In February the New Mexico state Senate unanimously approved a bill that would ban the use of intracardiac injection euthanasia in that state. Intracardiac injection kills an animal by injecting barbiturate directly into the heart of the animal.
Sen. Richard Romero, who introduce the bill, said that he sponsored the ban become too often the procedure misses the heart leaving the animals to suffer. Romero told The Albuquerque Tribune,
We need to put a halt to this inhumane practice in our state’s animal shelters right away. This amounts to tormenting and torturing an animal when it’s done without anesthesia or sedation.
The ban will only apply to animal control facilities and animal shelters. The procedure will remain legal in livestock and veterinary facilities.
The full text of the bill can be read here.
Sources:
Senate OKs bill to prohibit type of animal euthanasia. Associated Press, February 11, 2004.