Proposed bill would ban carbon monoxide in pet euthanasia

CHICAGO Speaking Sunday at a no-kill animal shelter, the Chicago Democrat said Illinois is one of only a handful of states that still allow the use of the lethal gas for killing unclaimed strays.

Animal rights advocates say they have found two animal shelters and one dog-breeding operation, all Downstate, that still use carbon monoxide as a way to euthanize unwanted animals.

Activists say that although the practice is legal in Illinois, it is widely viewed as inhumane and can be particularly cruel if performed by people who are not licensed to euthanize animals.