North Carolina officially drops the use of shelter gas chambers

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There’s some very good news out of my home state of North Carolina. The Department of Agriculture has served notice to county municipal animal shelters that the use of gas chambers is no longer acceptable.

A vast majority of the state’s shelters had already stopped using gas chambers of horror to euthanized homeless pets. A WUNC article from December 9 reports the new standards in North Carolina match recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Society of the United States and American Humane Association.

The AVMA changed its stance on gas chambers in 2013.

Because we know animals experience emotional as well as physical suffering, it makes the use of gas chambers particularly cruel. The animals certainly experience fear when they are stuffed into the dark chambers and then experience respiratory distress once the gas is turned on, until the end finally comes.

Too often, a group of animals are stuffed inside for a mass killing.

It is a horrible way to die. The only acceptable method to euthanize an animal is through injection. I long for the day when shelters no long euthanize animals. If only more more people understood the importance of sterilization and the importance of caring for their pets as a lifelong commitment.

The policy in North Carolina goes into effect on February 15 of 2015.

Wayne Pacelle of Humane Society of the wrote about the news on his Humane Nation blog.

The HSUS produced this map showing the current map of where gas chambers are used or have been banned:

HSUS-gas-chamber-map

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

Legislation to ban shelter gas chambers and a proposed ban on in-store pet sales

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Two important bills are in the works in Michigan and Virginia and we can only hope the movement spreads.

In Michigan, the legislation could shut down gas chambers at animals shelters. It is a cruel practice that does not take into account the emotional and physical pain the animals suffer.

While it is a tragedy each time a homeless pet loses their live in a shelter, the only acceptable method should be injection.

Over in Virginia, the state legislature is considering a ban on the sale of pets from puppy mills in stores. Bailey’s Law – named for a puppy mill survivor – made it through a Senate committee on Thursday.

Of course, any such legislation should involve an outright ban on the sale of dogs and cats in stores.

Time to ban shelter gas chambers nationwide

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Gas chambers are true chambers of horror for shelter animals. The group Take Action is working to end the horrible practice. It has produced the map below to show where gas chambers are in use or have been banned or are at least are not being used at this time.

They have a Causes page and a page on Facebook.

Sadly, a few shelters in my own home state – North Carolina – are still using chambers. It’s time for those operating these facilities to awaken to the fact that animals are self-aware and can suffer both physically and emotionally.

There is no doubt whatsoever that animals suffer in gas chambers. It’s 2013. Ban them NOW.

Take-Action-Gas-Chamber-Map-2013

 

PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic

AKC fighting against ban on gas chambers

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The American Kennel Club is stepping way over the line. I don’t even know where the organization is going. It seems to be opposing ANY animal-welfare bill. I would not be surprised at this point to read where it was speaking out against bans on dog fighting.

I say all this after reading – on the Philly Dawg blog – about the latest news that the AKC is opposing a bill to ban gas chambers to euthanize pets in Pennsylvania. Anyone with a minimal amount of knowledge about animals such as dogs and cats understands the level of suffering that can take place inside a gas chamber, most notably the mental suffering.

Gas chambers are horror chambers. And too often they are used in ways not allowed by local regulations. The vast number of shelters that are not using gas chambers are proof-positive. No shelter should ever use a gas chamber.

But again, I wish we were not even having this discussion of euthanizing homeless pets. And I ask again, when will society and our justice system start holding the people and entities that are responsible for this problem – responsible.

The AKC and Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs are also opposing a bill to require those charged with animal cruelty either turn over their pets or pay for animal’s care until the case is completed.

Pack Topics: Gas chambers; hunting wolves with dogs; puppy millers want to keep dogs

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The Pack Topics series continues today with a focus on the odd mentality of those from the other side.

Gas Chambers: Despite reports that dogs were surviving a gas chamber in Fairfield County, Ohio, three county commissioners there want more time to consider a ban on the horrible practice. And they requested more time to study the issue despite hearing that dogs who survived the chambers were thrown into an incinerator – while still alive.

An Examiner.com editorial notes approximately 10 of Ohio’s 88 counties still use gas chambers. It is sad to think that we are even discussing this topic euthanizing homeless pets, even if it is only those who are suffering through some terrible injury or ailment. But no counties should be using gas chambers.

Lawsuit filed to stop wolf hunting with dogs in Wisconsin: A lawsuit has been filed in Wisconsin to stop the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Board (NRB) from allowing wolf hunts with dogs.

Let’s give this one a Pack of Clueless. A Care2.com article includes this sentence: “Supporters of the rule don’t expect there to be any problems. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, for one, doesn’t believe there’s any basis to support the notion that dogs and wolves would fight.”
A wildlife federation, with people working in the organization who don’t know dogs are basically wolf-hybrids? This is clueless on a grand scale.
Puppy mill couple wants more dogs: This one is just sad. The Jones County, NC couple who pleaded guilty last week to 19 counts of animal cruelty, for running a puppy mill, is challenging the ruling that bans them from having animals for five years.
The couple denies animal cruelty took place, but an article by WNCT notes prosecutors said many of the dogs “had life threatening infections and diseases.”
Of course, the ruling should have been a lifetime ban on possessing animals.

