Law could change N.C. animal shelter euthanization

COLUMBUS COUNTY -- The way shelters euthanize animals in North Carolina may soon change. In April 2006 NewsChannel 3 reported complaints about inhumane practices going on the Columbus County Animal Shelter. A former animal control officer there said they would gas more than a dozen dogs at a time in the same homemade gas chamber. The General Assembly has a report made by the State Animal Welfare Department that recommends changing much of that. Columbus County Animal Control Director Rossie Hayes said, "We do it on Friday. We still use the gas chamber. We abide by the state law. If the law changes, we'll change with it. Whatever the law requires, we'll abide by it." The State Animal Welfare Department is recommending new euthanasia guidelines for all state shelters. One recommendation is that animals must be separated from one another when they are gassed. Another is each shelter must use a manufacturer's approved gas chamber.