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

SIMPLE SUMMARY: No stockperson or producer of lamb wants or likes to euthanase their young animals (neonates). At present, there are few reliable methods of achieving a humane dispatch of a neonate lamb should it be required. In the United Kingdom, the main method used in these cases is manually impacting the head by swinging the animal against a hard surface or hitting the animal with a hard object such as a hammer. This paper examines the use of a blank cartridge powered device to stun-kill neonate lambs immediately (i.e., before the animal can feel the application). Using this method, a suitable application point and power of cartridge has been determined, providing the stockperson with a reliable and repeatable single application method for euthanasing young lambs without the animal feeling any pain, as the device produces brain death faster than the nerve impulse can travel to the brain. This will improve animal welfare on-farm in these circumstances. ABSTRACT: A 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 lambs (Ovis aries) of 4.464 kg (SD (Standard deviation) ± 1.056) mean dead weight, to assess effectiveness and shot position. Every lamb (n = 200) was effectively stunned when the weapon was applied powered by a brown, 1-grain cartridge but 10/200 (5%) of the lambs displayed rhythmic or agonal breathing and were subsequently euthanased using euthatal (Merial, UK, GTIN: 03661103015550). Evaluation of the method was conducted using behavioural indicators of brain dysfunction followed by post-mortem examination of the heads. A second trial was conducted using a higher velocity 1.25-grain cartridge and a specific shot position on 48 lambs (mean dead weight = 6.21 kg, SD ± 1.24) averaging 5 days old. One hundred percent of the lambs in the second trial were immediately stun-killed. Given this complete kill rate and the sample size of the study, the study provides a statistical 95% confidence interval of 92.6% to 100%. The use of the Accles & Shelvoke “CASH” Small Animal Tool (Birmingham, UK) can therefore be recommended for the euthanasia of neonate lambs with a 1.25-grain cartridge and a specific shooting position.