TO KILL DOGS OR CATS. 243 



mouth and nostrils. If the straggling is severe at first, the 

 administration of the chloroform may be made more gradual 

 by removing the sponge or flannel for a moment altogether, 

 and then re-applying it, and, as the animal becomes quiet, it 

 should be kept on closely and constantly, to the entire ex- 

 clusion of the outward air, adding fresh chloroform from time 

 to time until death occurs. The length of the operation will 

 depend upon the size and condition of the animal, and the 

 persistence with which the administration has been kept up. 



As a protection against the struggles of the animal to free 

 itself, the body may be placed in a sack or bag, allowing the 

 head to protrude. Or a blanket may be thrown over the 

 body, by which it may be grasped, and the head suflered to 

 go free for the application of the sponge. Or the animal, 

 together with the saturated sponge, may be placed in a small 

 box and allowed to go quietly to rest. 



The young of cats and dogs, when but a few days or hours 

 old, may be humanely destroyed by drowning, if properly 

 executed. This can be best accomplished by placing them in 

 a tio-ht basr containing a stone of sufficient weight to insure 

 speedy sinking. 



The quickest method of terminating the existence of a large 

 dog is, undoubtedly, to shoot him. To do this properly and 

 effectually, it is far preferable to use a pistol, and to place 

 the muzzle of it within a few inches of the head, at the side 

 just over and in front of the ear. If the rifle is used the same 

 spot should be aimed at. 



It is a common practice to shoot a dog with a pistol, the 

 muzzle of which is directed behind the ear. In this case, 

 unless exactly aimed in the right direction, the ball is likely 

 to glance and pass through the soft parts of the neck, and 

 although death might be the result of the shot, it would neither 

 be so certain nor so instantaneous as if the brain had been 

 pierced. 



In the attempt to destroy it, no animal should be merely 

 maimed. For this reason, if a gun or fowling-piece should 

 be used, it should be charged with buckshot, the side of the 

 head aimed at, .and sufficiently near to insure speedy death. 



The same remarks apply to the destruction of the cat. As 

 this animal is smaller, however, death may be instantly ef- 



