Fill in the blank (_) in the following sentence from the following choices.
Sentence: Damien's cat was dying and he needed to decided rather to let it live or put it to sleep. The _ then it would be painful.

Choice 1: Damien's cat was dying and he needed to decided rather to let it live or put it to sleep. The let it live then it would be painful.
Choice 2: Damien's cat was dying and he needed to decided rather to let it live or put it to sleep. The put it to sleep then it would be painful.
Which of the choices is correct? Respond with only "1" or "2" and no additional text.
1
2. The put it to sleep then it would be painful.