Sulphur Springs City Council Votes
To Use "Injections" At Animal Shelter

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It's one of those situations that most of us don't want to think about, but someone has to deal with it! The Sulphur Springs City Council faced a decision on Tuesday night, of deciding how animals at the Animal Shelter would be euthanized, when it becomes necessary. The City of Sulphur Springs was one of a few municipalities that still used the "gassing" method for dogs and cats.

However, a vote of the council on Tuesday night, will replace that method with a lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital.

 

 

A visit with local veterinarian, Dr. David Black, revealed that either method is "humane." "Mainly it deals with the way that the treatment is administered," expressed Black. "With the injection, the Animal Control Officer or Veterinarian can personally administer the dosage while talking and petting the animal, while with the previous method, it was similar to someone going to sleep from carbon-dioxide poisoning. The main advantage of the injection method is to reduce anxiety that some younger animals experience, using the previous method, and this is eliminated with the injection method, allowing for a more peaceful expiration."

 

 

 

"Of course, the best case is that people in our community will be responsible and there won't be an overflow of  unwanted pets, that require euthanasia," allowed Black. "And, our Animal Control officers in the City of Sulphur Springs, do an outstanding job of trying to make sure that all of the animals are adopted. However, from time to time, due to sickness, injury, and overcrowding, it becomes necessary to euthanize an animal!"

Black allowed that the local veterinary community will continue to support the Animal Shelter and work with them as always with this problem. "We offer clinics to spay and neuter animals and work closely with the Shelter, so that the problem doesn't get 'out of hand' in this community!"

One local veterinarian and several citizens addressed the council, in favor of the injection method, during the discussion phase of Tuesday night's vote.

 

Sadly, for Animal Control Officers and local Veterinarians, sometimes, due to neglect, they
find animals that are sick and emaciated, in our community.

 

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