Beyond the bolt – the people behind culling and euthanasia, and their perceptions of welfare, law and public opinions 

Year: 2025

Nicola Gould
Scotland’s Rural College, UK

Supervisor: Dr Lesley Jessiman, SRUC Edinburgh, UK

HSA Student/Trainee Scholarship 2025 

This project investigates stock persons’ knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions regarding emergency on-farm killing methods in piglets, focusing on captive bolt stunning followed by pithing and blunt force trauma. While captive bolt stunning is considered the most humane method, stock persons often face practical challenges such as equipment failure, accessibility issues, and time constraints, leading to blunt force trauma being used as an emergency alternative. However, this method remains controversial due to welfare implications and legal restrictions in some regions. Despite existing regulations, limited research has explored stockpersons’ perspectives on these methods, whether they feel adequately trained, and how they would respond to policy changes restricting or banning blunt force trauma. Using semi-structured interviews, this study will assess stock persons’ understanding of legal requirements, investigate equipment reliability and failure rates, examine how public opinion influences their work, and explore their views on potential regulatory changes. The findings will provide valuable insights into real-world challenges that affect the implementation of humane on-farm killing. By identifying gaps in training, assessing the practicality of alternative methods, and examining the feasibility of more reliable humane solutions, this study aims to inform policy improvements and enhance support systems for stock persons. A One Welfare perspective ensures that both stock person well-being and animal welfare outcomes are considered, as the effectiveness of on-farm killing methods depends not just on technical guidelines, but also on the knowledge, confidence, and working conditions of those performing the task. The study’s impact could contribute to improved training programs, better emergency preparedness, and policy recommendations ensuring that stock persons have the skills, equipment, and confidence to carry out onfarm killing in the most humane way possible. By investigating the human factors behind on-farm killing, this research will help bridge the gap between regulation, training, and stock person decision-making, ultimately leading to improved welfare for both animals and the individuals responsible for their care.