PA is on its way to be a green state which will ban the use of gas chambers in animal shelters after HB 2630 passed today in the Senate by a unanimous vote of 49-0! This is a victory for the animals and for those who fought to end the use of these barbaric death chambers as a means to kill homeless shelter animals for years!
House Representative John Maher introduced HB 2630 on September 21st which replaced SB 1329/Senator Dinniman’s version of the anti-gas chamber bill in PA animal shelters. HB 2630 will not be known as Daniel’s Law as told to me by Rep. Maher.
(HB 2630 reads as follows: “An Act amending the act of December 22, 1983 (P.L.303, No.83), referred to as the Animal Destruction Method Authorization Law, adding definitions; further providing for prohibited means of destroying animals, for methods of destruction of animals, for administration of drugs, for exclusions, for use of carbon monoxide systems and for use of drugs by humane societies and animal shelters; providing for disclosure; further providing for existing devices, for surplus funds and for penalties; and making editorial changes.”)
Rep. Maher’s version of SB 1329 added the language of euthanasia training for technicians working in animal shelters in his bill-HB 2630. Maher felt this language was a necessity for the bill to pass through the Rural Affairs and Ag Committe and into the Senate. The issue was resolved and now states all shelter workers who use gas chambers as a means to destroy homeless animals will be trained to humanely euthanize animals by using sodium bentobarbital injections.
All that is required is Governor Tom Corbett’s signature to make this a new law in Pennsylvania – a much anticipated and long overdue signature.
I spoke with Rep. Maher and the first words out of his mouth to me were “congratulations!” “We did it!” Rep. Maher was quite happy as he and I spoke. He said he was excited to see the end of animal cruelty by means of gas chambers in the state of Pennsylvania. Maher has been an advocate for animals while working in his current capacity as a House Representative.
I think I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the dog who was the true inspiration of the Pennsylvania anti-gas chamber bill- Daniel, the Beagle. Daniel was saved after he survived one of these death chambers in Alabama one year ago. After surviving, the shelter decided to give him a second chance at life and found a forever home with Joe Dwyer and his family who live in New Jersey. It was Senator Dinniman (D-PA) who held a rally last fall in Malvern which I attended and where he stated PA needed to ban the use of gas chambers in animal shelters. His bill- SB 1329- would have been called Daniel’s Law, had his version been moved forward to this point.
Sadly, “Daniel’s Law” was not meant to be. Although this law will not be given this name, I feel we need to remember the true importance of this law and what it will accomplish for homeless and abandoned animals who are out of time finding a new home. Instead of being euthanized in a most horrific manner, animals will be given an injection which typically takes seconds for an animal to lose consciousness and die a peaceful death (but unnecessary death, but I digress).
I spoke with Joe today to learn of his reaction. He’s disappointed that this bill when enacted into law won’t be called “Daniel’s Law” but not for the reason you may think. He feels Daniel’s Law had the capacity to be used as a springboard to help change other states’ anti-gas chamber laws. Rep. Maher told me he feels there are too many Daniel’s Laws in other states and didn’t want to create confusion.
Joe told me despite the law not being named after his beloved dog, he is elated, thrilled and delighted because animals’ lives will be saved. This was the purpose of Daniel’s Law and it has seen itself to fruition. As far as Daniel is concerned, he has had much notoriety over the course of this last year since he survived that gas chamber. He won in the category “Emerging Hero Award” given out by the American Humane Association this month.
Daniel has traveled to other states, has been on national tv programs and continues to promote where his dad allows him. Daniel has colitis, inflammation of the colon, that is exacerbated by stress so his duties have been curtailed for the sake of his health. Daniel wasn’t able to travel to California for the Awards Show. Joe doesn’t know if the colitis is a condition caused by the after effects of surviving a gas chamber or was genetically predisposed to this condition.
Whatever the reason, excess stress has the ability to make Daniel sick so his activities/travel will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Daniel’s work isn’t done and Joe feels Daniel was brought into his life for a reason and I most definitely concur. Daniel enjoys spending time outdoors as most beagles would but he also loves to cuddle in the arms of his family as Joe continues to tell me more about Daniel’s life today. He is one fortunate dog compared to the other animals who didn’t survive that fateful day when Daniel’s life was spared.
Senator Dinniman must also be thanked for undertaking the gas chamber issue in PA. It was Dinniman who heard of Daniel’s story and knew he wanted and needed to rid this state of the antiquated means of killing animals in shelters. Daniel was the impetus for Dinniman’s bill. Without his undeniable work with his bill- SB 1329, we wouldn’t be celebrating today.
Dinniman’s objective was to ban the use of gas chambers in the last three animal shelters that still utilize them as a means to kill animals in PA. His goal was achieved. Senator Dinniman and his staff are very happy that victory was accomplished.
Senator Dinniman needs to be recognized for tackling the banning of using gas chambers in animal shelters. He and his staff worked diligently on this bill and were most accomodating to me. Senator Dinniman, thank you for what you have done for the animals and more importantly, thank you for all of your help to help abandoned and homeless animals to have a more humane and peaceful manner in which to die.
Many thanks go to Rep. John Maher, Senator Dinniman, Daniel and the many animal advocates who called their Senators and Representatives to move this bill into law. Without the help of everyone involved, this bill wouldn’t be in the position of becoming a law in the very near future.
I personally feel this bill should be dedicated to all of the animals who have died by means of a gas chamber. You have not been and will not be forgotten.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have victory! Now we must work on ridding the shelters of homeless animals. As Joe said to me, nothing is impossible. I completely agree!
(You can read the bill in its entirety by clicking on the link below.)
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=2630