Humane dispatch for livestock

[James0586]

Hi,

I have been asked by a farmer where I shoot to occasionally shoot the odd sheep/goat if they are ever fallen/ sick etc to prevent suffering and I was wondering what the legal requirement is to do so. I have not done it yet it was just a case of asking the question?

I was going to use a single barrel .410 rather than my rifles or does it need to be a rifle?

Any help guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

 

[biffo]

I’m no expert, but I’m thinking you’re on much safer ground with a .410 than with your rifle. There are no predetermined conditions for shotgun shooting.

 

[Greenmist]

I also do this, use the .410, less hassle

 

[Jameshenry]

Use a 12 bore if you have to shoot a ram, you would be surprised how hard there heads are, speaking from experience

 

[MarkD123]

There was a thread on here the other day about culling a domestic pig.
Have a search - was in the last week or so.
I’d use (and have used) a 12 bore in similar circumstances before.

 

[Rake Aboot]

I’ve used my .22 a few times to dispatch sheep
And a .222 to do the same from a distance.
And yes. I bounced a .222 round of the back of a Jacobs tup from 10 mtrs and it shook it off and strolled away

 

[Jimboblincs2]

410, is the tool to use, unless they don't want to cooperate.

 

[James0586]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought best to use the 410 for the same reasons as above and all of your input has been reassuring.
Cheers

 

[Greenmist]

Use a 12 bore if you have to shoot a ram, you would be surprised how hard there heads are, speaking from experience

Placement is the key

 

[Heym SR20]

If you read the firearms act you will find that using a firearm / shotgun for the humane destruction of animals is perfectly legitimate. It is up to the user to ensure that is as humane as possible and as safe as possible. Often you will end up using what is to hand and what is available.

With a wounded animal, often it will in a very high state of distress, and trying to close the distance will just add to this. But pretty any centrefire rifle will quickly end most large domestic animals suffering, and you can do efficiently and safely from 20 or 50 yards away.

A shotgun, with a normal shotshell is also very efficient, but you need to be very close as in low single digit meters. I once put down a dairy cow that had broken its back with an alphamax to the back of the head - much the disgust of the farm manager who wanted to send it away for slaughter - but that’s another story.

 

[Alantoo]

410 shotgun is the tool recommended for the job by the humane slaughter association.

They have a very good website with excellent images and explanations of the best aim points for most animals you are likely to encounter. Strongly recommend you look at it…go to source.

Introduction

www.hsa.org.uk

Over the last few years I have been called out by the police to some 50 deer as the result of an RTC and the .410 has worked perfectly every time. Roe, Fallow and Muntjac. 3” no. 5 shot subsonics. Muzzle 2”- 4” away from Centre of forehead aligned with spine, rarely any blood, all shot contained, no exit.

Alan

 

[Cranhill]

410 or 32 back of the head will do anything up to a bull, then 12bore

 

[James0586]

410 shotgun is the tool recommended for the job by the humane slaughter association.

They have a very good website with excellent images and explanations of the best aim points for most animals you are likely to encounter. Strongly recommend you look at it…go to source.

Introduction

www.hsa.org.uk

Over the last few years I have been called out by the police to some 50 deer as the result of an RTC and the .410 has worked perfectly every time. Roe, Fallow and Muntjac. 3” no. 5 shot subsonics. Muzzle 2”- 4” away from Centre of forehead aligned with spine, rarely any blood, all shot contained, no exit.

Alan

That’s great thank you for posting

 

[NullMac]

Had a mate pop a bull with a 308. Farmer's kid blabbed at school, teacher reported them to the police so he had the SSPCA and a firearms unit watching him when he did it (having declined to do it themselves).

The only comment was "good shot"

AOLQ I guess

 

[VSS]

Been discussed on here many times.
410 is the tool for the job, capable of dealing with all domestic livestock. Head shot from a distance of about 4 inches.
See the Humane Slaughter Association guides for shot placement info.
Feel free to PM me if you want to go into any more detail. It's something I do pretty regularly.

 

[BigPat]

My understanding of the current legal position (I fully accept I may be wrong but nether the less) is that a shotgun of no less than 410 is acceptable so long as it is done in a way to avoid undue suffering. But, a rifle be that centrefire or rimfire can only be used if that rifle is conditioned for humane despatch and you are on land over which you have authority to shoot. As far as I understand the law, AOLQ is not an appropriate condition because you are not hunting an animal and therefore when carrying out a humane despatch the animal is not a ‘quarry’.

Despite the above, I would hope that a degree of common sense is applied if a person safely conducts a humane despatch to avoid the prolonged suffering of an animal……but as we all know sometimes the technical application of law seems to lack any common sense.

 

[Utectok]

I’d say .410 is the way to go for sure

 

[jb7x57]

I have a 38/357 short barrel rifle with silencer for dispatch large range of different power ammo for different conditions
Also 12 gauge rifled slug for bad tempered ones at a distance

 

[James0586]

Been discussed on here many times.
410 is the tool for the job, capable of dealing with all domestic livestock. Head shot from a distance of about 4 inches.
See the Humane Slaughter Association guides for shot placement info.
Feel free to PM me if you want to go into any more detail. It's something I do pretty regularly.

Cheers for that it’s much appreciated.

I have just printed off their pdf booklet on this exact topic (now I know HSA exist) Thanks for everyone’s input.

 

[North Cornwall Deer]

I have a .357 revolver conditioned for humane dispatch. However I shot a cow today with my old AYA and does just as good a job tbf