Inhumane Rat Killing--I'm Upset

Chu'Wuti · 06-19-13, 04:11 PM

I just learned--after buying 2 months supply of rats for various snakes--that the rat breeder I buy from DROWNS the rats. I was so shocked that I couldn't say anything, but it has been preying on my mind (pun not intended).

As I was tossing the frozen rats into my freezer, he mentioned that I would probably have to partially thaw them to get them separated because he hadn't dried them after drowning them. I thought I hadn't heard him correctly at first, then realized he was completely serious. This was yesterday; today I looked up the American Veterinary Association's humane euthanasia guidelines to double-check them because I had never heard anyone else say they used this method, and because I've seen LOTS of posts here on ssnakess.com about the use of CO2 or other humane methods, and drowning was never mentioned. It made me think of water-boarding . . . ugh.

Needless to say, I won't be buying any more rats from this person. However, he is a fairly well-respected snake breeder in my local area, and I am struggling with what to say to others. I want very badly to tell people he is using inhumane kill methods, but it won't go over well, I know.

How would some of you handle this??

Lupinus · 06-19-13, 04:18 PM

Not buy from him and if others asked why I stopped, tell them exactly why.

smy_749 · 06-19-13, 04:19 PM

advise him of an alternative which is just as easy. Or just dont buy from him

Chu'Wuti · 06-19-13, 04:44 PM

Not buying from him is the easy decision, which I've already made.

However, that leaves me with a very uncomfortable ethical dilemma that is NOT an easy decision. I can inform him of alternatives, such as a CO2 chamber. I don't think he wants to do cervical dislocation, because he's trying to kill numbers of rats at once, not one at a time, and the CO2 chamber is the only way I can think of that he can kill a number simultaneously.

That still leaves me with what to tell others . . . at least one other person I HAVE to tell, because I recommended that they get F rats from him, and I know for a fact that they would be completely horrified to learn how he's killing them and would then wonder if I knew when I recommended him. I won't have that misunderstanding develop.

But what about the larger herp community in this local area? Would any of you make a public announcement? Or would you simply let the message percolate through the community in its own time? I also don't want this guy to sue me for ruining his business--though he told me himself, so I imagine I'm not the only person who has heard this. I hope.

KORBIN5895 · 06-19-13, 07:33 PM

He won't be able to win a law suit against you if he is being charged with animal cruelty.

smy_749 · 06-19-13, 08:27 PM

I'm suprised pest control doesn't have to 'relocate' rats these days, sticky traps, electrocution chambers or w.e they are, and poison are pretty inhumane. If youre really that bothered by it, and would like something to get done, I would just be the thorn in his side and advertise his practices everywhere he advertises his business. But honestly, I hate rats and probably wouldn't care enough to go through all that (might be wrong but its the truth)

RandyRhoads · 06-19-13, 09:39 PM

^ I also don't give a rats *** about how he kills them (Haha...)

formica · 06-20-13, 02:14 AM

I'd take them to whatever the US equivilant of the RSPCA is, and get it dealt with properly. its not a quick way to kill any animal, the amount of suffering must be emmense, and if he can do that, then what else is he doing?

Amadeus · 06-20-13, 09:21 AM

I couldn't care less about how my rats are killed....

Pahhh water boarding.

Terranaut · 06-20-13, 09:38 AM

So suffacation by CO2 is less stressful than by water?
Unless he pops their necks they suffer regardless.

Little Wise Owl · 06-20-13, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

...But honestly, I hate rats and probably wouldn't care enough to go through all that (might be wrong but its the truth)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

I couldn't care less about how my rats are killed....

This kind of thing really rubs me the wrong way. Because you hate something or don't care about it doesn't mean it's okay to be cruel to it. I hate Guinea Pigs but I would never go out of my way to kill one inhumanely and if I were in OP's position and this were about Guinea Pigs, I would no longer give that man my business.

I think all animals should be treated with respect. Feeders or not.

Now back to the original post...

I would simply not give him my business anymore and if anyone asked, I would tell them why. I would maybe perhaps explain to him that I would no longer be giving him my business because of his methods.

formica · 06-20-13, 10:47 AM

CO2 sends most animals to sleep before it kills them; that is why its the most humane method (for mammals), nothing like drowning.

smy_749 · 06-20-13, 11:10 AM

@ Owl , I meant that I wouldn't care enough to go through all that as in, go through all that trouble to let people know about it, be a thorn in his side, etc.

But anyways, rats and mice are pests and ruin native populations of wildlife in every country they end up in. They cause nasty diseases and there are plenty to go around, so if someone wants to drown his mice, I don't give a sh$$.

As for me, If I was going to breed them, I'd probably do cervical dislocation so I don't have to do deal with a nasty bucket of water and rats, or buying c02 tanks.

If you don't like inhumane ways of killing, you should probably just go vegetarian if your not already.

sweatshirt · 06-20-13, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

If you don't like inhumane ways of killing, you should probably just go vegetarian if your not already.

I'm vegetarian and one of the most common things I'm asked since I got Magenta is "why do you feed your snake frozen rats then? They're killed cruelly."

It's like.. what do you expect me to do? Force her to eat a carrot? Just because I'm vegetarian doesn't mean I'm going to make my carnivorous pets eat veggies.

Anyways OP... I believe that all living things are sacred, however I can't say that I don't sometimes find sick pleasure in squishing bugs or throwing snails in water. Maybe your rat guy is just some weirdo with too much time on his hands...? Sometimes people take out their frustrations on animals, which is bad. I stick to insects. Or he's just one of those people who thinks freezing or drowning feeders is "so much simpler" than spending either money for a chamber or time to find how to do cervical dislocation?

If it makes you uncomfortable, stop buying from him. I would as well.

Lankyrob · 06-20-13, 12:09 PM

If it affects you that much i would stop buying from him and tell yuor friends and fellow herpers why, they can then decide if they want to use him or not