Euthanasia of the animal
Control Measure Knowledge
A person with responsibility for an animal may commit an offence if an act, or failure to act, causes an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Therefore, the potential need for euthanasia should be considered for incidents involving animals and the attendance of an appropriate competent person should be requested if required. This decision will be influenced by a number of considerations including:
- The safety of the animal, personnel or other emergency responders
- Welfare decisions, such as the severity of the animal’s injuries
- Views of the owner of the animal, which could be based on commercial rationale
Methods of euthanasia include:
- Chemical euthanasia
- Gun shot
- Captive-bolt stunner
Euthanasia can be carried out by competent people, including:
- Veterinary surgeons
- Animal welfare charities
- Police firearms teams
- Someone with a certificate of competence or licence to slaughter or kill animals
Fire and rescue services cannot make the decision about whether an animal is euthanised. However, from a safety and welfare perspective, the incident commander should be involved in the decision about where and how the animal will be euthanised.
Personnel and other emergency responders should be briefed about the location and method being used for euthanising the animal.
Fire and rescue services should consider maintaining or having access to a directory of veterinary surgeons or other competent people for the euthanasia of an animal. A directory of veterinary surgeons can be searched on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website.
Further information about the euthanasia of animals, and the permissions required, can be found on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website and in the RSPCA euthanasia policy.
To avoid distress to the public, or to prevent photography or filming, it may be appropriate to extend cordon distances or screen off the area where the animal will be euthanised. This will also provide a degree of privacy to those carrying out the task. Adequate screening could include the use of:
- Salvage sheets
- Tarpaulins
- Canvas screens
- Fire and rescue service vehicles