Humane Association applauds Davie's Law

The American Humane Association commends N.C. Rep. Cary Allred (64th state House District) for introducing Davie's Law, a groundbreaking bill that would end the use of gas chambers to euthanize shelter animals in North Carolina.

Davie's Law (H.B. 6) is named after a shelter puppy who survived a gas chamber and was later found alive in a Davie County dumpster.

Spearheaded by the North Carolina Coalition for Humane Euthanasia, the bill is a significant step toward improving the safety and lives of animals — and the people who work with them — throughout North Carolina. Davie's Law would ensure that when the state's unwanted, sick or unadoptable cats and dogs have to be euthanized, the procedure will be done only by injection of sodium pentobarbital.

American Humane considers that method to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia for dogs and cats in animal shelters. American Humane is prepared to support North Carolina's shelters through their transition to this method.

For years, American Humane has expressed concern that many North Carolina animal shelters have failed to adopt euthanasia by injection as their sole means of euthanasia.

The continual public outcry against the gas chambers still used in 32 of the state's shelters illustrates the critical need to amend the inhumane and dangerous practice that has continued far too long.

Iredell County's July 22 gas chamber explosion is a perfect example of the hazards associated with gas chambers.

American Humane recently commissioned a study on the costs associated with euthanasia by injection and by gas. According to data from a North Carolina animal sheltering organization, the number of dogs and cats euthanized in 2007 was 5,427.

The study shows that the cost to use carbon monoxide poisoning is $4.98 per animal, or $4.66 per animal when no tranquilizer is used. The cost to use euthanasia by injection, however, is only $2.29 per animal.

Thus, euthanasia by injection is not only more humane, it is less costly to communities.

We must work together to spare North Carolina's shelter animals from an inhumane death in the gas chamber.

We urge concerned and compassionate citizens to ask their representatives to support Davie's Law so thousands of animals will be spared needless suffering.

Allie Phillips
Director, Public Policy
American Humane Association
and
Tracy Coppola
Legislative Analyst
American Humane Association
Englewood, Colo.

www.americanhumane.org

Downtown Hickory does need energizing

In response to Our Voice, "More People Needed in Downtown" Hickory, you are right on target.

I have some comments and suggestions. We moved to Hickory about 2-1/2 years ago from a small town that had a quaint, vibrant downtown. There were specialty shops, small eateries , movie theatre, coffee shops, etc. It basically had similarities to the Hickory downtown.

We were surprised at how few people we would see in downtown Hickory. Mayor Wright would like to see a downtown "bustling with activity 18 hours a day." That would be great for everyone.

On our first visit to downtown, we ate lunch and shopped. When we finished, just over two hours later, we had a parking ticket. I didn't realize there was a two hour parking limit.You can't eat and shop in two hours. Therefore, we went downtown less frequently because of the parking.. We also found that if we went to dinner in the downtown on Friday, most shops are already closed.

In our previous town, they had at least one Friday a month where all businesses had sidewalk sales and would stay open until 9pm. It was very successful.

Specialty shops like Mast General Store and Fresh Market are good ideas. They could also use small eateries. It would be nice if they even had a small diner-type place people could go to after seeing a movie at the Carolina Theatre.

There needs to be creative marketing; especially in this economic slowdown. Vacant storefronts only emphasize the negative.

Maybe HDR can call City Council and see if they can have a special meeting so the community can offer their input about how to improve the downtown. We need to support our downtown and also attract more business.

A vital downtown is in the best interest of everyone.

Craig Boyer
Hickory