DALLAS, N.C. -- They were led out of the Gaston County Animal Shelter one by one, as animal lovers from all over North Carolina clapped and fussed over them. A parade of dogs and cats, all of them just escaped either the gas chamber or a lethal injection.
"I think it's just really amazing that these dogs that usually get looked over, don't get chosen, don't get picked, actually got picked today. They are all going free, and they are all going to have a home," volunteer Allyson Siegel said.
As is typical with county shelters, Gaston County euthanizes unclaimed animals after three business days.
"Even with the Herculean efforts of these folks, of my staff -- there are still far too many animals that are coming in," said Reggie Horton, Gaston County Animal Control administrator.
The Southeast, he said, is infamous for animal overpopulation. Some experts blame the climate. Most agree a lack of laws requiring pet owners to spay and neuter their animals also contributes.
The mass rescue, organized by a rescue group called "Help Save One," was an effort to bring awareness to issues of responsible pet ownership and euthanasia as it's practiced in North Carolina.
Gaston County is one of many animal shelters that uses both lethal injection and carbon monoxide gassing to put animals down.
"We believe that a lot of people in the state of North Carolina and across the country don't know that this form of euthanasia is being used," said Marissa Stracaluzi. "People will tell you that it's instant. They do not die instantly. Those dogs die with no dignity. There are clawing at one another. They are crying. They are howling. It’s unnecessary."
Horton adamantly disputes the claim that death or unconsciousness is not quick.
"Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. They're just not entitled to their own fact, and the fact of the matter is, that's not correct," he said. "The occurrence of euthanasia or death of the animal is a matter of seconds, very akin to the lethal injection."
Both lethal injection and carbon monoxide gassing are approved methods of euthanasia in North Carolina. The Americana and North Carolina Medical Veterinary Associations are among the organizations that do not oppose CO, when appropriately administered.
Horton says the method is particularly useful with aggressive or feral animals in order to protect staff. His analysis also shows it costs less -- $4.66 per animal versus $11.21 per animal for an injection, when it's administered by more than one staffer.
"We're appreciative of the flexibility to decide based on the individual animal," he said.
Opponents of gassing disagree with the figures.
The Mecklenburg County Animal Shelter is one of just a few county shelters in the area that uses only lethal injection. Melissa Knicely, shelter spokeswoman, credits a budget generous enough to hire a staff large enough to safely issue injections.
The area of common ground between both sides of this controversy is that rescues like Friday's save animals lives.
All told, volunteers took about 20 dogs from the Gaston County shelter and four cats. Chuck Vachris, owner of Grateful Pets, took nine dogs and several cats to his kennel, where he hopes to get them adopted. (Visit gratefulpets.net to view the animals.) Five dogs were also due to be adopted from the Lincoln County shelter, which also uses carbon monoxide gassing.
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