LANTRA - Humane Dispatch Course

[Apache]

since the deer are still alive obviously, does anyone ever remove them from the scene for dispatch elsewhere when it is safe to do so and for example there are bystanders? i.e. not deer that would be a risk to move like thrashing red stags clearly!

I never have. Animal welfare is my priority. It's easier to move people away.

In my experience of this it would never be in the deer's best interests.

 

[cervus]

+1 for that Apache..Capture Myopathy is stressful for the deer and movement exacerbates this does it not?

 

[cookingfat]

All this LANTRA this and that and course for this and that.
Where do the instructors get their knowledge from, who was the first qualified instructor for such courses.
I have been assisting the Wiltshire Constabulary and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for over thirty years and I have never needed any formal training.
I had a little book I acquired several years ago which shows the point of aim for various animals, even that only confirmed what I knew already in most cases.
As for high vis jacket at the scene, low profile use of the short barrelled rifle and traffic or personnel clearance at the scene and safe back stop etc, all that is common sense.
Never once have I considered that I might be jeopardising the ownership of my FC and can see no reason why I should.
I have an open FC and it has been since owning it back in the fifties so feel I have enough experience at the scene of an RTA, or whatever it is called these days, than some of the young constables that have attended at the same time as myself.
One such Constable asked me recently why I put a towel over the Deer's head when it could be seen as obvious as the Deer stopped thrashing about immediately.
I then explained that as it had been shot, as opposed to Vetinary injection despatched, that it was classed as non hazzardous waste so could be legally be left for the other wildlife to feast on, so long as it was out of the way of the public.
There are enough Foxes, Badgers and even Raptors to make short work of any carcass left out and is more economic than incineration or burying.

Edd, you are like me getting a bit long in the tooth, I was not implying you need any training as you have probably seen it all, but as I said we need to train the young people coming through and these courses are just making those who won't to help out aware of what to expect on arrival at a RTA.

 

[EMcC]

Edd, you are like me getting a bit long in the tooth, I was not implying you need any training as you have probably seen it all, but as I said we need to train the young people coming through and these courses are just making those who won't to help out aware of what to expect on arrival at a RTA.

Hi Tony, a good point, I keep forgetting how old I am - at least until I try to pick something up then my back crackles like a dry crisp packet !
But then again, a lot of the 'procedure' is common sense and most FC owners are normally pretty sensible.

 

[Paul at Fechan]

+1 for that Apache..Capture Myopathy is stressful for the deer and movement exacerbates this does it not?

true but, I was sort at aiming at the point that you can remove the issue of causing alarm and distress to the bystanders, who can easily make a complaint to that end. Deer welfare can't come before safety or risking alarm and distress to bystanders. I have first hand knowledge of bystanders getting nasty when they realise what is going to happen to the deer they hit. What the wanted was someone who would take the smashed deer to be a star on animal rescue or something. Most people haven't go a clue past what they see on telly

 

[Greymaster]

It is laudable that so much is being discussed about animal welfare and quick and humane dispatch, compared with the comments recently in support of two firearms officers being disciplined for failing to use their firearms and braying the beast to death with a crowbar (allegedly).

I do wonder where in the hierarchy of suitable implements the crowbar comes in the LANTRA listing?

 

[Paul at Fechan]

in the UK we have this thing where the right thing is regulated by the thought police, and the right thing is what you are told!

 

[Apache]

true but, I was sort at aiming at the point that you can remove the issue of causing alarm and distress to the bystanders, who can easily make a complaint to that end. Deer welfare can't come before safety or risking alarm and distress to bystanders.

I would never compromise people's safety, but I'm not too bothered if I upset someone by killing Bambi. Been there, done that. I'm not dragging a suffering deer to appease people.

Safety would be my only reason for even considering this. I cannot envisage a situation where this would be appropriate.

 

[cookingfat]

I have never moved a deer from where it has laid before I have dispatched it, as has been said move the people or the vehicles, in my part of the Country if called out by the police you take charge and do what's best for the welfare of the animal.
i did get a call from the RSPCA this year to distpach a deer in the back of a builders van as he had moved it, also earlier this year one of Hampshire's team was called to a service station to distpactch a muntjac stuck in the grill of a car...

 

[howa243]

Assume your profession provides you with a degree of authority that bystanders and police would defer to?

 

[Apache]

Assume your profession provides you with a degree of authority that bystanders and police would defer to?

I have a hi-vis jacket in the car with VET in 4" high letters. Maybe it's the perceived position of authority, but no one has failed to do as instructed.

 

[cervus]

The Hampshire Scheme provides for this and it works.

 

[Monkey Spanker]

since the deer are still alive obviously, does anyone ever remove them from the scene for dispatch elsewhere when it is safe to do so and for example there are bystanders? i.e. not deer that would be a risk to move like thrashing red stags clearly!

I would hope not! It is illegal to move an injured der.
MS

 

[EMcC]

I would hope not! It is illegal to move an injured deer. MS

Illegal or not, surely common sense would prevail !
Unless, Paul, you were thinking of stunning the animal with your 'massive' rifle bolt then moving it

 

[Monkey Spanker]

Illegal or not, surely common sense would prevail !
Unless, Paul, you were thinking of stunning the animal with your 'massive' rifle bolt then moving it

Sadly though, common sense does not over rule the law.
I have had to move them before, but only after some 'do-gooder' has already moved them to somewhere completely unsuitable! I have had to take several out of peoples cars, a garage and even someones kitchen!
I've never had to move one otherwise as there has always been a way to safely achieve a humane dispatch. However, much depends upon whether you are equipped with the right tools for the job! I had a very lively Muntjac Buck to deal with last night on a busy road with police and public onlookers. 12.5 grams of No. 5 shot at close range through the forehead from a silenced .410 - job done! If you have the right equipment and police support, I can't see a situation where you would ever need to move an injured deer, but I'd be interested to hear of any?
MS

 

[cookingfat]

The Hampshire Scheme provides for this and it works.[/

+1

 

[Paul at Fechan]

I would hope not! It is illegal to move an injured der.
MS

how does injured wildlife get relocated to rescue centres then? As I understand it if you are acting with good intent to end the suffering of an animal or 'help' it there is no problem.

 

[finnbear270]

Probably a good idea to just do the / a course, & then when you find yourself involved, you did the right thing, I would take the right course of action anyway.

 

[cookingfat]

how does injured wildlife get relocated to rescue centres then? As I understand it if you are acting with good intent to end the suffering of an animal or 'help' it there is no problem.

Paul,
what I can tell you is if the wildlife rescue centres in wilts and hants get a call about a deer involved in a RTA they call us to dispatch it, so no moving of deer..
i don't know what happens in other areas or with other animals.

 

[Apache]

I have had to move them before, but only after some 'do-gooder' has already moved them to somewhere completely unsuitable! I have had to take several out of peoples cars, a garage and even someones kitchen!

I've used a captive bolt indoors a number of times! Used mine on a heron with a broken wing today.