The Raleigh News and Observer reported today that Johnston County pound employees will begin using lethal injection instead of the gas chamber for most of the killing they do beginning in 2013. However, pound director Ernie Wilkinson insists on keeping the gas chamber active for use on “vicious” animals. The article did not say who will decide which animals are “vicious” or what criteria they will use to make that determination.
According to the article, Wilkinson doesn’t get why people care how he kills animals and “wishes people would focus instead on helping shelters fight pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering education.” Johnston County does not participate in the state’s spay/neuter program.
The Johnston County pound killed 4,850, or 75.36 percent, of the dogs and cats that came in during 2011.
If you would like to help Mr. Wilkinson understand “the public’s fixation” with stopping inhumane treatment of animals in what is supposed to be a “shelter,” he can be reached by calling 919-934-8474, faxing 919-934-0753 or sending an email to animals@johnstonnc.com .
Hard to believe that some shelters are still using gas chambers. Sadly common that so many shelter directors still are doing their jobs…or define their jobs by the old catch and kill model.
I am a Veteran and a Pet Advocate. I am trying to get Legislation to stop the killing of Shelter Pets everywhere. I have heard of the infamous NC Shelters. I ‘ve been using a video if the Pets from the NC Shelters to gain additional support. I want the Kill Shelters Closed and all Funding to those Shelters terminated. I am also trying get those pets transported to Shelters that have a NO KILL POLICY, even to Shelters out of State. Pet Advocate volunteers all around would even volunteer there time to help tranfer the Shelter Pets to other NO KILL STATES.
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