Grace's Law, H.B. 788 passed the Georgia House of Representatives on Tuesday March 16 by an overwhelming majority. There were 115 votes in favor, and only 46 opposed. Legislators across the state reported receiving enormous numbers of calls from constituents in support of this bill. Some even reported receiving more calls in support of banning the gas chamber as a means of killing shelter pets than they did about the budget.
Representative Tom Knox, H.B. 788 sponsor spoke in favor of the bill, citing the cruelties inherent in the gas chamber, such as animals suffering for 30 minutes or more in a dark box before they die, and frightened animals attacking each other in the chamber as they are gassed. When asked about 'wild' cats, he spoke of TNR, or 'Trap, Neuter and Return' as being a preferred method of handling feral cats, rather than killing them.
The few arguments opposed to Grace's Law were vehement, perplexing and factually incorrect--stating that animals simply fall asleep in a gas chamber, that they die within only two or three minutes and that it is the most humane method of killing shelter pets. Individuals who have witnessed gassing as it has been practiced in Georgia's shelters have testified that it is both horrific and inhumane, causing tremendous distress to the animals and to shelter workers, and that the animals can take upwards of thirty minutes and repeated gassings to die. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that EBI, or 'euthanasia by injection' is more humane than the gas chamber. Opposition also incorrectly stated that EBI is more costly than gassing, something which has been disproved by cost studies, including one commissioned by the American Humane Association.
In conducting their grassroots campaign, the Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare learned that many people, including some who lived just a few blocks away from shelters which used gas chambers, were unaware of the issue. Once informed, they were appalled by the practice and supportive of a ban to gassing, and proved it by calling, faxing and writing their Representatives. Thus the continued gassing of shelter pets in the state appears to have been the result, not of an uncaring public, but of a lack of information surrounding the abusive practice of gassing pets. Uproars following well-publicized incidents have resulted in some chambers being closed already, such as in Liberty County, where Grace endured her 2006 ordeal, and in Macon.
The bill must next be passed by the Georgia State Senate before it can become the law of the land. Once again, the Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare will be asking the people of Georgia to contact their legislators, this time in the Senate, with calls or letters of support for Grace's Law.
Grace's Law has been assigned to the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. Constituents (and only constituents) of members of the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee should call their Senators and ask that they pass H.B. 788, Grace's Law favorably out of committee as written. All other Georgia residents should call, write or fax their Senators and ask them to please vote 'yes' on Grace's Law, H.B. 788 when it goes to the floor of the Senate.
If you are unsure who your Senator 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 Senator's name will be highlighted in blue under the "State Legislative" heading. Click on the name to go to their page which will have a link to their complete contact information.
Members of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee are:
David Shafer (R-SS 48) Chairman
Renee S. Unterman (R-SS 45) Vice Chairman
Ed Harbison (D-SS 15) Secretary
Gloria S. Butler (D-SS 55) Member
Earl "Buddy" Carter (R-SS 01) Member
Steve Henson (D-SS 41) Member
Jack Hill (R-SS 04) Member
Dan Moody (R-SS 56) Ex-Officio
Jack Murphy (R-SS 27) Ex-Officio
Mitch Seabaugh (R-SS 28) Member
Doug Stoner (D-SS 06) Member
Ross Tolleson (R-SS 20) Ex-Officio
Tommie Williams (R-SS 19) Member
While several counties in Georgia still use the gas chamber to kill shelter pets, the vast majority--over 100, do not.
Ending the abuse of shelter pets clearly has widespread grassroots voter support. The citizens of Georgia spoke and their legislators listened. Banning the gas chamber is an important step towards a more humane, and ultimately a No Kill Georgia.
If you liked this article and would like to receive future Atlanta Animal Welfare Examiner articles by email, click on the ‘subscribe’ button at the top of this page. The Atlanta Animal Welfare Examiner is committed to keeping you informed about new developments concerning Grace's Law.
Grace's family thanks Georgians for passing H.B. 788 through the House Tuesday.
Comments
Thank you for this article. The links are very helful. From what I'm told, this bill will get voted on in the Senate the week of 3/29 or the following week. I have called all Senators on this list and will call again Monday and follow up with a faxed letter.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!