Earlier this month, a beagle named Daniel (pictured), survived the unthinkable and unimaginable- a gas chamber in which he was to die along with the other animals in it.
Daniel not only survived but is thriving. Although this chamber of horrors is located in an Alabama shelter, Daniel’s story touched Senator Andy Dinniman of PA.
Daniel, the Miracle Dog, caused Senator Dinniman proposing legislation in PA, Senate Bill 1329, that would finally BAN the use of gas chambers PA. This ban would make PA the 19th state in the nation to do so.
Daniel is currently in New Jersey awaiting adoption to the right person(s). Because of the proximity of Daniel to PA, he will be atteding the rally this Sunday in Malvern at the Thorncroft Equestrian Center, 190 Line Road, Malvern, PA 19355. YAY!
Daniel is a five year old beagle that gained national attention when he didn’t die in that gas chamber. Daniel isn’t the only animal to survive these death chambers. Can you imagine being placed in a chamber gasping for air, frothing at the mouth and struggling to survive? How Daniel survived is a miracle. Others aren’t lucky and sadly their lives end horribly. Some animals can take ten minutes to die while others may take at least 30 minutes or longer to suffocate to death. Animals have been through the traumatizing chamber of death more than one time since they survived the first round of carbon monoxide.
PA still has at least three shelters located in Western PA using these barbaric chambers of horror. Hopefully, PA will recognize the need to stop this form of euthanasia. Dinniman has 35 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
Come out and join the rallly that Senator Dinniman will be hosting with other animal advocates this Sunday between 2-3 PM. You can bring your well-behaved, leashed dog to this event.
If you can’t attend, contact your State Senator and Representative and the Senate Agriculture Committee. Taken from Senator Dinniman’s website:
Contact Members of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. (Chair)Senate Box 203047Harrisburg, PA 17120-3047(717) 787-3076Fax: (717) 772-2756evogel@pasen.gov
Senator Michael Waugh (Vice Chair)Senate Box 203028Harrisburg, PA 17120-3028(717) 787-3817Fax: (717) 783-1900mwaugh@pasen.gov
Senator Judith Schwank (Minority Chair)Senate Box 203011Harrisburg, PA 17120-3011(717) 787-8925Fax: (717) 772-0578senatorschwank@pasenate.com
Senator Joseph ScarnatiSenate Box 203025Harrisburg, PA 17120-3025(717) 787-7084FAX: (717) 772-2755jscaranti@pasen.gov
Senator Michael BrubakerSenate Box 203036Harrisburg, PA 17120-3036(717) 787-4420Fax: (717) 783-3156mbrubaker@pasen.gov
Senator John Eichelberger, Jr.Senate Box 203030Harrisburg, PA 17120-3030(717) 787-5490FAX: (717) 783-5192jeichelberger@pasen.gov
Senator Robert RobbinsSenate Box 203050Harrisburg, PA 17120-3050(717) 787-1322Fax: (717) 772-0577rrobbins@pasen.gov
Senator Shirley KitchenSenate Box 203003Harrisburg, PA 17120-3003(717) 787-6735Fax (717) 772-0581kitchen@pasenate.com
Senator Timothy SolobaySenate Box 203046Harrisburg, PA 17120-3046(717) 787-1463Fax: (717) 772-2108tsolobay@pasenate.com
Contact senate leaders and your local state senator and representative.
Senator Jay Costa
The Democratic Senate Leader
Senate Box 203043Harrisburg, PA 17120-3043(717) 787-7683Fax: (717) 783-5976
costa@pasenate.com
Senator Dominic Pileggi
The Republican Senate Leader
Senate Box 203009Harrisburg, PA 17120-3009(717) 787-4712Fax: (717) 783-7490
dpileggi@pasen.gov
Sample Letter in Support of Senate Bill 1329
Dear Senator _________,
It’s time for Pennsylvania to join the long and growing list of states that prohibit gassing as a method for euthanizing pet animals.
I encourage you to support and move forward Senate Bill 1329, legislation that would prohibit gassing and also require that cats and dogs be euthanized by injection of sodium pentobarbital or one of its derivatives – the method widely considered the most humane.
This issue is extremely personal to me and many other voters who care deeply for our pets. Humane euthanasia is affordable and available, and we no longer need to permit veterinarians and shelters to continue the often inhumane and dated act of gassing. It’s an appalling fact that it remains a perfectly legal method of euthanasia to attach a hose from the tailpipe of a vehicle to a sealed container to suffocate a dog or cat.
I urge you to support Senate Bill 1329 and vote it out of committee now.
Sincerely,
Your name
Sample Talking Points in Support of Senate Bill 1329
Euthanasia by injection is the safest and least expensive way to euthanize shelter animals.
Under current Pennsylvania law, pets killed by gassing may be subjected to temperatures of up to 115 degrees.
Carbon monoxide poses a danger to humans because it is colorless, tasteless, odorless, and highly explosive. In 2000, a shelter worker in Tennessee was asphyxiated to death while operating a faulty gas chamber and others have been injured. In contrast, there are no documented reports of any shelter worker being killed from an accidental injection of sodium pentobarbital
It can take up to 30 minutes for a dog or cat to die in a gas chamber, whereas an injection causes loss of consciousness within 3 to 5 seconds and clinical death within 2 to 5 minutes.
Animals don’t always die in gas chambers.
Gas chambers need to be outlawed in PA. They’ve been in use since 1983 in PA and it’s time to get rid of all of them so no animal has to die in this manner.