Despatching wounded animals hit by cars

[Apache]

I'm not getting into silly circular arguments with people who think it is ok to try and cut a conscious animal's throat.

It is common for people who have been in a road accident to wait quite some time before they can be rescued or get a doctor out to administer decent painkillers. So long as the animal is kept quiet and not moved the adrenaline and endorphins circulating reduce the 'suffering'.

If I wasn't suitably equipped or couldn't suitably improvise then I'd rather wait for someone properly equipped than a have-a-go-hero botching the job - or half cutting the throat as the deer runs off - injuring it further.

There are a few bits in the best practice guides that personally I don't agree with. Knives and RTAs are one of those. I'd still never say never and there may be odd occasions where it was suitable. I cannot envisage a situation where I would even consider using on on a conscious animal.

Yes they bleed. Yes they will die. Yess the pressure will drop, but they are feeling the cut and stressing at the intervention.

 

[basil]

Burst open by the truck in front.

Obviously not quite dead, at the front end.

Easy decision: drive on.

Moral decision IMHO, finish it ASAP.

I agree 100% and most of us would think/do the same but being a protected species throws a different light on it where the law is concerned.

 

[Apache]

I agree 100% and most of us would think/do the same but being a protected species throws a different light on it where the law is concerned.

Not a problem

6. A person is not guilty of an offence under this Act by reason only of—
(b)killing or attempting to kill a badger which appears to be so seriously injured or in such a condition that to kill it would be an act of mercy;

Protection of Badgers Act 1992

 

[Apache]

I agree 100% and most of us would think/do the same but being a protected species throws a different light on it where the law is concerned.

Not a problem

6. A person is not guilty of an offence under this Act by reason only of—
(b)killing or attempting to kill a badger which appears to be so seriously injured or in such a condition that to kill it would be an act of mercy;

Protection of Badgers Act 1992

 

[basil]

Not a problem

6. A person is not guilty of an offence under this Act by reason only of—
(b)killing or attempting to kill a badger which appears to be so seriously injured or in such a condition that to kill it would be an act of mercy;

Protection of Badgers Act 1992

I stand corrected.
I believe there a case a few years ago where someone put a Badger out of its misery only to be convicted because he wasn`t qualified to judge wether the Badger would have survived its injuries or not?
Anyway, back to the origional post. I wouldn`t want to attempt to cut a conscious Stag/Bucks throat .. if he thrashes those antlers you`ve got problems.

 

[mo]

So then surly the said adrenaline and endorphins would be present once the throat is cut.. My point is if this is done professionally by Someone who is compitant and confidant with the right blade (length/razor sharpness) then I don't see how this is less humane than a well placed heart shot from a rifle.. The bullet creates a wound chanel which causes massive internal hemorrhage. Sometimes you see a animal heart shot run and stay on there feet for a number of seconds whilst blood is pumped out from the wound Chanel. When sufficiently depleted of oxygenated blood they collapse and loose consciousness still however kicking and rithering. In theory would you not say that is what is happening when the throat is cut swiftly and cleanly? Now if one is not compitant in this form of dispatch I can agree with your reasoning.

 

[perdix]

Think that may have applied to a keeper that had snared said badger accidentley but the animal was badly injured as a result of the snare Basil.

And yes the antlers are a potential risk to anyone dispatching a wounded male deer.
I did notice that a good percentage of those I got called to were does/hinds.I wonder why and if anyone else has found this?

 

[Si]

I believe there a case a few years ago where someone put a Badger out of its misery only to be convicted because he wasn`t qualified to judge wether the Badger would have survived its injuries or not?

I suspect that could be the reason the ARU officers waited for the vet to arrive in the TV programmed mentioned earlier.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I'm convinced I need a 44 Special in my "Deer RTA Emergency Responce" kit bag.

 

[Wheesht!]

I'm convinced I need a 44 Special in my "Deer RTA Emergency Responce" kit bag.

Most definately

 

[Pedro]

Jeepers, this is a topic that just keeps giving! Not only in this thread either.

Every incident is unique and there's quite a few variables; the size of the animal, it's injuries, it's state of consciousness, the location, how busy is it, are there spectators, have you got anything suitable, how long will a vet take to arrive and some more no doubt.

It's just not possible to make a set of hard and fast rules for these situations. If contemplating ending an animal's misery after being hit by a vehicle, the best tool in the armoury you'll ever have is to use common sense.

 

[Wodan94]

Still so much debate on whether or not a knife provides a quick kill! Seems like every method (bar a .410) has it's supporters and horrified detractors. I guess we just have to do what we can in the situation, until sound evidence from scientific testing proves it one way or another, but even then, it still depends on the competence of the man on the ground.

 

[The tramp]

Is the best 'tool' the most effective available ? Yes, a shotgun is good, but really, how many actually have one to hand 24/7 ?
What if you are walking fido, with nothing on you at all ? Is the housebrick lying conveniently nearby better than letting the beast suffer lots of pain for hours, or a little more pain from being 'bashed to death' for five mins ? I know what I'd prefer if I was the beast, even if that means a rusty old screwdriver in the atlas joint and wiggled around, it's better than allowing the suffering to continue.

 

[howy308]

Absolutely not. If the barbaric practice was done for any other reason than 'religion' it would have been banned many years ago.

I cannot believe we live in a society that allows such things to go on.

Ruminants have a vertebral artery that can go on supplying the brain with oxygen for minutes.
If you shoot them or stun with a bolt they are insensitive before they hear the bang.

Abhorrent thing to do to any animal.

+1 This has to be one of the best comments made on this forum.As for the original thread I am very cynical that someone who has not killed before could take a knife to an animal!

 

[perdix]

+1 This has to be one of the best comments made on this forum.As for the original thread I am very cynical that someone who has not killed before could take a knife to an animal!

That is actually a very good point howy.I had killed a lot of stuff before I used a knife in that way for the first time and I must admit it made and to this day makes me wince a little

 

[Wodan94]

Me too. Killed many animals, and a lot by hand but never slit a throat before. Wasn't particularly daunting as although he had fairly decent antlers, he was extremely docile and stunned. Felt proper bad for it though.

 

[howy308]

Did you say you had a rug made of hide? Where was it tanned?

 

[Wodan94]

Howdy were you talking to me? Can't remember writing it but yeah I tanned it myself

 

[basil]

Howdy were you talking to me? Can't remember writing it but yeah I tanned it myself

I thought you did along with antlers on the wall and a freezer full of Venison.
Might have been another topic though.

 

[african jack]

I thought you did along with antlers on the wall and a freezer full of Venison.
Might have been another topic though.

yes he did same thread post 7