Animals Continue to Die While Politicians Debate

Is there ever a “good” reason to use a gas chamber for euthanizing homeless animals? That’s the issue being hotly debated by politicians in North Carolina as they review two new euthanasia bills.

North Carolina is one of the few states left that use the cruel method of gas chambers filled with carbon monoxide for euthanasia. Now there are two different legislative bills being proposed to ban the practice. One way or another, North Carolina will finally step out of the dark ages and enter the 21st century.

The good news is that the majority of the state’s animal shelters have already tossed out their gas chambers and instituted the more humane method of euthanasia by lethal injection. But thirty-two of them are holdouts who continually ignore public pleas to stop and whichever bill passes, they will be forced to comply.

Here are the differences between the two bills. Introduced by Rep. Cary Allred, House Bill 6 or Davie’s Law is the purer version of the proposals. It prohibits any animal from being killed through the use of a gas chamber. The bill was named after a shelter puppy that survived a gas chamber killing and was rescued after a couple heard him crying from inside a garbage bag in a dumpster in Davie County. Allred also showed how lethal injection would save the state money.

In his presentation Allred said, “Animals do have rights. If they didn’t we wouldn’t have animal welfare laws. Animals have feelings. If they didn’t have feelings, they wouldn’t love you the way they do.”

Davie’s Law is supported by the American Humane Association and the North Carolina Coalition for Humane Euthanasia as well as other animal rescue groups.

Bill 27 is more of a compromise that bans carbon monoxide poisoning, except for cases of wild or dangerous animals. They include feral cats in this category.

Some extremists are fighting both bills saying that gas chambers are humane. Lt. Michelle Starnes of the Union County Sheriff’s office and who oversees animal control said, “It is my firm belief that inhalation is just as humane.” She thinks each county should make their own decision.

Alice Singh, from the Coalition for Humane Euthanasia told legislators that even the wild animals suffer. “I’ve watched them where you put the animals in, one at a time,” Singh said about gas chambers. “You get put in this metal box and you hear the lid slam…They’re scared. They’re horrified. And the animals don’t die immediately and you can hear some scream.”

The North Carolina American Veterinary Medical Association is remaining neutral about the practice. And their national group AVMA put out a statement that the use of gas chambers is a humane method of euthanizing. However their policy excludes the killing if the animals are less than 16 weeks, pregnant or sick. Try to figure that one out – shouldn’t humane be for everyone?

At this point the legislators have not acted on either Bill. If you live in North Carolina, please look closely at the proposals and make your voice heard. It is sad enough that we have to euthanize unwanted pets, but to make them suffer during their last few moments of life is incomprehensible.

Read more: animal welfare

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Mandi T.

12:18PM PDT on Mar 24, 2009

Cruelty at it's best with gassing. Stop this inhumane act.

send a green star

Shannon C.

2:53AM PDT on Mar 19, 2009

WE HAVE TO STOP OUR FRIENDS, COMPANIONS, AND OUR FAMILY MEMBERS FROM BEING KILLED. ANIMALS DO NOTHING TO DESERVE THIS CRUEL ACT. GOD MADE EACH ANIMAL FOR US TO TAKE CARE OF. IMAGINE HOW GOD FEELS WHEN THIS CRIME TAKES PLACE? WE HAVE TO SPEAK FOR THE ANGELS WHO CAN'T SAY "PLEASE DON'T TAKE MY LIFE, I ENJOY LIVING." I WONDER IF ANIMALS WOULD DO THAT TO US? I DON'T THINK SO. WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT OUR PRECIOUS GIFTS FROM GOD? OUR LOVING ANIMALS.

SHANNON CONTRENCHIS

Jackie M.

7:56PM PDT on Mar 18, 2009

i will never grasp that people are so stupid. exploiting the weak is bullyish, pathetic, criminal, and disgraceful. God bless the animals who are only taking their perfect part in balancing this planet to the betterment.

JASMIN HORST S.

4:07PM PDT on Mar 18, 2009

If there were no unwanted pets this would soon end, what is an unwanted pet? a throwaway, which fits perfectly our society today. If by law all pets had to be identified as to the owner and originator, and a say five thousand dollar fine send to him to process the animal either in shelters or gaschambers or whereever else, if it's ownership, which it is at this moment, a perfectly legitmate argument, the bill should be followed to the originator of the pet industry, enough of them and it would soon stop. We don't let humans live without ID or follow up on it, lets say you end up in the morgue etc, someone wants to know why, it's our value system that wrong, I said it before it starts with, "it's only a dog, or cat, or jew, I know of gaschambers. The breeding has to stop, and as for other animals, yes we practice being cruel to them, it just continues, if for any reason at all, euthenasia were needed, the most humane way is always the best, but I wouldn't ask a vet to tell me that, they eat meat don't they.

Martha H.

8:41PM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

There is nothing humane about killing an animal. Seeing the light of life leave an animal's eyes when they die is sad and unforgettable. Please don't forget the thousands of Cows, Pigs, Chickens and other varieties of "god's creatures" that are being inhumanely killed while you read this note. Enjoy your leather shoes and a hamburger. A cow died for that.

Christina B.

4:50PM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

What's a crazy thing is that if they'd lethally injected that poor puppy (sniffle) he wouldn't have survived for those people to rescue him from the trash bag. I personally don't see a reason to kill animals with any method. I say make all shelters no-kill. LET THEM LIVE!!!

Shannon M.

4:16PM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

no animal lover would condone the killing of any life not just dog and cats. there are other animals that are being killed and deserve to live also. I say stop all breeding of animals commercial breeders and the worst of all the backyard breeders who breed their so called pets for money. They all make me sick and are not animal lovers. When are they gonna make it mandatory to spay and neuter animals and make breeding animals illegal.

Linda B.

11:21AM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

How can this discussion even be happening? If the other 48 states no longer 'gas' animals when someone deems that they must die, then IT IS INHUMANE. Someone said 'when the lid closes they are terrified and some still scream as death is not immediate' how can any HUMANE PERSON be advocating this method of death?
I'm passionate about animals and children. Has anyone seen the interaction of puppies or kittens and children? It does the heart good. It is horrid that any killing must take place, but please, think about the scene I just described when you think about killing unwanted PETS (because some have been some-one's pet).
They must be euthanized in the most humane way possible, in the way that causes NO suffering. THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT BY 'GASING'.......

Cynthia M.

10:55AM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

Ending an animals life is never easy, but I think it should be by a painless injection where they just go to sleep.It's more humane and kind for the animal. I totally disagree with the gasing method!

Marlene V.

9:04AM PDT on Mar 17, 2009

THERE IS NO NICE WAY TO TAKE A LIFE.
I also think we should be working overtime to solve the problems of pet overpopulation (how about the simple cure-all solution of putting a moratorium on commercial breeding?)...
Helen T I don't know what is wrong with people like you and your friend that you can condone such an action. You are truly soulless and very, very cruel.