Use of a Non-Penetrating Captive Bolt for Euthanasia of Neonate Goats

Abstract

Simple SummaryWith animal production systems, there is an inevitable need for the stock person to humanely kill new-born (neonate) animals, either due to disease, malformation, or in instances of production efficiency (males born to a milking herd for example). At present, the standard method employed is manual killing with a blunt object or swinging the animal so that its’ head contacts a hard surface such as a wall. Stockpeople do not like performing this action and it also has consequences for the animal in terms of reproducibility and ability of the stockperson. This study examines the use of a mechanical captive bolt device to produce immediate brain death in neonate goats, causing this state of irreversible brain dysfunction before the animal can feel the procedure, or the effects of the procedure. This study found that a device powered by a blank cartridge, containing a specified amount of explosive (1 grain), when applied in a specific position on the head produced immediate brain death in neonate goats. As such, this method is considered to be a reproducible and humane method of euthanasia, as the brain is destroyed before the animal can feel the shot.AbstractA non-penetrating captive bolt device, powered by a 1 grain 0.22″ cartridge delivering a calculated kinetic energy of 47 Joules was tested as a euthanasia method on 200 neonate goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) of mean dead weight = 4.425 kg (SD (Standard deviation) ± 0.4632), to assess effectiveness and shot position. Evaluation of the method was conducted using behavioural indicators of brain dysfunction followed by post mortem examination of the heads. Once correct shot position had been established, 100% of 158 kids (95% confidence interval 97.5% to 100%) were successfully stunned/killed with a shot positioned on the midline, between the ears, with the chin tucked into the neck. The use of the Accles and Shelvoke CASH Small Animal Tool can therefore be recommended for the euthanasia of neonate goats with a 1 grain cartridge and a specific shooting position.

The Use of a Mechanical Non-Penetrating Captive Bolt Device for the Euthanasia of Neonate Lambs

“…Following application of the shot, the animal was assessed for behavioural signs of brain function [ 2 , 3 , 7 , 8 ] for a period of three minutes, with any animals displaying agonal breathing being assessed for a longer period. Any animals displaying behavioural signs of continued brain function were euthanased by an injection of pentobarbital (‘Euthatal’, Merial, UK GTIN: 03661103015550).…”

“…The lambs (mean dead weight = 6.21 kg, SD = ±1.24), averaging 5 days old, were restrained in the Bock restrainer and shot with the Accles & Shelvoke small animal tool with a pink 1.25-grain cartridge producing a calculated kinetic energy of 107 Joules. The shot position selected for trial two was between the ears, with the chin tucked into the neck as described by Sutherland, et al [ 5 ] and by Grist, et al [ 3 ] for neonate goats.…”

“…The macroscopic brain lesions were assessed by one of the authors (AG), subjectively and blind to the weight ranges and carcass numbers, utilising a scale adapted from Sharp, et al [ 9 ] and also used in Grist, et al [ 2 , 3 , 5 ] where 0 = no damage, 1 = slight deformation, 2 = moderate deformation and 3 = severe deformation of the area. The areas examined for macroscopic damage were the frontal, parietal and occipital cerebrums including the structure of the lateral ventricle and the cerebellum as detailed in Figure 4 .…”

“…Captive bolt devices are used widely for the humane stunning and killing of adult livestock. The device used in this study (i.e., the Accles & Shelvoke “Cash” Small Animal Killer, CPK 200) was specifically designed for the killing of large birds and has also been demonstrated, using behavioural indicators, to be suitable for the euthanasia of neonate pigs and goats [ 2 , 3 ], with the use on the latter species requiring a specific shot position. Finnie, et al [ 4 ] found that the application a non-penetrating captive bolt gun to 4 to 6 week-old lambs produced sufficient traumatic brain injury to suggest that it is an acceptable method of euthanasia.…”

Prioritization of Farm Animal Welfare Issues Using Expert Consensus

“…As low value animals in a production system that requires female animals, male goat kids are sometimes killed on farm by a variety of methods that include manual killing. However, these methods may have low reproducibility and can impact on welfare, thus methods such as use of non-penetrating percussive devices may improve kid euthanasia practices on farm (46).…”