KILLING INJURED ANIMALS
Unless in the hands of a very skilful shot the pistol is most unsuitable for killing injured animals with.
They will probably be hit many times before a vital spot is struck and so be horribly tortured.
This remark applies especially to small animals like cats and dogs.
The best weapon for this purpose is a 12-bore shotgun loaded with No. 5 shot but even as small as No. 7 shot is very deadly if fired at a range of not more than four or five feet off.
With the shotgun a shot directed behind the ear into the top of the neck kills instantly.
The forehead shot is not suitable for a shotgun on large animals as the strength of skull prevents the shot penetrating, and the animal is only stunned.
With a pistol the spot to hit is between the eyes where the hair curls in the middle of the forehead in horses.
It is better to hit too high than too low in the forehead shot as a low shot misses the brain.
Load both barrels of the shotgun and be ready to fire the second barrel instantly if the horse does not collapse at once at the first shot.