Injured animal, how long is too long

[Dry Rot]

But they’d surely know someone who has 1 that could come and do it?

The police SHOULD have a list of people able, licenced, and experienced to come out to deal with animals injured in road traffic accidents, but will they? These will usually be gamekeepers, farmers, deer stalkers, etc. If you don't have a gun, maybe an idea to ask?

Surely every owner of livestock should have arrangements for humanely destroying animals if necessary....and that is something some contemplating breeding (pet dogs and cats?) should consider before they start. I find it rather sickening that some members of the public launch into breeding their pets "for the children" and imagine they can just rehome any malformed or sick youngsters that are born. But maybe I'm just hard hearted and anything surplus should be "rehomed" via the local rescue centre.

 

[michael N123]

12 bore is certainly effective

As I found out on a sheep It is to effective

 

[mixed breed]

I'm confused, if the vet attended and diagnosed a broken hip, surely he/she would have euthanized the animal? That's how it's always happened around here.

 

[michael N123]

I'm confused, if the vet attended and diagnosed a broken hip, surely he/she would have euthanized the animal? That's how it's always happened around here.

To tight to pay the vets bill so sent the vet on its way hoping it’ll get done cheaper

 

[mixed breed]

To tight to pay the vets bill so sent the vet on its way hoping it’ll get done cheaper

Can't like that.

 

[multi power]

Not all livestock keepers have access to shotguns/firearms.

Bolt guns require no licence. That and a blade will be sufficient for most cases.

I don't have a shotgun, but I could have the local huntsman here in 20 minutes max

 

[kill]

Why didn't the vet put the cow down !!

Don't go there as asked my vets to put a cow down a few years ago as my wife wont allow me to have a shot gun and vets coming here anyways and instead of getting my local vet thats pretty much always passing so instead they sent the stupid febble horsey vet woman (Rachel F) that forgot the gun and dosed a suckler cow with half the drugs in the back of her car and cow was still alive 4 hours later.

Same year they forgot the scanner when scanning cows and tubuculine when TB testing.

 

[It was already broken.]

I'm amazed we are having this conversation. Surely if you keep livestock of any kind you have thought through what you are going to do if an animal is suffering and needs to be put down.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

a proper vet should always have access to a .32 dispatch pistol within a practice imo but I have noticed a tendency for ‘modern’ vets to shy away from the responsibility.

Overnight is too long for any animal to be left with such severe injuries.

Your modern, recently qualified, hamster massaging Vet girl is not going to be touring rural areas packing heat.

A .32 is a good tool, but extremely dangerous without experience.

A 42 gram load of No.4 shot will stop anything stone dead at point-blank range, but a .410 is quieter and more subtle for sheep, stirks, horses.

I did a knacker round for 6 years and had a .22 pistol & rifle, .32 pistol, 12 bore, .410 and a captive bolt. I would always reach for the 12 bore with adult cattle, adult pigs and vintage tups.

I've seen lethal injections go wrong, when the horse owner didn't want noise and blood. The Vet scampered off back to his car for another bottle of juice, while the horse swayed and staggered, as I looked on with the winch ready. Not the Vet's fault.

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

I don't have a shotgun, but I could have the local huntsman here in 20 minutes max

Except on hunting days?

 

[Dry Rot]

With all these on farm inspections, red tractors, courses, and certifcation, why is this something the authorities don't check for? Surely it is basic animal care? Even if the farmer doesn't have the facilities or knowledge himself (and I was a student on a farm where the owner could not stand the sight of blood!), he ought to have suitable arrangements in place, surely? It is basic animal welfare.

 

[Werzle]

Vets do not carry guns in there cars but usually have one at the practice with atleast one vet holding a firearms licence. As part of your farm assurance paperwork you should have telephone numbers of knackermen, vets or kennel men in case of an emergency. Deer regularly suffer on the road side because the police will not allow a firearm to be discharged next to the highway and they havent a list of contacts either. No vet i know would leave an animal to suffer because of the bill, they would worry about that later.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Vets do not carry guns in there cars but usually have one at the practice with atleast one vet holding a firearms licence. As part of your farm assurance paperwork you should have telephone numbers of knackermen, vets or kennel men in case of an emergency. Deer regularly suffer on the road side because the police will not allow a firearm to be discharged next to the highway and they havent a list of contacts either. No vet i know would leave an animal to suffer because of the bill, they would worry about that later.

Some police forces have a call out register of local firearms holders for humane despatch of RTA deer.

I've happened on the scene of RTA deer several times. A bolt gun and knife is normally sufficient.

 

[farmerm]

Just curious in all the red tape and rubbish that farmers have to deal with are you actually alowed to shoot your own stock ?
After all there are some bloody daft rules your supposed to adehere too

Yes you are legally allowed and have a duty to avoid unnecessary suffering. Every livestock owner should really have a Euthanasia plan A, B and C.... ie have multiple "competent" persons they can call upon if they are themselves unequipped for the task.

https://assurance.redtractor.org.uk/contentfiles/Farmers-5418.pdf

 

[jamj]

With all these on farm inspections, red tractors, courses, and certifcation, why is this something the authorities don't check for? Surely it is basic animal care? .

Don't give them more ideas
We have enough problems/paperwork.

 

[michael N123]

Except on hunting days?

Don’t no what your areas like but every farmers son round here has guns and each shoot has 2-3 keepers with a small armoury there’s no excuse for not getting it done

But in this case both the vet and the farmer both want there arse kicked for walking away from it
The vet should of done it while there That’s it end off conversation

 

[betweenthelines]

Thanks for the replies. Confirms what I thought about unacceptable delays.

Is part of the problem that the fallen stock trade is mainly in the hands of the big operators?

Just to confirm, vet diagnosed over the phone, but it was fairly obvious anyway

 

[Pieces_of_Eight]

With all these on farm inspections, red tractors, courses, and certification, why is this something the authorities don't check for? .

I remember doing a collection one day at a farm, the old farmer showed me a very basic .22 bolt action stumpy rifle that had been given to his Dad by the ministry during the '67 FMD outbreak.

 

[Lazy Eric]

The vet should have put the cow down there and then.. no messing about... I find it appalling that animal was left so long..

 

[michael N123]

I remember doing a collection one day at a farm, the old farmer showed me a very basic .22 bolt action stumpy rifle that had been given to his Dad by the ministry during the '67 FMD outbreak.

Plenty gun shops have old guns in the back they’ll give away rather than pay to scrap that are more than good enough for dispatching animals and a licence is only £98