How do you put a sick cow down?

Typically, if the sick cow is beyond saving and in severe pain, a shot in the head of the cow would be the most humane way. If you were to call the local butcher, they would have shot the cow too before hauling the carcass off to the slaughterhouse. Compressed air cattle gun, similar to those used in the slaughter house, may be used over the ballistic one, if the culling is to be done silently. Alternatively, one can let the cow die naturally and then bury it. However, the cow would likely be in agony for many hours, even days, and this could distress other cows in the herd.