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

SIMPLE SUMMARY: With 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. 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 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.