Humane killing of rats?

[DT]

A couple of days ago I spotted a rat in the garage. I've borrowed a trap, but it's a cage style trap. If or when I catch this chap, what's the most humane way to kill it?

[foufee]

the most humane method I have seen for rats was death by terrier.
Failing that the old method was swing it by the tail to knock it out then do something more permanent, the trouble with that is the getting it by the tail part.
Air rifle?
Chlorophorm?
Laboratories use CO2

[Denneaux]

Cervical dislocation, similar to Sues broomstick method for chickens. Something straight (pen, scissors etc) pressing down on the back of the head and a slow strong pull of the tail until you feel the neck give (then I wiggle the body around a bit just to be sure). I do this when they get their feet stuck in the mouse trap, you might have a little difficulty getting hold of the tail (wear gardening gloves or something, you don't want to get bitten). When I can't get hold of them safely (like when they are bouncing up and down the hallway) a good headblow is all it takes. Stomp on them or whack with the hard bit of the broom. Then break their neck as above to be certain they are dead.

[foufee]

you have to be careful with cervical dislocation in rats due to the strength of their neck muscles, not for the uninitiated, which is why I did not suggest it.
I would use something sturdier (and longer) than a pen for a wild rat, and find that pulling at a 45 degree angle followed by a quick flip tail end over the head (head still pinned) is the most effective if you want to try this method.

[DT]

Thanks for the ideas.

I don't have a Terrier or Chlorophorm, so they are out. Air rifle might mess up the trap, and as the trap is borrowed, that's out too. Handling an angry rat doesn't appeal to me hugely, but the suggestion of CO2 got me thinking...

...how about place the trap (and trapped rat) in a box and feed the car's exhaust into the box, like a little killing chamber. Clean and non-stressful for me, but will it be humane for the rat?

[Denneaux]

I usually only get young rats caught in the mouse trap, haven't tried a bigger one... good point.

DT, I have heard of people gassing them with the car exhaust , you have to make sure the tube is long enough that the fumes are cold when they get to your chamber. As to whether its humane I can't say, as I haven't been gassed myself.

Many people would probably just dunk the whole trap in a bucket of water. Having heard from people who have nearly drowned, it doesn't sound like a terrible way to go. Foufee, do you know if this is humane for rats?

[sandra1245]

Apparently drowning is a quick and easy option.If you go with the exhaust option the pipe will get very hot and you could be at risk of inhaling the fumes yourself.Good luck in catching the "little rat"

[DiDi]

I'm not sure whether it is humane or not but my father used to hav a cage trap - the type that they could go down into but the prongs stopped it coming back up. He would fill a garbage can with water and put the trap in there and drown it.

Sounds more humane than some of what I have read above but what do others think about drowning them?

[Pumpkingirl]

Originally Posted by DiDi

Sounds more humane than some of what I have read above but what do others think about drowning them?

Personally, if it's "inhumane" to drown a lamb or a puppy, it's inhumane to drown a rat, no matter how gross I find them. I do remember reading somewhere (Animal Welfare Act I think) that drowning is not a recommended way of dispatching rats, possums etc because it is slow(ish) and stressful - it is not the animal's fault that you don't have a quick, humane way of dispatching it, so you need to find one.

That said, the Greater Wellington Regional Council say to drown an animal! Good grief.

My Dad uses his .22 to shoot rats through a trap and it hasn't wrecked the trap (yet). He just tips the trap up on its end and opens the door, the rats never see it coming.

[Cinsara]

Originally Posted by sandra1245

Apparently drowning is a quick and easy option.If you go with the exhaust option the pipe will get very hot and you could be at risk of inhaling the fumes yourself.Good luck in catching the "little rat"

Put the caged rat in a bigger box with a hole for a garden hose, attach one end of the hose to the exhaust pipe with your preference of duct tape etc ('super' petrol is better), put the coiled hose in a bucket of cold water and poke the other end through the hole in the box which you need to cover well, I use an old horse cover but towels, sacking what have you will do. The water cools the gas as it makes its way through the hose in the water, but remember to idle the car for 10 minutes so the fumes become really lethal. It is painless according to my vet and the animal just passes out then dies.

[foufee]

drowning is not an ethically approved humane method for mammals.

The carbon monoxide from a car would do the trick but you would have to be careful not to get yourself while you are at it. Long hose from car to box, idle car first, ratty will go to sleep then die.

[DT]

Originally Posted by Cinsara

Put the caged rat in a bigger box with a hole for a garden hose, attach one end of the hose to the exhaust pipe with your preference of duct tape etc ('super' petrol is better), put the coiled hose in a bucket of cold water and poke the other end through the hole in the box which you need to cover well, I use an old horse cover but towels, sacking what have you will do. The water cools the gas as it makes its way through the hose in the water, but remember to idle the car for 10 minutes so the fumes become really lethal. It is painless according to my vet and the animal just passes out then dies.

Brilliant. Thanks. This sounds like the way forward. Particularly if your vet describes it as painless. Drowning I think might be a bit cruel, no matter what the animal.

Thanks everyone – I'll be able to sleep tonight, knowing that I have a plan should I catch the little beggar!

[igor]

Dong them.

[DT]

Originally Posted by igor

Dong them.

y'what?

[Pumpkingirl]

Hit them over the head with something like a spade ("dong"). This only works if you're quick though, otherwise you might just release ratty from the cage and let him run off

[dubdub]

Just go an buy a trap that kills them ...job done! Saves all the faffing!

[Yo Man]

To me, gassing a rat with CO from a car exhaust is a hell of an un-environmental way to kill one rodent.

[FencerMan]

I agree with dong them, a hammer will do the trick. Or a sturdy workboot attached to your foot.

[Yo Man]

Put your cat in the cage with the rat - instant meal. Tis what would happen if the rat was caught in the wild by the cat.

[foufee]

DT was asking for a humane method - cats are far from humane :P they tend to slowly torture and torment their victims

[Denneaux]

Originally Posted by foufee

DT was asking for a humane method - cats are far from humane :P they tend to slowly torture and torment their victims

Yup drowning, gassing, stomping... all much kinder than nature intended. Even if Ratty lived to a ripe old age it would probably have some long drawn out medical death. Every time I kill one of my animals I feel bad for a few milliseconds and then I think of all the half vegetative people I see in the rest home...

[Cinsara]

Originally Posted by Yo Man

To me, gassing a rat with CO from a car exhaust is a hell of an un-environmental way to kill one rodent.

So you walk everywhere Yo Man?
Sometimes it is as much about what the person feels capable of doing as the deed itself and wishing to be humane is not a crime.
I must clarify you idle the car BEFORE you insert the hose into the box.

[Yo Man]

Opps, look as though I've set the cat amongst the ..., so to speak. It was intended with some jest, hence the devil icon. Sorry to offend.

[Cinsara]

Originally Posted by Yo Man

Opps, look as though I've set the cat amongst the ..., so to speak. It was intended with some jest, hence the devil icon. Sorry to offend.

We knew you were having a laugh Yo Man even if your sense of humour is ...how shall I say this....questionable

[Stikkibeek]

Originally Posted by Denneaux

Every time I kill one of my animals I feel bad for a few milliseconds and then I think of all the half vegetative people I see in the rest home...

You're not suggesting we bop, drown, donk, gas, shoot, or any other suggested method to knock off; the venerated but gaga elders in rest homes are you?