Explaining euthanasia

In response to the distressing letter from David Silverthorn (BDN, June 9), we have had many concerned members of the public calling the Bangor Humane Society mistakenly believing the letter referred to us.

The incident referred to did not and would never occur at the Bangor Humane Society. The Bangor Humane Society does not perform euthanasia for the public and believes the public should have their pets put to sleep by their veterinarians.

Due to a steady decline in the number of pets relinquished to the Bangor Humane Society, we are now only euthanizing animals with chronic illness or dangerous behaviors. This is a very sad but necessary part of our work of providing humane care for the animals entrusted to us. When we do need to put a pet to sleep, we use intravenous or intraperitoneal injection, which is recognized nationally and internationally as the standard for humane death.

I hope this clarifies the issue and comforts the pet owners of the region who entrust their animals to our care who have been distressed by the reader’s letter.

Rebecca Brimley

Executive director

Bangor Humane Society

Bangor