Community Corner

Letter to the Editor: Legislation Would Ban Gas Chamber at Michigan Animal Shelters

Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter advocate for proposed legislation protecting dogs and cats.

Dear Editor,

The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter are dedicated to the rescue and protection of homeless animals in the community, while inspiring healthy relationships between people and their companion pets.

As part of our mission, we participate in and promote community education regarding companion animals and legislation issues affecting them. The Michigan Legislature is currently considering a number of important companion animal protection bills.

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The Friends support these bills and encourage the community to consider the same.

Senate Bill 560  has four components:

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• For the first time, it requires breeders with more than 15 female breeding dogs to register with the state of Michigan and create humane guidelines, such as requiring breeders to vaccinate their dogs and treat them for parasites.

• Require that when euthanasia is necessary at a shelter, pet store or large-scale breeding facility, the procedure must be performed in accordance with American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines.

• Limit commercial breeders to keeping no more than 50 breeding female dogs.

• Reduce the hold period in shelters for animals who are not owned to make it easier for shelters to place animals into new homes quickly and serve additional animals in need.

Senate Bill 354 bans the gas chamber as a method to euthanize animals. When euthanasia must occur, we recommend euthanasia by injection performed by trained professionals, according to AVMA guidelines, in order to make the procedure as peaceful and painless as possible. Injections are far more humane for the animals, is safer for workers, and costs less than using the gas chamber. 

Senate Bills 285/286 would increase penalties for deliberate cruelty, including for cases involving large numbers of animals and for breeders and pet stores.

I ask that you please consider contacting your state senator and asking him or her to support these bills.

For more information about these bills, visit www.DearbornAnimals.org and click on Education-Advocacy.

Elaine Greene

Executive Director
Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter


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