HB 2630- The National Euthanasia Method Act has replaced SB1329, Senator Andy Dinninman’s version of eliminating the use of gas chambers in animal shelters in Pennsylvania.
State Rep. John Maher (R) who is the Chair of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committe is the main sponsor of HB 2630 replacing Senator Andy Dinniman (D) in that position. Rep. Maher introduced the HB 2630 on September 21st.
HB 2630 passed from the House Committee last week with a unanimous vote and is now scheduled to be approved by the entire House of Representatives early this week. A vote will be coming up for a vote for consideration on Tuesday (October 2nd), as told to me by Maher’s Legislative Director. If it passes in the House, it moves on to the Senate where Senator Dinniman promises to work hard to get this bill passed. Then, Governor Corbett’s turn to sign it. Not much time but it can be done.
According to Rep. Maher’s email response to me regarding this matter, HB 2630 states “anyone performing euthanasia should know what they are doing” and says his bill includes language that calls for euthanasia technician training. According to Maher, he says “misapplication by dose or technique can lead to prolonged and painful torture of animals.” Maher said “he championed another bill that was approved by the Senate in the Spring which was amended in the Senate to permit altogether untrained people to deploy lethal substances.” He says “I will not trade one evil for another!”
HB 2630 will “entirely end carbon monoxide gas chambers for cats and dogs, prohibit drowning of animals, and require euthanasia by trained people using drugs approved by the US FDA for a humane and painless death.” Senator Dinniman is like-minded and is working to get Senate approval for HB 2630 when it reaches the Senate. Rep. Maher says he has been working with Senator Dinniman to get a bill passed that will end the use of gas chambers in animal shelters in PA.Rep.Maher continues to tell me that he feels “very optimistic that we will be able to celebrate another victory in protecting animals from cruelty very soon.”
Senator’s Dinniman’s Communication’s Director, Adam Cirucci told me, although Dinniman is no longer the main sponsor, they do want to see this bill passed into law by the end of this session to end the barbaric use of gas chambers and are looking forward to a celebration of the passing of SB 2630 in December.
Sadly, SB 2630 will not be referred to as Daniel’s Law, according to Maher’s email response to me. He feels “Pennsylvania and many other states already have a “Daniel’s Law” that provides for a safe harbor for mothers who choose to anonymously leave infants for adoption at a safe spot.”
In Maher’s closing statements to me, he said the first law he found against gassing animals emananted from an Alabam dog rescued from a gas chamber and is named Beckam’s Act after that dog. What he finds of particular interest is Daniel, the dog who was the original impetus for this bill, was from Alabama.
Daniel, the beagle who survived that gas chamber, continues to go out on the road with his dad, Joe Dwyer, to speak about important animal issues. Daniel who was at death’s door now is treated like a rock star! If only all shelter animals could enjoy the same treatment.
After speaking with both Senator Dinniman’s office and Rep. Maher’s office, the feeling I get from both elected officials is that there is hope that PA may have a law that finally ends the archaic use of gas chambers as a means to kill animals in PA. Let’s hope so! If you want to read HB 2630 click on the link, http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2011&sind=0&body=H&type=B&BN=2630