New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 16 - OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING
Chapter 24 - SHELTERING PROVIDERS
Part 3 - DUTIES OF LICENSEES AND CERTIFICATE HOLDERS
Section 16.24.3.13 - EUTHANASIA BY CARBON MONOXIDE GAS

Universal Citation: 16 NM Admin Code 16.24.3.13

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. Carbon monoxide is illegal for the euthanasia of dogs and cats.

B. Carbon monoxide may be used for the euthanasia of animals (excluding dogs or cats) that may present a zoonotic hazard.

C. Operations shall be in compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations under the occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) and an annual inspection of such equipment and operations shall be required. The following guidelines shall be observed:

(1) a euthanasia agency shall not operate a carbon monoxide chamber unless a euthanasia technician or New Mexico licensed veterinarian and one other adult are present at the time of operation;

(2) acceptable gas is limited to commercially compressed carbon monoxide gas and never gas piped from a motor;

(3) the ambient temperature inside the chamber shall not exceed 85 degrees fahrenheit (29.4 degrees celsius) when it contains live animals;

(4) if the chamber is commercially manufactured to euthanize only one animal at a time, no more than one animal at a time may be euthanized;

(5) if the chamber is commercially designed to euthanize more than one animal at a time, there shall be independent sections or cages to separate individual animals; if separation partitions are not used under specific circumstances, the specific circumstances shall be noted on the animal's disposition card; only animals of the same species shall be placed in the chamber simultaneously, with no more than the maximum number recommended by the manufacturer placed in the chamber;

(6) no live animal shall be placed in the chamber with a dead animal;

(7) prior to storage and disposal of remains, the euthanasia technician shall verify death by a combination of ascertaining the absence of ocular reflexes as well as the cessation of heartbeat or by observing the onset of rigor mortis or other methods established by the board approved euthanasia technician training courses prior to remains storage and disposal;

(8) euthanasia of this type shall be performed in a commercially manufactured carbon monoxide chamber and the manufacturer's operating and servicing instructions shall be strictly followed;

(9) the chamber shall be located outdoors or in a properly ventilated room, though if it is located indoors it shall not be located in the same room as kennels housing other animals;

(10) to avoid risk of death or injury to personnel operating the chamber, as well as personnel working in the vicinity of the chamber, the chamber shall be airtight and equipped with the following in working order:
(a) an exhaust fan that is capable of evacuating all gas from the chamber prior to the chamber being opened, is connected by a gas-type duct to the outdoors, and the chamber shall be thoroughly vented prior to removing any remains to avoid risk of death to the euthanasia technician or other personnel in the vicinity of the chamber;

(b) a gas flow regulator and flow meter for the canister;

(c) a gas concentration gauge to indicate that gas concentrations are at proper levels and that the gas concentration process shall achieve at least a six percent carbon monoxide gas concentration, but not to exceed ten percent, within 5 minutes after the introduction of carbon monoxide into the chamber is initiated;

(d) an accurate temperature gauge for monitoring the interior of the chamber;

(e) a carbon monoxide monitor, which if located on the exterior of the chamber shall be connected to an audible alarm system that will sound in the room containing the chamber;

(f) explosion-proof electrical equipment, if equipment is exposed to carbon monoxide; and

(g) a view-port with either internal lighting or external lighting sufficient to allow visual surveillance of all animals within the chamber;

(11) all chamber equipment shall be in proper working order and used according to manufacturer's specifications during the operation of the chamber;

(12) the chamber shall be thoroughly cleaned after the completion of each cycle; chamber surfaces shall be constructed and maintained so they are impervious to moisture and can be readily sanitized; and,

(13) the euthanasia agency shall prominently display the operation, maintenance, and safety instructions in the area containing the chamber.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.