THE kindest way to kill a mouse is a sharp blow to the skull. In contrast, the classic spring-loaded mousetraps can be cruel, says from the UK鈥檚 , because they don鈥檛 always kill instantly. A study of US snap-traps showed in 2003 that rates of snagging just a tail or a leg ranged from 4 to 57 per cent. Poisoning or drowning suffer limitations too.
The federation laments that despite our ingenuity, humans have yet to invent a truly humane trap for rodent pests. 鈥淎ll the methods that are available at the moment have drawbacks,鈥� says chief executive James Kirkwood. 鈥淭he world could do with more humane options.鈥�
The report says the humane ideal is that the animal is killed instantly, or unconsciousness is induced without fear or pain. It recommends 鈥渄estruction of the brain by a strong accurate blow to the head with a suitable implement鈥�, and always confirming the animal is dead. Easier said than done, apparently.
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