SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The American company that makes the Taser stun gun says it is introducing a version designed for use on large animals.
Taser International says the product can temporarily incapacitate large animals such as bears or moose and has been designed to increase the safety of wildlife workers and park rangers, BBC News reported Friday.
The company says the $2,000 Wildlife Taser has a range of as much as 35 feet and can fire three times without reloading, and will save lives be reducing the need to used guns to kill or tranquilize large animals.
Like other Tasers, it delivers an electric shock by shooting two electrode darts attached to conductive wires.
The laser-sighted weapon is based on the company's most advanced police Taser, the X3, but is optimized to work on large animals with thick hides, company officials say.
Use of Tasers by police on people has become controversial, with critics saying they have caused more than 200 deaths. The United Nations classifies them as a "form of torture" because of the "acute pain" they can cause.
Supporters argue they can protect the police and public and obviate the need for more drastic measures.
