Is it humane to drown a cat because it attacked your livestock?

[Galeann]

Not a pleasant way to go, that's for sure, but it's cheap and sure and quicker than you'd think...takes about twenty seconds on average. Yes, I've watched. You also can't use human experience to gauge what a different species feels. Humans KNOW what's coming when they get trapped underwater or are about to get trapped. A coon--or a cat--in a cage...well, I sincerely doubt it's thinking oh no! she's going to drown me! when I pick the trap up for the last time...they're way too busy lunging and snarling and trying to grab at me through the wire. That's why you plunge the trap in all at once and quickly. That way they don't have time to see the water or take a deep breath.

One's acceptance of the different methods of killing animals likely has a lot to do with what country you live in and which strata of society you're most familiar with. Where I live, drowning is currently considered inhumane. It wasn't, when I was a kid, and even veterinarians were fine back then with breeders 'bucketing' their cull pups and kittens. I'm 100% sure that a lot of people still do this and even use it as a means of birth control to this day rather than getting their animals neutered. And yet...and yet...I just can't get upset about the idea of it. I can't get upset because to do so would be monstrously hypocritical of me, for I also live in a society that currently considers it perfectly okay to glue an animal down onto a flat surface to the point of it being unable to move, then just tossing it away into the trash to slowly die of hunger and thirst and possibly even fear. Don't know about you, but even drowning seems pretty humane to me compared to THAT!

As for whether a cat deserves to die at all for giving in to its instincts and killing some birds, I'd say it all depends on whose cat and whose birds are involved and what your personal level of tolerance is. Mine is pretty low when any domestic animal reverts to being a predator.

Thought provoking

 

[cottontail farm]

Farmers clearly have been taught/learned that killing ANYTHING is perfectly ok to protect the Almighty Dollar! Lack of conscience? Moral integrity?
I wonder if anyone has every done a survey or has a hypothesis as to how many farmers are closet serial killers/molester/abusers that just haven't been caught?

Ok, I am taking the bait here.
What the WHAT?
"Protecting the almighty dollar"?
As opposed to protecting the creatures entrusted to your care? An abused, neglected, harassed by predators, whatever, animal doesn't produce. And I would venture to say the majority of farmers got into the business because they like tending animals (I am not talking about corporations with factory farms here, I seriously doubt big conglomerates send out people to drown raccoons for fun).
So, what the heck? I keep all manner of poultry. I also dispose of all manner of predators that would happily eat my birds alive, or have HUMANELY. WIth a single shot.
Why? Because those chickens, geese and ducks rely on ME to protect them and take care of them. You're welcome.
And as for the cat, it could have been taken to a shelter. But you didn't suggest that, did you?

 

[cottontail farm]

I have feral cats living with my chickens. I have 5 indoor/outdoor cats that have been exposed to 4 batches of day old chicks this year. None bother the chicks because they are well fed. Feed the feral cats and they learn to leave chicks and chickens alone. But also be responsible and trap, neuter, release.

My indoor/outdoor cats are not feral, and kill birds regularly for sport but they are both TERRIFIED of the chickens. You know, in the cat way where they make a wide pass around them and won't make eye contact. Lol.
I think a rooster may have beaten the fluff out of both of them early on but, hey, it worked.

 

[Galeann]

No, it’s definitely not humane, but I disagree with most saying that it is an act of anger.

It is very common for farmers around here to collect their live traps in the morning and take them down to their creek and leave them for some time. They walk away, come back later, and dispose of the drowned animal (usually raccoon or possum). It’s not anger, it’s routine; and it’s cheaper and cleaner than a bullet.
As for it being a cat.. well, a predator is a predator. I don’t think that most people who could drown a raccoon would be much more bothered by drowning a cat. Maybe I’m wrong.

Please understand that I am NOT condoning this in any way.
Even some of my extended family members practice this method. It’s important to understand someone’s point of view before you can educate them on why it’s wrong, and teach them humane alternatives that fit into their lifestyle.

I do understand a farmer's need to protect their livestock. But...

 

[bluemerle]

I encourage everyone who answers this question with a "yes" or a "well ....." to seek both better predator proofing and also therapy.

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

Ok, I am taking the bait here.
What the WHAT?
"Protecting the almighty dollar"?
As opposed to protecting the creatures entrusted to your care? An abused, neglected, harassed by predators, whatever, animal doesn't produce. And I would venture to say the majority of farmers got into the business because they like tending animals (I am not talking about corporations with factory farms here, I seriously doubt big conglomerates send out people to drown raccoons for fun).
So, what the heck? I keep all manner of poultry. I also dispose of all manner of predators that would happily eat my birds alive, or have HUMANELY. WIth a single shot.
Why? Because those chickens, geese and ducks rely on ME to protect them and take care of them. You're welcome.
And as for the cat, it could have been taken to a shelter. But you didn't suggest that, did you?

I agree. If you must kill something, then shoot it.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Personally I’ve never drowned anything. I think it’s a pretty piss poor way to dispatch an animal. Usually because the person can’t manage to actually kill the animal up close.
If you’re setting a cage to trap an animal you should have a gun to shoot it. If you don’t have a gun use a different trap like a DP, foothold, snare etc.. then an axe handle from Lowe’s or Home Depot for about $10.
One hard hit to the head is all it takes.

 

[Duck_life]

Cats do infact kill for fun. They play with live animals then when it dies they don't eat it.

My outside cats killed mice just for the fun of it.

Cat's do not kill for fun, when it is a stray they kill to eat, when it is owned they use it as a "gift" for their owner. It is an instinct cats have.. like they have an "urge" to hunt, also, they think bringing it to their home is the safest place to eat it, can't eat it if you take it away , my cat always kills for food or "gift" she either eats it, or leaves in on my porch.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

If I had to kill something, I would never do it by drowning! Thats a bad idea. Theres another thread some where on this forum about a man going to jail for drowning a raccoon. Why would someone even think of that.

 

[coach723]

NO it's not humane. The definition of humane is:
-having or showing compassion or benevolence.
synonyms:compassionate, kind, kindly, kindhearted, considerate, understanding, sympathetic, tolerant, civilized, good, good-natured, gentle;
When asking if something is humane for euthanasia or slaughter then the question is how is it for the recipient, not how it is for the one doing it. What is easier for the human is NOT always easier for the animal.
The RSPCA definition of humane killing is: ‘when an animal is either killed instantly or rendered insensible until death ensues, without pain, suffering or distress’.
https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-does-the-term-humane-killing-or-humane-slaughter-mean/