Achieving humane outcomes in killing livestock by free bullet II: Target selection

Abstract

Killing infected or surplus-to-market livestock by free bullet is unavoidable in Foreign Animal Disease response in countries exporting large numbers of live animals. Correct targeting and placement of free bullet projectiles result in immediate death, thereby making this method acceptable for humane animal killing. Regulatory veterinarians will be responsible for animal welfare in overseeing emergency killing of livestock by free bullet. To assure humane fatal penetrating brain injury under field conditions, veterinarians as operational experts, need to fully understand the anatomy of all farmed animals and the pathophysiology of the terminal ballistics of weapon systems to make appropriate, on the ground decisions, in emergency situations.

Figure 1

Lateral sagittal projection of a generic ruminant skull. a — Perfect shot terminal trajectory with a controlled expanding low energy projectile that comes to rest in the foramen magnum. b — With the energy transfer and penetration limitations of the captive bolt replaced with free missile the target area is significantly larger while retaining the target of the trans-brain penetration with the foramen magnum as the target (shaded oval).

Figure 2

Visualizing the line of sight to the mid-brain for free bullet humane killing. Free ranging beef cattle approaching the photographer across a 3-strand barb wire fence. Bos domesticus has small ears and high ear carriage; the lower point of ear-skull attachment is the primary landmark allowing for correct targeting of the brainstem with the angle of incidence of the projectile lower than 90°. Muzzle to target distance 5 to 7 m. Midbrain lies adjacent to the lateral meatus of the ear in all livestock.

Figure 3

Considerations in planning or reviewing use of free bullet weapon systems in humane killing of livestock under emergency conditions.