Bill would ban gas chamber euthanasia at dog pounds

SANDUSKY — The Ohio House approved a bill that would ban dog wardens from using gas chambers for euthanasia and allow the use of a tranquilizer gun to capture animals without a veterinarian present.If the Senate also approves the bill, it would affect Erie County, which is one of the few remaining county dog warden offices that uses a gas chamber for euthanasia.Erie County's dog warden, Barb Knapp, said she would be willing to adjust the euthanasia procedure if the provision allowing the use of tranquilizers passes. That would allow her employees to safely euthanize animals with an injection without having to worry about being bitten, Knapp said.Knapp said being able to use a tranquilizer gun when capturing animals also would make work conditions safer for employees who have to go out to get a dog.House Bill 552, by state Rep. Sarah LaTourette, R-Chesterland, has one other provision.Under current law, dogs held by the dog warden that aren't up for adoption have to be sold for $3 apiece to any research or teaching facility that requests the dog. Under LaTourette's bill, dog wardens would not be obligated to make such sales and could set the fee if they chose to do so.House members voted 89-4 on June 20 to approve House Bill 552, with local lawmakers Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, Dick Stein, R-Norwalk and Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, all voting in favor. The bill now moves to the Senate.LaTourette couldn't be reached for comment Monday. According to her official biography, her family has three dogs and two cats, and she is active in a local golden retriever rescue group.Lawmakers also have been working on other animal bills:• The House and the Senate have passed separate bills that would allow restaurants to have dogs in outside patio areas.The two bills differ significantly and lawmakers haven't figured out yet how to reconcile them, a necessary step in getting a measure to Gov. John Kasich to be signed into law, said an aide in the office of state Rep. Laura Lanese, R-Grove City.Restaurants in the Sandusky area have expressed support for the measures, but Erie County's health commissioner, Pete Schade, has criticized the proposal.• Lawmakers have approved House Bill 506, which imposes new regulations on high-volume dog breeders, known as "puppy mills."The bill, now awaiting action by Gov. John Kasich, imposes standards of care for the dogs, including feeding them, housing them, veterinary care, exercise and interactions with people. Ardnt, Stein and Reineke all voted for the bill, approved 85-6 in its final version.• House Bill 319 would (among other provisions) make the shelter pet the official pet of the state of Ohio, in order to raise awareness of shelter animals.The bill, which also creates 12 new specialty license plates, has been approved in its latest form by the House and awaits further Senate action.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.State Rep. Sarah LaTourette, R-Chesterland, who is active in golden retriever rescue work.