Mastrogiacomo
Member
No way in Hell! 
I don't have the heart...
I don't have the heart...
Would you shoot your dog?
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Peetmoss
Member
I couldn't shoot a dog of mine, I think I could however shoot someone elses dog without a problem. For my dog it would have to be someone else shooting it for me. I just couldn't look the poor guy in the eye and kill him.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
And yet...they shoot horses don't they?
Or maybe they stopped because they realize it's not necessary as they once believed..Thank Christ.
Or maybe they stopped because they realize it's not necessary as they once believed..Thank Christ.trapshooter
Member
If I had to relieve it's suffering, yeah. Wouldn't like it. Not at all. But if the alternative was worse, yeah.
However, vet assisted euthanasia is a much better option, I think. Had to do that not long ago with a good old dog. My pal.
Vet gave her a tranquilizer, then the finish stuff, She just went to sleep. Stayed with her the whole time, talking and petting her. She stuck by me, I stuck by her.
However, vet assisted euthanasia is a much better option, I think. Had to do that not long ago with a good old dog. My pal.
Vet gave her a tranquilizer, then the finish stuff, She just went to sleep. Stayed with her the whole time, talking and petting her. She stuck by me, I stuck by her.
Jesse H
Member
I couldn't do it for the same reasons I wouldn't put down any other family member.
Yeah, I'm a wimp when it comes to my puppy.
Yeah, I'm a wimp when it comes to my puppy.
Butch
Member
I've had to put down several dogs in my long life & no matter whether you do it by vet or by gun it just ain't no fun.
I think putting down my kids dogs were the hardest , next was my hunting dogs.
I chose haveing the vet to do it but a gun is better than suffering.
I cried like a baby every time either way.
Dang you for bringing up these thoughts.
I think putting down my kids dogs were the hardest , next was my hunting dogs.
I chose haveing the vet to do it but a gun is better than suffering.
I cried like a baby every time either way.
Dang you for bringing up these thoughts.
Yes. I agree it's a culture issue, growing up in the country. As a kid we had outdoor cats, some got run over, had to bury them. If you come across a wild or domestic animal that has been hit by a car and is beyond saving, you should shoot it. Same for your pets if necessary. If I had the choice I would talk to the vet and get a sedative to put in their food to put them asleep then shoot them. Or just get the injection they give the pets and do it at home. I imagine that it is a sedative and a heavy load of potassium to stop the heart. Better to give it at home where the animal is happy than to traumatize it with a trip to the vets as its last memory. Death is part of life.
If I ABSOLUTELY HAD to, I suppose.
Though I doubt I'd actually be able to...
Serious question: How do you do it? Hold it right up to their head, or at a bit of a distance? How far away should you be?
I ask because If I ever did HAVE to, I would probably shoot MYSELF after seeing my own dogs' blood on me...
Though I doubt I'd actually be able to...
Serious question: How do you do it? Hold it right up to their head, or at a bit of a distance? How far away should you be?
I ask because If I ever did HAVE to, I would probably shoot MYSELF after seeing my own dogs' blood on me...
I have. Bo didn't have a particularly severe injury, but his old body was worn out and he obviously wasn't enjoying life. It was a lot easier than I expected. It was the right thing to do and we both knew it, so I guess not pulling the trigger would have been harder.
I felt vindicated when I read Heinlein's opinion in Starship Troopers that a man, a *real* man, shoots his dog himself and doesn't pay another to do it. Quite the opposite of what everyone says today.
I felt vindicated when I read Heinlein's opinion in Starship Troopers that a man, a *real* man, shoots his dog himself and doesn't pay another to do it. Quite the opposite of what everyone says today.
tomkatz
Member
drjones...I put the muzzle about 2 inches away, just about at the ear, make sure of where the bullet will go if it overpenetrates, slight downward angle. I only did it the one time so I'm sure no expert though. I wonder if glaser or something similar might be the best? Talked about this with a guy I worked with once, a real idiot, he tried to use a rifle, the dog jumped away and he wounded the poor animal, ended up really torturing the dog, I totally told him off....tom
ps...there was hardly any blood, got none on me, I used 110gr silvertip 38spl.
ps...there was hardly any blood, got none on me, I used 110gr silvertip 38spl.
