I’m curious: what is the proper way to put down an animal? I always thought a bullet to the head was relatively quick and humane, but I don’t really know...
Putting them to sleep is the most humane way. One drug to sedate, one to stop the heart. They are all heartbreaking. Its bad enpugh when they have to put one down because they are too ill to save.
Long time ago when I did a little ranching we usually used a bullet to brain box, sometimes frangible s depending on surface area. Later I worked with a vet and we gave then a medical concoction( injectable) and they felt no pain, just went to sleep. Either one is efficient. Sorry to kitties lovers but ranches and farms get inundated with stray kitties; have to so something.
The American Veterinary Association published a manual on acceptable euthanasia techniques, which can be obtained in pdf format. There are many ways to euthanize animals, and some are aesthetically unappealing, to say the least. The goal is to kill the animal (including animal fetuses) as painlessly as possible.
“I’m curious: what is the proper way to put down an animal? I always thought a bullet to the head was relatively quick and humane, but I don’t really know...”
I’m in agreement. A well placed bullet to the head is quick, painless and the subject literally never knew what hit him.
The social aversion to this has to do more with anti-gun brainwashing. I got into an argument once with a lib over this, and to put down an animal with a gun is considered violent because of all the blood. Near as I can figure it, lefties would rather see an animal suffer than to see them bleed or hold a gun to do the deed.
If you have to kill something, there’s no need for the suffering, just get the damn job done and over with.
A sharp blade to the back of the neck. Driving it into the brain. Quick and probably as painless as it gets. That is for pet sized animals.