Mass. man says he couldn't afford vet, killed dog (with a hammer)

AP ^

[Chet 99]

METHUEN, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts man facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly killing his bulldog with a hammer told police the dog was sick and he could not afford to pay a veterinarian to put it down.

[cynwoody]

Why dont they just use a bullet?

As the Wikipedia mentions, it may be desirable to kill the animal without causing possibly prion-infected brain matter to be mixed into its bloodstream and carried to the meat before the animal's heart stops beating.

But the primary reason is unnecessary danger to slaughterhouse workers. I.e., where does the bullet go after it exits the cow's head?

Not that the cattle guns are completely safe, however. I remember when the drive-thru wave swept through the fast food industry. They were adding 'em on while the stores continued to operate. In one case a girl working the front counter got killed by a nail from a nail gun being used to construct the drive-thru pickup window.

[Chickensoup]

One of the descriptions talked about using drugs to continue the putting down of a cattle. I assume this is not something to eat?

[messierhunter]

A bullet and a walk behind the barn has been a timehonored way to euthanize animals.

I have no problem with what I referred to as the "redneck" way; personally I consider myself 50% redneck and I'm proud of it. It's quick and painless, I have no issue with it.

[messierhunter]

All you animal lovers that are screaming he is cruel; just how the hell do you think dogs were put down before reliable firearms?

In the absence of firearms and drugs, I find that a swift decapitation or mechanical skull separation works best. People did have swords and bladed weapons long before they had firearms.

[messierhunter]

Even at a vet’s, killing of an animal is not a totally painless, fear free process all of the time.

As someone who euthanatizes animals on a fairly regular basis, there's no comparison between the first attempt success rate of a drug-based euthanasia and a hand-delivered blow to the head. Assuming this owner had never killed a dog with a hammer before, I'm confident he would not be as careful as you describe, let alone sure enough with his first blow to render the animal completely unconscious. He's free to plead his case before a judge though.