WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO!
I find it somewhat hard to write a comment on this video as I usually try to post the brighter side of companion animals and what an important role they play in our lives. They are truly one of God's amazing creations. They entertain us, they protect us, but most importantly... they love us unconditionally, and stay steadfast and true till the very end. Now, just how many of you can say that about a friend or even a spouse?
With that being said, let me try to address the importance of this graphic video.
First of all, I couldn't even watch it all the way through as I felt myself getting sick. Being a rescuer for many years, I fully understand that this horrible means of euthanasia still exists in many areas of our country. Some pounds still use heart stick, which is nothing more than jamming a needle, hooked up to electricity, into the animal's heart and turning on the "juice". These animals have no form of sedation and are basically tortured to death. Gas chambers aren't any better. Tragically, there are still some states within our country that do not have licensing for "humane euthanasia" by injection, which I find unbelievable in the year "2010". However, OHIO does, indeed, have this licensing but, unfortunately, we still have county pounds here that refuse to move into the 21st century by continuing this barbaric means for disposal of the pet overpopulation problem. Even sadder is the fact that these "good 'ole boys" seem to enjoy the horrific death they inflict upon these poor discarded animals.
Hooray for Bonnie Mansfield (see article links below) and her efforts to bring this problem in Licking County to light. However, it just isn't Licking County. There are many other counties, within Ohio, that refuse to evolve out of the "Dark Ages" as well.
Now, yes, I do understand that "euthanasia" is still needed because people just can't seem to grasp the concept of "SPAY OR NEUTER" your pets, along with the "back yard breeders" and puppy mills... and until they do, we will continue to have this overwhelming problem of too many animals with nowhere to go.
However, if these animals need to die, there is absolutely no reason why they should have to suffer the cruelty of gas chambers (or heart stick) at the hands of people like Jon Luzio.
Shame on the residents of Licking County for giving this "good 'ole boy" a salary of over $47,000 a year to continue gassing poor animals when lethal injection is available. Perhaps if the good citizens of this county voted for a "decrease" in his salary, Licking County could afford the Sodium Pentobarbital needed for a more humane practice of euthanasia.
Please remember that "YOU" are part of the problem unless "YOU" take action. If your state or county still uses unacceptable forms of euthanasia, STAND UP AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. This is the 21st Century. If we can put men into space... then there is no reason any animal should have to suffer the tortures of being gassed or electrocuted.
I think this quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. says it all:
"Never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
Writer challenges 'Watchdog'
Letter to the Editor - Buckeye Lake Beacon
January 30, 2010
Watchdog responds to critic
Letter to the Editor - Buckeye Lake Beacon
February 6, 2010
Watchdog says director, gas chamber need to go
Letter to the Editor - Buckeye Lake Beacon
February 20, 2010
5 comments:
Thank you for exposing the Licking County Dog Pound. Although I live in Fairfield County, I will send a link to everyone I know who resides in Licking. Perhaps someone will step up to the plate and support Bonnie Mansfield in her efforts by writing to the editor of the Buckeye Lake Beacon and also demand that Licking County investigate this horrific practice of gasing these poor unwanted animals! This is an outrage.
Nancy:
Thanks for your comment and support.
I guess you folks would like to volunteer to hold the viscios dogs while someone kindly injects them. No it's not the dogs fault that it had irresponsible owners, but you can take the credit if someone gets hurt trying to complete the task of taking care of someons irresponsible acts.
Dear Anonymous:
First of all, I absolutely detest people who think they have something to say but don't have the "guts" to stand behind it and acknowledge who they are. Although I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I also believe that in order to validate it, there needs to be a "name" to go along with it. To me, without a name ... they just become another cowardly voice in the night and it leaves me wondering if they honestly have something worthwhile to say or if it's nothing more than trying to start an entertaining argument over the internet.
With that being said, let me address your "nameless" response to the Licking county gas chamber issue.
I truly believe that even a novice halfwit could tell the difference between a "vicious dog" and one that is just scared and confused.
Too many animals are needlessly denied being put on the adoption floor, and killed, because they were labeled as vicious by a shelter/pound employee with little to no knowledge of animal behavior. It's time that these pounds started hiring qualified personnel to accurately evaluate an animals disposition.
What puzzles me the most about your comment is ... You want to know if "we" are going to hold the "vicious" dog while somebody sticks a needle in it.
Well, seeing how, by his own admission, the dog warden, at Licking county, has stated that he tranquilizes all animals BEFORE dragging them off to the gas chamber .... then I guess my question back to you is simply this. If he can tranquilize them before gassing then why the hell can't he do the same before HUMANE euthanasia by injection?
Perhaps if he actually did this, then people like yourself could volunteer to hold the dog and watch it die without fear of being bitten. Personally, I've already had to hold way too many dogs that were humanely put down. I've done my time so I suggest you do the same. Or even better .. perhaps you should witness the gassing of these animals before you come up with anymore useless, anonymous comments.
Now, I do agree that these unfortunate animals have ended up in shelters due to the negligence of a human owner. However, since society finds it easier to KILL the animal rather than hold an irresponsible owner liable, the problem of overcrowded pounds and shelters will continue and animals will die. However, if they have to die, there is no reason why we need to continue the barbaric use of gas chambers and heartstick when lethal injection is available.
Anyone who has ever had to witness this form of euthanasia and still believes it's acceptable, desperately needs professional mental help.
So, Mr. or Ms. Anonymous, if you have any further comments, please feel free to leave them.
Hi I found your blog on google.
I could only watch the first 15 seconds of the video until I saw him carry the dog body :(
I just whistled to my Dog I rescued 10months ago, picked him up and cuddled him with a tear in my eye :(
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