Missouri’s last animal-killing gas chamber to be destroyed soon [Video]

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff City Council voted Monday to begin shutting down and dismantling Missouri’s last known gas chamber used to kill shelter animals, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

Gas chamber euthanasia involves placing animals into metal boxes before a fatal gas is pumped in. Deaths can take as long as 20 minutes, while the stressed animal struggles, according to the society.

The city council voted to authorize Mayor Shane Cornman to enter into a grant agreement with HSUS. The society said the $15,000 grant will help support the closure of the machine while funding training and other resources to help shelter staff transition to more humane euthanasia models.

“We applaud the Poplar Bluff City Council’s …