Coup de grâce
A coup de grâce is an act of mercy killing in which a mortally wounded person or animal is fatally struck with a melee weapon or shot with a projectile to kill them quickly and end their suffering, with or without their consent. With animals, it may be done by hunters to animals they have shot which have fallen, but which are still alive or by veterinarians to seriously injured animals which are dying or in pain. With humans, it may be done by a firing squad after a volley of shots at a condemned prisoner, or by soldiers in wartime who have captured a seriously wounded enemy soldier, although this may be a war crime.
Animal euthanasia
If large animals—such as horses, cattle, and deer—are seriously injured, some veterinarians will kill them with firearms. This is a legal animal euthanasia method if performed properly.This may be performed by means of shooting the animal in the forehead with the bullet directed down the spine through the medulla oblongata, resulting in instant death. The risks are minimal if carried out by skilled personnel in a suitable location, or by using a captive bolt gun.
Firing squad
With firing squad executions, in the past, after the squad fired, the squad's officer may have shot the prisoner with a pistol or rifle at point blank if the initial volley turns out not to be immediately fatal.Seriously wounded prisoners of war
There have been cases where soldiers have shot and killed seriously wounded enemy soldiers who they have captured. Their rationale for shooting seriously wounded prisoners of war varies and may include the desire to end their suffering or revenge.In the 2020s, a soldier giving a coup de grâce to kill an incapacitated or seriously wounded soldier would be a war crime. The laws of war mandate caring for the incapacitated and prohibit mercy killing.