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Had my dog for 10 years now and just found out that he has cancer. I was always of the mind that I'd shoot a dog instead of spending big bucks to fix 'em but when it came down to it, I spent the money and he's getting chemo . Vet says that he'll probably get 2 years or so outta this treatment. This 'ol dog is the best one I've ever had. Figured he was worth a couple $$ for all he has given me through the years.
Its inhumane to let an animal suffer. Its very inhumane to prolong an animals suffereing by not letting nature take its course. I've seen countless people spend thousands of dollars to keep a pet alive, that in the end has no quality of life. They do it to make themselves feel better and in the end the animal is much worse off. There was a woman on the news the other day with a 10 year old dog that had a brain disease that lost the use of its front legs. She had it hopping around the yard on its hind legs, going face first into the dirt every time. Making a dog live like that is cruelty to animals, plain and simple.
So yeah, I'll do what I can to stop any animal from suffering. Shooting is often the fastest, and most economical way. Its NOT the easy way. But its the right thing to do.
So yeah, I'll do what I can to stop any animal from suffering. Shooting is often the fastest, and most economical way. Its NOT the easy way. But its the right thing to do.
Just reading this stuff really hurts.
I had the vet put down my Bud 3 years ago. He was my best friend, and my sons companion as a child.
He had lost the use of his hind legs.
The vet prepped him, and brought us in to be with him. The last thing that dog did, was turn to my son and lick his face, then he turned to me, and licked my face, he then turned to the vet, and with a look, as if saying I am ready.
I cried like a baby
waterdog
I had the vet put down my Bud 3 years ago. He was my best friend, and my sons companion as a child.
He had lost the use of his hind legs.
The vet prepped him, and brought us in to be with him. The last thing that dog did, was turn to my son and lick his face, then he turned to me, and licked my face, he then turned to the vet, and with a look, as if saying I am ready.
I cried like a baby
waterdog
thisaway
Member
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Didn't enjoy it...but I had to put it out of its pain.
Greybeard
Member
Have done it both ways and hated both. When burial on personal property, dug grave in advance.
Toughest time was with "Dreamer", a German Shepard wife and I had back in BC (before children). Was our "only child". Climbed fence on night of a full moon and got hit by car in Dallas. Busted up spinal chord, lost use of rear legs. Tried everything from swimming pool therapy to voodoo vets to revive. Around a year and $4,000 later, the dreaded decsion was made.
I asked vet to give Dreamer the shot while laying on tailgate of my pickup truck so I could comfort him there then drive directly home for burial. First injection did not do it. Big dog with very strong will to live. Vet had to go back inside and reload. Shooting Dreamer myself could not have been much rougher.
Toughest time was with "Dreamer", a German Shepard wife and I had back in BC (before children). Was our "only child". Climbed fence on night of a full moon and got hit by car in Dallas. Busted up spinal chord, lost use of rear legs. Tried everything from swimming pool therapy to voodoo vets to revive. Around a year and $4,000 later, the dreaded decsion was made.
I asked vet to give Dreamer the shot while laying on tailgate of my pickup truck so I could comfort him there then drive directly home for burial. First injection did not do it. Big dog with very strong will to live. Vet had to go back inside and reload. Shooting Dreamer myself could not have been much rougher.
Bruz
Member
Had to put my last three dogs down...first one old and in pain, had a stroke, tried to pick her up (fat doberman) to take to the vet but too much pain. Second one old and real sick and HATED the vet, I had to give him the shots for rabies, etc. (big doberman, not friendly like the others). And last, the reason I am telling the story, I poisened snails in the yard next to their yard. The snails crawled through the fence onto their side and died. The dog ate the dead snails and got too sick. All of them sat by me as I dug the hole, put a rare steak in the hole, and when they finished the steak I shot through their blankets so there was no noise, no pain. Just seemed alot more humane at the time. Planted fruit trees over them, there still giving to me...
