Decry Method as Inhumane and Unacceptable in Animals and People
Veterinarians and Animal Welfare professionals in Louisiana and across the country are speaking out against the use of nitrogen hypoxia, also known as gas suffocation, as a method of execution for human beings.
These professionals, who have a diverse range of knowledge and experience with the appropriate methods of humane euthanasia for dogs and cats, are sharing their concerns over gassing and asking Governor Jeff Landry to reconsider its use.
The Veterinarians and Animal Welfare Professionals Against Gassing Coalition – will speak out against the use of gas suffocation on human beings at a press conference this Tuesday, February 25 in New Orleans at 9:30 a.m. Central Time (more details below).
The veterinary and animal welfare industries have opposed the use of gassing as a method of depopulation in animal shelters for decades. Gas suffocation of companion animals has been banned in all but two states. Louisiana law (RS 3:2465) mandates that only methods deemed acceptable in American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals be used to euthanize dogs and cats.
“We’ve long known about the brutal effects gas suffocation has on animals,” added Louisiana based veterinarian, Michael Greenberg, DVM, “The eye-witness accounts of the recent executions in Alabama have shown it’s an equally barbaric method to use on humans. Aren’t we better than this?”
According to an article published in the June 25, 2024 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) written by Philip E. Bickler, MD, PhD and Michael S. Lipnick, MD, who both work at the Hypoxia Research Laboratory at UCSF, “Nitrogen is considered too inhumane for euthanizing mice or dogs,” and “The existing body of knowledge on the effects of hypoxia on humans argues against its use for capital punishment due to its inconsistent and frequently distressing effects.”
“There was a time when dogs and cats were euthanized by gas suffocation in animal shelters. It was a horrific process that caused extreme distress and acute pain” said Dr. Alana Canupp, a shelter veterinarian who holds active veterinary licenses in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, and Arkansas, “It is now completely unacceptable to use on animals, so why would we seek to use it on humans?”
WHAT: Press conference with Veterinarians and Animal Welfare Professionals Against Gassing. The group will address the science behind why this method is inhumane, other ethical considerations and a sign-on letter from animal welfare and veterinary professionals across the country. The letter will implore Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to reconsider this method of execution.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 25th at 9:30am CST
WHERE: Crescent Bark, 3800-3898 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70117
WHO: Alana Canupp, DVM; Michael Greenberg, DVM; Karen Slomba, Slomba Shelter Solutions; and others
LIVESTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/VeterinariansAgainstGassing/
Karen Slomba, a former animal shelter director and now CEO of Slomba Shelter Solutions, a company that employs hundreds of veterinary professionals nationwide, also has experience with euthanasia. “We sometimes had to euthanize vicious dogs who mauled children. Ending that animal’s life was necessary but it was done humanely because there were always two families impacted: the family of the injured child and the family that owned and loved the dog. Let’s not forget that individuals on death row have families who love them– mothers, daughters, brothers and wives. In the end, they also suffer.”
Contact: Karen Slomba (716) 474-0335,karen@slombasheltersolutions.com
