Illinois Moves to Ban Animal Gas Chambers: You Can Help Pass this Legislation!
A proposed Illinois law would ban animal gas chambers in the state. The bill, H.B. 4844, introduced by Rep. John A. Fritchey, would make use of the gas chamber to kill animals a Class A misdemeanor on the first offense and a Class 4 felony for subsequent violations.
Euthanasia technicians would face revocation of their certification and fines up to $1000 for failure to euthanize animals humanely by one of the allowed methods or to perform their job duties.
The proposed law would change the name of the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act to the Humane Animal Euthanasia Act. The bill also provides for continuing training and education and renewal of certification for euthanasia technicians. Veterinarians and instructors in euthanasia techniques would be exempt from the certification process.
It would be illegal to perform the duties of a euthanasia technician outside the scope of employment or when not employed by a euthanasia certified agency. Euthanasia technicians would be charged with scanning animals for micro chips prior to euthanasia, complying with laws, and maintaining the security of controlled substances used in euthanasia procedures. They would be responsible if they allowed non-certified personnel to euthanize animals. Violations can mean revocation of their certification and fines up to $1000.
The Dept of Health would be restricted from certifying for at least 10 years following release from prison anyone who has been convicted of a violent felony, felony violation of the Humane Care for Animals Act and felony violations of drug laws.
What You Can Do
The bill, H.B. 4844, has been assigned to the Rules Committee. Click on the names of the members below and write (faxes are best) or call and urge them to vote yes on H.B. 4844. Talking points are below!
Talking Points
1. Under HB 4844 use of CO gas chambers to euthanize animals is banned, and the recommended method of euthanasia is lethal injection. The 2000 American Veterinary Medical Association report on euthanasia states that the "preferred method" for euthanasia of animals is lethal injection by barbiturate sodium pentobarbital. For the animal, if administered properly, it is usually no different than a shot given by a veterinarian. If the animal is or becomes aggressive, it can be sedated prior to the injection. Training for lethal injection costs less than $300.
2. Shelter workers are at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning when they load and unload or clean the gas chamber, breathing in low levels of the gas on a regular basis. The AVMA report warns, "[Carbon monoxide gas is].... hazardous to personnel because of the risk ... or health effects resulting from chronic exposure". According to the 1993 AVMA Report, as the concentration of CO [in the body] increases, humans may experience decreased visual acuity, tinnitus, nausea, progressive depression, confusion, and collapse along with convulsions and muscular spasms. Long-term effects may include cancer and cardiovascular diseases." In Tennessee a shelter worker died from CO poisoning from the gas chamber. As a result Tennessee has banned the use of gas chambers.
It is likely many chambers in use are in poor or at least unknown condition. The AVMA report warns: "Leaky or faulty equipment may .. be hazardous to ... personnel."
3. It is also clear that use of the gas chamber causes incalculable psychological suffering for many shelter workers. Animals don't lose consciousness or die until there is a build up of the CO gas in their lungs. Shelter workers have documented that until that build up happens, they hear the piercing cries, howling, frantic calls, scratching and panic of animals. The AVMA report confirms this. It is not uncommon for shelter workers to have to gas some animals a second time.
4. Many states including Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, Nebraska, and Colorado, among others, now ban the gas chamber. Less than 1% of shelters in the U.S. continue to use the outmoded gas chamber.
5. Lethal injection or EBI is actually cheaper. A study conducted by the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society by using an Animal Euthanasia Cost Analysis work sheet developed at Texas A&M University, showed in September 2000 concluded that to euthanize 10,000 animals per year, cost of gassing averages $13,230 while lethal injection averages $12,700.
6. It is not a defense to the gas chamber to say that lethal injection is just as cruel if not done properly. Any method of euthanasia must be performed properly, and proper use of gas chambers as well as lethal injection requires training. But gas chambers are dangerous to workers and cruel and inhumane to workers and animals even if used properly. The goal is to euthanize as few animals as possible, not argue over the best method of killing. But in the meantime, there is no reason to use this particularly cruel, outmoded method of killing.
7. H.B. 4844 would also regulate euthansia technicians to assure lethal injection and other techniques are performed by the most trained, qualified personnel possible.