The use of firearms to contain dangerous animals is an established wildlife management technique in zoologic institutions. Historically, the use of firearms in crisis management situations involving dangerous animals has been noted to be statisticallysignificant. Recent international events indicate that a viable threat potential exists for human injury or mortality during a crisis event. This clearly indicates that veterinary personnel may be required to act as medical first responders to a firearm-incurred injury until paramedics arrive on site. As a result, emergency medical response training is recommended. It is anticipated that injury rates will continue to increase in proportion to event occurrence and that further research is indicated. The role of law enforcement in zoologic crisis situations should be examined and defined.
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