It all depends on your point of view. While I have pets, they are just that, pets. I don't view them as family members, to me, they are friendly animals.
Putting Down A Dog
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It all depends on your point of view. While I have pets, they are just that, pets. I don't view them as family members, to me, they are friendly animals.
I had to do this once ... it was winter and we were 35 miles from town - would have had to snowmobiled the dog down to where the road was plowed and we parked our vehicle. It was having convulsions and definitely wasn't going to make it.
A 22 LR right behind the ear works just fine (this was a husky). But it really tore me up at the time - I just ran into the cabin and bawled for a while afterwards.
Given the option, I would take a hopeless dog to the vet - we've had to do that a few times, too.
Our last dog got run over about a month ago, but she was dead when I found her. She's buried about 20 yds outside my office window.
Adult dogs often survive Parvo - it's mainly a killer of puppies.
A 22 LR right behind the ear works just fine (this was a husky). But it really tore me up at the time - I just ran into the cabin and bawled for a while afterwards.
Given the option, I would take a hopeless dog to the vet - we've had to do that a few times, too.
Our last dog got run over about a month ago, but she was dead when I found her. She's buried about 20 yds outside my office window.Adult dogs often survive Parvo - it's mainly a killer of puppies.
The dog might flinch and so might the shooter at the appropriate moment. And FYI, people survive head shots all the time. There's a thread running right now about a robber getting head shot at close range and surviving.
And using the term "Dude" is just silly.
This scenerio has come up before around here and I still don't understand the "vet as a moral action" stance. Dead is dead and a properly applied bullet is just as effective as a needle. It also saves the animal the stress of the trip and numerous unfamilar people and, maybe most importantly to a dog, unfamilar scents.
And to tell you the truth, after my last experience with having a vet put a dog down I don't see many ways a bullet could possibly be less humane. That quack left my sister's mutt twitching on the table for 20 minutes after the injection.
Regardless, there's nothing "macho" about shooting an animal. It is an animal and if the job needs done the only consideration is doing it right, not who does it or how.
And to tell you the truth, after my last experience with having a vet put a dog down I don't see many ways a bullet could possibly be less humane. That quack left my sister's mutt twitching on the table for 20 minutes after the injection.
Regardless, there's nothing "macho" about shooting an animal. It is an animal and if the job needs done the only consideration is doing it right, not who does it or how.
Good point 2A.
Saddlebum also makes a decent statement.
I still stand by that you should do it yourself.
And for those of you that said that those of us that'd shoot our own dogs deserve a bullet to the head shame on you. I hope the mods come down on you like a hammer.
Saddlebum also makes a decent statement.
I still stand by that you should do it yourself.
And for those of you that said that those of us that'd shoot our own dogs deserve a bullet to the head shame on you. I hope the mods come down on you like a hammer.
I've had to put both horses and dogs down. It's not a good experience, but when it needs doing I'll do it. I've lived where a vet was a 3-4 hour drive one way and what needed doing needed doing now - not in 3-4 hours. The last horse and dog were both suffering horribly and I didn't see the point in prolonging their suffering while we called a vet to come out.
Most vets I know would do it for free if money is an issue.
When my 16 year old dog had to be put down, he died peacefully, with me holding him, looking him in the eyes, and thanking him for the honor and privilege of his company.
Not with me standing behind him splattering his brains.......
When my 16 year old dog had to be put down, he died peacefully, with me holding him, looking him in the eyes, and thanking him for the honor and privilege of his company.
Not with me standing behind him splattering his brains.......
The dog's owner owes the dog a proper end. Have the vet come out to the house, then have the dog cremated or buried on site.
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I pondered this thread a long time before replying.
I am a dog owner/trainer. Every dog I've had the privilege of owning and spending time with has been a valued member of the family and part of my life.
I take the full gamut of ownership seriously. I've spent thousands of hours and dollars over the course of several dog's lives, to treat them well, take care of their physical needs. The ribbons and certificates and titles don't mean anywhere near as much as the quality time I've had giving them a little fun in the bargain, and developing a unique bond.
Now I know that there are those for whom dogs are "tools" who serve a working need on the ranch or the farm. And some of these dogs never become more than that...and that's ok.
I also know that some have had to do the sad chore of euthanizing due to logisitics and geographical need.
[Side point...none of my dogs have ever feared the vet's office...and, depending on need, I have four that I go to. Each vet would volunteer to euthanize my dogs for free if I couldn't afford it.]
