[Ethical and legal questions regarding the killing of animals to avoid considerable pain and suffering].

The ethical and legal problems that are connected with the killing of animals are continuously discussed. Problems with the interpretation of "reasonable reason" and the public criticism of killing to get luxury goods as well as of the methods of killing show the main points. In contrast to the killing of animals in the interest of people the euthanasia of animals to prevention of considerable, not to soothed pain and suffering is appreciated generally as reasonably and ethically justified. The ethical justification confronts with legal problems based on the conflicting position of animals in civil law. These problems are important for a practising veterinarian.