ASPCA Commends Governor Ryan For Legislation Ensuring Humane Euthanasia Of Animals In Shelters

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 20 August 2001

After months of lobbying the Illinois Legislature, The American Society For The Prevention of Cruelty (ASPCA) commends Governor George Ryan for signing into law legislation (HB 2391) that restricts the way animals can be disposed of in animal shelters across the state. The bill allows animal shelters that employ certified euthanasia technicians to directly purchase sodium pentobarbital, a drug considered the most humane method to euthanize animals. Acquiring sodium pentobarbital is often problematic for animal shelters in small communities because it is a controlled substance and must be purchased directly by veterinarians. Shelters across the state face the difficult task of euthanizing thousands of animals due to the severe pet overpopulation problem that continues to persist today.

The Act also requires people who euthanize animals in shelters become certified by completing a two-day course to become proficient in administering the drug and learning humane restraint techniques during injection. Certified euthanasia technicians also must be fingerprinted and undergo a background check.

"The necessity for this legislation cannot be underestimated," stated Lisa Weisberg, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy at The ASPCA. "Recent reports have cited some Illinois animal shelters still using barbaric methods to kill companion animals."

The town of Herrin just recently discontinued killing dogs by gunshot. Gallatin County, Illinois is reported to use gunshot to dispatch dogs and some towns employ work release prisoners with no training to kill dogs and cats. "The very least we can do for the thousands of homeless cats and dogs in Illinois animal shelters that cannot find good homes is to ensure that they die humanely at the hands of trained and caring workers," stated Ledy VanKavage, an attorney with The ASPCA's Midwest Government Affairs and Public Policy Office located in Maryville, Illinois.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org