Invercargill locals are being urged to voice their concerns around the use of captive bolts on dogs.
A captive bolt pistol is a device that inflicts a forceful strike on the forehead of an animal, to knock them out before slaughter.
The city council suspended the euthanasia method last year, after footage of one in use sparked outrage.
Save Animals From Exploitation (SAFE) ambassador Hans Kriek told Newshub putting animals down should only ever be a last resort.
"Extremely aggressive animals which simply can't be rehomed safely, or animals that are maybe so old with problems that are just not fair to pass on to somebody else anymore," he said.
After several months meeting with various charities, organisations and dog experts, an Independent Community Advisory Panel of six people has ordered a survey to be undertaken, to gauge residents' views.
Mr Kriek says the bolts are inhumane for not only the animal, but also the user.
"The physical way of killing an animal rally hurts for the operator and it can also lead to insensitivity sometimes in regards to using these things, because you get used to the gore," he said.
The Invercargill Dog Rehoming and Euthanasia Survey can be found on the council website.
Newshub.
