The use of a shotgun for the emergency slaughter or euthanasia of large mature pigs

Authors: Donoghue M, Barnes GRG, Blackmore DK, Madie P, Kirk EJ, Bowling MC, Nutman A, Davies AS
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 43, Issue 4, pp 134-137, Aug 1995
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Pig, Production animal
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Euthanasia, Slaughter
Article class: Scientific Article

---

Abstract: The isolated heads of a Friesian bull and three large, Large White pigs were shot from various aspects with a 12gauge shotgun using both a single 28 g solid lead projectile and buckshot, the latter consisting of nine individual lead pellets with a combined mass of 28 g. The sites of impact to the skull included the conventional frontal region, an occipital site and immediately behind the ear. A live mature Large White sow was shot with buckshot in the depression just caudal to the right ear, resulting in immediate insensibility and death. The damage caused to the isolated heads indicated that similar effects could be expected if the heads had been part of intact living animals. It is suggested that buckshot (nine lead pellets with a combined mass of 28 g) fired from a 12-gauge shotgun may be suitable for the emergency slaughter or euthanasia of a wide variety of domestic livestock and other species of animal.

---