All I can say is this...if an owner shoots a dog [illegal in many areas, not an unlawful firearm discharge...it's considered animal cruelty by law] the shooter should be prepared for the gore, the chance he might miss, probably some guilt afterward.
I know that drug euthanization is painless and dignified. I put my best labrador friend down at three due to cancer...and would never have considered shooting him myself.
You've been put in an awful spot. I also agree with previous comments that this dog may never have been properly cared for.
If I were in your shoes, I'd talk some vets. See what they say.
And if you wind up having to shoot the dog because no one will help you with alternatives...I'd insist that the owners come out with you, dig the grave, and then let them walk away, but remain in earshot. Maybe the dues they pay in that way will remind them of their responsibility next time they want to take a dog into their home.
Good luck, I trust you'll find a good answer to this problem.
I am a dog owner/trainer. Every dog I've had the privilege of owning and spending time with has been a valued member of the family and part of my life.
I take the full gamut of ownership seriously. I've spent thousands of hours and dollars over the course of several dog's lives, to treat them well, take care of their physical needs. The ribbons and certificates and titles don't mean anywhere near as much as the quality time I've had giving them a little fun in the bargain, and developing a unique bond.
Now I know that there are those for whom dogs are "tools" who serve a working need on the ranch or the farm. And some of these dogs never become more than that...and that's ok.
I also know that some have had to do the sad chore of euthanizing due to logisitics and geographical need.
[Side point...none of my dogs have ever feared the vet's office...and, depending on need, I have four that I go to. Each vet would volunteer to euthanize my dogs for free if I couldn't afford it.]
All I can say is this...if an owner shoots a dog [illegal in many areas, not an unlawful firearm discharge...it's considered animal cruelty by law] the shooter should be prepared for the gore, the chance he might miss, probably some guilt afterward.
I know that drug euthanization is painless and dignified. I put my best labrador friend down at three due to cancer...and would never have considered shooting him myself.
You've been put in an awful spot. I also agree with previous comments that this dog may never have been properly cared for.
If I were in your shoes, I'd talk some vets. See what they say.
And if you wind up having to shoot the dog because no one will help you with alternatives...I'd insist that the owners come out with you, dig the grave, and then let them walk away, but remain in earshot. Maybe the dues they pay in that way will remind them of their responsibility next time they want to take a dog into their home.
Good luck, I trust you'll find a good answer to this problem.
Pay For The Vet Yourself.
I shot my childhood dog because the old man wouldn't take him to the vet.
Oh, that was a good idea. Watching him bleed and run his feet. I really cherish those memories. :banghead:
Over the years I have had to put my dogs down for bloat, brain tumor and hips... at the Vet. It's lethal, peaceful, final and alot easier on the sensibilities.
I shot my childhood dog because the old man wouldn't take him to the vet.
Oh, that was a good idea. Watching him bleed and run his feet. I really cherish those memories. :banghead:
Over the years I have had to put my dogs down for bloat, brain tumor and hips... at the Vet. It's lethal, peaceful, final and alot easier on the sensibilities.
Another vote for doing it yourself
I find entrusting a vet to take the responsibility off your hands abhorrent. You took on the responsibility for that dog why should someone else end its life? Getting a friend to do it is no different from having the vet do it.
If I was in your position I'd probably do it. It depends on how good a friend they are. Be really careful. Bullets don't always behave in a manner in which can be easily predicted.
I find entrusting a vet to take the responsibility off your hands abhorrent. You took on the responsibility for that dog why should someone else end its life? Getting a friend to do it is no different from having the vet do it.
If I was in your position I'd probably do it. It depends on how good a friend they are. Be really careful. Bullets don't always behave in a manner in which can be easily predicted.
been there done that
let the vet do it, it sucks, even if it is not your own pet. even knowing that the dog was suffering and it needed to be done. it was a really bad feeling, i would do it again if there were NO other way but you seem to have a few options.
let the vet do it, it sucks, even if it is not your own pet. even knowing that the dog was suffering and it needed to be done. it was a really bad feeling, i would do it again if there were NO other way but you seem to have a few options.
Your friend needs to "cowboy up".
What kind of friend would ask another to do his dirty work?
Unless the dog is a working dog,its a pet,a choice.
It really frosts me when people run out of enthusiasm
concerning pets the minute it gets "messy".
Tell him to take the dog to the vet.
QuickDraw
What kind of friend would ask another to do his dirty work?
Unless the dog is a working dog,its a pet,a choice.
