It’s been called a “dirty little secret” of the status-quo animal-sheltering community in America. Although most Americans know that millions of dogs and cats needlessly die in animal shelters across the country—three or four million annually—most Americans do not know how those animals are killed. One such method is death by carbon monoxide—the “gas chambers.”
It is difficult to overstate just how abhorrent and revolting the operation of animal-shelter gassing is. The process can take as long as 30 or 45 minutes after multiple animals are placed or thrown into a metal box, sometimes piled on one another or on the dead bodies of those gassed before them. The gas is turned on, causing a loud hissing sound. According to accounts, the animals then “gasp for breath, their insides burning. They claw at the floor and throw themselves against the walls of the chamber in an attempt to get out.” Sometimes the process doesn’t work, and is repeated on animals who survived. A video of this process can be watched here. Warning: It is graphic and upsetting to watch.
The use of gas chambers in animal shelters cannot be justified by expense. According to American Humane, euthanasia by lethal injection is not only less painful for the animals, it is also cheaper for the shelters and less dangerous for shelter employees. Nineteen states, including most recently Georgia and Louisiana, have already severely restricted or outright abolished gas chambers at animal shelters.
So when a bill was proposed in the Texas Legislature to ban the use of carbon-monoxide gas chambers at Texas animal shelters, Texas animal lovers rejoiced. The bill, called the Texas Companion Animal Protection Act (HB 3450), not only bans gas chambers and “heart sticking” (poison by needle lodged directly into the heart of an animal) as lawful means of euthanasia, but it also bans shelters from selling pets to research laboratories, promotes spaying and neutering, and requires shelters to honestly and publicly release their intake and outcomes data. Similar comprehensive shelter-reform legislation has been passed in Delaware and California, and is currently being considered in New York.
But not everyone who claims to love animals was happy about the bill. A group that calls itself THLN, or “Keep on Gassing” the “Texas Humane Legislation Network,” immediately expressed its opposition to the bill on the grounds that (1) the bill was too long (an evidently impenetrable 30 double-spaced pages), (2) THLN itself did not write it, and (3) the Texas animal shelters (you know, the ones gassing our pets as you read this), which THLN calls the “true stakeholders,” evidently did not support being forcibly reformed. Thus, THLN has urged its members to fight the bill for at least two years so that shelter directors can keep on gassing chew on it for a while. The group has deemed the public’s reaction to its indefensible position inconvenient, or, to use its exact words, a “pain in the neck.”
So I ask you: Which is more painful? The “pain in the neck” of those poor THLN officers having to deal with the public-relations nightmare they caused by advocating for two more years of gassing Texas pets? Or the pain and horrific suffering that hundreds of thousands of Texas animals will have to bear over the next 24 months while THLN encourages gassing shelters to engage in self-reflection?
I’m guessing that most of you won’t have to watch the video to decide where you stand on HB 3450. Maybe THLN’s officers should watch it, you know, if it wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.
To express your support for the Texas Companion Animal Protection Act, please e-mail the members of the Texas Public Health Committee and sign Change.org’s petition.
[Author's update: Representatives of THLN have alleged that this post unfairly portrays the organization's statements. Out of an abundance of fairness, I'm including this direct link to their initial statement. You can also view their revised statements and clarifications, still opposing the bill, due to unidentified objections of shelters, here. If you wish to express your disagreement with THLN's opposition to this bill directly to THLN, you may do so here.]
jenny sthilaire April 2, 2011
Enough of the murdering!
Inge Langbehn April 2, 2011
Stop murdering animals immediately!!! Who give you evil creatures the right to decide about their lifes???? You will end up in hell FOR SURE!! I wish you a looooooooong and very painful death!!!
[Editor's note: No one affiliated with this blog kills animals. We're assuming Inge knows this and that her comment is not directed towards us!]
leslie smith April 2, 2011
Please have some compassion for these innocent creatures …do unto others as you would have done unto yourself…
Suzette Watkins April 2, 2011
OMG! I did not and cannot watch the video. It pains me to read about the animals trying to get out. Too bad we can’t sit Cile Holloway (President of Texas Humane Legislation Network and the one who said that person asking question of THLN was a ‘pain in the neck.’) down in front of the video, make her watch it and ask her ‘if’, and where she has pain.
The leaders of THLN are so out of touch with, and don’t want to be bothered with, the concerns of the millions of us ‘new’ animal advocates. This will come to haunt them and will be their downfall (if they aren’t gobbled up by HSUS before then).
Onward with getting CAPA passed. We need thousands more signatures & phone calls to the lawmakers.
