Gas chambers used in the euthanasia of dogs and cats have been disappearing from animal shelters across Georgia since 1990 —- but not fast enough for one state lawmaker who wants all of them gone.

State Rep. Stan Watson (D-Decatur) has introduced House Bill 1060, which, if passed, would force public animal shelters using carbon monoxide gas to switch to lethal sodium pentobarbital injection, a method he and animal welfare advocates consider safer and more humane.

Under the law, chambers already in use could continue to operate, but they could not be replaced. The act also would allow counties with populations under 25,000 —- which includes most counties in Georgia but none in metro Atlanta —- to use gas to kill animals.

The 1990 Georgia Humane Euthanasia Act identified lethal injection as the animal euthanasia method of choice.

A few of the 22 gas chambers still in use statewide are in metro Atlanta shelters. Watson wants to bring the number to zero.

"I'm trying to provide for the exclusive use of lethal injection," Watson said, adding that he has received dozens of e-mails in support of his legislation. "I want to make sure we do that all across the state of Georgia."

Under HB 1060, those administering lethal injections must undergo training approved by the state Department of Agriculture.

Other provisions include requirements that public shelters keep better records on the animals in their care and provide the information annually to the Agriculture Department, beginning in January 2009.

The department, which regulates animal shelters, would have until January 2010 to develop a database that would give the public access to comprehensive data in one stop.

Metro Atlanta shelters alone accounted for more than 80,000 dog and cat deaths in 2005, according to the most recent figures available from Stopping Pet Overpopulation Together Inc.

The group works to reduce the number of animals impounded or killed locally.

Gas chamber euthanasia in Georgia has been the subject of recent litigation. In October, Cobb County had to stop using its gas chamber after animal groups sued the state and argued that the Agriculture Department should not be issuing the shelter a license when it was in violation of the law. A judge agreed and held the department in contempt; the state then told Cobb that it had to switch.

State Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is on record as saying that he thinks it is up to animal shelters, not his department, to decide what euthanasia method they want to use. Irvin declined to comment on HB 1060 because of animal euthanasia-related litigation involving his department.

Watson said he modeled his HB 1060 after legislation passed by Virginia, Tennessee and other states that have banned the practice, which some critics say is a safety hazard to chamber operators and sometimes results in a torturous death for animals.

A proposed Illinois law goes a step further by setting criminal penalties for those who use gas chambers to kill animals.

Watson said his measure has drawn support from the American Veterinary Association, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, American Humane Association and the National Animal Control Association.

Another ally is the Lifeline Animal Project, an organization that wants to stop the killing of treatable animals.

"It's just long overdue," said Rebecca Guinn, a metro Atlanta lawyer and LifeLine director. "This legislation is important to close the loopholes. It's widely accepted that lethal injection is the preferred method. Georgia law recognizes that, also."

State Rep. Gene Maddox (R-Cairo) sees it differently. Maddox expressed concern that the bill shifts more responsibility onto the state.

"I object to it," Maddox said. "I feel like it's going to put a real burden on the Department of Agriculture."

Watson said he has made changes in the bill on the database timetable and training responsibilities, in an effort to satisfy concerns.

He said he hopes to have a hearing on the revisions before the full House Agriculture and Cultural Affairs Committee soon.