It really frosts me when people run out of enthusiasm
concerning pets the minute it gets "messy".
Tell him to take the dog to the vet.
QuickDraw
I have put down exactly one dog with a gun.
It was a stray hit by a car near my parent's front yard.
It had a broken neck, and was totally paralyzed from the neck down, but yelping and crying.
I shot the dog in the back of the head with a .22 rifle because that was the only working gun in my parent's house at the time.
I knew I was doing the right thing, but it was still very tough.
I vote vet.
hillbilly
It was a stray hit by a car near my parent's front yard.
It had a broken neck, and was totally paralyzed from the neck down, but yelping and crying.
I shot the dog in the back of the head with a .22 rifle because that was the only working gun in my parent's house at the time.
I knew I was doing the right thing, but it was still very tough.
I vote vet.
hillbilly
Yet another vote for the Vet
You had mentioned that the dog might pull through. If so, chances are, the treatment will become VERY expensive. Much more than the cost of having the dog put down properly. I can't picture the owners paying for the treatment if they can't afford the price of euthanasia.
Either way, I would not put the dog down with a bullet. It is a VERY unpleasant experience. I have done so with a cat and I regret that decision to this day. I am sitting here with my German Shepard lying at my feet and my cat is curled up next to her. Could not imagine shooting either one of them.
You had mentioned that the dog might pull through. If so, chances are, the treatment will become VERY expensive. Much more than the cost of having the dog put down properly. I can't picture the owners paying for the treatment if they can't afford the price of euthanasia.
Either way, I would not put the dog down with a bullet. It is a VERY unpleasant experience. I have done so with a cat and I regret that decision to this day. I am sitting here with my German Shepard lying at my feet and my cat is curled up next to her. Could not imagine shooting either one of them.
IF this dog has Parvo it is can be cured. I am wondering if they have had it checked for Parvo, or if they have just decided it does on their own..If the cannot afford to have a vet "put it down", could they afford a vet visit for an opinion..If not, I wonder what it has been eating...perhaps it's diet is the problem..Can they afford to feed it a healthy diet, or does it eat people food to survive...I would never take on the responsibility of "putting it down" with a bullet..There are treatment options here, and they should be used...most vets will work out a payment plan...Being the dog lover that I am, putting it down is a last resort..not the first....My two Chihuahua's ARE family members, and it is my responsibility to look out for them....Not meant to be a flame..just my thoughts.
Maybe I'm strange, but I love my dog too much to have someone else do it - but only as a last resort - as in an emergency! I had to do it once after my hunting dog was hit by a car - he was too injured to get to the vet and was dying in a lot of pain. Otherwise an animal shelter or humane society will help. The vet might also be sympathetic and give a discount if money is an option.
That dog should definitely be taken to a vet for euthanasia. It is not an emergency situation that needs to be dealt with in the few seconds it takes to draw the gun and fire.
I see a pet that is taken into a home as a family member. It is different than a wild animal or working animal and deserves to be treated differently. It deserves our time and attention and to be cared for medically and it deserves to be euthanized by a veterinarian in its last days.
If I were in an accident with a broken neck I would welcome a gunshot to the back of the head. If I were dying of a disease I would hope someone like Dr. Kevorkian would help me to die. My dog, or any pet, deserves the same, not to be tricked into taking a bullet.
I see a pet that is taken into a home as a family member. It is different than a wild animal or working animal and deserves to be treated differently. It deserves our time and attention and to be cared for medically and it deserves to be euthanized by a veterinarian in its last days.
If I were in an accident with a broken neck I would welcome a gunshot to the back of the head. If I were dying of a disease I would hope someone like Dr. Kevorkian would help me to die. My dog, or any pet, deserves the same, not to be tricked into taking a bullet.
A good choice...
My sister refused to put her little Yorkie down long after the poor thing couldn't even walk. So my mom and I got together and made a discreet call to an understanding vet.
He came out to our farm. I held Punkie (his name) in my hand, told him it'd be ok, and held him and cuddled him while the vet gave him a shot in the paw. And I held him for the second it took for him to fall asleep for one last time. Then we laid him back to rest and spared my sister the pain that she couldn't bear to face (and she has good reason so mouth off about it and gun or no gun...
). It was quiet, dignified, and humane. It was a loving and kind action, and I wouldn't have done it any other way. (I owned a shotgun at the time.)
There was no mangled body of our beloved companion to remember. There was no guilt at having betrayed a 'family member'.
I highly recommend euthenasia. Perhaps the vet will let you be there to comfort your dog so that it can be an "end of life" thing and not something inhuman.
