# Shooting feral kittens on site when shelters are full - Best practice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 12, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843 "2013-06-12T19:47:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/61 "2013-06-14T20:40:16Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > Says who? That’s pretty much the criteria for discharging a firearm near an occupied residence. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/62 "2013-06-14T20:53:11Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > That’s pretty much the criteria for discharging a firearm near an occupied residence. Not in Ohio. [2923.161 Improperly discharging firearm at or into a habitation, in a school safety zone or with intent to cause harm or panic to persons in a school building or at a school function.](http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.161) [2923.161 Discharge of firearm on or near prohibited premises](http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.162) While what the officer did was stupid, it wasn’t illegal, as he didn’t fire “at or into” a residence. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/63 "2013-06-14T21:03:03Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A few years ago a deer was hit by a car on the road my business is on. It collapsed in the parking lot and was laying there in agony, but alive. I called the non-emergency police number for our area (no local police force) and a state cop arrived in minutes. > > He explained that he could not discharge his weapon in this situation. He was very nice, explained the rules under which he worked, and hoped we could find a way to kill the deer. He suggested calling the state game commission. > > I called the PA game commission. If the deer was dead, they could give me a number for a subcontractor that hauls away dead animals. Since it was alive, they could send a game warden but he couldn’t make it for three days. > > I went home and got my handgun, returned and shot the deer. I used rope to drag the deer to the edge of the property and ruled the remains down into a ravine. The game commission called the next day to see if the deer had died yet. When they were told that I had shot it, they mentioned that I could be fined for killing a deer out of season. Good grief. I assume you never heard from them again? When I was growing up, in the 1960s (and this was in PA as well) a deer ran from a wooded area, through several yards, smashed up against a sliding glass door at our neighbor’s house (not sure why the door didn’t break, but it didn’t), and was lying on their driveway, thrashing in pain. Police or someone came out - and killed it with a crowbar. :eek: This sounded horrible but apparently they weren’t allowed to use guns in this situation and it was their only option. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/64 "2013-06-14T21:23:02Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Not in Ohio. > > [2923.161 Improperly discharging firearm at or into a habitation, in a school safety zone or with intent to cause harm or panic to persons in a school building or at a school function.](http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.161) > > [2923.161 Discharge of firearm on or near prohibited premises](http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.162) > > While what the officer did was stupid, it wasn’t illegal, as he didn’t fire “at or into” a residence. It may not be illegal but it’s a stupid thing to do with the risk of a ricochet or a bullet going through a space in the woodpile. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/65 "2013-06-14T21:32:30Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > It may not be illegal but it’s a stupid thing to do with the risk of a ricochet or a bullet going through a space in the woodpile. I’ll agree with that, but in his post **BigT** appeared to be saying that shooting an animal is an inherently cruel act, and always unacceptable save in certain dire emergencies. And that’s the sentiment I’m objecting to. Shooting an animal can provide a humane death if you’re a decent shot and know what you’re doing. In fact, for some animals such as horses, shooting is arguably MORE humane than euthanasia by drugs (because a properly placed bullet kills the horse instantly, while the drugs take a bit of time to work). Shooting is upsetting to the human observers; that more than anything is why some people react so viscerally to it. Notice that the “humane” drug euthanasia at the shelter requires trapping and then handling the feral cats in order to inject the drugs, something which any wild animal will find extremely stressful to endure. Which is REALLY more humane - a quick death by bullet, or 20 minutes of confinement stress followed by two or three minutes of profound terror before the moment of unconsciousness arrives? The reason not to shoot in this case is purely location, NOT cruelty. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/66 "2013-06-14T21:46:44Z")
As long as you don’t declaw the cat first shooting them, in these instances, is just fine. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/67 "2013-06-14T22:13:20Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > … Every time a sidearm goes off, another kitty angel gets its wings. That should be printed onto a T-shirt. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/68 "2013-06-15T06:19:46Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [SPCA wants humane officer who shot kittens fired](http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/302822/45/SPCA-wants-humane-officer-who-shot-kittens-fired) This title is inaccurate. This is a group of menopausal busy-bodies who used to call themselves the “Ohio Humane Education Association.” They do nothing but run around trying to get their name in the news in relation to animal welfare issues so that people will donate to them. (God knows how many people that organization is supporting at this point!) I’ve never heard of them providing any actual services to any animals. They are an “awareness” organization. They like to call in all the local authorities as a way to get news interviews. Somewhere along the line, they changed their name to OHIO SPCA in order to make is _sound like_ they were the SPCA… they are not. BUT, the name change has netted them far more donations. I’m so sick of seeing these old bats running their mouths about stuff that they are not willing to lift one finger to help out with. They’re probably the worse animal welfare non-profit in the entire state of Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/69 "2013-06-15T07:18:58Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > Somewhere along the line, they changed their name to OHIO SPCA in order to make is _sound like_ they were the SPCA… they are not. BUT, the name change has netted them far more donations. This confused me, since I assumed there was some sort of overarching SPCA organization that would slap such things down. But on quick check, [apparently not](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_for_the_Prevention_of_Cruelty_to_Animals#North_America). I guess anybody can use the name, in the U.S. at least. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/70 "2013-06-15T22:01:16Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > . . . Risking bystander safety, traumatizing young children needlessly, and using a painful method of execution with a high risk of not causing a quick death. I grew up out in the back country, and more than once, we took the “Ol’ Yeller” approach to pet euthanasia. Zero risk of bystander safety. Realistic approach to youngsters (not “young children.”) We also butchered beef on the scene. We were always very careful about teaching kids the facts, and readying them for it before they saw it. Risk of a botched job? Yes, that’s intrinsic. Shelters have botched euthanasia also: painful injections, incorrect doses, etc. This is a big problem in human capital punishment, too. It is scientifically impossible to do it with no risk of suffering. “High risk?” I disagree. I know how to place my shot. The risk exists, but it is not high. > [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > As long as you don’t declaw the cat first shooting them, in these instances, is just fine. Ouch! Wicked satirical comment. Worthy of The Onion! ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/71 "2013-06-16T01:29:46Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Your stereotypical Texan will often make a joke of taking a pet, past his prime, out back and shooting him. (To put him out of his misery) > > But the thing is, even with us Texans, we know that’s just a joke. We don’t actually DO that shit. > [@Trinopus](#): > > I grew up out in the back country, and more than once, we took the “Ol’ Yeller” approach to pet euthanasia. > > Zero risk of bystander safety. Realistic approach to youngsters (not “young children.”) We also butchered beef on the scene. We were always very careful about teaching kids the facts, and readying them for it before they saw it. Yeah, gonna have to agree with **Trinopus** here. I grew up on a cow/calf alfalfa/sorghum working farm in Western Kansas. When I was five or so, my family got an Australian Shepherd named Pepper, whom I love to this day. Outdoor-only, all-weather, drag-the-poached-deer-carcass-a-half-mile-to-the-yard, roll-in-anything-and-everything-disgusting farm dog. Also the come-running-to-you-at-a-dead-sprint-when-you-call-from-half-a-mile-away dog. And the so-goddamned-happy-to-see-you-all-the-time and barely-even-whimper-during-a-half-hour-session-of-pulling-off-40-blood-gorged-ticks dog. Did I mention I kind of loved him? I was back visiting during college, and my uncle took me aside and told me that he had shot Pepper. They were on a normal round up, and one of the lead bitches (any of you who have worked cattle will know what I mean) caught him on the rear hip with a kick. Totally destroyed the pelvis. My uncle took a rifle out of a truck and shot him on the spot. And then buried him in the woods near the barn. My reaction? Appreciation. Appreciation that my oldest and best friend did not have to suffer through a 20 minute ride to the vet, to inevitably be put down (he was a very ‘old man’ at that point). Appreciation that his last big scene was herding cattle, which gave him more joy than anything, excepting (maybe) getting scritches from me. Appreciation that the last thing he knew was a known and soothing voice comforting him. Appreciation that he was laid to rest in a hand-dug grave on the farm that had been his entire life. And finally, appreciation that my uncle would do this for him and me, and that my uncle would take the first chance to tell me that he did. I know I’m in the minority here, but I believe that a bullet is often the best, swiftest, and kindest death we can give to another creature, if circumstances warrant and compassion is the guiding emotion. To the point that I honestly believe that a firing squad is probably the most humane way that humans have found to execute other humans (the ethics of the death penalty aside). And if this is TL;DR/gross, do not ask me about the Easter Sunday spent inside a steer carcass with a hacksaw. Too many are removed from the real life/death cycle of nature. My childhood insured that I am not. And a final thought, if not really an ETA… Going out of the house/getting in the truck/going to the vet is the most stressful thing in my beloved cat’s life. He blows his coat and cries pitiably the whole way there, certain I’m going to abandon/allow others to torture him. If I cannot find a vet to come to my house for that last walk, I will borrow a pistol, give him one last good day, and shoot him. And then I’ll dig a grave and share a bottle of whiskey with him, crying all the while. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/72 "2013-06-16T04:09:48Z")
This ^^^^^ ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/73 "2013-06-16T04:36:52Z")
> [@azraiel](#): > > . . . And if this is TL;DR/gross, do not ask me about the Easter Sunday spent inside a steer carcass with a hacksaw. . . . To start with, a very poetic post. There are fewer and fewer rural places in the U.S. The “ranch” I grew up on is now a housing development. But there are still a few places left where this sort of thing really does make sense. And… I’d love to hear the story about the steer carcass! (I was too young to be involved in it, but many years ago, some bastard shot one of my dad’s horses. Shot the horse in the rectum. The horse screamed in pain for a long time before my dad got to him to finish him off mercifully. My dad, bless him, then went and got out his biggest knife and started cutting away, in order to retrieve the bullet to give to the sheriff. I’m betting your story is every bit as gross!) ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843/74 "2013-06-16T06:48:35Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > In rural areas stray cats are routinely shot on sight. Not nice but much better for the envirement. Yes, they kill anything they can. Which is why pet cats should be neutered, unless required for breeding. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-feral-kittens-on-site-when-shelters-are-full-best-practice/660843.md?page=3)