Gas chamber discussions

Most people agree that they would rather not see animals in a shelter euthanized. Green River Animal Control is constantly working to realize this goal, and has successfully maintained a "no kill" status, meaning that at least 90% of the animals that go through the shelter are saved. 

This status gives a 10% margin, recognizing that some animals have medical or behavioral circumstances that warrant humane euthanasia. When it comes to that 10%, however, there has been discussion over how to handle them. 

Recently, some Green River residents have expressed concern and confusion over the fact that the gas chamber at Animal Control hasn't been removed. Animal Control staff, however, stand by the system that is in place, which includes limited use of the gas chamber.

The concerns 

Last Thursday afternoon, cars driving past Animal Control may have noticed a group of people standing on the sidewalk and holding signs with statements such as "Stop killing our pets in the gas chamber now," "No animal deserves to be gassed," and "End gas chamber cruelty immediately!" 

The protest was organized by Madhu Anderson, who has previously led protests and spoken out about the topic. Her hope is for the gas chamber to eventually be removed entirely, and she said she plans to continue protesting on a regular basis.

"It's just a very outdated method and it's not very liked by most people," Anderson said. "So I think it should be removed. It's time. It's time to say goodbye to the gas chamber now." 

"The gas chamber is extremely cruel, inhumane, outdated," said Tina Chambers, another participant in the protest. "The city said two years ago they were going to get rid of it. They have not." 

Jason Monroe was a Green River resident who also participated in the protest, and he explained that he remembered discussion about removing the gas chamber and was surprised to hear that the issue hadn't been resolved. 

"Why is it still being used?" Monroe asked. "Especially when there's only two states that still permit it. That's not a short list we want to be on as a community, and I think we can do better." 

Anderson explained that only Wyoming and Missouri still use gas chambers as a method of euthanasia, and in Wyoming only Evanston and Green River still have and use them. 

"If it was humane, then all these states wouldn't have banned it," Anderson said. 

Anderson added that the Humane Society of the United States offers a $3,000 grant for removing gas chambers, which Green River has not accepted. 

The gas chamber used at Animal Control is also old, according to Anderson and Monroe, who said the equipment is from 1985. Anderson said that animals suffer in a gas chamber if the gas isn't pumped in at the right concentration and rate, and added that the chamber is stressful for animals to be inside of.

"If it wasn't so scary and bad there wouldn't be controversy around it," Chambers said. Chambers added that she encourages people to do research into the topic for themselves and listen to all sides of the discussion. 

The support 

The Animal Control Officers at Green River Animal Control are particularly aware of not only the controversies but the varying opinions on gas chamber use. 

"With regard to euthanasia, there are strong opinions on both sides," Animal Control Supervisor Tracy Wyant explained. 

Wyant has previously expressed her belief that the gas chamber is a humane method of euthanasia when used properly. However, following the discussions that have taken place over the past two years since the question of the gas chamber was raised, Animal Control has worked towards using the gas chamber less. 

"We have also transitioned to an injection method of euthanasia that we currently use the majority of the time," Wyant explained. 

Part of the process of moving towards using mostly injections included renovations at the shelter, such as turning one of the storage rooms at the shelter into a medical room, according to Wyant. 

However, the gas chamber is still available as an option for staff. 

"There are a few occasions where the preferred method is the chamber due to the situation with that individual animal," Wyant explained. "Generally, this is because the animal is too dangerous to use the injection method on, and the only safe option for the animal and the staff is to use the chamber."

When using the gas chamber, Wyant said the staff at Animal Control is not doing anything illegal or unethical. She pointed out that Dr. Ben Osbourne with Castle Rock Veterinary Hospital has come to Animal Control to observe the chamber in use and has given Animal Control his support in using it as a humane method. 

"We strictly follow AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) guidelines for euthanasia," Wyant said. "We also act morally and ethically, and within department policy, and will continue to do so."

The city's perspective

When the topic of the gas chamber was initially brought before the Green River City Council in January of 2022, City Administrator Reed Clevenger indicated that the use of the gas chamber would be stopped, but City Clerk Chris Meats noted that the goal was to move away from its use and move toward other methods. 

In September of 2022, Madhu Anderson spoke to the City Council to ask why the gas chamber hadn't been removed yet. At that time Police Chief Tom Jarvie, who has since retired, answered by pointing out the work that was being done so other methods could be used, and he reiterated that the gas chamber was being used according to guidelines and that staff worked to save animals whenever possible. 

"I understand the concern of this group," Jarvie said. "I understand their heart's in the right place. What they don't understand is our staff's heart is in the right place, and they're doing everything they possibly can, and the animals are treated humanely and fairly. And we would love to not have to euthanize any animals. We have irresponsible pet owners in our community that make this necessary. So anything that can be done to take care of that problem as opposed to demeaning our staff publicly, I would appreciate."

During the September 6, 2022 meeting, Council Members Gary Killpack and Sherry Bushman also spoke in support of Animal Control staff and the work they do. 

"I am happy with what they're doing, and I personally don't see the need for a change," Killpack said. 

This week, following the recent protest, Mayor Pete Rust again reiterated that Animal Control is moving away from using the gas chamber on a regular basis. 

Data from 2022, the year when Animal Control began the process of transitioning toward injection, show that 52.9% of animals were euthanized by gas and 41.1% were euthanized by injection through the year. The remaining 6% comes from wild animals euthanized by Game and Fish.

"We got statistics at the end of the year and they clearly have reduced the number of animals that have been euthanized through the gas chamber," Rust said. 

Rust also explained that many council members have been to Animal Control to observe the changes happening and the system that is in place. He also noted from his own research into the topic that there are differing opinions on euthanasia methods. One of his main concerns has always been doing what is best for both the physical safety and mental health of the staff. He also pointed out that in general people don't know what all goes on with difficult topics like euthanasia unless they are the ones doing it. 

"I think that the council and myself continue to be committed to allowing the folks that know what they're doing, the professionals, to do their job," Rust said.