The gassing of stray and shelter animals is so repulsive that we assume that there must be a law against it. After all, we're a civilized nation. Wrong. Actually, in New York State, no law existed that prohibited the gassing of homeless or unwanted pets. More often than not, such issues come under the purview of the state government and not the federal government. It would be wonderful to have a federal law against gassing, but no such luck yet. " There ought to be a law against it! " How many times have you heard that in your lifetime? Well, in the Empire State, there now is a law against this most cruel form of extermination.
The Humane Euthanasia Bill (NY A. 999B) became law last October 9th when Governor Paterson signed it after laying dormant for nearly a year. The prime movers of this bill were the ASPCA, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and their respective staff. God bless them. They just made this world a better place. The law, however, takes effect a year from now. The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they are turning. The ASPCA provided us with the provisions of the law:
(1) Prohibit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide poisoning (gassing) of stray and shelter animals (effective in 90 days).
(2) Require that the euthanasia of stray and shelter animals be performed by injection.
(3) Require that such euthanasia be performed by a certified euthanasia technician, licensed veterinarian, or licensed veterinary technician.
(4) Prohibit intracardiac euthanasia—a painful injection right into the heart—on unsedated shelter animals.
(5) Require that veterinarians who perform intracardiac euthanasia on unsedated animals not under the care of a shelter do so only if it is the most humane option and that they document the event and rationale.
Pretty good stuff. It's comforting to see that the " heartstick " method on conscious animals was also prohibited.
The Humane Euthanasia Bill (NY A. 999B) became law last October 9th when Governor Paterson signed it after laying dormant for nearly a year. The prime movers of this bill were the ASPCA, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and their respective staff. God bless them. They just made this world a better place. The law, however, takes effect a year from now. The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they are turning. The ASPCA provided us with the provisions of the law:
(1) Prohibit carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide poisoning (gassing) of stray and shelter animals (effective in 90 days).
(2) Require that the euthanasia of stray and shelter animals be performed by injection.
(3) Require that such euthanasia be performed by a certified euthanasia technician, licensed veterinarian, or licensed veterinary technician.
(4) Prohibit intracardiac euthanasia—a painful injection right into the heart—on unsedated shelter animals.
(5) Require that veterinarians who perform intracardiac euthanasia on unsedated animals not under the care of a shelter do so only if it is the most humane option and that they document the event and rationale.
Pretty good stuff. It's comforting to see that the " heartstick " method on conscious animals was also prohibited.
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