To the Editor:

Re: May 6 Gratiot County Herald: “Board discusses euthanasia grant”

The grant referred to is the “Michigan Shelter Euthanasia by Injection Conversion Grant Program”, administered through the American Humane Association. It provides funding for an animal shelter to completely and permanently eliminate the practice of euthanizing animals by using CO2 and barrels (gassing) and instead, utilize euthanasia by injection (EBI) in accordance with American Humane standards.

By accepting this grant, Gratiot Animal Control would agree to discontinue gassing animals, completely convert to the EBI method, and maintain this protocol for a minimum of 25 years.

Animal Control Director, Tom Clark stated that all Officers received training in EBI, and he doesn’t want this grant. While it may be true that they are certified in EBI, their routine method of euthanizing animals is gassing. The department is reluctant to change to a preferred, humane method of euthanasia.

This is gassing: Animals are put in a barrel, the lid is put on the barrel, a rubber hose from the CO2 canister is inserted in a hole in the lid. The CO2 gas is turned on. After a while, the animal will stop struggling and succumb to the gas.

This is euthanasia by injection: an animal is injected with a tranquilizing agent, then the animal is injected with sodium pentobarbitol.

Here are policy positions from two professional organizations:

National Animal Control Association: “NACA considers lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital .............to be the method of choice utilized for the humane euthanasia of animal shelter dogs and cats. NACA condemns the use of carbon dioxide.............for animal shelter euthanasia of dogs and cats.”

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “The use of injectable euthanasia agents is the most rapid and reliable method of performing euthanasia........ “

We encourage the county to apply for this grant. We believe it provides a great benefit to the county and will result in positive changes at the Animal Control.

Gratiot citizens need to know how Animal Control operates the shelter. Thank you for the opportunity to inform your readers about this issue.

Gretchen Harrison, Alma
Help Furry Friends, Inc.
www.HelpFurryFriends.com

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Dear Gratiot County Residents:

May is juror questionnaire month and 2,800 residents will receive a form to fill out and return. On behalf of the Gratiot County Jury Board and my office staff, I’d like to thank you for your prompt responses. The day after the first mailing we received several hand delivered forms over the counter and by the next couple days we had already received at least 300 by mail! This is a wonderful tribute to our great citizens of Gratiot County.

We have to account for each and every form, so your quick responses reduce the time and money involved in sending out reminders and reduces the number of times the Board must meet.

Once again, thank you so much for reinforcing what we already know - Gratiot County is a great place to live.

Sincerely,
Carol A. Vernon
Gratiot County Clerk
Clerk of the Jury Board

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To the Editor:

Sodomy, the biblical term for homosexuality, has always had a negative connotation. Tyler Gross (May 5, 2010) correctly uses the expression “derogatory language”.

Sodomy goes against nature. It goes against the Bible. God does not call it a “life style” -He calls it an abomination.

Tyler should keep on preaching against the crude, rude, profane language of young people and adults, but he should not give credibility to the wickedness of sodomy.

Pastor Ron Helzerman
Lighthouse Baptist Church
Riverdale

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To the Editor:

This was the 59th annual National Day of Prayer on May 6, 2010. As we have done over the past nine years we have gathered at the Gratiot County Courthouse front steps for Prayer as a Christians Community.

Praise God for what He has already accomplished through Jesus

Repent personally and on behalf of our nation

Ask God to reveal truth and turn our hearts back to God

Yield to the Lord and recognize He has heard our prayers and will answer according to His Will

Our theme this year was Prayer For Such a Time As This. Even in our most hopeless times, even if we look around us and we could find but dismal atmosphere in prospect for the future. Prayer brings us into the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD. In our seasons of trial, in our times of prosperity, when we don’t know where to turn, HE is our answer. Scripture tells us, “Bless is the Nation whose God is the Lord”. Psalm 33:12 Word cannot express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. What ALMIGHTY GOD WE SERVE! As I looked around during the time we spent together yesterday it was like the Day of Pentecost. God Bless you and His face shine upon you and give you His Peace.

In Jesus Holy Name,
Carol Walker
Ithaca