The Humane Society applauds Utah stopping the use of gas chambers

SALT LAKE CITY– Both the Utah and National Chapters of the Humane Society are celebrating that Gov. Spencer Cox signed the Animal Shelter Revisions bill into law.

The bill guarantees that gas chambers are no longer used to euthanize shelter animals.

Utah was one of three remaining states with active gas chambers in animal shelters.

Missouri and Wyoming are the only two states to continue this practice.

In January, actress Katherine Heigl — who is a Utah resident — spoke at the Capitol to support the bill. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, who spoke at the Capitol with Heigl.

“I love it here and (am) grateful to call this place my home. In my opinion, this is a bit of a black mark on this incredibly sacred place,” said Heigl.

According to a press release, the Humane Society of the United States has worked on this issue for almost 10 years.

In a statement, President and CEO of the HSUS, Kitty Block, said that euthanizing animals by gas is “terrifying and slow.”

Block went on to say, “not only are gas chambers cruel for animals, but they also endanger shelter staff with the potential for injury, including accidental gas inhalation, and they have been condemned by the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.”

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