THE CAPTIVE-BOLT PISTOL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1775, 13 June 1913, Page 4

THE CAPTIVE-BOLT PISTOL.

A HUMANE WEAPON. Tho local branch of the Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Annuals ha* imported live captive-bolt pistob, a comparatively now lorm of humane stockkilling instrument, which is said to bo highly efficacious for putting badlywounded animals out of their misery. The instrument, it is stated, is largely used in the abattoirs in Germany, Tho appliance, which ha 3 been manufactured to the order of tho ltoyal Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty: to Animals, is operated by means of a six-inch steel bolt working in o pistol-barrel, as docs a piston in a cylinder. By means of a blank cartridge t)io bolt is driven into tho animal's head, killing it instantly. In this method there is no possibility of danger to tho user or bystander, as tho bolt is "captive," and never wholly leaves tuo barrel. It is placed close up against the frontal bono of tho liead, and when tho trigger is pressed the sharp-pointed bolt at onco penetrates through tho bono to tho brain, stunning and killing tho animal in the one action, and then releasing itself, tho bolt springs back automatically int? tho barrel. No injury to tho carcass beyond tho small perforation of tho skull is occasioned. It ia tho intention of tho society to have one of these pistols always handily available for use by. the inspector (Mr. F. Seed). Tho society intend only to keep ono of tho five pistols imported. Tho others rill bo offered for sale to thoso who have us# for them.