I'm very sure of myself in this. It was one of those days I walked away from something tough and had that "You're a good man, Charlie Brown" feelings for weeks after.
My sister refused to put her little Yorkie down long after the poor thing couldn't even walk. So my mom and I got together and made a discreet call to an understanding vet.
He came out to our farm. I held Punkie (his name) in my hand, told him it'd be ok, and held him and cuddled him while the vet gave him a shot in the paw. And I held him for the second it took for him to fall asleep for one last time. Then we laid him back to rest and spared my sister the pain that she couldn't bear to face (and she has good reason so mouth off about it and gun or no gun...
). It was quiet, dignified, and humane. It was a loving and kind action, and I wouldn't have done it any other way. (I owned a shotgun at the time.)There was no mangled body of our beloved companion to remember. There was no guilt at having betrayed a 'family member'.
I highly recommend euthenasia. Perhaps the vet will let you be there to comfort your dog so that it can be an "end of life" thing and not something inhuman.
I'm very sure of myself in this. It was one of those days I walked away from something tough and had that "You're a good man, Charlie Brown" feelings for weeks after.
A friend a few years ago had to put down a dog and used a 4" M19 with .38's.
.38 bounced off the dogs skull and he had to track down a frightened dog running madly through the woods behind the ranch for 30 minutes.
Then, putting in a .357 he finished the job. Hell of a way to treat a loyal friend and it's a mistake he'll never repeat.
Have put down 6 pets over years and will never regret being there to hold their heads as the vet puts in the needle.
.38 bounced off the dogs skull and he had to track down a frightened dog running madly through the woods behind the ranch for 30 minutes.
Then, putting in a .357 he finished the job. Hell of a way to treat a loyal friend and it's a mistake he'll never repeat.
Have put down 6 pets over years and will never regret being there to hold their heads as the vet puts in the needle.
Vet
Have they called the vet school at UT to see if the school wants to treat it as part of the students practice?
Have they called the vet school at UT to see if the school wants to treat it as part of the students practice?
Back when the mountains weren't so high and I was only twelve, my dog took to killing a neighbor's turkeys. Now, I'd raised Buster from a throwaway pup. Half-greyhound, she was pure burning rough on jackrabbits. Lots of pasture time together.
Nothing I tried worked to make her stop going to the neighbor's farm and going after turkeys. Finally, there was no choice.
My dog, my responsibility. I look back on it as one of those reality-check lessons about growing up: Sometimes responsibility means you have to do things you really don't want to do--but you gut it up and do them. You can cry on your own time, just like I did--but I've never had my speed-dial set to 1-800-Whine.
Now, I know full well that some folks can't stand the very idea of having to kill their own pet. No problem; that's just people. But IMO, part of the deal of "responsibility" as a pet owner is having a cash-stash for vet bills, just like for the kids' doctor. No real difference, to me...
Art
Nothing I tried worked to make her stop going to the neighbor's farm and going after turkeys. Finally, there was no choice.
My dog, my responsibility. I look back on it as one of those reality-check lessons about growing up: Sometimes responsibility means you have to do things you really don't want to do--but you gut it up and do them. You can cry on your own time, just like I did--but I've never had my speed-dial set to 1-800-Whine.
Now, I know full well that some folks can't stand the very idea of having to kill their own pet. No problem; that's just people. But IMO, part of the deal of "responsibility" as a pet owner is having a cash-stash for vet bills, just like for the kids' doctor. No real difference, to me...
Art
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A friend once told me that it takes a real man to put his own dog down.
Guess I'm not his kind of real man. I cried when Old Yeller got shot.
Vet. No pain. Just sleep.
Guess I'm not his kind of real man. I cried when Old Yeller got shot.
Vet. No pain. Just sleep.
I would also recommend the vet route or maybe the ASPCA if in your area. I kind of wonder though, maybe your friends are reluctant to go to a vet not so much becaus eof the expense but because the dog contracted a disease for which it should have been vacinated. If it was jot vacinated against Parvo, maybe they fear some sort of legal action - just something to consider I am not saying that the dog was not actually vacinated, just maybe. If, on the other hand, expense is the only concern - then they may want to ask a vet if the vet can give them a break or if the vet knows of an agency who may do such at no cost. Killing a neighbor's or friend's dog for them may seem noble but it probably comes with a certain amount of guilt feelings attached after the fact.
Good luck,
Glenn B
Good luck,
Glenn B
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