Bill makes gassing animals illegal

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Gov. Bill Richardson signed two key animal welfare bills into law Monday morning.

One of the bills bans the use of gas chambers in state animal shelters, and the other allows both veterinarians and technicians to possess and administer drugs for animal euthanasia.

Currently four New Mexico towns use carbon monoxide gas to euthanize animals. Those towns are Portales, Clovis, Jal and Tucumcari.

This January, Peggy Weigle of the Animal Sheltering Services Board said she wanted it stopped.

"Carbon monoxide gassing of dogs and cats is inhumane and the Humane Society of the United States has come down and said it is inhumane," Weigle said.

House Majority Leader Kenny Martinez agreed and sponsored House Bill 265.

It passed the legislature and the governor signed the bill into law on Monday. The law prohibits euthanasia of dogs and cats by gas chambers.

The bill closes a loophole in existing legislation, and would eliminate the use of gas chambers in all cities and municipalities.

All Animals euthanized in New Mexico will be done by lethal injection now.

The governor requested $100,000 from his executive budget for the implementation of the bill.

Richardson said the state is making animal euthanasia more humane.

Cost has been an issue for some cities. Clovis Commissioners said gas costs around $3,500 per year, while the alternative costs $5-$18 per injection.

The cities have a one year grace period to change from gas to lethal injection.