Humane issues surrounding decapitation reconsidered

Despite all of the contradictory statements and competing opinions existing in the literature, these facts stand out: • Severing the spinal cord and the tissues immediately surrounding it is likely painful.8,17,36 • Decapitation induces desynchronization of the EEG pattern (ie, conversion of HVSA to LVFA).1,17-20 • The LVFA pattern is most consistent with a state of conscious awareness.10,15,16 • Various noxious stimuli applied to animals in experimental settings induce desynchronization of the EEG pattern; the use of local anesthetics prior to the trauma can block desynchronization.22,27,28,30-32 • The LVFA pattern seen in the brains of endothermic animals following decapitation can persist for anywhere from 8 to 29 seconds. 1,17-20 • No new data have been published to demonstrate that decapitated animals do not potentially experience persistent consciousness. Viewed in toto, the almost inescapable conclusion from these facts is that decapitation is a painful procedure and that conscious awareness may persist for up to 29 seconds in the disembodied heads. This comports poorly with the strict definition of euthanasia. Not addressed here is the fear or mental distress that would plausibly accompany sudden severe pain and loss of motor control following decapitation. Moreover, all of the preceding has presupposed flawless execution of the decapitation procedure. As Carbone12 tellingly notes, that cannot be assumed to occur in every instance, especially where small, squirming, difficult-to-position animals are involved; mistakes resulting in serious mutilations and additional discomfort will occasionally happen. Although the science is still not definitive on what exactly transpires inside the brains of decapitated animals (and may be inherently unknowable), common decency dictates that where the strong possibility exists of inflicting great suffering, animals are entitled to the benefit of the doubt. That principle in conjunction with recent research findings bearing on animal euthanasia should animate and inform the decisions made by veterinarians serving on institutional animal care and use committees as well as by the expert panel currently reviewing the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.