If you can get close enough to a stranded and starving dog to take a clean shot-why can't you try and rescue it ?
Bingo. I have nothing against having to shoot dogs that refuse to be caught or helped (it's still sad, but necessary under the circumstances). However, most of the stranded dogs will happily come to anyone who offers them food or even a kind word. Those should be rescued whenever possible.
But I get the impression that in some areas, even a tail-wagging dog voluntarily approaching the authorities without the slightest difficulty, will still be gunned down. And that just isn't right.
I say, sure, give rescue a try. But in the end, if the choice is to let a starving, ill dog walk away suffering, then pull the trigger. It's what men must do.