PAINLESS OR PAINFUL KILLING OF FOXES ?
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I did not write to advocate chloroforming as the best method of killing foxes (or dogs) without qualification, but to point out that Dr. Beam's objection to it was justified unless administered under certain conditions, some of which I specified. I further suggested illuminant gas as preferable— also under given conditions—but I indicated the captive bolt pistol as even better, in view of all the requirements of the case.
I also have had a considerable experience in both wit- nessing and assisting at the deaths of dogs, and I have seen both painful and painless methods. I continue to think a bullet or captive bolt the quickest of all, but so long as fox farmers want the animal for its fur it is perfectly futile for your correspondents to talk about a gun unless they mean a rifle or revolver. A gun—by which in this country is gene- rally meant a shot-gun—is quite instantaneous, but it prac- tically blows the head to bits, and, though " H. M." recom- mends it in the current issue, no fur farmer could, or would, consider it for a moment.
I would add that having seen chloroform administered to dogs for operations as well as for lethal purposes by duly qualified " vets," and even by an M.R.C.S., I cannot see any point in Dr. Beam's remark about " ascribing to animals an anthropomorphic mentality." Anaesthesia was induced rapidly and quietly and with no more struggle or difficulty than in the case of a human patient, but if improperly adminis- tered I entirely agree that chloroform means a painful and distressing death.—I am, Sir, &c., Erwin WARD. Acton Burnell, Salop.
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