[familyop]

"My Dad was a vet. Wonderful man who loved animals, but he wouldn't even waste a drug on this type of dog. He would take it out back and shoot it in the head. A slug from a .38 is a lot cheaper than the drug and cleanup."

Good man. All police should learn just enough about animal anatomy to do the same for anyone else. Residents should be able to do it, too, but that might require a rural setting without laws against firearms discharges in many cases.

From the front of the animal, just about a half inch above and between the eyes, aiming downward a little toward the target (perpendicular enough and not too oblique). From the side of the dog, the midpoint between the eye and the ear.

A .22LR will do it just fine if fired properly. I stunned cattle and other livestock for slaughter that way as a young man.

[editor-surveyor]

.
“Stunning” cattle for slaughter is what leaves the meat full of blood and shock hormones, making it a poor choice as food.
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[Vigilanteman]

A .22LR will do it just fine if fired properly

Yes, it will, but requires accuraccy. Ideally, the dog should be on a short leash so the slug goes midway between the eye and ear.