[RWMC]

A close friend called me tonight and asked me if I would come over tomorrow and put down his horse. He can't stand to do the task himself, which I whole heartedly understand. I wish I didn't have to do it either, but he is my friend, and his horse is suffering. I do not mean to sound morbid, but will a single shot to the center of the horses forehead with a .45 acp fmj be humanely "enough", or would I be safer to use a 20 gauge slug? I do not want to shoot twice, but I want to finish the job as quickly and humanely as possible. I apologize if the question is out of line. I have never had to do anything like this before, so therefore I have asked. Thank-you for your help.

[SuperNaut]

Call Animal Control.

[Jeff F]

.45 acp is more then enough. 1 1/2 to 2 inches above and right between the eyes. Been there and had to do it a few times in my life.

[GRIZ22]

We had a horse that needed to be put down when I worked in AZ. He was a great horse and had a lot of local history related to him. No one wanted to put him down. Someone suggested a 357. One of the guys who had really worked as a cowboy said "did you ever have to dig a hole to fit a horse". We spent a couple of hundred dollars to have the vet trailer our horse away and take care of him.

If your friend is that short of money give him the money to let the vet do the job. If he loves that horse that much it's going to bother you too.

[Sundles]

Im not advocating calling a vet to do your own work, but if you blunder the first shot, you'll not be happy with what happens next. Very bad deal.

Dig the grave first, lead the horse to it and then shoot it in the head with a hi powered rifle. A 30-30 or an 06 will kill very humanely even if you are off a little.

[edmorales]

use a cattle prod

[General Disarray]

I heard tell that's what the caliber was designed for, right? Calvary riders shooting down opposing rider's rides. I'm not trying to be provocative; I was honestly told that recently at my local gun shop.

I would think the right placement would definitely make it a done deal.

[bandoo]

Call a local vet Dr. Some projects just aren't DIY.

[CajunBass]

I've had to put down a few dogs myself.

Call a vet for this one.

[IV Troop]

I have put down numerous horses and other stock in the past as well as when I worked in uniform as a state police officer I shot many vehicle struck deer, antelope elk etc with my 45. Never did one require more than one shot.

Some of the posters are well intentioned but clearly have little exerience in putting stock down.

DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT SHOOT IT "BETWEEN THE EYES" the projectile skipping off the skull is a very definate possibility. I have seen that happen before when well intentioned folks attempted to put animals down. It is ugly. Sometimes a frontal shot such as that works, often it does not.

From the side, shoot downward through the ear canal into the brain. This works very well and instantly shuts the switch off. I have killed cattle with 22s this way too.

Be prepared in advance to deal with the carcass. BTW, people do not usually bury" horses. They normally go to the processing plant.

BTW, cattle prods are not for killing animals:rolleyes: Cattle prods, also known as "hot shockers" just give a small painfull zap and are used to move uncooperative stock. Believe me, I have been zapped by "friends" while horseplaying around. I believe the poster is likely thinking of a "bang stick". They are used on kill house floors in the manner I described above.

Do not dwell on the task. Prepare in advance to deal with the carcass, calmly approach the animal while talking to it. Stroke their neck a few times while speaking to them. Watch your backstop and get it done in a quick manner. It is not a pleasent task, but death is part of the cycle of life.

Good luck

[cdrt]

Call the Vet. Been through this and it's the best way.

[Joe the Redneck]

This is not a good topic for public discussion. I have no idea what the local law about shooting a horse is, but it sure doesn't sound like that great of an idea in this day and age.

Tell your friend to "man up", call a vet, PAY THE MONEY, and have the job done right.
:cuss:

Joe

[IV Troop]

""This is not a good topic for public discussion. I have no idea what the local law about shooting a horse is, but it sure doesn't sound like that great of an idea in this day and age.

Tell your friend to "man up", call a vet, PAY THE MONEY, and have the job done right.


Joe"

I respectfully disagree. In fact WHOLEHEARTEDLY. To " Man Up" does not in my eyes mean open up the wallet and pay someone else to do a task that in fact is yours. The original poster was asked by a close friend to perform a very unpleasent task.


Personally I believe it is the owners responsiblity, so I would not ask someone else to do the task. That being said, the friend agreed to do it so the responsibility is now to get it done and not delay the process while the animal suffers.

