The race for N.C. commissioner of agriculture doesn’t get much attention, but your vote will have a profound effect on companion animals. The incumbent, Steve Troxler, favors keeping the gas chamber as a method of killing homeless dogs and cats. There are many problems with the gas chamber: Sometimes animals survive gassing and have to go through the process again. It is an extremely stressful way for animals to die, and they often cry, defecate, urinate, claw to get out, vomit etc. Blood is often found in the chambers. Carbon monoxide is extremely toxic and can cause severe health problems for the operators.
Euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital is the preferred method of every national humane organization in the United States. Commissioner Troxler’s opponent, Ronnie Ansley, has said: “I feel we should do more to educate people about [spaying] and neutering of animals, so we would not have to address the issue of euthanasia. Unfortunately, we do have to address this issue. I believe we should always look to the most humane way to handle euthanasia, and I do not believe gas chambers are the way to handle this issue.”
Legislation to ban the gas chamber will be introduced in January 2009, and the support of the agriculture commissioner will go a long way towards passage. Go to www.ncche.com to learn more, and sign up for the animal welfare issues alert list.
Euthanizing approximately 4 million companion animals annually in America simply because they have no homes is a national disgrace. North Carolina’s kill rate is about twice the national average. The answer lies in spaying, neutering, and adopting rather than buying.
Until the holocaust stops, the least we can do is provide a painless death. Help animals by voting for Ronnie Ansley for N.C. Agriculture Commissioner.
— Terri David
Asheville
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll remember Ronnie Ansley’e name on November 4th.