Its good to consider various opinions, its also good to consider a few facts:
Catching a rodent in a box trap and putting the trap in the pond for drowning is effective but illegal.
"Most animal protection laws are enacted and enforced at the state level."
"Each of the 50 states now has a felony animal cruelty law on the books. Each state determines what constitutes cruelty, and the penalties for committing cruelty."
https://aldf.org/article/laws-that-protect-animals/ "If you witness someone drowning an animal, please contact your local authorities immediately. Drowning animals—wild or domestic—is a crime."
https://www.peta.org/issues/wildlife/cruel-wildlife-control/drowning-cruelty/Relocation seems humane, but you have to be careful. For example, in California it is strictly verboten.
https://www.discoverwildcare.org/wildlife-resources/trapping-and-relocating-wildlife/In Florida we have, in part:
"Nuisance wildlife may only be released if:
1. The nuisance wildlife is released on the property of the landowner provided the release site and capture site are located on one contiguous piece of property, or
2. The nuisance wildlife is a native species; and,
3. The property where the nuisance animal is to be released is located within the county of capture and is a minimum of 40 contiguous acres; and,
4. The person releasing the nuisance wildlife is in possession, at time of release, of written permission from the property owner allowing such action."
https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/relocate/
