Support HB 2846 Banning Inhumane Animal Gas Chambers:Action needed by 2/2!

[ehrnst]

Please cross post - we need a flood of phone calls and emails to support House Bill 2846 before the hearing tommorow, Feb 2!!

In VA, a group of concerned citizens and animal advocate groups are working hard to pass legislation that outlaws the use of gas Chambers as a form of euthanasia in Virginia animal shelters. PLEASE read the following update on what is happening, how we need your help and the dismal/disappointing response by the House Agricultural Subcommittee at last week's meeting. YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED AS THERE IS STILL TIME THIS SESSION TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. We are making this very simple for you to get involved, as we know the process can often be tedious and confusing. Please take a few minutes to help!

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK:
Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, along with members of the group Virgnia Votes for Animal Welfare (VVAW) attended a meeting of the VA House Agriculture Subcommittee in Richmond At 7 a.m., 1/27/05. At this meeting, House Bill 2846 was brought before the Subcommittee by patron Del. J. Scott, asking for the state abolition of the gas chamber as a form of euthanasia.

The Subcommittee voted to "PBI" or "push back indefinitely" this Bill, therefore not recommending it to the full House Agriculture Committee when they meet next week, Feb. 2. Essentially, the Bill was killed. DESPITE CREDIBLE, FACTUAL EVIDENCE ON THE DANGERS, INHUMANE ASPECTS AND FINANCIAL DEATAILS THAT SUPPORT OUTLAWING THE GAS CHAMBER, THE SUBCOMMITTEE CHOSE TO IGNORE THEM AND KILL THE BILL.

FACTS PRESENTED BY VVAW AND IGNORED: Don Marro and Lillian, Clancy, lead organizers for VVAW and a number of dedicated volunteers have researched and collected data on gas chambers for months and presented the following:

-19 states have outlawed the use of the gas chamber, including Tennesee, which did so after the death of a shelter employee when operating a faulty gas chamber.

-21 counties in Virginia still use the gas chamber

-None of these 21 counties' gas chambers are in compliance with OSHA standards. Some use plywood boxes, concrete rooms and other sub-standard equipment, thus posing a great danger to the humans operating the chambers and pro-longed and painful deaths to the animals being killed

-The premise that injectable euthanasia is more expensive than the gas chamber is false. IF a gas chamber is operating in compliance with OSHA standards, the cost is about the same. Therefore, the cost of switching from gas to injection is not a major issue.

-Lillian and Don have generously offered to provide $25,000 of their own money ($1,500 per shelter) to assist shelters switching from gas to injection. SO THIS BILL DID NOT ASK/REQUIRE THE STATE TO FUND THIS INITIATIVE!!!!! PRIVATE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

-In a “General Statement Regarding Euthanasia Methods for Dogs and Cats” issued in 1999 by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): “HSUS recommends the injection of sodium pentobarbital, prepared specifically for use as a euthanasia product, as the preferred agent for the euthanasia of companion animals. This method, when properly performed, has been found to be the most humane, safest, least stressful, and most professional choice by The Humane Society of the U.S., the American Humane Association, the American Protection Institute, and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR).

SUBCOMMITTEE'S RESPONSE:
- I believe that the shelters using gas would/will switch to injection if they could afford it. (proven to not be an issue by evidence provided by VVAW)

-I believe that on one WANTS to use a gas chamber. I'm sure that as those using it learn that there are better options, they will switch on their own. (not happening at all)

-We support your providing private funds. I vote to PBI and let the private sector handle this. (unacceptable)

OUR TAKE ON THE SUBCOMMITTE'S ACTION:
We feel the lack of action on this Bill is simply unacceptable. VVAW provided factual information that adequately dismissed the premises that were put forth by the Subcommittee members. And really, there were so few reasons put forth.

It is completely unacceptable for the State to push the burden of ridding gas chamber use completely on the private sector. Again, this Bill did NOT ask/require funding from the State. All it does is ask the State to outlaw the use of gas chambers, putting forth a strong statement that Virginia cares about humane treatment of shelter animals and the shelter staff who
perform euthanasia.

We do not believe that, simply by providing funding, these 21 remaining counties will do the right thing. These are rural, back country counties. Old/bad habits die hard.

The Subcommittee members are kidding themselves when they think that all people really will do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. History has proven that time and time again.

