Dear editor:
One of the many troubling animal care issues that remain unresolved in our state is the use of gas chambers for the euthanasia of domestic animals.
In June, Cowboy State Daily published a story written by Mark Heinz about the two remaining gas chambers still in use at animal shelters in Wyoming. These two chambers are two of the last three known active chambers used for domestic animals left in the entire United States.
Over 4,000 shelters, private and public, across the country have done away with the inhumane gas chambers in favor of the widely accepted method of intravenous injection.
In Cowboy State Daily's story, the Green River Animal Shelter Control Supervisor Tracy Wyant, The Evanston Police Chief Michael Vranish, Animal Control Supervisor Lt. Rhett Groll and the Green River Fire Chief Shaun Sturalugson all insisted to the reporter that in their opinion the use of the gas chambers was humane.
Not one of the individuals with this opinion gave any scientific or medical reasoning for their belief.
In addition, not one of the individuals provided any credentials that could validate their positions.
In fact, there is not one national organization that agrees with this premise and there is no controversy within the veterinary or shelter communities: gas chamber euthanasia for companion animals or domestic pets is not considered humane and has not been for many years.
The use of gas chambers can cause pain and extreme stress in animals. Apart from the American Veterinary Medical Association all major associations condemn gas chambers as an inhumane method of euthanasia.
While the American Veterinary Medical Association has stated that the most humane method of euthanasia for animals is by injection they do allow for the use of inhaled anesthetics as acceptable when stringent conditions are met.
Neither Green River nor Evanston mentioned meeting any of the criteria of the AVMA or even being aware of the criteria.
The Humane Society of the United States, The American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, and the National Animal Care and Control Association all state that euthanasia by injection is the safest, most humane, and least stressful method for the animal.
And again, over 4,000 private and municipal shelters across the country do NOT use gas chambers.
The Humane Society of the United States has made an offer to county officials in both communities to partner with them by providing funding to discontinue the use of the gas chambers and to provide free on-site training to enable the shelters to use injections in all circumstances demanding euthanasia.
Sincerely,
Linda Burt
Cheyenne