Delaware and Massachusetts strengthen animal welfare laws

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The weekend went pretty well for domestic animals in Massachusetts and Delaware, as the states’ governors signed into law new protections for pets.

In Massachusetts on Thursday, Governor Deval Patrick signed “An Act Further Regulating Animal Control” into law. The legislation sets up a fund for homeless animals, institutes new rules that allow pets to be included in domestic protection orders, bans euthanasia in gas chambers, prohibits discrimination against any dog breed, increases fines for animal cruelty and more.

Over in Delaware, Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill into law that will designate tethering as animal cruelty, specifically tethering a dog for 18 or more hours in any 24-hour period.

 

Pack Line Headlines: Animal welfare, animal cruelty, special award, dog auctions

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New awakening for animal welfare?: Will 2012 offer better news on the animal welfare front? Melanie Coy’s blog entry from Tuesday for the Southeast Missourian is hopeful.

Coy writes: “There seems to be a new awakening of humanity in this New Year. 2012 promises to hold positive change for all facets of animal welfare.” – I hope she’s right.

And – “Awareness just may be the new battle cry for this brand new year. Awareness, responsibility and education will be our greatest tools to fight the ignorance that plagues man’s best friend.” – What a great message of hope.

She is also pushing for ban on the use of gas chambers in Missouri’s shelters.

Man sentenced for videotaping acts of animal cruelty: An Illinois man has been sentenced to five years and nine months for shooting videos of his dog attacking other animals and then posting the videos on YouTube. He was also charged with drug offenses.

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Utah cat survives twice in gas chamber of horrors

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After a cat survived two attempts to kill her in a West Valley City gas chamber in Utah, a push is underway to ban the chamber of horrors there.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports after a second attempt in the gas chamber, the cat was checked for vital signs and stuffed into bag and then into a cooler, only to be found later still alive in the bag.

Thankfully, the Community Animal Welfare Society has stepped in to help Andrea and a volunteer is fostering her until a home can be found.

From the article – “” Aaron Crim, West Valley City’s director of public relations, said the shelter workers followed proper procedures. “” – No, they followed procedures they were told to follow, but “procedures” that are anything but proper.

It’s 2012. It has become mainstream science – thankfully – to understand that animals suffer both emotionally and physically. There is no longer ANY DOUBT  that injection is the ONLY humane option when the time comes to euthanize a family pet or any animal for that matter.

It is a terrible tragedy that even one homeless pet will die in a shelter this year. The millions that will die only multiplies that tragedy millions of times. But to add to the tragedy by using gas chambers and heart sticks is totally unwarranted.

And I most continue to point out that these victims continue to suffer every day of every year, while the guilty parties – puppy mills, greyhound racing and irresponsible people who allow their pets to breed more pets into homelessness – rarely pay the cost or suffer the consequences.

Until local cities and counties and state governments and the federal government get serious about this problem and start holding the offenders accountable, millions of homeless pets will continue to suffer each year.

Breaking News: Pennsylvania a step closer to banning euthanasia of animals in gas chambers

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It is terrific when good news crosses the Pack Mentality News Wire. I just received word that Daniel’s Law is closer to becoming a law in Pennsylvania. The press release reports – “The law makes it a crime for animals to be euthanized in a carbon dioxide gas chamber.”

From another source, Amy Rossi (via the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Examiner on Examiner.com) reports SB1329 was “passed unanimously by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee this morning.” – That’s the morning of Dec. 14.

Also from Rossi’s post – “If passed, the bill would prohibit gassing and also require that cats and dogs be euthanized by injection of sodium pentobarbital or one of its derivatives – the method widely considered the most humane, as opposed to gas chambers, which are a barbaric and inhumane form of euthansia and hopefully will be banned everywhere.”

Also from the release –

“” “”

The law was named after Daniel the beagle (www.danielthebeagle.com), who survived an Alabama carbon monoxide gas chamber this fall. Since surviving the experience, Daniel has been adopted by New Jersey dog trainer Joseph Dwyer, and has embarked on a trail of animal advocacy that has taken him from the Statehouse to animal rights rallies to the Anderson Cooper television program.

“Today is a victory for thousands of animals in Pennsylvania, but there are more than 30 states that still permit the gas chamber and other inhumane forms of animal euthanasia,” said Dwyer. A listing of states that have banned this form of animal euthanasia, as well as those who still allow carbon dioxide gas chambers is available at www.danielthebeagle.com.

“” “”

 

Utah cat survives two rounds in gas chamber

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A cat in a Salt Lake City, Utah shelter survived two attempts to kill it in the facility’s gas chamber.

The obvious bad news is the fact that this method is used anywhere in 2011. The good news is the cat is recovering has been turned over to a local rescue organization.

But I also have a Pack of Putrid Punditry Award to hand out. The WPTV.com article includes the following quote –

This is actually a recommended method by the American Veterinarian Association and we follow all the procedural guidelines that they give us,” said Aaron Crim, a West Valley City, UT Spokesman. “We’ve never had an instance like this since we started using this method so it does work. It’s actually very humane and it’s very quick. This is just an anomaly.”

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