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Cruel and Unusual Euthanization

by Matt Van Hoven

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November 7, 2007

A Gallatin, Tennessee vet is under fire for using a method of euthanization that many consider inhumane.

Video from local WSMV 4 shows veterinarian Bill Baber using what is known is a heart shot – where the chemical used to end the animal's life is administered without a sedative – and is injected directly into the heart.

State law mandates any non-farm animal be sedated before euthanization – but that law only applies to veterinary technicians.

That's because hitting the heart with a needle isn't always easy. Baber says his way is faster.

WSMV TV quoted him as saying, “there's a difference between shelter medicine and veterinary medicine. It ain't pretty.”

The Sumner County Animal Shelter gave Baber $9 per animal he euthanized. That total came to $22,000 – meaning he put down over 2400 animals. Some say he's using the heart shot method becasue he can earn more money that way.

Sumner County Executive Hank Thompson, who hired Baber, said he doesn't blame the vet – Thompson says it's a reflection of the irresponsibility of the people who surrendered the animals in the first place. He has asked Baber to change his practices, though.

Others have volunteered to perform the euthanizations free of charge, but the county has decided to stay with Baber.

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euthanization, cruel, vet

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Chris M.
Chris M. (mex1chris)
9 months ago
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Take away his creds!
 
PJ W.
PJ W. (pj0908)
11 months ago
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I just know I was told eons ago that if the vet does not administer the sedative run, don't walk to another vet. The emergency clinic by me uses 3 total. I think one is for the nauseau.
This is just barbaric and is yet another example of how backward this country is regarding its animals.
 
Sheryl S.
Sheryl S. (smittyinsoky)
8 months ago
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I agree with you 100% This guy should be ostracized by his community!
 
Mary G.
Mary G. (Norton)
11 months ago
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All unnecessary euthanization is cruel and unusual, but this is monstrous. Any vet who does not have empathy for animals is a disgrace to his profession and Sumner County Executive Hank Thompson should be kicked out of office. A hateful hateful story.
 
Sheryl S.
Sheryl S. (smittyinsoky)
8 months ago
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You expressed my sentiments perfectly!!!
 
vbspcablog
vbspcablog
1 year ago
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This reeks of cronyism. Why the heck would the city continue to pay this guy who is using illegal euthanasia techniques when there were people who were willing to use humane methods for free? Anyone out in Tennesee should be out at his clinic protesting, or better yet burning it down while it's closed so he can't continue butchering animals.
 
Susan
Susan (susan9207)
1 year ago
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Why in the world would a town make the decision to continue using this individual, especially when others were willing to donate their services for FREE? I hope there's been an election since this story originally appeared and the brainiacs have been replaced.
 
sharon d.
sharon d. (3devinecats)
1 year ago
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I noticed that this story is over a year old....I hope like heck that this guys isn't still "practicing" this method.!!!
 
Carol L.
Carol L. (langsford)
1 year ago
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I would not watch the video, reading the story was hard enough, this is sick and disgusting that a human and I use the word loosely, would have a job anywhere around animals. I would think anyone who had taken their dog to this horrible place would be disgusted , this place needs to be shut down and he should be punished for this horrific crime..
 
Debby
Debby (zennla)
1 year ago
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I can't believe they are still going to use him.. yeah they can tell him to change his methods but who is going to make sure he does.. he should not be in practice for any animals. I wouldn't watch the video.. I can't watch alot of those things it is bad enough reading about it. I feel so bad for those he put down having to suffer and be so scared.
 
toedtoad
toedtoad
1 year ago
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I feel so sorry for these poor animals. It is sad enough that each animal has ended in THIS shelter for what ever reason it may be. To put them down like this is horrible, and inhumane! They all deserve to go as easy and pain free as possible and be treated with kindness if they have to be put down. It sounds like he is in it for the money he'll make, which is sad, sad. I wonder how he sleeps at night? I sure would not want him for my vet!!
 
beverly y.
beverly y. (beverlyyerk)
1 year ago
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the poor animals
 
Ann H.
Ann H. (AnnandToby)
1 year ago
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How sad
 
Scott J.
Scott J. (Scott9843)
1 year ago
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It's times like this that I can really hope that karma is a real thing.
 
Michelle H.
Michelle H. (sinbad90)
1 year ago
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The poor animals. It is bad enough they have to be euthanized at all, it should be done in the least painful way possible. THis man should not be allowed near animals.
 
