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Other => Off Topic => Topic started by: jnw on May 24, 2023, 12:15:07 PM

Title: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: jnw on May 24, 2023, 12:15:07 PM
Hares seem to think the corners of my raised garden beds are a perfect place to have their babies.  Well my dog, not knowing any better, killed one and now there are two others laying there looking like they are in agonizing pain, with terminal damage done to them I won't go into; but it does look like they could suffer for hours before dying.

How do I end their suffering in the most humane way? :(  Never had to do this before.  I don't want them to lay there for hours in pain.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: jnw on May 24, 2023, 12:37:30 PM
Nvm, I asked this on a local fb group instead.  It's too depressing to address I know.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: SunnyDays on May 24, 2023, 12:44:32 PM
Quick axe chop to the neck.  Make sure it's sharp.  RIP bunnies.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: jnw on May 24, 2023, 12:58:33 PM
Thank you.  I found a vet that will put them to sleep at no charge.  Had to do some calling around.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: wenchsenior on May 24, 2023, 01:56:48 PM
Depending on how small they are, I generally would use blunt trauma to the head. Kills them quickly if you do it hard, and knocks them out so they don't suffer. I've killed a number of car-struck animals over the years this way. I've used any hard object that was quick to hand (rocks, walls, shovel or other implement in car, etc.)

Putting animals in the freezer is a fairly humane way to kill them... they are cold for about a minute or two and then go to sleep.

Euthanasia sucks, but is better than the alternative most of the time.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: GuitarStv on May 24, 2023, 02:08:55 PM
Just whack 'em with a hammer or an axe.  Cook them well (at least an internal temperature of 160) and they make a decent stew.  No need to let them suffer, and no need to be wasteful with their lives.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: SunnyDays on May 24, 2023, 06:01:06 PM
Thank you.  I found a vet that will put them to sleep at no charge.  Had to do some calling around.

That's great.  Vets around here won't even talk to you about a wild animal.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: Weisass on May 24, 2023, 08:04:05 PM
In my experience, whatever method you employ, make it quick.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: ChpBstrd on May 25, 2023, 12:47:22 PM
A bullet to the head is a violent way to die, but there's nothing quicker or more painless. If I was to be executed, and was offered my choice of methods, this is what I'd choose.
Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: RetiredAt63 on May 25, 2023, 05:40:37 PM
In ethics discussions the best euthanasia is considered to be fast and painless.  So if you can't manage painless, fast is good.  I'm glad the OP was able to get a vet quickly so painless and fairly fast.

Title: Re: How to humanely euthanize a wild animal that is suffering?
Post by: Valley of Plenty on May 25, 2023, 10:10:51 PM
A bullet to the head is a violent way to die, but there's nothing quicker or more painless. If I was to be executed, and was offered my choice of methods, this is what I'd choose.

This. If you can handle the emotional burden of being the one to pull the trigger, it's the way to go.