Giving a Dead Sheep to a Predatory Animal on Shabbos
Question
I am the manager of a small zoo, and sometimes when a certain animal, such as a sheep, dies, we feed its meat to a predatory animal. Is this permissible to do this on Shabbos too?
Answer
Greetings,
If the sheep was sick before Shabbos, it is certainly permissible to feed its carcass to a predatory animal, as it is your responsibility to provide for that animal. However, if the sheep was healthy before Shabbos and then died suddenly, there is a difference of opinion regarding whether it is permissible. It is possible that a non-Jew could give the sheep to the animal that needs to eat, or it may be preferable to preserve the meat until after Shabbos.
Source
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 324:7; Mishnah Berurah, ibid.)