In cattle, this stuns the animal, though if left for a prolonged period it will die from cerebral oedema. Death should therefore be rapidly brought about by pithing or exsanguination. Horses are killed outright by the captive bolt, making pithing and exsanguination unnecessary.
caption: Smith and Wesson Model 34-1 Kit Gun
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