Joe, I am not sure where you live but in the Western ranching and farming culture where I am from this is normal and far from an inapropriate topic for public discussion. It is no more inapropriate than talking about thinning coyote packs around calving time or putting down a vehicle struck deer.

It is in fact not a bad topic at all to discuss so other readers who may not know how to humanely dispatch an animal may read and learn. This may prevent some needless suffering of an animal in the future.

Perhaps "Man Up" has a different meaning in other places. I tend to carry my own water.

[jad0110]

It is in fact not a bad topic at all to discuss so other readers who may not know how to humanely dispatch an animal may read and learn. This may prevent some needless suffering of an animal in the future.

Right you are Troop. There are a fair number of deer strikes in my area, so your input may come be useful one day (hope not).

From the side, shoot downward through the ear canal into the brain. This works very well and instantly shuts the switch off. I have killed cattle with 22s this way too.

Would it be fair to assume that a deer could be dispatched in this manner with a 38 snubbie? That is my only CCW piece at the moment, so that is what I would most likely have on me.

Thank you for the information.

[Nomad, 2nd]

Cattle are often killed by a .22 behind the ear.

Shot placement...

[Lonestar49]

First, and foremost, you-all must walk a mile in that mans shoes first..

Second, as mentioned, and I agree with, the "what if " you hit a deer, any animal, and no Vet to call to a SAD scene, or as mentioned, call the Animal Control, as I have been there, just with 6 of my past German Shepherds, and that Black moment of time and truth is a tough call, no matter how one who may not have walked a mile in my shoes may feel about my decision to put them down (by my vet).

Third, in the sad situation above, a friend is helping a friend out in NEED, and the Horse, or any animal, does not know what a gun is, or what is about to happen, and even with a failed first shot to the head, any animal would be in a state of Shock, which prevents PAIN, and will not feel the second shot.

Not an easy task for a friend to do, but you're doing the right thing IMO, by first, asking here, if the 45 cal will do the job. And as mentioned, if he can get a high powered rifle, so much the better, along with the correct mention of digging the grave first, and leading the old, or sick, horse in first.


Even with all that, my heart goes out to both of them, for I have walked that cold, lonely, mile, 6 times, of making a decision that tears at one's heart.



LS :(

[Noble]

Take the live horse to wherever you want it to be when it's dead. Shoot it in the ear with a rifle. I know it's not "PC," but you don't really have to bury it or have it hauled off--leave it on a remote part of the property and let the coyotes and buzzards eat it. It won't take very long.

[IV Troop]

jad0110,

Yes, using a 38 in the manner I described above, the 38 will be more than up to the task.

Nomad is correct. .22s are often used to dispatch cattle that are in the chute.

I have primarily used 230 grain .45 JHPs that were my issue load. On occasion I have dispatched vehicle struck animals who were still mobile but seriously injured such as when their backs are broken. They would try to get away using only their front legs when I approached. It has been my experience that mostly game animals do this, not domestic stock. Stock tends to just lay down.When this has happened I normally use a .223 from a patrol carbine and aim for the same spot.

Look at it from this perspective.

I haved worked crashes on the backroads and interstates involving vehicles traveling at typical high speeds when they strike cattle. Striking a full grown cow at such speed is often fatal, or at the very least the occupants of the vehicle have major traumatic life changing injuries.

If posssible when the resources and manpower are available I would prefer to shut the road down and gather the cattle. After all, those cattle represent a major financial investment for the owner and the loss of those cattle affect peoples livelyhoods.

However, as is often the case, if I cannot control the scene and contain the horses or cattle, then the stock gets put down. It is just one of the unpleasant parts of the job and no matter what your call, someone is not going to be happy with your actions. It is a lose lose situation for the officer involved.

That being said, I will not needlessly risk the lives of motorists to save animals. One time a number of years back I had just arrived at a crash scene involving an overturned cattle truck. While I was there one of the cows ran onto the roadway and was standing broadside when it was hit at high speed by a vehicle. I watched the car coming. It happened so fast I was unable to do anything.

The male driver was conscious and breathing when I got to him. He was speaking to me a little bit about what had happened. I spoke to him trying to have him stay calm. He died in my arms while I tried to help him.

These may not be enjoyable topics of conversation, just as the original thread was not, but maybe some good may be gathered from it.

I realize I have a different perspective on the matter as compared to others. Peoples life experiences tend to color their opinions on such matters.