Dog Mom April 4, 2011
To The THLN:
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. ” ~Albert Schweitzer
And:
“Very little of the great cruelty shown by men can really be attributed to cruel instinct. Most of it comes from thoughtlessness or inherited habit. The roots of cruelty, therefore, are not so much strong as widespread. But the time must come when inhumanity protected by custom and thoughtlessness will succumb before humanity championed by thought. Let us work that this time may come.” (Albert Schweitzer)
D Lepage April 5, 2011
please please stop this way of doing things….too cruel…..
Jaymi Peyton April 5, 2011
I can NOT believe that people that claim to love animals and are the “protectors” of animals can still use the gas chamber. How could you put an animal in there knowing full well what it is going to endure? Animals experience pain, fear, desperation just like humans do…their lives are no less important to them than ours are to us. It’s GOT to stop! The thought of them animals desperately trying to get out is heartwrenching (I couldn’t watch the video either and I have a strong stomach).
Bett Sundermeyer April 5, 2011
Tonya is one of No Kill Houston’s volunteers. I’m glad to have such a “pain in the neck” onboard with us. I hope a lot of people are being a pain in THLN’s neck and complaining about their opposition to this life saving bill.
Suzanne April 7, 2011
I can’t stand reading this painful killing machine!
My GOD please outlaw this torture….once and for all!
I am begging you!
Francesca April 7, 2011
Their revised statement is just as vague and non-specific as the original statement. The bill will have “unintended consequences.” Okay, what unintended consequenses? “Parts of it appear to contradict other parts.” Which parts and are they actually contradictory, or do they just “appear” contradictory? And how many animals will die while they spend two years “discussing” the bill?
Tonya April 7, 2011
Hello, my name is “pain in the neck”. Frankly I am glad the head lady at THLN accidentally copied me on the email where they exposed how they really feel about having to deal with the public when we are outraged with their decision to 1) merge with the highest kill shelter in Texas (Humane Society), and 2) block a humane bill to end the suffering (the public would be shocked) and unnecessary killing (often by suffocation) of our precious dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, even newborns. THERE IS A MODEL OUTLINED TO END THIS SUFFERING, but the shelters keep lying to the public and tossing out the phrase “overpopulation” way too freely. The CAPA bill is long long long overdue and citizens need to make some noise and get this bill passed into law.
Feline Provocateur April 7, 2011
Has anyone noticed that the folks at THLN have never bothered to look at states where similar laws have already been passed? It’s just one more indicator of their near-obsession with control, and retaining methods of animal control that have proved to be ineffective by themselves. Chanting “spay neuter” and encouraging statutes that have failed miserably for decades – like pet limits, and penalizing owners of intact animals – have done nothing for the animals they pretend to care for.
Hilary Sontag April 7, 2011
Mass killing of our animals especially by gassing is barbaric and should be stopped immediately.
Carmen Van Etten April 23, 2011
Thanks so very much for publishing this. I had heard about the gas chambers, but was not aware until very recently that they were still employed in some states. I read that shelter workers preferred this method as it would spare them having to hold the animal while it is being euthanized. This was in regards to legislation in Alabama forbidding gas chambers. Since I grew up in Germany, I am horrified that this is still permitted. How utterly inhumane! How selfish of the workers — to “spare” themselves any kind of unpleasant feelings, they opt for GAS??? We so need to re-educate, to make aware, to offer alternatives, to stop the killing. Ryan Clinton — I am in awe of you. Thanks for all that you are doing! I am still in Germany but my heart has always been in the States. I cannot wait to return one day and continue with rescue and education. On a side note: I will NEVER praise Germany for anything as I have huge issues with this country of mine but I find it interesting that there are no “kill” shelters over here. It can obviously be done! Again.. thanks for your fantastic contributions to the animal world!
thomas moore July 20, 2011
This should be illegal as all hell.
Jan Szalaj July 20, 2011
Stop this cruel and inhumane killing! This is 2011, not the dark ages!
donna warner July 22, 2011
GAS CHAMBER SHOULD BE AND IF EVERYONE COULD BOMBARD THE GOVERNMENT WITH PLEAS TO STOP THIS HORRIBLE ATROCITY, IT SHOULD HAVE OUTLAWED A LONG TIME AGO!
THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND IT’S MORAL PROGRESS IS JUDGED BY THE WAY IT TREATS ITS ANIMALS!
Nancy Daily July 29, 2011
Dear Mom and Dad,
I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge .
Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.
Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.
Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn’t get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days.
Would I still be at home if I hadn’t barked? I was only saying, “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I’m here! I want to be your best friend.”
Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t make me learn how.
Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.
I died today.
Love, Your Puppy
Ryan Clinton August 3, 2011
Nancy: Thanks for your post, but to be honest, I really don’t like the blame-the-public theme. Shelters across the country that have implemented proven and cost-effective lifesaving practices no longer unnecessarily kill dogs and cats. The public may be responsible for animals entering shelters, but the shelters have a choice as to what happens once those animals arrive. They are not forced to kill.
