Pennsylvania Republican Wants Congress on Record Against Shelters Gassing Animals

A Pennsylvania Republican introduced a non-binding resolution yesterday to put the House on the record against the gassing of stray cats and dogs.

Rep. Lou Barletta hopes that his resolution will bring needed public attention to “this cruel manner of euthanizing an animal” that still happens in many jurisdictions, including in his home state.

“This is a cruel way to euthanize an animal,” Barletta said. “Sometimes the poor cat or dog is not completely euthanized and it suffers terribly. It’s a horrible practice. I’ve even seen videos where the exhaust from a vehicle is used to try to euthanize an animal.”

Barletta consulted with The Humane Society of the United States on the issue of gas chamber euthanasia before drafting the resolution.

“As a pet owner who considers our dog and two cats an important part of our family, I find it horrific that an official who can’t locate an animal’s owner could take the dog or cat to a facility where it could be gassed,” the congressman said. “This is unconscionable in the United States in the 21^st century.”