Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 7 - AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS
Part XXI - Animals and Animal Health
Chapter 21 - Animal Care Standards for Bovine, Equine, Poultry, Porcine, Ovine, and Caprine (Formerly Chapter 31)
Section XXI-2117 - Accepted Methods for Mass Euthanasia (Formerly Section 3117)

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code XXI-2117

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

A. Inhalant Agents

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
a. Compressed CO2 gas in cylinders shall be the only allowed source of carbon dioxide.

b. Gas concentration shall be maintained for at least one minute after death.

c. CO2 shall be the only chemical to be used for euthanasia of animals intended for human or animal consumption.

B. Injectable Euthanasia Agents

1. All injectable agents, including all barbiturate derivatives, shall be used by or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

C. Physical Methods

1. Penetrating Captive Bolt
a. Captive bolt guns shall be powered by gunpowder or compressed air and shall provide sufficient energy to penetrate the skull of the species on which they are being used.

b. Penetrating captive bolt shall be suitably placed so that the projectile sufficiently disrupts a cerebral hemisphere and the brain stem causing a sudden loss of consciousness and resulting in humane death.

c. The penetrating captive bolt gun shall be held firmly against the head.

d. All manufacturers' directions regarding caliber and powerload shall be followed.

2. Non-Penetrating Captive Bolt
a. The non-penetrating captive bolt does not have a projectile, is powered by gunpowder or compressed air, and shall deliver a percussive blow which produces unconsciousness.

b. The non-penetrating captive bolt gun shall be held firmly against the head and shall not be used as a sole means of euthanasia, except for animals weighing equal to or less than 12 pounds and poultry.

c. All manufacturers' directions regarding caliber and powerload shall be followed.

3. Blunt Force Trauma
a. A single decisive blow shall produce immediate depression of the central nervous system and destruction of brain tissue resulting in rapid unconsciousness and humane death.

4. Gunshot
a. Shooting shall only be performed by personnel proficient in the use of firearms and only in jurisdictions that allow legal firearm use. Personnel, the public, and nearby animal safety and well-being shall be considered as well as control of the animal whenever feasible.

b. Gunshot shall utilize bullets of suitable caliber that depend on the size of the animal to be euthanized and that expand on impact. The projectile shall enter the brain causing instant loss of consciousness and humane death.

c. Ammunition for most animals shall be a minimum caliber .22 hollow point for long rifles. For large mature animals, such as cattle and swine, the minimum caliber shall be .22 magnum hollow point for long rifles.

d. The gun shall be held as close as reasonably possible but not less than 2 inches from the head of the animal.

5. Cervical Dislocation - the manual stretching or instrument assisted separation of the cervical vertebrae from the skull.

6. Decapitation - the rapid separation of the head from the neck.

7. Electrocution
a. One-step electrocution shall use alternating current applied to the head and the opposite side of the body behind the heart at the flank skin fold, causing simultaneous stunning and inducing cardiac fibrillation resulting in cerebral hypoxia.

b. Two-step stunning and electrocution shall first render the animal unconscious by passing an alternating current across the head and followed immediately, in less than 15 seconds, by passing the current from the head to the opposite side of the body behind the heart.

8. Foam - a water-based product utilizing a specialized delivery system that produces foam of the appropriate consistency to occlude the upper respiratory tract causing hypoxia in a rapid and humane manner.

9. Maceration - the use of a mechanical apparatus having rotating blades or projections that causes immediate fragmentation and death.

10. Exsanguination - to drain of blood as a stand-alone method of euthanasia shall be limited to use for ritual slaughter pursuant to ORC, chapter 945.01 and 945.02. Exsanguination may be used to ensure death subsequent to stunning or in otherwise unconscious animals.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:2095.1.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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