Regarding the Oct. 4 article "Ag race beyond cows, plows": The state agriculture commissioner's race goes "beyond cows and plows" and extends to animals we love the most -- our cats and dogs. The department oversees animal welfare, including animal shelters.

Under Steve Troxler's leadership, the department has ignored the call for humane euthanasia of homeless animals and has allowed gas chambers to kill thousands of animals in more than 30 municipal and county shelters. It is a scary, cruel and painful death.

And gas chambers are dangerous for shelter employees. Some have been found to leak carbon monoxide. Recently a gas chamber filled with 10 dogs exploded in Statesville. While the Ag Department is supposed to regularly inspect these units, it has failed to do so.

We must call for -- through legislation in the upcoming session of the General Assembly and oversight from the Ag Department -- the sole use of euthanasia by injection. This form of euthanasia has been found to be the most humane and safest (and costs less than gas) by major animal advocacy and veterinary organizations.

Ronnie Ansley, Troxler's opponent, will make euthanasia more compassionate for animals, safer for humans and less costly for taxpayers. N.C. Voters for Animal Welfare lists candidates who support animal issues at www.ncvaw.org.

Kim Parker, Cary

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