ASPCA Welcomes Pennsylvania Law Banning Animal Gas Chambers

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today commended Pennsylvania legislators and Gov. Tom Corbett for enacting the Animal Euthanasia Method Act to prohibit the cruel practice of euthanizing animals via gas chambers. Sponsored by Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny), the new law bans the use of gas chambers and gives shelters better access to the drugs needed for humane euthanasia by injection.

"We applaud Governor Corbett for signing this bill into law and for adding Pennsylvania to the list of states where gassing is no longer allowed," said Debora M. Bresch, Esq., senior state director of ASPCA Government Relations for the Mid-Atlantic region. "We are grateful to Representative John Maher, Senator Andy Dinniman and the advocates who have worked so hard to ensure passage of this law."

Previously known as "Daniel’s Law," the Animal Euthanasia Method Act was introduced by Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester), named in honor of Daniel, a beagle from Alabama who survived the gas chamber and was adopted into a loving family.

"The enactment of this law guarantees that other animals will not have to suffer in the same way that Daniel did," added Bresch. "We hope that other states that still allow this inhumane practice will follow Pennsylvania’s lead and prohibit it."

The ASPCA believes it is critically important that euthanasia is administered with compassion and care, which gas chambers do not provide. When performed properly, euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital is the safest, most humane method, and the least stressful to the animal. Historically, the lack of access to these drugs has been an issue for shelters that want to transition away from gassing.

For more information on the ASPCA and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.