Hmm. I’m a nurse, and I don’t think I’d have any problem giving a seriously injured, ownerless animal a lethal injection. It would make me sad for a little while but not stressed.
I have no idea how pounds put down unadoptable or very sick or injured animals though.
My dumb dog has been known to shuck her collar and get away for a little while, so it could be my dog we’re talking about here - anyone’s pet who lost a collar - one reason animal control should deal with the animal - they can read the microchip if the dog has one.
“...I don’t think I’d have any problem giving a seriously injured, ownerless animal a lethal injection.”
That’s the problem, though. It’s not just one, but animal after animal. The people who are paid to use heart needles at animal shelters often end up psychological basket cases, with severe PTSD.