IV TROOP

[priv8ter]

I have little to add from a technical standpoint, but I just wanted to point out that while I feel the topic is unpleasent, well...a lot of things folks are called upon to do on a day-to-day basis are very unpleasent. There is good information to be gained here.

My only piece of advise is 'Shot Placement' The brain of most animals, horses included, is not as large proportionally as the brain of a human...your target is not as big as you think it is. That being said, you are probably better off with the easier to control .45 than trying to hold a 20ga steady against the horses head.

greg

[KINGMAX]

Call a Professional, get a Vet involved.

[kingpin008]

use a cattle prod

Why? he wants to euthanize the animal, not herd it.

[High Planes Drifter]

I've finished a doe with my .45 by shooting it right behind the ear. So yeah, I'd imagine a .45would be enough to put a horse down. I'd put the shot right in the ear, or right behind the ear. Good luck

[salvador31c]

It Will Do the Trick i've seen it done on cattle and pigs, and will do it this summer. My granpa raises a few cattle and pigs each year then puts them down and gives the family a pile of meat it may not be pleasent the first time i plan on doing it but it has to be done i may live in the city but my granpa still owns some land and likes playing cowboy

[CDignition]

Years ago, my mother had her horse put down by the Vet..he brought a 30-30 rifle with him. This was in New Jersey...they have laws against disposal(you cant just dig a hole and dump it) it had to be removed afterwards. I was pretty surprised...

[1911Tuner]

My grandfather once told me that putting an animal down when it's necessary is as much a part of owning one as raising it and taking care of it...and I tend to agree. A man should be prepared emotionally and mentally because we can never bet on what sort of trouble an animal will get into.

But...I've BTDT a few times. It will bother you...trust me. While I have no qualms, and would have no hesitation over killing a badly injured and suffering animal in order to end its suffering immediately, instead of letting it go for the time it woud take for a vet to arrive...An animal that is simply old, or blind, or sick and likely dying anyway...and not in pain...I think I'd let the vet do it.

The kicker is to be able to recognize when one is in pain. Many won't show outward signs of even excruciating pain. You have to know what to look for...and sometimes even that comes down to a judgement call.

There really isn't an easy way to do it, but if you elect to shoot the horse, make sure that you don't waver, and use enough gun to do it quickly. A .45 is enough with a well-placed brain shot, but a .41 or .44 Magnum with solid bullets would provide a little more leeway in case you flinch. Shoot through the ear...and walk away.

[Iggy]

I'm with Tuner on this one. If it isn't suffering from an injury, get a vet to do it.

I have had to put horses down several times. They were my friends and it hurt like hell, but it had to be done. It comes with the territory.

If you have to do it, a .357 SWC or 45 FMJ or above will do the job, no hollow points. Make and imaginary X between the eyes and ears. A horse's brain is where the lines cross.
Get close enough to make sure you don't blow it.

It won't be pleasant but it will be over quick.

[jsebens]

My wife is in vet school; here's what she was taught.

Draw a line from the inside corner of each eye to the opposite ear; shoot where the lines cross (upper forehead).

Hold muzzle 6-8 inches from target.

Horse should be standing if possible, head at a level where bullet trajectory would carry it down the neck. Head should be roughly perpendicular to the ground.

Anything from 9mm on up will work, although a higher caliber (and/or hollow point) will decrease the likelihood of a ricochet.

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/li/emergency_equine.htm

This site says to use the center of the eye, although my wife says she's seen the inside corner method cited in several places...different opinions, I guess.

You will almost never get all of these conditions exactly right - get as many as you can. This is the "recommended humane" way to shoot a horse.

Hope that helped.

[RWMC]

Thanks to all for your advice and input. I opted to use the 20 gauge. The load was a Winchester 2 3/4" #4 steel, magnum load. At a distance of 3 feet, with the point of impact at the diagonal intersection between the eyes and ears, death came instantly and humanely. I don't think I would have made a good cavalryman. Again, my sincere apologies to those who were offended by my original opening post.

[jsebens]

You have my most sincere sympathies.

[SouthronBoy]

Doing the right thing is hard sometimes. I'm sorry you had to do it.

[JohnL2]

Interesting thread.
People don't deal with unpleasantness like this much nowadays.
These days it's about having all the pleasure with as little of the guilt as possible.
How that is healthy in the long run I'll let the sociologists mull over.

