By Ken W. Martinez
Every legislative session, I have the daunting task of deciding what issues I will focus on and what causes I will support. Being from Grants, I understand the challenges our rural communities face and, having the responsibility of being the New Mexico House majority leader, I understand how those issues intersect with the broader needs of our state.
Unfortunately, animal-rights issues have taken center stage in New Mexico the past few years, and this year is no different. It has often been said that how our community treats our animal population is a commentary on how we truly are as a society. From cases of horse cruelty in Albuquerque to animal hoarding in Española and Los Lunas to dog-fighting rings in Las Cruces, we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that we treat animals humanely. To that end, I’m proud to sponsor legislation this year to take another step in improving the quality of life of our animals — banning the use of the gas chamber to euthanize stray cats and dogs in our state.
Ideally, all stray cats and dogs would be adopted and find safe and loving homes, but that isn’t reality. Every year, communities make improvements in their shelter services, adoption programs and spay and neuter services to help control and manage the stray animal population. While these efforts are improving the lives and futures of our stray cats and dogs, there is still a lot of work to be done.
The fact remains that there are nearly 67,000 stray cats and dogs throughout the state that are euthanized annually. It is our obligation as a civilized society to ensure that our stray cats and dogs receive humane treatment, even in death.
Most communities in New Mexico have implemented euthanasia by lethal injection, which is arguably the most humane method. Unfortunately, there are four cities in New Mexico that still utilize the gas chamber, and it is critical that we abolish this practice. That’s why organizations statewide have joined the Coalition for Humane Pet Euthanasia to work alongside Governor Richardson, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez and myself to outlaw the use of gas chambers to euthanize stray cats and dogs.
This practice causes undue stress and pain to the animals when not done correctly. It also makes no sense when there are viable alternatives available.
Understanding that communities will need assistance in transitioning to euthanasia by lethal injection, the state is willing to partner with these communities and other animal-welfare groups to provide veterinarian supervision and assistance to ensure that the process is properly managed.
Our state continues to make tremendous progress in how it treats its animals. From banning cock fighting to adopting the Animal Shelter Act, New Mexicans have committed themselves to the humane treatment of animals. With the support of community leaders, coalition members and concerned New Mexicans, it is my hope that we can abolish the use of gas chamber to euthanize stray cats and dogs this legislative session.
Martinez is a Democratic state representative from Grants and the House majority leader.