Grace, the miracle dog who survived gassing in 2006 and inspired legislation to ban it, enjoys life.

Phil Draughon

 

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Grace's Law, H.B. 788 passed the Rules Committee yesterday and is scheduled to be heard and voted on by the full Georgia House of Representatives on Tuesday March 16.  It will be heard under the Modified Structured Rule, the second most restrictive rule.  The Rules Committee office and members received literally thousands of calls from across the state in support of Grace's Law.  The show of support from Georgia residents was described as "overwhelming".  Grace's Law had originally been scheduled to be heard by the Rules Committee on Monday, but was delayed until Thursday.

Grace's Law will ban the use of the gas chamber to kill shelter pets in Georgia.  It will also outlaw the use of 'heartsticking' to kill Georgia's shelter pets.  "Hearsticking' is the injection of lethal drugs directly into the heart of a conscious animal.  Both procedures cause thousands of animals to suffer greatly before they die.

Graces Law, H.B. 788 still needs the support of Georgia voters when it goes before the House of Representatives.  Georgia residents who have not yet done so should call their Representatives, which is more effective than email.  Please do so before Tuesday March 16.  Ask them to vote 'yes' on Grace's Law, H.B. 788. 

It is particularly important that residents of counties which still use the gas chamber to kill shelter pets call or write in support of Grace's Law.  They are:

1. Ashburn, City of (In Turner County; no county facility; chamber housed in city.)
2. Butts County Animal Control
3. Cobb County Animal Control
4. Cordele, City of (Crisp County)
5. Cuthbert, City of (In Randolph County; no county facility; chamber housed in city.)
6. Haralson County Animal Shelter
7. Hawkinsville, City of (In Pulaski County; no county facility; chamber housed in city.)
8. Henry County Animal Control
9. Lakeland, City of (In Lanier County; no county facility; chamber housed in city.)
10. Mitchell County Animal Control
11. Vienna, City of Animal Shelter (In Dooly County; no county facility; chamber housed in city.)

If you are unsure who your Representative is, just go to the Project Vote Smart page, type in your zip code and click "go". If you don't know your zip+4, click “Don’t know your 9 digit zip?” on the right side of the screen and follow the instructions, then return to the Project Vote Smart page and use it. Your Representative's name will be highlighted in blue under the "State Legislative" heading. The bill is not yet before the Senate, so only contact your Representative at this time. Click on the name to go to their page which will have a link to their complete contact information.

Grace's Law is named for a hound who survived a horrific ordeal in the now-defunct Liberty County gas chamber.  She survived thirty minutes of gassing with carbon monoxide, an ordeal which left the other dogs in the chamber with her dead.  She was rescued when a member of the Liberty County Humane Society, who just happened to be in the building,  heard that a dog was found alive after gassing and intervened, rushing her to the vet where she began her recovery.  A media frenzy followed, along with speculation as to how and why  she survived.  She was found to have heartworm disease, which is fatal if untreated, and which may have, ironically, contributed to her surviving the gas chamber by compromising her cardiovascular system and slowing her absorption of the carbon monoxide.  After her recovery, she was adopted.  Grace remains a celebrity in Savannah.

Phil Draughon, the man who adopted her describes her today:  "She’s an incredible, affectionate, loyal, fun-loving dog who’s pretty smart and pretty good at getting into trouble. She’s healthy, active, and loving life." 

Grace has taught herself how to open doors. 

Again, Phil Draughon:  "We made a very brief video of Grace opening the door to our conservatory. It's only a few seconds long, but just LOOK at the enthusiasm she has for life. We didn't teach her how to do this; she taught herself, and she uses that technique every morning to open my bedroom door. Just look at the joy -- surely it portended this auspicious day."

Georgia residents must continue to show their support for an end to the abusive practice of gassing of shelter pets.  We still need a few more auspicious days before this bill can become a law.

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Grace taught herself to open doors.