Humane Killing Flashcards
Reasons for humanely killing animals
Surplus stock Ex breeders Animal is suffering –sick/injured End of experiment Exceeds severity limit/humane end points
Should provide a good death
Entire experience includes
Need to capture, handle or restrain
Need to remove from home environment and mixing with unfamiliar animals
The practical application of the technique
Confirmation of death
Principles of humane killing
3 R’s
A good death
Whenever an animal’s life is to be taken it should be treated with the highest respect
The method causing the animal the least pain and distress should be used
Ideally the animal should not be suffering before it is killed
The animal should be unaware of the impending action
The animal should not be killed in the presence of others
An ideal killing method should
Cause rapid loss of consciousness, followed by cardiac or respiratory arrest and ultimate loss of brain function
Be irreversible
Require minimum restraint of the animal
Be appropriate for the species, age and health of the animal
The process should be aesthetically acceptable for the person killing and anyone watching
Humans in humane killing
Death must be verified following humane killing
Personnel should be trained and competent
Human psychological responses should be taken into account, but should not take precedence over animal welfare considerations
Animal care committees should be responsible for approval of the method of humane killing
Schedule 1 – Considerations for rodents
Handle gently
Keep animal in home cage or transfer litter to new cage
Don’t keep animals in a strange environment for longer than necessary
Don’t kill in sight/sound of other animals
Don’t mix with strange animals
Schedule 1 – Considerations for zebrafish
Avoid handling if possible
Use water from the home tank if moving fish for euthanasia
Keep water at the normal temperature
Don’t mix with strange fish
Schedule 1
List of approved methods of humane killing of protected animals
Species specific
Stage of development specific
Schedule 1 is unregulated, ie
Allows competent people to kill animals without getting a project or personal licence (but ONLY if the approved methods are used)
Even without licences someone competent to kill must be available at all times
Schedule 1 and licenses
Regulated procedures (ie. most experiments) require a Project Licence (PPL) and a Personal Licence (PIL)
Schedule 1 users do not require a PPL or PIL. However:
Everyone using Schedule 1 techniques MUST be registered on the Establishment Licence as a Sched 1 user (including current PIL holders). A list of trained personnel is held by the Institution.
Schedule 1 - application
Does NOT apply to animals that are not protected:
Non vertebrate animals (except cephalopods)
Animals below the age of protection:
Mammals, birds & reptiles below 2/3rds gestation
Fish, before independent feeding (5.2days in zebrafish)
Cephalopods, from hatching
Animals that are not protected
Does NOT apply to animals that are not protected:
Non vertebrate animals (except cephalopods)
Animals below the age of protection:
Mammals, birds & reptiles below 2/3rds gestation
Fish, before independent feeding (5.2days in zebrafish)
Cephalopods, from hatching
Schedule 1 training
Module for Schedule 1 training currently called EU Module 6.1. (PIL K) This is theory only.
Passing the test (and getting a certificate) does NOT allow you to kill animals.
Practical Training and Supervision must be received before killing animals unsupervised.
Training records must be filled in and signed by someone authorised to do so.
Schedule 1 - methods
Schedule 1 killing takes place in TWO parts:
- The killing method
- The confirmation of death
BOTH are required to constitute a legal kill (without a PPL and PIL.)
Consider research when selecting methods
From Jan 2013 it is permissible to use anaesthesia/sedation prior to killing technique
Schedule 1 - methods
SCHEDULE 1 APPROPRIATE METHODS OF HUMANE KILLING
The methods of humane killing listed in Tables A and B below are appropriate for the animals listed in the corresponding entries in those tables only if the process of killing is completed by one of the methods listed in subparagraphs (a) to (f) below:
a) confirmation of permanent cessation of the circulation
b) destruction of the brain
c) dislocation of the neck
d) exsanguination
e) confirming the onset of rigor mortis
f) instantaneous destruction of the body in a macerator.
A-F = methods of confirming death