My thought is that without the time or resources for a vet use a high powered rifle or a shotgun slug. Large animal craniums are pretty tough.

[roo_ster]

Owning a critter as a pet or livestock carries with it some responsibilities. Among them is the humane ending of critters' lives. Sometimes that means a call to the vet...other times the tough work must be done by ourselves.

RWMC:
Good on you for helping out a friend to do what had to be done and minimizing the horse's suffering.

IV Troop:
Good on you for helping folks/critters out and bringing order to chaos...and understanding that human life rate higher than animal life when the two must be balanced.

[Joe Demko]

If you've ever read Of Mice and Men, then you know a man has to shoot his own dog. In this case, it's a horse, but the principle is the same.

If you elect to do it for him, stand close enough to not mess up the shot and watch that the animal doesn't fall on you.

[Oohrah]

Sorry for having to do that job. You picked the right weapon/load.
Shame owners do not take care of there own messes. As a LEO in
a remote area, I would get calls for put downs. I learned quickly
that bullets of that time in a handgun sometimes failed to do the job.
I switched over to a 30 Carbine with EXPANDING or HALF JACKETED
bullets were 100% effective in all uses. Like many, I might consider
the Vet if there were choices. Injuried deserve immediate attention.

[kellyj00]

ridiculous! This is the mellinium...we don't shoot our pets! Unless your animal is in horrible pain, do not shoot it yourself. If Fido's missing his entire hind quarters and is bleeding profusely, that's the only time to 'put him down'...otherwise, you need to get a hold of an institution to do it.

I don't care who you are, unless you're a sadist you're not going to enjoy shooting an animal that you don't intend to eat. Let your Vet do the work.

If you're processing beef/hogs/poultry or hunting that's a different deal. Veterinarians have much better methods for our loved ones.

[Sundles]

1VTroop,

+1

We live in a society that is largely urbanized these days. The conection to real life/the earth is broken with city living.

I've had a number of my beloved horses and mules that became old and sick and needed to be put down. Out in the country parts of Idaho, we just dig a hole in the back forty and lead the horse over to it and shoot them in the side of the head with a rifle. (i've used handguns too, but the rifle leaves a lot of room for error) Some times we dont bury them, but leave them on the surface and let the crows, eagles and coyotes (some times bears) pick them clean.

I cannot see how this discussion is inapropriate. It is real life, truth, reality, certain eventuallity, but if you live urbanized, you are protected from this part of reality--at your loss. Parts of life are hard.

[TimboKhan]

Call a vet. The needle is painless and by far and away the most humane and caring way to kill something. The .45 will work, but then your going to have to look at horse blood, brains, scheiss and god know what else afterwords. Plus, you and/or your sensitive friend are going to have to clean up and a bullet to the head is messy. Most hunters have seen the stuff listed above, but it is different when its your pet, or buddy.

[zahc]

A bullet to the head of a large animal is not that messy. Really. It might leave a little hole that bleeds a bit, and often an eye or two will pop out slightly from the pressure.

My father has shot a handful of cows (for butchering ) with a .45 FMJ. They go down like a pile of rocks. He shoots them in the forehead, though he has been advised that that is not the 'right' way to do it. We sometimes find the bullets all the way down in the brisket lodged in the breastbone. I recently killed a fullsize doberman using the .45 to the head method as well. It was certainly effective.

Shooting an animal in the head is in no way inhumane. I've done it dozens of times, enough to be confident that if I had to be killed or executed for some reason, I would take a large caliber bullet to the head over just about anything else, including injection...I don't like drugs or needles.

[kellyj00]

"If you've ever read Of Mice and Men"
I believe this is a fictional story. I also don't remember a dog being shot in this book. I do, however, remember the character Lenny (who is later depicted in a Looney Tunes cartoon as a large orange monster who wants to "kiss him, love him and call him george" of the Bugs Bunny character) and his relationship with Curly, and the moral wasn't anything to do with shooting a pet.
Though great literature, I'm not really seeing how it applys to shooting one's beloved horse in modern times.

[imatt]

We had to do this on our farm. Borrowed a backhoe (yes, a BIG hole has to be dug) and the horse was injected right beside it. No mess.

