[Electrocution of foxes; an ethically acceptable method?].

The routine practice of electrocution of foxes by the Fox final apparatus was observed. The measured current was an average 0.31 (+/- 0.01 s.d.) A, the voltage 111.2 (+/- 18.7) V and the stunning time 3.0 (+/- 0.3) seconds (n = 40). The EEG (electroencephalogram) and the ECG (electrocardiogram) were recorded in 12 foxes. The current was initially applied for 1 sec. Ten foxes showed a general epileptiform insult (= unconscious) which was interrupted by a heart fibrillation, based on the EEG and ECG traces. Two foxes showed a general epileptiform insult while the heart fibrillation was incomplete. These two foxes recovered again. After the second stunning with a duration of about 3 seconds the heart fibrillation was complete in these animals. In the EEG and ECG experiments the voltage was on average 110.0 (+/- 7.9) V, the current 0.40 (+/- 0.11) A and the stunning time 1.1 (+/- 0.3) seconds (n = 12). The observations of the method in practice and the EEG and ECG measurements suggest that electrocution of foxes by the Fox final apparatus is a quick and effective method if the current delivery is at least 3 to 4 seconds.