ST. PAULS, N.C. (AP) - The only shelter in North Carolina to use "heart sticking" to euthanize animals has stopped the practice.

The Robesonian in Lumberton reported that the Robeson County Health Department agreed last week to euthanize intravenously rather than using heart sticking. That procedure involves puncturing a sedated animal's heart with a needle containing sodium pentobarbital.

Health Director Bill Smith called for the change last week after meeting with animal rights advocates and state Rep. Pat McElraft, who is sponsoring a bill to outlaw heart sticking in North Carolina.

Intravenous euthanasia was scheduled to begin Tuesday at the shelter in St. Pauls, where about 4,000 animals are euthanized each year.

Information from: The Robesonian