ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Humane Society of the United States applauds Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley for signing legislation to provide animal shelters with the most humane form of euthanasia. The new law would close a loophole that denied Maryland animal shelters access to the most effective drugs used to sedate animals before they are euthanized.
"The loophole in Maryland's euthanasia law caused unnecessary suffering for animals and safety risks for staff," said Nancy Perry, The HSUS' vice president of government affairs. "When pet overpopulation forces animal shelters into the tragic situation of euthanizing animals, the least we can do is ensure that it is done humanely."
Prior to passage of this legislation, Maryland law granted animal shelters access to the drug used to euthanize animals, but not the drugs needed to sedate animals prior to euthanasia. Animal shelters obtained these sedation drugs under federal permits until recently, when the Drug Enforcement Agency realized that state law did not grant access to these drugs and rescinded their licenses.
Delegate Jon Cardin (D-11) introduced H.B. 1481 to remedy this situation, with the support of the state Department of Agriculture's Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. H.B. 1481 passed both chambers of the Maryland General Assembly unanimously.
"I am pleased that Maryland lawmakers acted so quickly to pass this critical legislation," said Del. Cardin. "Granting Maryland animal shelters access to the drugs they need to safely and humanely euthanize animals is simply a matter of common sense and decency."
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
