Institutional responsibilities when humanely killing animals

All institutions that carry out work under the controls of A(SP)A have a licence granted by the Home Office. This “Establishment Licence” is usually held by an individual with a senior role in the organisation. The Establishment Licence gives the institution a range of responsibilities to ensure that the provisions of A(SP)A are observed. These include ensuring that humane killing of animals is carried out competently and in compliance with the regulations.

All research procedures, including the humane killing of animals, can only be carried out in locations that are specified on the Establishment licence. The Institution must keep a register of all people who are competent and trained to humanely kill animals, including those persons who will only use methods listed on Schedule 1.

The Establishment licence holder is responsible for appointing several other individuals who are named on the Establishment licence and who have specific statutory responsibilities. The responsibilities of these “named persons” include those related to the humane killing of animals:

• The Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) is responsible for the day-to-day care and welfare of all the animals in an establishment, irrespective of whether they are undergoing regulated procedures.
• The Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) provides expert advice on the health and welfare of animals in the establishment, and this can include providing advice on humane killing of animals.
• The Named Training and Competence Officer (NTCO) is responsible for ensuring that everyone receives the necessary training and is assessed as competent in the procedures and processes with which they are involved. This includes training and competency of those people humanely killing animals.
• The Named Information Officer (NIO) is responsible for ensuring that everyone has access to current information on the species, procedures and areas of research that they are working in, including updating staff with any new information on humane methods of killing animals.

All establishments must have an Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB). The AWERB has responsibilities for the conduct of research involving animals and is expected to promote a “culture of care” such that the welfare of animals is maximised. This oversight includes ensuring animals are killed humanely, by properly trained and competent people.

The Institution must ensure that someone competent to kill animals must be available at all times. This is essential since animals could be accidentally injured at any time and the extent of the injury could require euthanasia to prevent continued pain or distress. Animals may also reach the humane endpoint on a study unexpectedly, and require immediate euthanasia. These events could occur at any time, so staff must be on call, and rapidly available whenever needed.