Juliet October 24, 2011
I support no-kill 100%, but on an administrative note, might want to correct “carbon dioxide” to “carbon monoxide” in the first paragraph.
Ryan Clinton October 24, 2011
Thank you for the correction.
Lindsay October 24, 2011
Why is the petition at the Change.org link you supplied no longer available to sign?
Ryan Clinton December 8, 2011
Not sure, Lindsay. I’ve asked the author if she will re-open it, but I don’t think that has happened. In the mean time, please contact the Public Health Committee members.
deanna howard October 24, 2011
i have just emailed this committee to let them know that i am in disagreement on their stance on this bill.
Stacy Martin October 25, 2011
This is completely UNACCEPTABLE!! If the public was made aware of this cruel treatment, I am sure there would be a fight to stop this across the nation! I cannot believe this is happening! How do we stop it? And who on Texas do we contact? I’ll be happy to call and write my Congressmen, etc. There is no reason to cause harm to animals who are undeserving of this and so loving. This makes us NO better than the Chinese and Asian countries who are so inhumane to animals!! Please make a change, for the animals.
Ryan Clinton October 25, 2011
I agree, Stacy; it is morally unacceptable. In my opinion, the federal government probably cannot mandate what method of euthanasia a local governmental entity or non-profit entity elects to use. I believe this is both a state and local issue. In Texas, you could either contact the representatives of local governments who are using this method, or you can contact State legislators to attempt to get a state-wide ban.
Right now, your best bet is probably to send e-mails to the Texas House’s Public Health Committee asking them to pass a version of the Companion Animal Protection Act (HB 3450 last session) or an independent ban on gas-chambers alone. The Public Health Committee’s contact information is here: http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/committee/?committee=410&session=82.
Linda T. October 25, 2011
I read “Letter from a Shelter Worker” (I believe that’s the title) and then made the mistake of watching the gassing video. It was the most horrific thing I’ve ever expierienced. The video was Heartbreaking but the Audio was HeartShattering. I don’t know how anyone can think that this method of dispatching innocent “companion” animals is acceptable on ANY level. I cry Every Thursday night and Every Friday morning. I wonder just how many of the officials that think this is ok have ever seen/heard an actual gassing and just how many of them have pets. I believe if you’re gonna have a say in something, then you should have All the facts. If they were forced to watch/listen, I doubt they’d be so hesitant in their decision to stop this horrorfic practice. Please go online and sign the petitions to “Ban Gas Chambers”. And Please, ADOPT, DON’T SHOP……
Maya Hassieb October 25, 2011
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for this. The pups are lucky to have you be their voice. I contacted THLN this morning (thank you for providing direct contact info) and received this statement:
“I’m not sure where you are getting your information from and I would love to have the link as I have received several emails from concerned citizens regarding this. We would like to be able to address this at the source. We have NEVER supported gas euthanasia and have fought in several sessions against it. I know that you are referring to HB3450 that failed last session so I have provided you a link which will provide you with the correct information of our concerns, as well as TACA’s concerns on this issue: http://www.thln.org/index.cfm?pageID=FEBD87BF-3048-C277-11DC66A00C8FCAA0.
We will once again be looking at stopping this practice in the next session as we are currently researching it once again. THLN and our members would like nothing more than to never have another unwanted animal put down in this state or across this nation.”
Wednesday October 26, 2011
For the record – your article states that gas chambers cannot be justified by expense. I just wanted to point out that I have heard injection requires veterinary technicians and additional training that many shelters either cannot/do not afford or would take employees they don’t have, which may contribute to the persistence of the practice. The AVMA has a PDF on the humane or inhumane nature and facts of different euthanasia methods on their website, which states that gassing can be humane if done “correctly,” but the problem I see here is the lack of any. Responsibility. Whatsoever. By many TX shelters, ESPECIALLY those that still gas (and gas poorly! Re-gassing?? Every time I hear about that it makes me want to puke). I read the bill (all 30 pages! lol, Jesus.), I support it, and thank you so much for updating us on it. Since it first came around I’ve been trying to find news and the applicable media really seem to have swept it under the rug. Texas can do better by its animals, much better, and I know we can hold those with the ability to make the change accountable!!
Aviva Shliselberg October 31, 2011
Dear Mr. Ryan Clinton,
Thank you for all you have done for US animals. I admire your great work.
terry mcdaniel November 2, 2011
THOU SHALL NOT KILL !!!!!
STOP THE GASSING !!!!!
Its just plain cruel ,cruel ,cruel AND A SIN !!!
Anette Selch Jensen March 18, 2012
This makes me throw up. I have seen photos from these gaschambers after the gassing had been preformed. I have seen photos from the gassing when preformed. I have read reports from what actually happens in these gaschambers and how the animals are fighting for their lifes. I never thought it possible in the US . This must be stopped. Is there no such a thing like “pet ownership responsability” in the US ?