[Joe Demko]

"If you've ever read Of Mice and Men"
I believe this is a fictional story. I also don't remember a dog being shot in this book. I do, however, remember the character Lenny (who is later depicted in a Looney Tunes cartoon as a large orange monster who wants to "kiss him, love him and call him george" of the Bugs Bunny character) and his relationship with Curly, and the moral wasn't anything to do with shooting a pet.
Though great literature, I'm not really seeing how it applys to shooting one's beloved horse in modern times

Either you didn't read it or you weren't attentive. The dog in question belongs to Candy, an elderly handicapped man who works on the same ranch where Lennie and George take employment. The dog is old and sickly and the other workers pester Candy to put it down. Candy is old and afraid of being alone, so he resists. Finally, he gives in to pressure and allows one of the other men to take the dog out and shoot it with a Luger. Afterward, he feels bad and wishes he had done it himself...it was his duty as a man and because he cared about the dog. The whole incident foreshadows the end of the story where George puts down Lenny (using the same Luger) to spare him from the wrath of the lynch mob. It was all George could do and he had to do it because he cared about Lenny.

[New_geezer]

Guess some folks prefer cartoons to literature and real life.

Putting down a beloved pet when it is old and suffering is a difficult decision but in context, it is an act of love.

Over the years I have had to have several dogs euthanized, and always chose to be there when the Vets did their job. I didn't want them to feel alone or abandoned.

While working at an Animal Control Shelter, over 3 years, I personally euthanized about 3,000 dogs and cats, one at a time thru injection, many I had become attached to while trying but failing to get them adopted. There was always more strays coming in. Sometimes people brought their pets in to be put down, maybe because they didn't have the money, or just didn't want to be around when it happened.

I don't judge anyone for the choices they make, we do what we can handle.
It is never easy, and there is lots of room for lingering thoughts. Maybe I'm screwed in the head, but I handled putting all those animals down because I thought it was better that someone who loved animls do it, than someone who didn't care. Standing back wasn't going to save them.

Circumstances usually dictate what's necessary, and what's possible. I think the OP deserves a lot of credit for his honesty and desire to do a difficult thing the best way he can. He gets no criticism from me and deserves none from anyone else.

[Husker1911]

I've never euthanized a horse, but have several dogs. As new geezer mentioned, it's not an easy task, but one of love. I'm a grown man, but have broken down weeping into my own hands after the fact. Yet, I did this knowing the animal would realize if something were occurring, especially if a trip to the vet were involved. There's evidently a near 50/50 split here, on what's proper. Those of you recommending the vet's assistance, I respect your heartfelt opinions. As for myself, however, I've chosen to perform the final task personally. You'll disagree with me, and that's your prerogative, but my pets spent their final moments in less discomfort. The fact I was involved in their demise is a terribly important task, one that I'll take to my own grave.

I fully expect to reunite with these pet's souls at some point, somewhere removed from this physical plane. When that occurs, I'll look these kindred creatures directly within their respective eyes, and know the mutual respect I'll find.

[RWMC]

My friend who asked me to, "put down" his horse served our country as a combat infantryman in Vietnam. His wife told me that while in Vietnam, that he was involved in a very disturbing fire-fight in which several of the enemy were women and children. All of the enemy were killed. He and I never discuss the war. Any war. Not even a war movie. Even at work, if some one were to talk about the newest war flick at the theater, my friend will just quietlly get up and leave the room. Two years ago, he had a cow that was bad sick and needed to be put down. My friend contacted an aquaintance of his who said he was efficeint with guns, to come over and do the task. My friend went into his house while the cow was to be put down. While in his house, my friend heard 6 to7 shots. Soon afterward, the man drove away. My friend waited a half an hour, then went out to the machine shed to get the tractor to bury the cow. When he got to the cow, the poor creature was still thrashing about on the ground, with numerous body shots. My friend completed the job himself. Last year, one of his other draft horses became deathly ill and my friend, not wanting to risk another botched, suffering death, shot his lead team horse himself. He told his wife that he cannot do that again. When he called me the other day and told me of the plight he was in with this horse that I originally posted my question about, I said I would do it. I asked him, "are you going to hate me for doing this?" He replied NO,NO, I will be very thankful for your help. Now I realize many of you said we should call the vet and go the route of the letahal injection. I do appreciate your insight and your obvious love of all creatures great and small. Our dilema here is that none of us had the extra $450 to have the vet come out. Before going to my friends place to do the task at hand, I test fired several shells from the 20 gauge from different distances untill I got the desired effect. The 2 3/4, magnum field load, with 3/4 ounce of #4 steel shot, blew a half-dollar sized hole clean through 2 stacked 2x4's at a distance of 3 to 4 feet. The blast would instantly and totally destroy the brain at that distance, which was the result that I desired. I told my friend as we walked out to the corral, that I did not want to have to shoot twice. I was ready at the aim, and my friend told me, "If you don't want to do this, then don't, but if you can, then take your shot now." I looked over to my friend and nodded my head. He then turned and looked away, at which time I pulled the trigger of the shotgun. The horse instantly dropped to its knees, and slumped over on its side, the body quivering for maybe 2 seconds. Then all was still. My friend, visibly fighting back his tears, walked over to me, placed his hand on my shoulder, and asked, "Are you okay?" I said, "yeah, I guess." He then stretched out his 60 year old hand, grasping mine firmly, and simply said,"Thank-you." We then both turned and slowly walked away toward the machine shed to get the tractor. Again, I wish to thank all who commented on this thread of mine with your kind and instructional words, and a special thanks to the Moderator for having the keen insight in allowing my post to be discussed. Death is an inconvienience...but still it comes...to all

