Animal rights activists renewed their call to action to end gas chamber euthanasia in Utah.
On Thursday, protesters held signs outside the Pleasant Grove Police Department. A dog named Penguin was euthanized earlier this month, inspiring the group, according to FOX13.
Heather Smith, a Michigan-based dog rescuer, says her mother wanted to adopt Penguin and asked her to get him from the shelter.
Smith says she met all the requirements and even arranged transportation for the dog. Penguin was put in a gas chamber, which shelter leaders promised to phase out last summer, and died before he could find a new home.
Asked why Penguin was killed, the shelter said he became aggressive, which Smith questions given her own knowledge working with dogs.
“Because [the worker] told me he became vicious, in just a couple weeks. I work with aggressive dogs daily and dogs don’t just become aggressive in a few weeks,” said Smith.
Gas chamber euthanasia in animal shelters is uncommon, with Utah being one of only a few states that still allows it.
The animal is placed in a small enclosure during the procedure, and carbon monoxide is released. When compared to lethal injection, euthanasia takes significantly longer.
Tug Gettling, the director of the North Utah Valley Animal Shelter, one of the state’s only two remaining gas shelters, has previously stated that the procedure is safer for employees.
However, legislators attempted but failed to prohibit the antiquated practice during the previous session.
