Russian scientists and veterinarians advocated banning inhumane euthanasia of animals

Russian scientists and veterinarians have proposed banning the use of curare-like drugs for euthanasia of animals. This was stated by the participants of the round table “Animals in the Human World: Help and Protection,” which was held at the Rossiya Segodnya media group.

We are talking about muscle relaxants – substances that block the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles and cause paralysis. According to experts, when using such drugs, the animal may remain conscious, but lose the ability to move and breathe.

“These drugs cause painful death. The animal is conscious and suffocates for five minutes. This is hell. Euthanasia using curare poison should be prohibited,” said Sergei Sereda, President of the Russian Association of Practicing Veterinarians, Honored Veterinarian of Russia.

According to the veterinarian, the rules for euthanasia of animals should be strictly prescribed. He noted that the problem concerns not only pets, but also farm animals.

Igor Bondar, leading researcher at the Laboratory of Physiology of Sensory Systems at the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explained that animals are capable of experiencing pain, fear and severe stress. Under the influence of curare-like substances, the connection between sensations and the ability to move is abruptly interrupted. The discussion participants noted that the problem has already gone beyond just veterinary medicine and has become social and legal.

Alexey Ermakov, director of the Institute of Living Systems at Don State Technical University, said that DSTU scientists have developed an alternative drug. According to him, he first turns off brain activity and then ends the animal's life. The drug has already been patented and has been tested by the competent authorities. Now scientists are working on an option for intramuscular administration, which may be in demand in agriculture, including in eliminating outbreaks of dangerous diseases.

Let us remind you that earlier in the Krasnoyarsk Territory new changes were adopted in the law on the treatment of animals.