MICHIGAN -- Gas chambers are a controversial form of animal euthanasia, and you might be surprised to learn they're still used in two Michigan counties. Suzanne Sarlls-Hartwell, of Branch County, is looking to get that number to zero.
At last check, of the 83 counties in Michigan, Cass and Branch Counties still use gas chambers.
Sarlls-Hartwell, a dog lover, has rescued several of her own. She cares for pets that are unable to be adopted out. If an animal must be put down, Sarlls-Hartwell prefers the use of lethal injections.
“I don’t know if you have ever seen videos of animals being euthanized in a gas chamber, but horrific doesn’t begin to describe what it is," she said.
Sergeant Dan Abbott said Van Buren County stopped using their gas chamber three weeks ago. We’re told it can fit roughly four dogs at a time. Abbott said Animal Control has switched to the injection method completely.
Sarlls-Hartwell wrote letters to the board of commissioners for both Cass and Branch County.
“[Branch's] explanation was that they thought it was safe, and this and that and the other thing. And I really didn’t no where to go with that," she recalled.
So Sarlls-Hartwell and a friend started a petition on Change.org. They're urging lawmakers to ban the chambers in Michigan.
“The outcry was just amazing," she said.
It’s approaching the goal of 10,000 supporters.
“Quite frankly, the financial part of it doesn’t make sense. It’s nearly $5 to gas one dog or cat. Whereas, if you use the EBI method which is injection, it’s just over $2," she explained.
But Abbott said, “As far as saving costs, it’s not. It actually cost us several thousand dollars more a year with the injections.”
The sergeant said it cost $1,500 a year to use the gas chamber versus $20,000 to use the injections.
However, according to a study commissioned by American Humane in 2009 (see #5), injections are cheaper than the gas chamber.
“My understanding is, it’s a lot more humane with the injections," he said.
Like Sarlls-Hartwell, Abbott said injections work almost instantly, while the gas takes several minutes. Employees must be certified to administer both. Hartwell said a bill introduced to ban the chambers in Michigan went no where two years ago in the state legislature. She wants action.
She said, “You’d have to be a masochist to be ok with it."
Sergeant Abbott said he’s not sure what will happen the gas chamber, but he said he doesn’t think it will ever be used again. Meantime, Sarlls-Hartwell said she plans to meet with Branch County commissioners to discuss the issue.
