Why are animals euthanized

This may include waiting a certain length of time and giving written notice to registered owners. If the owner is unknown, the animal shelter needs to make a public notice so the owner might have the possibility to claim his or her pet. If the owner does not claim the animal in a certain period of time, which can last up to about fifteen days depending on the state, the shelter may euthanize the animal. As of today, forty-nine states have passed laws to regulate euthanasia of animals.

Euthanasia can only be performed by a licensed vet or technician. Methods of euthanasia on animals are either spelled out in laws or regulations, but veterinarians also look for guidance with best practices established by the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA. The majority of states agree to using sodium pentobarbital by injection as the standard method for animal euthanasia. Besides following the AVMA guidelines in using sodium pentobarbital as the standard euthanasia method, some states allow other methods for performing animal euthanasia such as using other chemicals for injection or gas chambers.

In a minority of states, the use of gas chambers as a euthanasia method is either confirmed or suspected as of today. Certain states also enacted laws dealing with emergency euthanasia to prevent mostly law enforcement officers from being liable for cruelty against animals when the officer has no other choice but to humanely euthanize a dog by gunshot. Such circumstances arise where the dog is dangerous and represents a threat to the health and safety of the public or another animal.

Free-roaming dogs, as a consequence, have indiscriminate promiscuity and a high birth rate achieving their maximal breeding efficiency. As result, most dogs are donated to other owners. These low or no cost pups can be responsible for a high number of the abandoned dogs Hsu et al. In developed countries few dogs become stray but are relinquished to dog shelters including pure breeds.

Of the dogs that died in this model 6. An owned free roaming dog in a city. This ensures humane and sustainable solutions. Strategies to control the overpopulation of free-roaming dogs include enforcement of law, education of owners and sterilization of pets.

Dog-control programs are more widely used among the more-developed countries. In less-developed countries, dog control programs when they existed at all tended to employ killing methods including poisoned baits , that are not recommended on animal-welfare grounds Dalla Villa et al.

Mass culling of stray dog population has historically been used to control rabies in India Reece, Recommended control measures for dog rabies control include movement restriction, reproduction control, habitat control and removal of straying dogs. The removal of straying dogs by killing strategies cannot be effective in long term without the enforcement of laws and education of people. Free ranging domestic dogs are non-cooperative populations, i.

In many developed countries stray dogs is a problem that has never risen because of different sanitary and ecological conditions but most important because of licensing programs, public education for responsible ownership and well-developed re-homing shelters. Reducing birth rates may have a great influence in reducing dog relinquishment and consequently euthanasia. The ABC program involve the capture, surgical sterilization and rabies vaccination of stray dogs with the whole idea to replace the sexually intact, unvaccinated stray dog population with a smaller population of infertile healthier dogs in order to reduce the population of dogs in a given area.

However, dogs are always dependent on humans and releasing them back to the streets, although a progressively reduction in its numbers may occurs, that does not improve their health and still have the potential risk to bites and transmission of diseases. Under this panorama, euthanasia may be necessary considered. Besides, free-roaming cat populations have a high intrinsic growth rate, and euthanasia has proved to be more effective at reducing its populations than trap-neuter-return programs Andersen et al.

Overcrowd of dog shelters because of recruitment of many dogs and lack of adoptions is also a reason of mass dog euthanasia. In these countries eating dog is a socially acceptable practice. In South Korea for instance dog meat is eaten nationwide all year round. Their industry involves about 1,, dogs killed yearly to supply the approximately 6, restaurants serving this food. A typical Korean dog slaughterhouse could have dogs ranging from poodles to beagles to Korean Jindo dogs; dogs are also imported from Laos to cover the demand.

In China the Saint Bernard breed is becoming popular for food consumption for the fast growth of the puppies and animals are slaughtered between 6 and 12 months of age for best size and tenderness. Under these circumstances, the population of dogs may be dramatically reduced. The controversy in this case is not because of the consumption of dog meat itself or the results of this practice on reduce the population, but factors like cruelty involved with the killing.