[ARTiger]

RWMC, You did well . . . very well. It's a fortunate man to have such a friend as yourself.

[bg226]

Good that it worked out.

I know that hogs have taken .45s to the head and not even dropped (5 feet). Their frontal skulls are surprisingly strong.

.45 ACP FMJ is not a good penetrator, the 9mm FMJ penetrates much better.

Buckshot is a poor penetrator. I would opt for a good 12GA Slug.

[bigmike45]

RWMC,

I recently had to do the same for my aged Father-in-Law. It's never easy ending the life of a living creature, even if it is suffering. I have hunted all my life and have always thanked the Lord for the harvest. Putting down a farm animal is a little different. Your friend is lucky to have you, and you did a good job.

mike

[Kimber1911_06238]

a .45 fmj will do the trick. right in or right behind the ear. make the shot count and the job is done.

As far as getting a vet involved...you could, but killing is killing....as long as the end result is the same, what's the difference?

[helpless]

One time I was up at my office which is right by a vet and it is pretty much secluded area. As I have said on other threads I work late late hours making decals and designing websites and other nerdy graphic design related projects.

One night I was here at about 10:30 at night and a guy knocked on my door and asked if I knew a number to get a hold of the vet for an emergency. I told him there should be one on the door and he walked off...

10 minutes later he knocks again and said there is no answer, and asked what I do here, I replied I'm a graphic designer. He seemed disappointed and then asked if I by any chance had a firearm here.

Thinking this was a strange question I replied that I didnt. (I did) With this he began to tell me how his sons cat was smashed under the garage door and its back was broken and asked what I thought he should do. As the man asked me this he was petting my cat cliff who hangs with me up here at the office.

I guess I seem like a trusting enough guy. :rolleyes:

Yeah it was weird that this guy was asking me this and it was a little strange that he seemed so paralyzed by the question. So I walked out to his truck and I could hear the cat crying. He had her in a box in the cab of the truck rapped in a towel. His son was holding the box crying.

What the hell had I gotten into here? When the guy opened the door to the truck the son looked at him and said "Dad, what are we going to do?" The guy turned and looked at me!?!? This guy had no plan what so ever. I love cats, Some "men" might say "Hell screw it it's just a cat."

So I asked the guy, what do you want to do, The man said "I wanted to see if the vet could do anything because she is in pain." So I looked at the mans son and asked him what her name was, he told me it was Gidget and that the garage door shut on her and that she was under it all day while he was at school and that he had found her there when he got home. I remember thinking, Damn, this is sad. So I looked at the kids dad and he looked at the ground, so I turned back to the kid and asked him what he thought we should do? He said, "She will probably die soon, right?" I asked him how she looked under the towel, He told me she was bleeding and that her guts where out of her stomach. Gross, I thought. I told him that even if she didnt die she would prob be in pain for the rest of her life. So the kid just handed me the box, and reached inside and touched the cats head and then said, "I understand."

