Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer, DailyBulletin.com
Tens of thousands of animals are
euthanized each year in San Bernardino County animal shelters but few people
realize what becomes of the remains of dogs, cats and other critters.
Animals that aren't adopted after several days are euthanized with
injections of sodium pentobarbital, then picked up by D&D Disposal, a firm
in Vernon, near Los Angeles.
Once there, the remains are boiled,
ground and processed into animal by-products that are then resold for use in
lubricants, polish, soap, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, gelatin and
fertilizers, according to a 2004 report by Los Angeles County.
That
came as a surprise to some officials at the Humane Society of San Bernardino
Valley, which also contracts with D&D and plans to review the way its
remains are handled to ensure the process is consistent with the wishes of
people who drop off animals.
"As a Humane Society, we would never
consent to allowing the bodies of these precious animals (to be) used in
research or any medical uses and research, or certainly not to be reused in
a form of food for any purpose," said Carin Orange, a development
coordinator with the local Humane Society who said she was under the
impression the remains were cremated.
County animal control officials
said they weren't surprised.
"I've heard of those potential uses for
the animals' remains," said Brian Cronin, division chief for the San
Bernardino County's Animal Care and Control Division. "The reality is that
those responsible pet owners who would elect to dispose of their animals
through other means can choose to do so."
Owners of euthanized
animals can opt to have them cremated or buried at their own expense, Cronin
said.
"Unfortunately, for government agencies ... this is the most
cost-effective option that's available, and it's my understanding that's why
every other agency uses this service," he said. "In our priorities, we
prefer to invest in those animals that are alive and in the shelter and in
the community."
Bill Gorman, president of D&D Disposal, said the firm
doesn't conduct media interviews and declined to discuss what his company
does with animal remains.
But the April 2004 report by Los Angeles
County Animal Shelters detailed how euthanized animals are recycled in a
process known as "rendering."
"The remains are placed in large vats
and heated to a high temperature in excess of 265 degrees Fahrenheit, at
which point they become sterile and free of pathogens," the report states.
"Then a series of mechanical (processes) occur that separate the fat, liquid
and proteins into separate collection systems."
According to the
report, every public animal shelter in Southern California pays D&D - also
known as West Coast Rendering - to pick up and dispose of euthanized
animals.
The firm also handles larger animals such as deceased horses
and other livestock. In some cases, the remains of appropriate animals are
processed into feed for livestock, pets or even shrimp.
State law
requires animals brought to a shelter be held at least 72 hours before being
euthanized.
San Bernardino County mandates animals be held at its
shelter for at least 96 hours, Cronin said. Dogs and cats that shelter
officials feel are highly adoptable are held longer.
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