No country in the world consuming dog meat has developed a humane method of dog slaughter under intensive farming practices. Currently, cruel methods are being used including beating, strangling, boiling and bleed to death by cutting holes in their paws and sometimes dogs are skinned while still alive. In general, euthanasia of dogs is banned except in special justified cases such as seriously or incurably ill or proven to be dangerous dogs. However, in many countries due to the legal classification of animals as personal property, the owner has the right of ownership over his animal so that the pet can selling or killed Passantino et al.

Euthanasia must be carried out exclusively by an experienced veterinarian. When euthanasia of a healthy owned dog is requested by its owner, the veterinarian should reproach such a request based on their professional ethic code and look for more appropriate options. A study of dog euthanasia from Denmark in showed that, of the 2, euthanized dogs surveyed, A high proportion of adopted stray dogs from pounds are bringing back to the pounds for several reasons.

Several societies such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals does not condone mass destruction as a control population measure of dogs and cats when there are circumstances when euthanasia is the most humane option. Animals considered for euthanasia should include those sick or dangerous. However, euthanasia can also be acceptable in animals unsuitable for homing or returned to the streets or to alleviate shelter overcrowding which compromise the welfare of animals held there World Society for the Protection of Animals [WSPA], In Italy since , national legislation does not permit euthanasia of unwanted roaming dogs unless they have an incurable condition or are proven to be dangerous.

Unattended dogs are placed in long-term shelters in questionable conditions where they often remain for most of their lives Dalla Villa et al. Consequences of such decisions may alter the dynamic of dog populations if no other control measures are considered to reduce the number of dogs, especially those stray. For instance, in animal shelters from Barcelona Spain in routine euthanasia of unclaimed stray animals was discontinued, due to a political decision of the city council.

However the suspension of routine euthanasia was associated with a marked increase in the number of stray dogs. When euthanasia is considered, several methods are available for dogs but not all are considered acceptable Close et al. However, because of the safety for personnel, efficacy and costs, the preferred method is the intravenous injection of sodium pentabarbitone Table 1. Different methods for euthanasia in dogs are well described elsewhere however some methods remain controversial Andrews et al.

A reliable method will produce rapid loss of consciousness until death occurs. Regardless of the method used, it is important to minimize distress, anxiety and pain. It is compulsory to confirm the death of dog when euthanasia is performed before the body is disposed or left unattended. If an animal is not dead, another method of euthanasia should be performed.

Finally the carcass should be disposed according to the local ruling legislation avoiding the risk of residues. Incineration is considered the safest way of carcass disposal.

All the above mention agents or methods are in general fast and highly efficient. The following agents are unacceptable and are condemned for use as euthanasia agents in dogs: strychnine, nicotine, caffeine, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, cyclopropane, hydrogen cyanide gas, methoxyflurane, trichloroethylene, nitrous oxide cleaning agents, solvents, disinfectants and other toxins or salts, and all neuromuscular blocking agents.

Other methods such as drowning, concussion adults , decapitation, asphyxia, strangulation or air embolism are also not considered as euthanasic methods. When a dog needs to be restrained for euthanasia, this should always be done with full regard for operator security and animal welfare. Some euthanasia methods should be used in association with sedation or anaesthesia in order to be considered humane.

Only Practical solutions for reducing euthanasia numbers American Humane believes that all dogs and cats adopted from public or private animal care and control agencies must be sterilized before being allowed to leave the shelter and supports passage of state laws mandating this practice.

American Humane believes the percentage of animals reunited with their owners would greatly increase if more pets were properly identified: Be sure your pet wears an identification tag, rabies license, and city license.

Keep licenses current, as they help shelters locate pet owners. When moving, put a temporary tag on your pet.

Many strays in shelters are indoor pets that escaped. The decision is difficult for both the owner and the veterinarian, but we should recognize that sometimes this is the kindest thing we can do in the final stage of a pet's life.

Understanding how the procedure is performed may help an owner in this decision. It may also help an owner decide whether they wish to be present during the euthanasia. Initially, a pet is made as comfortable as possible. Some veterinarians will perform the procedure in a pet's home. If the animal is brought to the hospital, veterinarians often chose a quiet room where the pet will feel more at ease.

Sometimes a mild sedative or tranquilizer is first given if the animal appears anxious or painful. Frequently an indwelling catheter is placed in the pet's vein to ensure that the euthanasia solution is delivered quickly.