I turned and looked at the guy and told him, I would take care of it, and then the kid shut the door. The man walked with me back over to my office and asked me what I was going to do. I told him that I had a firearm here at the office and I didnt mind taking care of it. I asked him to leave.

I never heard from the guy again.

For those of you wondering, I had never shot an animal before except pigeons from a distance with BB Guns, I have never been into hunting.
Firearms for me, have always been a for the purpose of self defense.

I had just come back from the range and I had my XD45, 38 Snubnose, and M1 Garand with me at the office.

I used the .38
After I shot it one time It stopped moving, I put my hand on the side of it's midsection and I could feel a vibration of what felt like a purring. So I shot it again. Later I asked my father about this as he had BTDT and he told me it took a few seconds for everything to shut down, and that it was most likely dead on the first shot.

This was a hell of an experience and it effected me greatly.

[1911 guy]

Those of you crying about getting a vet have never had to deal with a $400-$500 dollar bill for "euthanizing" (killing) stock, sometimes the "disposal" (transport to rendering plant) fee is a seperate charge.

Dealing with this is a part of owning or running a working farm, not Fluffy living in your apartment. Sure, it's the new millenium, but horses aren't pets. They are co-workers, sometimes even friends. Passing off the responsibility doesn't make your stock less dead or the financial and sometimes emotional loss any less real.

Frankly, I'd like to have a friend like that. I'm the one that always winds up doing it because I'm the "gun guy" and fewer and fewer people any more have the stomach to do their own work.

For the record, I've used .45acp jhp on everything from goats on down and prefer to use a shotgun or centerfire rifle on anything larger. I detest having to deal with the aftermath of not doing it right with enough gun the first time. Once was enough.

[Sundles]

1911guy,

When folks get thier meat from the grocery store and thier meals from the restaurant, they become detached from certain realities in the cycle of life. Urban life and its "push button" society, brings to pass a certain detachment from the earth and the way she works.

I'm with you on using a high powered rifle. The 30-30 or bigger leaves a lot of room for error. The last couple times I put a mule or a cow down, I actually used a 500 linebaugh (cause I had it with me) which is much like a rifle in the power dept.

[azredhawk44]

Moderators:

Thank you for letting this thread run its course.

RWMC: you are a good friend, it sounds like.

[SuperNaut]

As the first one to suggest Animal Control I'll say this: I grew up on a farm and I have put down more than my share of animals and pets, beloved, sick, and/or food.

Now, I understand the comments about people being disconnected, but I have experienced first-hand the "good intentions" of someone inexperienced trying to put down an animal. The way the OP was worded Animal Control seemed like the best bet.

Reading the OP again, I'd still suggest the same thing.

[New_geezer]

If you have doubts about your ability to go thru with the task in a manner that is effective and humane, then by all means seek outside help. The farmer did this. This wasn't a job RWMC wanted, but I didn't see any doubts about his ability to carry it out. He only needed guidance regards the tools to do it properly. Some might think he used more firepower than necessary, but considering, it was better to go high than low. It didn't strike me there were any illusions about the followup duties.

Speaking as someone with a fair amount of Animal Control and euthanizing experience, I can say first hand that euthansia drugs, especially with large animals, do not always act as intended. When that happens, the results can be disconcerting. These problems might be rare but they do happen.

I'd be reluctant to spend too much time second guesing a serious man's sincere assesment of his available options. And if I choose to respond, best to address the question asked. Circumstancs don't always allow us our d'ruthers.

[SuperNaut]

I'll keep that in mind

[New_geezer]

SN - I apologize if it came off as a slam

I just meant that there are probably good reasons why a serious person has limitations in their options and no good purpose is served by revisiting alternative paths that can't be taken.

[SuperNaut]

SN - I apologize if it came off as a slam

I just meant that there are probably good reasons why a serious person has limitations in their options and no good purpose is served by revisiting alternative paths that can't be taken.

No man, it's cool. It was good advice.

I'll admit that it stuck in my craw for a second, but I decided to take it in the spirit it was given.

[Roadkill]

I learned a long time ago that when I have made up my mind to kill how to turn off every emotion and outside influence except the eye/sights/trigger motor control. Nothing else in the world exists except the sight alignment and pressure of my finger on the trigger. Its a mental safety zone that ensures a clean result. If you think about what you are doing it's too damn hard.

[Geister]

This is a job for a horse vet, not a firearm. I couldn't imagine shooting an animal that served me well, even if he's suffering.

