Best practices for nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State

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Ch 5: Step three: Do it - Lethal techniques

Stunning

Stunning may be used for two different purposes: it may be intended to make the animal unconscious so another killing method may be used safely, or it may be intended as a primary killing method, in which case it's usually referred to as a "lethal blow."

A lethal blow is a quick, very forceful blow to the head that is meant to kill the animal. It is appropriate for small animals, such as birds, rabbits, and small mammals (mice to squirrel-size). Work on a hard surface. The animal must be properly restrained so you can deliver the blow to the right location, which is the back of the head, unless using a special tool called a "penetrating captive bolt pistol."

The penetrating captive bolt pistol is a particularly helpful although expensive tool, which is often used on livestock. Powered by gunpowder charges or compressed air, this device forces a metal rod through the animal's skull into its brain. Proper placement of the bolt on the forehead is crucial, so the animal must be securely restrained. And make sure that no one is within the "firing range, " which is the length of the bolt, because they could be hurt. (One thing you must watch out for: make sure you have a penetrating captive bolt pistol. There are captive bolt pistols that don't penetrate the brain. They just stun the animal.)

All of the cautions that apply to cervical dislocation also apply to the use of a lethal blow, and to stunning. Although a lethal blow by itself may humanely kill the animal, it's best to use a second method to be absolutely sure. Sometimes, NWCOs will stun an animal so they can more effectively use the killing method they've chosen. For example, a fox that's been captured using a catchpole may be stunned so it can be safely handled and placed in a carbon dioxide chamber.

Stunning is a less forceful blow delivered to the center of the head. The animal must be properly restrained to ensure the correct positioning of the blow. Once the animal is stunned unconscious, you can choose among several techniques to kill it.

• Stunning and use of carbon dioxide chamber: if an animal has been captured using one of the direct capture techniques, such as with a catchpole, it may be stunned to allow the NWCO to transfer it to the chamber safely.
   
• Stunning and shooting: if an animal is moving around too much to allow for a proper target, you can stun it into unconsciousness, and then orient it for the best shot. Or perhaps you need to move the animal to a place where it's safer to shoot it.
   
• Stunning and cervical dislocation: This combination may be used on duck-sized birds, to gain a little more time to properly snap the spine.
   
• Stunning and decapitation: "Decapitation" means the head is quickly cut from the body. This method works like cervical dislocation. The goal is to quickly separate the spinal cord from the brain to provide a fast and humane death. Decapitation is used primarily for birds that are too large for cervical dislocation, such as geese, and sometimes for snakes. A recently killed snake may bite by reflex, so don't handle its head. Use a heavy knife, ax, hatchet, or bolt cutters to cut the spine of a bird at the base of the head. A long-handled shovel or hoe can be used for a snake. The same uncontrolled movement that is seen after cervical dislocation will follow decapitation. A goose might flop around for up to two minutes. The same safety precautions that apply to cervical dislocation should be considered when using stunning and decapitation. This method is messy and forceful. Blood and brain tissue could be splattered. If dealing with a mammal, the splattering of contaminated brain tissue or saliva could expose you to the rabies virus. (Rabies is not a blood-borne disease.)
   
• Stunning and bleeding out (or "exsanguination"): the major blood vessels, usually those in the neck, are cut to rapidly drain blood from the body. This ensures death but is a messy and bloody technique.

Advantages of these combination methods

1. stunning the animal first ensures that it is unconscious
    
2. may make a situation safer for the NWCO and other people
    
3. may allow the NWCO to use a preferred killing method, such as shooting or a CO₂ chamber, in a situation in which that method would otherwise be difficult to use
    
4. when properly done, these are fast and humane techniques that quickly break the brain-body connection
    
5. no specialized equipment necessary for some of the combined methods

Disadvantages of these combination methods

1. may bring your hands into direct contact with the animal's head, which, if dealing with mammals, increases your risk of exposure to rabies
    
2. some of these techniques may disturb onlookers. Some are bloody. Animals often keep twitching for several seconds, or even minutes, after death. That's not a sign of pain; it's a reflex
    
3. will likely have more of a mess to clean up (consider working over a tarp to contain the mess)
    
4. may require skill, speed, and strength

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