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Info for Animal Control & Field Officers
Info for District Attorneys & Judges |
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Humane Protocol For Handling Skunks Animal Control
Director
As you know, drowning animals is considered inhumane and unacceptable by the: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); National Animal Control Association (NACA); and Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) along with any other recognized humane agency or animal welfare expert we are aware of. As Dr. Ettestad notes in his 1/23/02 letter euthanasia is not mandated by state law or statute and we contend that relocation can be considered if the conditions are favorable for a successful relocation and release. If relocation is not possible we recommend a humane intra-peritoneal or intra-cardiac lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital on a fully anesthetized animal. I encourage Animal Control and Shelter staff to attend the American Humane Association “Euthanasia by Injection” training to be held in Albuquerque on July 18-19, 2002. If you have questions about skunk euthanasia that weren’t answered in my 1/23/02 email, they can be addressed more fully in that forum as professionals from across our state take part in this comprehensive certified course. Please know that a product called “Beuthanasia” (marketed under various names) is available as a Class III drug differing from Sodium Pentobarbital, a Class II drug. The Class III drugs can be used for field euthanasia of skunks and because of the lower classification may be more accessible to your department. Pre-anesthetizing skunks for euthanasia will be necessary if Beuthanasia is used. If a humane lethal injection is not a solution your department can achieve in the near future, please note that the AVMA does allow for gunshot under certain strict conditions, as does NACA and the Texas Animal Control Association. We do not advocate the use of gunshot as a humane euthanasia method but acknowledge that a single fatal gunshot to the head is far more acceptable than drowning. Under specific conditions, AVMA and HSUS also allow for the use of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide for euthanizing some animals, including small free-ranging wildlife. Again, these techniques are far more acceptable than drowning and can be considered humane if guidelines, recommendations and manufacturer directions are strictly adhered to. Please share the enclosed information with your colleagues and draft a humane protocol for skunks that is based on educating the community about aversion techniques that will keep nuisance skunks from taking up residence in populated areas. A broad public service education format will help area citizens and wildlife in the most proactive humane manner. Very Truly Yours, Michele Rokke Cruelty Investigations,
Education and Outreach Also see: How do you euthanize a skunk? |
Thank
you for giving us an opportunity to assist you in creating a humane
protocol for handling skunks. I have enclosed information
on humane euthanasia, relocation and, most importantly, preventing
skunks from taking up residence in populated areas. Making
neighborhoods uninteresting to wildlife, including skunks, is one
of the best tools in developing a humane skunk policy.