The state of VA is not doing what is necessary here and does not have adequate reasoning not to. We did not hear one solid excuse/reason as to why the state will not pass this Bill.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IMMEDIATELY:
Although the Subcommittee voted to kill Bill 2846, it will still go before the full Agriculture Committee on Feb. 2, 2005. The Subcommittee's vote is simply a suggestion (although usually accepted by the full Committee).

We can get this Bill pushed through but ONLY with an outpouring of support and pressure. This is where we need you IMMEDIATELY. Time is very short.

Please do the following immediately to help us make this happen:

E-mail ALL of the members below voicing your support for HB2846, Outlawing the use of the gas chambers. Feel free to use the facts above and/or contact us for more helpful information. Call each of the members below to express your support for their passing of HB2846 when they again hear it TOMMOROW – FEB 2. Feel free to strongly voice your frustration/disappointment/disgust with the Subcommittee members who chose to ignore credible facts/evidence and instead kill the Bill.

Time is short. E-mailing and calling is best. We need to FLOOD their offices with our support. You do NOT have to live in VA to take these steps.

CHAIR: Cox, M. Kirkland, [e-mail], [phone]

VICE CHAIR: Ware, R. Lee, Jr. [e-mail] [phone]

Full Committee Members (to hear Bill on 2/2):

Morgan, Harvey B. [e-mail] [phone]
Sherwood, Beverly J. [e-mail] [phone]
Louderback, Allen L. [e-mail] [phone]
Wright, Thomas C. [e-mail] [phone]
Suit, Terrie L. [e-mail] [phone]
Hogan, Clarke N. [e-mail] [phone]
Van Yahres, Mitchell [e-mail] [phone]
Amundson, Kristen J. [e-mail] [phone]
Miles, Floyd H., Sr. [e-mail] [phone]
Eisenberg, Albert C. [e-mail] [phone]
Shannon, Stephen C. [e-mail] [phone]


SubCommittee Members (who heard, killed Bill on 1/27):

Orrock, Robert D., Sr. [e-mail] [phone]
Weatherholtz, Glenn M. [e-mail] [phone]
Byron, Kathy J. [e-mail] [phone]
Saxman, Christopher B. [e-mail] [phone]
Cline, Benjamin L. [e-mail] [phone]
Scott, Edward T. [e-mail] [phone]
Plum, Kenneth R. [e-mail] [phone]
Shuler, James M. [e-mail] [phone]
Stump, Jackie T. [e-mail] [phone]

We thank you for your support. If you would, please consider cc:ing [e-mail] on your correspondence so that we can add it to our file. Please, take 5, 10, 15 minutes from your day to do this. It can and will make a difference.

[demnan]

1. Done and thank you.

n/t

[ehrnst]

3. Thank YOU!

:-)

[pnutchuck]

2. I sent a letter to all those to hear the bill, the chair and the vice

chair, but forgot to cc you. However, I did copy it before I pressed send. I used your facts list also.

"This bill will help those companion animals who are no longer wanted or loved to be "put down" in a more pain-free, gentle, and safe environment (I cringe at calling euthenasia HUMANE) for both the animals and their executioners. This bill is without cost to the state therefore, you can continue to line your pockets with development contracts without any worries of losing funds to "liberal", "tree hugging" causes. To not approve this bill is just ignorent and heartless, even people who hunt try to make direct kills as to not cause the animals discomfort and gas chambers are right out of 3rd Reich tactics!!!!

Here are the facts:

-19 states have outlawed the use of the gas chamber, including Tennesee, which did so after the death of a shelter employee when operating a faulty gas chamber.

-21 counties in Virginia still use the gas chamber

-None of these 21 counties' gas chambers are in compliance with OSHA standards. Some use plywood boxes, concrete rooms and other sub-standard equipment, thus posing a great danger to the humans operating the chambers and pro-longed and painful deaths to the animals being killed

-The premise that injectable euthanasia is more expensive than the gas chamber is false. IF a gas chamber is operating in compliance with OSHA standards, the cost is about the same. Therefore, the cost of switching from gas to injection is not a major issue.

-Lillian and Don have generously offered to provide $25,000 of their own money ($1,500 per shelter) to assist shelters switching from gas to injection. SO THIS BILL DID NOT ASK/REQUIRE THE STATE TO FUND THIS INITIATIVE!!!!! PRIVATE FUNDING IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

-In a “General Statement Regarding Euthanasia Methods for Dogs and Cats” issued in 1999 by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): “HSUS recommends the injection of sodium pentobarbital, prepared specifically for use as a euthanasia product, as the preferred agent for the euthanasia of companion animals. This method, when properly performed, has been found to be the most humane, safest, least stressful, and most professional choice by The Humane Society of the U.S., the American Humane Association, the American Protection Institute, and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR)."

