In 2011, AVRAL and a number of concerned citizens requested an updated list of ASBVME registered animal facilities. They were advised by ASBVME Executive Director Tammy Wallace that the board had decided that a current list would no longer be made available to the public, and suggested they refer to the year-old list of 2010.
In addition, the board instructed Wallace to convey that confirmation of licenses of euthanasia technicians would also be denied to the public. This begs the question, doesn't the public have a right to review the shelter list? After all, the majority of shelters on the list are funded by taxpayer dollars, the others funded at least in part (sometimes a large part) by charitable donors.
AVRAL discovered two unregistered gassing pounds, Andalusia (Covington County) and Russellville (Franklin County), not listed in 2010. Formal complaints were filed, as well as an additional complaint on an unregistered facility in Moulton (Lawrence County) in which methods of euthanasia were undetermined.
While Beckham's Bill made it's journey through the Alabama legislature, AVRAL received a response to the complaint on Andalusia's long-time use of an unregistered, unregulated gas chamber. The ASBVME respondent advised that Andalusia had begun the process to register, train in EBI injection and had indicated plans to cease use of the gas chamber.
In late summer, 2011, a response was received regarding Russellville, which stated that "the case had been dismissed", and that "Franklin County Pound was an unregistered animal facility, therefore, out of ASBVME's jurisdiction."
After a deluge of letters, emails, calls and attendance at Franklin County Commission meetings by AVRAL members and residents, county officials claim they've stopped using the gas chamber, which is an uninsulated, crumbling wooden shed, located at the county land fill. Franklin County's current registration status, provision for humane euthanasia and certification of licensed technicians are unknown. The refusal of ASBVME to provide an updated shelter list to confirm registration serves to cast a pall of suspicion around the facility.
As of this date, there has been no response to the complaint regarding Moulton-Lawrence County.
Currently, no authorized state agency exists on whom to call for assistance in such issues. Animals who find themselves homeless, sick or injured - through no fault of their own - are vulnerable, often languish in inhumane conditions, and are killed by undisclosed methods, with no oversight.
Contrary to the inviting message given to citizens on the ASBVME website, (The Veterinary Practice Act and Administrative Code), which leaves the impression of willingness to interact with Alabama taxpayers, from all accounts, they are unreceptive, inaccessible and refuse to distribute even the most benign information.
In absence of a state authority to oversee and enforce humane standards within animal facilities, to require accountability - and with ASBVME's inexplicable denial to supply a current list of registered facilities, there is no way to determine a precise number of registered or noncompliant facilities.
AVRAL leadership states, "It is imperative that a central, state entity be created that would require accurate reporting from animal facilities as well as an up-to-date list of registered facilities. Without accountability - reporting of intake, adoption, owner reclamation and euthanasia rates - we are forced to deal with approximate numbers. It's hard to make policy based on 'approximations'."
While Alabama animal advocates rejoice in Daniel's extraordinary survival and placement with an out-of-state adoptive family, thousands of dogs like Daniel are in need of adoption or rescue across Alabama. Though they may not enjoy the fame that comes with miraculous survival, they are no less worthy of a happy ending like Daniel's.
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