Page 250 - The Welfare of Cattle

WeLfare Issues In feedLot CattLe 227

it as an unpleasant experience which may unintentionally prolong animal suffering (Moggy et al.,
2017b). It should never be acceptable to “let nature take its course” when death is inevitable or delay-
ing euthanasia for reasons of convenience such as waiting for scheduled evaluations of cattle housed
in chronic or sick pens whose conditions can decline rapidly (Wood and Shearer, 2015).
The other main factor that can have significant impacts on cattle welfare related to euthanasia is
the method (and associated equipment) used. Numerous publications have described the techniques
used to ensure loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, and ultimately loss of brain function (AVMA,
2013; Human Slaughter Association (HAS), 2014; OIE, 2014). Although barbiturate and anesthetic
methods are effective for euthanizing cattle their use is limited on-farm as they are controlled sub-
stances for use by veterinarians only and animals euthanized with these drugs may not enter the
food chain. Gunshot (delivered via shot gun, rifle or handgun) is the preferred method of euthanizing
feedlot cattle (Fulwider et al., 2008) and does not require veterinary presence which aids in ensuring
timely euthanasia. To ensure effective humane euthanasia producers need to be educated in the proper
positioning of firearm relative to the skull as well as the most appropriate type of ammunition and
the size of the firearm (Grandin, 1994; Woods et al., 2010). One of the greatest breaches to welfare
associated with euthanasia is lack of confirmation of death and therefore it is considered unaccept-
able to walk away from a euthanized animal without first testing for signs of death which include lack
of corneal reflex, rhythmic breathing, and heartbeat (Woods and Shearer, 2015).

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