[Green Lantern]

I've only "put down" a rooster that was 'winged' by car quite a few years ago. Let's just say it was faster than suffering and waiting for a natural death, but not quite as fast as I would have liked...:sad:

Deer hitting car and vice versa is VERY VERY common here. I figured that if I ever came across a deer in pain from such an event, I'd stick my Glock 19 in it's ear and fire. It seemed like a more 'direct route' to the brain than the 'between the eyes' bit. Though more than likely, someone who had BTDT had told me that long ago and I'd just forgotten. ;)

helpless - I'M a cat guy too, that story was very depressing! Especially how the cat was trapped under there ALL DAY. :sad: I'd not want to be in a situation like that...

[Sundles]

Giester,

Then by my reckoning, your love for the animal is not complete. If we step up and do the hard thing to stop the horses suffering, we do it out of love and respect, because it is the most loving and respectful thing to do for a suffing beloved animal.

[1911 guy]

The real sticking point for most, if you'll be honest about it, is that some do not want to be personally responsible for the death of an animal. If you've lived your life as an eastern monk, that would be consistent with your lifestyle and I can respect that. If it's because you'd just rather abdicate the responsibility, then some soul searching is in order. Calling the "hit man" is the same as pulling the trigger. Done right, a bullet is just as painless as a needle. The difference is the mental part, not the suffering level of the animal, nor the financial aspect. Many can write that off as a business expense. It's all in our heads.

This goes back to the mantra that a gun is a tool. If there is a job to do, use the appropriate tool. If you're not up to the task, call a pro. However, you are still responsible for the job being done.

[New_geezer]

The real sticking point for most, if you'll be honest about it, is that some do not want to be personally responsible for the death of an animal.


That, and somehow the potential mess from a gun shot seems barbaric, disturbing, and disrespectful to your pet. Lethal injections seem tidy, civilized, and antiseptic. Properly done, either way can provide a quick, merciful end. Regardless, you can't mask the result, dead is dead, and the dead are beyond caring. We can't avoid all the messy situations life throws at us, it's pointless to try, and for our own sake, better to realize that and learn to cope. Honor and appreciate life and the spirit that animates it, worry less about the corpse.

[RON in PA]

The most humane method would be to get a vet and inject the horse with a fatal overdose of anaesthetic.

[Sundles]

Ron in PA,

How so? A high speed projectile to the brain is completely painless.

[10-Ring]

In my book, I would be at my friend's side for moral support while the vet did his (or her) job.

[New_geezer]

I don't suppose that includes writing the check to pay the vet and disposal fees because due to circumstances beyong his control, your friend doesn't have the money to pay for those services.

[ROCKSHUND]

While this is an unpleasant task to discuss, it is one that becomes much worse if not done efficiently.

If one must put down an animal, and they don't have the stomach for it, they shouldn't even try. Calling on a vet is probably their best option.

I personally intensely dislike seeing an animal suffer unnecessarily, particularly those which have been domesticated by man, and are accustomed to being cared for by humans.

Fortunately, part of my upbringing was "rural" in nature. I had the benefit of learning how to do some unpleasant yet necessary tasks that are simply part of a farmer's job. A farmer at that time could not often afford the luxury of calling in a vet to put down an animal, and most were not inclined to allow their animals to suffer unnecessarily to begin with.

My great uncle taught me to use the ear canal shot, as it is the least obstructed path to the animal's brain. A hollowpoint pistol round is most effective and controllable, and in most cases, a .22 long rifle round is more than sufficient, if the animal is not thrashing about excessively. If so, a centerfire pistol or rifle may be necessary, along with an alternate aiming point. The central nervous system is always most effective when possible.
Be aware that in some cases, the animal's body will still exhibit movement as the body's automatic or "programmed" movements are expended. Ie.- the body doesn't yet know that the brain is dead.

I have had to do this on nearly two dozen occasions that I can recall, and only once did the situation call for anything larger that the .22 long rifle from a pistol. The results were without exception, immediate.

I still get called upon for this, most recently by my neighbor. His old and cherished Walker hound was failing, and he was so emotionally attached to the dog, that he could not do what needed done. A very successful deer and coon hunter, every year, but not something that he felt that he could do.

The dog was able to go to rest in a most humane manner, with the company of someone that he knew. -FNR.