COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The controversy concerning Branch County’s Animal Control Shelter gas chamber will soon be a dead issue. The machine that’s been used to euthanize strays in the county, although used sparingly for a number of years, is about to be shut down for good.
Branch County commissioners, at their work meeting Thursday morning, voted unanimously to stop using the gas chamber. It’s expected to become official next Tuesday when the Board would take action as it holds its first regular session of 2016.
Commissioners have heard repeated calls from animal advocates around the state and across the country to do away with the gas chamber. The outdated machine hasn’t been available anyway since the end of May when a fire damaged the animal control shelter building. Repairs to reopen the shelter on an interim basis are expected to be finished early this year.
Branch County Sheriff John Pollack pleaded with the county board to delay its decision on the gas chamber until plans for a permanent solution to the shelter situation are finalized. Pollack said switching to an intravenous injection method to euthanize unwanted animals would be more expensive and put the county’s animal control officer at risk working by himself trying to put down vicious dogs. He pointed to added costs because of the need to contract with a veterinarian to assist the officer in such cases.
Branch County is reported to be the last county in Michigan using an animal gas chamber.