QKRTHNU
Member
I don't think I could do it. Not unless it was the only option.
Take the dog to the vet. If you can't afford the vet then take the dog to a shelter/pound/spca and they will most likely do it for free if you can't afford it.
Of if theres no time feed the dog a bottle of tylenol PM mixed in peanut butter.
Take the dog to the vet. If you can't afford the vet then take the dog to a shelter/pound/spca and they will most likely do it for free if you can't afford it.
Of if theres no time feed the dog a bottle of tylenol PM mixed in peanut butter.
Sheslinger
Member
No way
I am crying just reading some of the posts.
My brother is a police officer in Montgomery County, MD and had to shoot a deer recently (it was hit and had all its legs broken). My brother called and said that it took more than 3 bullets (they carry 9 mm Berettas plus he is fresh out of the academy and never had to do that before). I am still upset over it and it was not me shooting and it was not my pet or anyone else's pet.
Just the thought of shooting an innocent creature who has not done anything to you turns my stomach. Now it is million times worse when shooting one of your family members (couple of you made this analogy and I fully agree).
There is no way not to leave room for error and I would not want to hurt my dog even more. Euthanasia all the way.
Sheslinger
I am crying just reading some of the posts.
My brother is a police officer in Montgomery County, MD and had to shoot a deer recently (it was hit and had all its legs broken). My brother called and said that it took more than 3 bullets (they carry 9 mm Berettas plus he is fresh out of the academy and never had to do that before). I am still upset over it and it was not me shooting and it was not my pet or anyone else's pet.
Just the thought of shooting an innocent creature who has not done anything to you turns my stomach. Now it is million times worse when shooting one of your family members (couple of you made this analogy and I fully agree).
There is no way not to leave room for error and I would not want to hurt my dog even more. Euthanasia all the way.
Sheslinger
Rebel Gunman HK
member
Just because they are so called "professionals" dosent mean they are humane. I was at the local dump one day in high school, and saw a Humane society, or Animal control truck dumping dog bodies of at a distance. Finished my job at hand and decided to walk over, just out of curiosity. When i finally reached them I was in shock at what I saw. They were still alive! Laying in a pile of garbage, in 90 degree heat. They looked paralized and close to death, but it was obvious they were still alive. I was so mad. I didnt have a gun or anything but there were plenty of 2x4's laying around. I wanted to help the dogs buy clubbing them on the head, just couldmt do it. So I left them. If it were my dog and they were suffering, and they were not going to be able to recover. Id rather do it myself rather than take it to somebody whos gonna killl them for a profit. At least I will know that it is done right, and fast.
thumbtack
Member
I had to shoot a friend's puppy once, the SOB did not spend the money to get the puppy his Parvo shot. That was really a hard thing to do.
If I had to put one of my two down, I would much rather do myself then take them to the Vet and have some stranger do it.
If I had to put one of my two down, I would much rather do myself then take them to the Vet and have some stranger do it.
A hundred years ago (less than that I suppose in some rural areas) a vet would have done roughly the same thing... That's just how it was done then. We also used to cut off entire limbs at the first signs of gangrene, and we used leeches to cure migraines. Now that we've come all the way to the 21'st "Sentry", there is a MUCH more humane way to send your beloved family pet to his final resting place.
I know Sisco pointed out that it "sometimes" ain't quick and painless, but the vast majority of the time, it is. And how many here have had to do such a deed for an animal struck by a car on the side of the road, and the animal suffered for several seconds, up to a minute or two, before death finally took over. That was the best thing in that situation, because the suffering was immediate and intense. But who here is going to let the family pet get to such a point of intense, desperate suffering before we act?
Rebel Gunman is also correct that it doesn't take a heartless owner to be cruel to animals, but that's the "Dog Pound", not the Vet. Those people make $8 an hour just like the guy at the gate to the city dump and the kid at Mickie D's... They are NOT veterinary professionals, and don't risk their livelyhood as well as fines, penalties, license revocation, etc. for cruel misconduct. They'll just be at the unemployment office next week if they get caught in wrongdoing. The vet's not going to handle an animal that way... If not for the bond that has grown from their years of treating your family dog, or their own personal love of animals in general, at least they'll do it for the fear of civil liability
If your pet has been hit by a car, and you just feel so confident in your assessment of the situation that you feel taking them to the vet is useless, then maybe. But if Sparky has been suffering from dysplasia for several months, and now he whimpers and yelps when he tries to stand... take him to the vet and let him go quietly...
