Fiscal impact
reports (FIRs)
are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility
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Current
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SPONSOR |
Romero |
DATE
TYPED |
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HB |
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SHORT TITLE |
Prohibit
Certain Animal Euthanasia Practices
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SB |
51 |
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ANALYST |
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APPROPRIATION
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Appropriation Contained |
Estimated Additional
Impact |
Recurring or Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
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FY04 |
FY05 |
FY04 |
FY05 |
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NFI |
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See Narrative |
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(Parenthesis ( )
Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
LFC
Files
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate
Bill 51 makes it unlawful for an employee or agent of an animal control service
or facility, animal shelter or humane society to use an intracardiac injection
to administer euthanasia on a conscious animal if the animal could first be
rendered unconscious in a humane manner.
Significant Issues
A critical responsibility for those in the
animal care and sheltering field is to provide the most humane death possible
for companion animals when euthanasia is necessary. In order to be humane,
every euthanasia technique must result in painless, rapid unconsciousness,
followed by cardiac or respiratory arrest, and ultimately death.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends the injection of
sodium pentobarbital, prepared specifically for use as a euthanasia product, as
the preferred agent for the euthanasia of companion animals. This method, when
properly performed, has been found to be the most humane, safest, least
stressful, and most professional choice by the HSUS, the American Humane
Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Shelter personnel must consider many factors when choosing a method of
euthanasia. The most important factor is the humaneness of the method. Other
considerations include the number and types of animals handled, the number of
employees available, the training available for euthanasia personnel, and legal
limitations. Once an acceptable method has been
chosen, shelter personnel must carefully maintain euthanasia equipment and keep
an accurate inventory of euthanasia drugs to ensure both an adequate supply and
the fulfillment of federal and state record-keeping requirements.
It is a binding obligation of shelter administrators to evaluate current
euthanasia procedures frequently, ensure that animals are being properly handled,
and verify that employees are competent, compassionate, and properly trained.
Employees must be able to cope emotionally with euthanizing large numbers of
animals while maintaining a concern for the well-being of each animal.
Sodium pentobarbital, injected by well-trained
and caring personnel, is the preferred method for providing the most humane
death for dogs and cats. Sodium
pentobarbital is a Schedule II barbiturate, which means it is a federally
controlled substance; it can only be purchased using a Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) registration and order form, and is subject to federal
security and record-keeping requirements. Its use is also carefully controlled
by state laws and regulations
Intravenous (IV) injection (within the vein) is considered to be the most rapid
and reliable method of performing euthanasia by injection when it can be
administered without causing fear or distress in the animal. Sodium
pentobarbital may be administered by intraperitoneal (IP) injection (within the
peritoneal cavity) to cats, kittens, and puppies if IV injections are difficult
or impractical. Sedation of aggressive, fearful, wild or feral animals may be
considered prior to administration of sodium pentobarbital..
Intracardiac (IC) injections (within the heart)
are acceptable only for animals who are unconscious or
deeply anesthetized. In addition, the
following euthanasia injection routes are not acceptable: subcutaneous (under
the skin), intramuscular (within the muscle), intrapulmonary (within the lung),
intrarenal (within the kidney), intrasplenic (within the spleen), intrathecal
(within the membranes of the spinal cord), intrathoracic (within the chest
cavity), and any other nonvascular injection routes.
The methods that the HSUS consider inhumane, disapproves of, and campaigns
against include decompression, nitrous oxide, drowning, decapitation, cervical
dislocation, pithing, exsanguination, electrocution, gunshot (excluding
properly performed field euthanasia in an emergency situation where safe,
humane transport of the animal is not possible), air embolism, nitrogen
flushing, strychnine, chloral hydrate, caffeine, nicotine, magnesium sulphate,
potassium chloride, succinylcholine chloride, and any combination of
pentobarbital with a neuromuscular blocking agent.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
If shelter personnel are properly trained, there may
be a decrease in cost to the local shelters.
ADMINISTRATIVE
IMPLICATIONS
The bill does not identify the enforcement agency
for this bill.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
Who will be charged
with enforcement of the provisions of this bill?
DW/lg