Update: Following public concern expressed on this issue, the RSPCA has decided to suspend the use of the captive bolt as an approach to euthanasia on any dogs, pending a review.
Although there is no new scientific evidence on this issue, we do understand that putting animals to sleep does upset many people, so we have also decided to put our policy forward to external consultation, including by vets and independent scientists.
The RSPCA is sensitive to public opinion, and we hope that by doing this it will reassure people that we are as open and transparent as possible.

about time. 
if they can get close enough to position a bolt gun correctly then they can get close enough to do the job properly and not use a bolt gun.

absolutely!

Great news!

Olive1
Can you point me in the right direction to read a full account of this decision please?  I googled and looked at RSPCA site could not find any reference to this latest info.

Thank you

At last , a result!
I've supported Many tears rescue who have been campaigning against this for a long time now.
I've been on their website and they only have a small piece on this at the moment. I'm sure they will put a more detailed account on as soon as can.
I have also googled and couldn't find any further info.

Pat
it was on their face book page

Although there is no new scientific evidence on this issue, we do understand that putting animals to sleep does upset many people

No, 'putting them to sleep' (humanely) does not necessarily upset people but SLAUGHTERING them with a bolt gun DOES.

I too have been supporting MT on this, and am so glad that the RSPCA have had to address this issue. For an organisation dedicated to animal welfare it should never have been an issue in the first place, as it should simply never have been an option.

so we have also decided to put our policy forward to external consultation, including by vets and independent scientists.
WHY?? Just discontinue this method with companion animals permanently - simple. Why waste money (that could be better spent) on external consultations and scientists? It is not necessary - the simple fact is that this is not acceptable treatment of a companion animal. End of.

I feel sickened reading this ,I had no idea the rspca used bolt guns to pts.
Sheila

OMG I also didnt know they used this method! I thought it was restricted to the slaughter houses

This is the reason why  think the suspension has taken place.

Due to the publics disgust over the use of the CBP on the 10 GSDs many supporters of the RSPCA withdrew their regular donations, legacies etc. The RSPCA cannot afford to lose financial support like this so it could be the only way they can regain financial support is to suspend the use of the CBP to see if the the public return to offering financial support again. I know a rather synical thought but I suspect this is not too far from the truth for their temporary stance

I am appauled to even learn that is what they used to put dogs to sleep!!  I can't stand the thought of it in slaughter houses either but on dogs that can be pts humanely...barbaric!

seems they (RSPCA) are focusing elsewhere now. In the Wellbeloved magazine there is an article about Chris Packham and he goes on to say "The RSPCA is in the process of recruiting inspectors to work on set with TV and film companies to ensure that any animals used in the entertainment industry are cared for correctly." If you'd like to support this new initiative as well as other vital animal welfare work the RSPCA carries out...........etc etc.

Havent they got enough to be going on with without taking on that sort of work?

>Havent they got enough to be going on with without taking on that sort of work?

Presumably that's why they're recruiting extra inspectors, to take on the extra work. After all, their first priority is to prevent suffering from happening in the first place.

The RSPCA has so much money it is unbelievable, and where it is spent is also hard to believe, it has merely become a moneymaking machine. However, that aside - to recruit extra inspectors to cover film work, whilst on the other hand they are considering (or perhaps even already are by now) changing their policy to refuse 'handed in dogs' from the public, who either no longer want them, or cannot keep them for whatever reason is an absolute joke. I for one withdrew my support from the RSPCA long before the bolt gun incident, and am so glad that I did. I diverted it to support Many Tears instead.