I know Sisco pointed out that it "sometimes" ain't quick and painless, but the vast majority of the time, it is. And how many here have had to do such a deed for an animal struck by a car on the side of the road, and the animal suffered for several seconds, up to a minute or two, before death finally took over. That was the best thing in that situation, because the suffering was immediate and intense. But who here is going to let the family pet get to such a point of intense, desperate suffering before we act?
Rebel Gunman is also correct that it doesn't take a heartless owner to be cruel to animals, but that's the "Dog Pound", not the Vet. Those people make $8 an hour just like the guy at the gate to the city dump and the kid at Mickie D's... They are NOT veterinary professionals, and don't risk their livelyhood as well as fines, penalties, license revocation, etc. for cruel misconduct. They'll just be at the unemployment office next week if they get caught in wrongdoing. The vet's not going to handle an animal that way... If not for the bond that has grown from their years of treating your family dog, or their own personal love of animals in general, at least they'll do it for the fear of civil liability
If your pet has been hit by a car, and you just feel so confident in your assessment of the situation that you feel taking them to the vet is useless, then maybe. But if Sparky has been suffering from dysplasia for several months, and now he whimpers and yelps when he tries to stand... take him to the vet and let him go quietly...
I missed this on my first post... and I had to address it seperately...
Euthanasia itself doesn't hurt... The one thing your family Vet CAN do that you CAN'T is give the animal some peace and freedom from pain PRIOR to death. The animal is given a seditive prior to the actual introduction of the euthanasia drug itself. In most cases, this will give the animal and it's owner some time alone with each other, free from pain and suffering, as they spend a few moments together to say good bye.
P.S. - If you're taking care of your dogs like you should, the Vet wouldn't be "some stranger". In fact, I think my Dad buys his Vet Christmas presents. All dogs should have the privelige of being cared for and loved as much as my father takes care of his 2 friends...
I had a puppy once that had parvo when we got her. It cost me $200+ and almost a week in the vet's clinic... But she's 9 years old now, and she and my father are inseperable best friends. You "had" to shoot your friend's puppy because the vet wouldn't have put him down if you DID take him...
Contrary to apparently popular belief... it doesn't make you a "real man" to "put down" your own animals by blowing their brains out with your .357 magnum! I must sound like a PETA card carrying, mink coat staining liberal right now, but GEEZ that's barbaric... I hunt, I fish, I LOVE to shoot my pistols, but it is not my JOB, my RIGHT, nor my RESPONSIBILITY to kill my dog, or anyone else's dog, in some ill-conceived effort to "end their suffering"!!! I'm sure you're Clint Eastwood, and it's "1 shot, 1 kill" and all that... but in my experiences, animals DON'T always die instantly, even with head shots!
Euthanasia itself doesn't hurt... The one thing your family Vet CAN do that you CAN'T is give the animal some peace and freedom from pain PRIOR to death. The animal is given a seditive prior to the actual introduction of the euthanasia drug itself. In most cases, this will give the animal and it's owner some time alone with each other, free from pain and suffering, as they spend a few moments together to say good bye.
P.S. - If you're taking care of your dogs like you should, the Vet wouldn't be "some stranger". In fact, I think my Dad buys his Vet Christmas presents. All dogs should have the privelige of being cared for and loved as much as my father takes care of his 2 friends...
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Malone LaVeigh
Member
For cats, euthananasia isn't as painless or quick as for dogs. They have to shave and inject in the stomach area. The old tom cat that has adopted me hates the vet and hates to have his stomach touched. I'm not sure what I'll do when the time comes. He's used up a couple of lives since I've known him, pulled through a bad sickness and a bad mauling by a dog. He's tough for being about 15, but he can't last forever.
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