EUTHANASIA OF ANIMALS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS (WA DBCA) - Version 1.6 - Standard Operating Procedure

Sep 15, 2026

Standard Operating Procedure SC24-11 for euthanasia of animals under field conditions in Western Australia (WA DBCA), Version 1.6. Provides guidance for decision-making, animal welfare considerations, and documentation requirements, including authorisation to conduct euthanasia. Covers required equipment, selection of euthanasia methods, and acceptable euthanasia methods, with consideration of regional conditions to support animal welfare and safety of project participants. Includes approval details, revision history, copyright and disclaimer information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages28

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Acknowledgements

Purpose

Scope

Animal Welfare Considerations

Making a decision to euthanase

Use of euthanasia as a welfare tool

Documentation and authorisation to conduct euthanasia

Equipment

Selecting a euthanasia method

Acceptable euthanasia methods

Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee Standard Operating Procedure: EUTHANASIA OF ANIMALS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS (WA DBCA) | Version No: | Version 1.6 | | --- | --- | | Date of Approval by CDU AEC: | 29/01/2025 | | Date for Review by CDU AEC: | 29/01/2028 | Please note: this SOP has been developed for animal use in WA. Consideration should betaken to the specific conditions of the region in which your work is being conducted, and modifications to procedures made accordingly to ensure the best welfare of the animal and safety of the project participants. Any modifications required should be outlined in the project application. The CDU AEC approves the following SOP with the below amendments/conditions: • When euthanising Cane toads please follow the SOP: Cane toad euthanasia (Sharp, Lothian, Munn & Saunders) Standard Operating Procedure SC24-11 EUTHANASIA OF ANIMALS UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS Animal welfare is the responsibility of all personnel involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Personnel involved in an Animal Ethics Committee approved project should read and understand their obligations under the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Version 1.6 August 2024 Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Phone: (08) 9219 9000 Fax: (08) 9334 0498 [www.dbca.wa.gov.au](www.dbca.wa.gov.au) © Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on behalf of the State of Western Australia 2024 August 2024 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 , all other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. This document was prepared by Species and Communities Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Questions regarding the use of this material should be directed to: Species and Communities Program Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104 Bentley Delivery Centre WA 6983 Email: [animalethics@dbca.wa.gov.au](animalethics@dbca.wa.gov.au) The recommended reference for this publication is: Department Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 2024 , Standard Operating Procedure SC24-11: Euthanasia of animals under field conditions , Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia. Disclaimer The State of Western Australia and its employees do not guarantee that this publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. This document is available in alternative formats on request. Please note: urls in this document which conclude a sentence are followed by a full point. If copying the url please do not include the full point. Revision History Log | Version Date Details Author/Reviewer
Approved By
Approval | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1.0 | 06/07/2012 | Document created * | R. Bloomfield | N. Thomas
D. Algar | July 2013 | | 1.1 | 24/05/2017 | Minor revision and clarification of procedure | G. Yeatman, G.
Anderson and M. Page | M. Page | August 2017 | | 1.2 | 24/04/2018 | Minor revision of confirmation of death section (update based on AVMA 2013) | J. Renwick | M. Page | April 2018 | | 1.3 | 17/07/2019 | Minor revision of Table 1, minor revision of confirmation of death section. Revision of Section 6.1 Injectable chemical agents. | J. Renwick, H. Kilian,
C. Sims, and M. Co

FAQs

What is the purpose of this SOP for euthanasia under field conditions?

It provides standardized guidance to support animal welfare and the safety of project participants when euthanising animals in Western Australia field settings.

What responsibilities are outlined for personnel involved in animal ethics projects?

Personnel involved in an Animal Ethics Committee approved project must read and understand their obligations under the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

How does the SOP address choosing euthanasia methods?

It includes a dedicated section for selecting a euthanasia method and then lists acceptable euthanasia methods, with procedures considering field conditions in the region.

Sep 15, 2026

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