New Mexico Lawmakers kill gas chamber euthanasia

The state Senate unanimously approved a measure Tuesday that would eliminate the use of the gas chamber for euthanasia of homeless animals.

The measure, sponsored by House Majority Leader Ken Martinez, D-Grants, passed 38-0. The bill was carried in the Senate by Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup. Gov. Bill Richardson, Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chávez and the Coalition of Humane Pet Euthanasia, a group of nearly 40 state animal-rights organizations, supported the bill.

"New Mexico has taken an important step in improving the lives or our stray animals by eliminating the use of gas chamber for euthanasia," Muñoz said in a statement.

The bill provides resources to help make communities make the switch to lethal injection.

There are four animal shelters in the state that use carbon monoxide for animal euthanasia, a method some consider inhumane. The American Humane Association says that lethal injection is the only acceptable method for putting down dogs and cats.

After the bill is sent to the House for concurrence, it will move to the governor for his signature.