Last gas chamber in state for euthanization to be eliminated

LUCEDALE, MS (WDAM) - Animal advocates in Mississippi won a major victory by eliminating the last gas chamber used in the state for euthanization.

Tuesday night, Lydia Sattler, State Director for the Humane Society of the United States met with the Lucedale Mayor and City Council to offer them alternatives to the use of the gas chamber at the city run shelter.

She was able to convince them that euthanization by injection was more humane for the animals.

After Sattler's presentation the council voted unanimously to contract with two area veterinarians to euthanize animals from the shelter using the EBI method.

A bill lobbied for by HSUS and introduced this year in the state legislature to ban gas chamber euthanization failed when it didn't make it through the agricultural committee in the house.

"I was pretty disappointed when the gas chamber bill died in committee," said Sattler. "As frustrating as it was, it really fueled my fire to make sure we didn't go a whole year before our next legislative session with the gas chamber still being active.

Katherine Sammons, Operations Manager for the Southern Pines Animal Shelter, also attended the council meeting. She agreed to work with the Lucedale Shelter manager to help improve the conditions.

"I'll be working with the Mayor and council on starting a volunteer program for their shelter and we're setting up some web sites where people can donate to the shelter," said Sammons. "We will also be helping improve shelter standards, cleaning protocol, and other things they may not know.

The Lucedale Shelter is currently a one person operation.

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