THE CAPTIVE-BOLT PISTOL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144129, 26 June 1913, Page 8

THE CAPTIVE-BOLT PISTOL.

A HUMANE WEAPON. The Wellington branch of the society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has imported five captive-bolt pistols, a comparatively new form of humane stock-killing instrument, :which is said to be highly efficacious for putting hadly-wounded animals out of their misery. The instrument, it is stated, is largely used in the abattoirs in Germany. The appliance, which has been manufactured to the order of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is operated by means of a sixinch steel bolt working in a pistol-bar-rel, as does a piston in a cylinder. By means of a blank cartridge the bolt is driven into the animal’s head, killing it instantly. In this method there is no possibility of danger to the user or bystander, as the bolt is “captive,” and never wholly leaves the barrel. It is placed close up against the frontal bono of the head and when the trigger is pressed the r l 'arp-pointed bolt at once penetrates tnrough the bono to the brain, stunning and killing the animal in the one action, and then releasing itself, the bolt springs hack automatically, into the barrel. No injury to the carcass beyond the small perforation of the skull is occasioned. It is the intention of the society to have one,of these pistols always handily available for use by the inspector (Mr. E. Seed). The society intend only to keep one of the five pistols imported. The others will be offered for sale to those who have use for them.