Cervical dislocation

Cervical dislocation, "breaking the neck" or "snapping the spine" are terms used to describe this killing method intended to be quick and painless. This is a technique used in physical euthanasia by applying pressure to the neck and dislocating the spinal column from the skull or brain.

Euthanasia
According to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), Cervical Dislocation is normally only conducted on small animals. The University of Iowa and some veterinary associations, consider the technique as an ethically accepted method for terminating the life of small rodents such as rats, mice, squirrels, etc.

Methodology
The separation occurs at the base of the brain or within the cervical spine area (the upper third of the neck).