[ehrnst]

4. Thanks for taking action!

[ehrnst]

5. UPDATE: please be sure to include your address in your letter. Thanks!

[cattleman22]

6. How is the gas chamber inhumane?

Isn't it painless?

[ehrnst]

7. If it is not in compliance with OSHA , and the ones in question are not.

None of these 21 counties' gas chambers are in compliance with OSHA standards. Some use plywood boxes, concrete rooms and other sub-standard equipment, thus posing a great danger to the humans operating the chambers and pro-longed and painful deaths to the animals being killed.

[ehrnst]

8. UPDATE: Bill Killed - Help us find out why!

Here is the update on what happened:

Last week on February 2, 2005, the Virginia House Agricultural Committee heard HB 2846 presented again (this time to the full Committee). The Ag Sub-Committee had voted to kill the Bill the week before. Members of the Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare (VVAW) including Don Marro, Sue Bell and Cindy Ingram spoke before the Committee in support of this Bill.

In their collective address, Marro, Bell and Ingram laid to rest the very few concerns that the Sub-Committee members had voiced the week before. They also reiterated that the Bill was NOT asking for funding and that there were thousands of Virginia volunteers ready, able and willing to assist the counties still using the gas chamber with the transition to
injection.

The result was that THE BILL WAS KILLED BY A VOTE OF 14-6.

Below are the members who voted FOR and those who voted AGAINST. We need everyone to take a few minutes to e-mail BOTH groups. Voice your gratitude to the 6 members who voted for the Bill. Tell them how much you appreciate their support of this Bill and that you will continue to support their efforts. Del. Amundson specifically noted that she had received tremendous correspondence from her constituents urging her to vote for this Bill – and she did! She led the effort to try and push this Bill through. Eisenberg has also been great in his correspondence making it clear that he supports this Bill. Both need to be commended as do the other 4 members who voted for it.

Equally important is your correspondence to those who voted against it.

Ask them why they voted against it. Demand answers. Find out why they will not pass a Bill that costs the taxpayers nothing and yet promotes humane treatment of animals and improved safety of shelter workers who administer euthanasia. Be firm. Let them know that you will not support them and will work to make sure others do not either until they pass this Bill. In our minds, we are puzzled as to why these members continue to vote against this Bill. Sue Bell personally spoke on behalf of this Bill and asked the Committee to explain to their reasons for killing it. She received nothing. Nothing.

Your continued participation and correspondence is essential. We will not give up, but cannot do this alone. We really need you. Your correspondence DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The Committee members said so. Even a few Committee members who voted against it said they had received lots of correspondence about this issue. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS ON YOUR CORRESPONDENCE. THOSE IN VA CARRY GREATER WEIGHT, BUT EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A VA RESIDENT, SEND YOUR CORRESPONDENCE ANYWAY!!! AND PLEASE, GET AS MANY VIRGINIA VOTERS INVOLVED AS POSSIBLE. VOTERS MAKE/BREAK ELECTIONS AND THESE INDIVIDUALS NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE.

VOTED TO KILL THE BILL:

Robert Orrock, Harvey Morgan, Beverly Sherwood, Allen Louderback,
Thomas Wright Glenn Weatherholtz, Christopher Saxman Kathy Byron, Edward Scott,Benjamin Cline, Clarke Hogan, Lee Ware, Kirkland Cox, Preston Bryant

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VOTED TO PASS THE BILL:

Kenneth Plum, Mitchell Van Yahres, Kristin Amundson, James Shuler, Albert Eisenberg, Stephen Shannon

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The VVAW is meeting this weekend to start taking next steps. You can be involved if you are interested in coming. Contact me if you are interested in getting more involved in this effort. We will also keep you posted as early as next week about additional steps we will be taking including the following:

-Working with the individual counties (County officials and shelter staff) to encourage them to make this switch on their own with our support of financial and other resources

-Contacting the State Vet’s office and OSHA and demanding that both inspect the gas chambers currently in use and require the chambers to be brought into compliance with their requirements or to apply fines until they are.

Please get in touch at [e-mail] if you need any additional info or assistance. We appreciate your help with this issue. We truly believe that we will get this Bill passed if we work together.

[ernstbass]

9. Thanks for keeping us updated on this important legislation

I will contact the persons listed as you suggested to let them know how I feel.