Athens County is one of only 15 counties in Ohio (out of 88) that still euthanizes homeless pets by carbon monoxide poisoning. This procedure can take up to 30 minutes to end an animal’s life — and they lose consciousness and brain function only after their vital organs shut down, causing prolonged suffering and distress. The alternative — euthanasia by injection, or EBI — causes loss of consciousness within 3 to 5 seconds and clinical death within 2 to 5 minutes. EBI causes animals to lose consciousness and brain function before their vital organs shut down, so they do not suffer. This is the same method veterinarians use to euthanize pets.
EBI is not only more humane. It’s also less expensive. In a Humane Society of the United States study of the costs associated with EBI and gas, carbon monoxide gassing cost an average of $4.98 per animal. Gas without a tranquilizer cost $4.66 per animal. But EBI cost only $2.29 per animal. In statements made to proponents of EBI in Athens County, commissioners have said that the county euthanizes 40 to 50 animals per year. Switching to EBI could save the shelter up to $135 per year — not a lot of money, but enough to buy a lot of dog food!
Other statements from the commissioners cite the concern of the dog warden and shelter employees about being bitten during an EBI procedure. Surely, with 71 counties using EBI only, Ohio has plenty of best-practice examples our county employees could follow to lessen their risk. None of Athens’ six contiguous counties uses gas. Isn’t it time Athens County joined that group?
