Is Euthanasia a Legal form of Animal Control?

There is nothing more painful than watching one's beloved pet slowly succumb to death. It can be as heartbreaking as losing a family member to some people.  If you have went through this experience before then you know how devastating the loss of animal life is. Although many wildlife infestations can be a pain and destructive to your home does that make animal euthanasia the right option?  These animals don't know that it's wrong to trespass into your yard and home,  they are just trying to survive another day. Of course I am not saying that we should welcome skunks, raccoons, squirrels, etc. in our homes.  All I am implying is that there are better methods of handling them as Animal control agencies can and will offer.

It is upsetting that according to the law euthanasia is allowed however, there are some guidelines. The following situations allow for euthanization of an animal :

• If the animal is considered dangerous and is hard to control
• If the animal is severely injured and there is no chance of survival
• If the animal is sick and is incurable

As observed, some people (even the untrained) take advantage of the legalization of euthanasia and cause unthinkable harm to the animals especially intruders. This is where we need to be careful and not take matters into our own hands. When an animal intruder finds its way into your house or neighbourhood, instead of trying to kill it right away, try using humane ways to chase it away or trap it. If this is too time consuming or not possible contact Wildlife Services who will gladly help deal with the situation safely and effectively.

There are several methods the Canadian Council of Animal Care use for Euthanization and it's important to note that a permit is required. These methods include :

• Gun Shot
• Carbon Monoxide Chamber
• Stunning and Decapitation
• Commercial Poultry Processor

As you can imagine all of these would be painful to watch and imagine happening to any animal however remember there are proper guidelines to be followed. Kitchener animal control experts like those at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control are doing an excellent job in helping people understand that animal intruders such as skunks and raccoons are important to our environment and should be treated fairly even when they trespass into our backyards.

We can all play a part in ending inhumane euthanasia by being educated and aware of what is happening around us. There are some organizations and agencies like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control who have already laid the foundation but need our help to protect the animals.

Killing the animal intruder does not guarantee that you've dealt with the entire situation. It may just be the start of your troubles if you haven’t tried to prevent further infestations. You may eliminate one animal  today and the following morning you find two more. It's important to identify the factors that attract animals to where you find them. If it’s water, for instance, cut the supply or if it's shelter repair the structure to prevent entry.

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control has well-trained specialists who have helped many people solve their pest problems by humane methods that minimize injury and stress to the animals, backed by licensing from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of the Environment. They have continued to offer excellent services regarding humane ways of dealing with some of the world's most destructive pests. For more information on how Skedaddle protects our wildlife while keeping your home safe, check out  www.skedaddlewildlife.com.