Doggieluvs
Doggieluvs
1 year ago
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How cruel and inhumane.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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Brigit800
Brigit800
1 year ago
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It sounds like he got into the business to torture and to just make money. certainly wouldn't use him as MY vet.
 
hillbill
hillbill
1 year ago
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this so sad I want them to go to prison for the rest of there lives
 
Pamela W.
Pamela W. (plward)
1 year ago
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horrible and cruel, by a vet , even sadder
 
Michelle G.
Michelle G. (mgebczyk)
1 year ago
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Okay, free and humane or $9 for each and inhumane? Hello?!
 
Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
1 year ago
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It would be an easy pick for me.
 
loveshorses
loveshorses
1 year ago
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What is wrong with these county officials!!
 
stephanie m.
stephanie m. (harper8)
1 year ago
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ALMOST AS BAD AS NAZI'S! BY STAYING WITH BARBER, THE COUNTY IS JUST AS IRRESPONSIBLE- I KNOW IT IS A HORRIBLE WAY TO EUTHENIZE EVEN WHEN THEY ARE SEDATED-BUT THE VET MAY OFTEN NOT GET A VEIN TO BE ABLE TO ADMINISTER THE DRUG.
BUT THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT SEDATE 1ST AND THERE SHOULD BE PUNISHMENT INVOLVED
 
loishill
loishill
1 year ago
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How can we stop this?
 
Doglover1111
Doglover1111
1 year ago
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Sounds like time to petition
 
Tad D.
Tad D. (tadjr)
1 year ago
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If he's supposed to administer a sedative and isnt doing it, I cant believe the county is still using him. Also, its just sad how many pets he did this to.
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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Yes, you would think there would be certifications to pass
 
wpras
wpras
1 year ago
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Turn the needle around and stick it in his heart, see how he likes it! Sounds like a story from the dark ages!
 
LoriHill123
LoriHill123
1 year ago
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agreed
 
Janie
Janie (wildlifephotomom)
1 year ago
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Baber needs one of those injections into his non existent heart-then let us know how it worked out for you Baber!!!!
 
Adele P.
Adele P. (Adele0724)
1 year ago
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Sad story.
 
Fantasy
Fantasy
1 year ago
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Humane??? Yeah not so much
 
D. Rene
D. Rene (mooredr3)
1 year ago
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Very sad.
 
Jamie
Jamie (Sadiesmygirl)
1 year ago
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If others have offered to do this free of charge why is the county staying with Baber? Is someone in the county getting a kickback?
 
Lee W.
Lee W. (Lee1961)
1 year ago
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He should have his license taken away. He has not heart, or soul.
 
wpras
wpras
1 year ago
Flag this | Good Point | 3 users liked it.
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How would you like a shot in the heart ??? No!! Well this is not right either! This is no humane, what about the welfare of animals???? What kind of sick people do this??
 
333osprey333
333osprey333
1 year ago
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It is quicker for HIM, HE makes more money. What about the law? What about the welfare of the animals? Does that figure in here anyplace?
 
Anne M.
Anne M. (AnneM)
1 year ago
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If people would SPAY AND NEUTER, then this guy would be out of a job euthanizing and would simply be giving vaccinations and rabies shots.
 
luvapup
luvapup
1 year ago
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I totally agree with you. Until we can get the rest of the morons out there to be responsible pet owners, unfortunately this will be the ultimate end for too many pets.
 
Denise O.
Denise O. (Deebob)
1 year ago
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This man should be punished and his license taken away. If he knew the state laws and broke them 2400 times, don't you think he should be punished by the law!!!!!!!
 
Rachel G.
Rachel G. (chicinmudd)
1 year ago
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Let me hit them in the heart with a needle and let them live and see how it feels.
 
Julie K.
Julie K. (katnipcrzy)
1 year ago
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They need to hire someone that is qualified AND compassionate!
 
Rory H.
Rory H. (pseudoestheastro)
1 year ago
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how could someone who's supposed to care for pets be so cruel to them in their last moments
 
tonycat
tonycat
1 year ago
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Should have his license suspended, at the least.
 
linda s.
linda s. (furrybabies)
1 year ago
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how sickening
 
Amy K.
Amy K. (baatkmom4)
1 year ago
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This is sick. How can anyone let this happen? He gets to keep his job as a vet and only has to pay fines. Once again the punsihment doesn't fit the crime.
These are the parts that really get me
"Sumner County Executive Hank Thompson, who hired Baber, said he doesn't blame the vet – Thompson says it's a reflection of the irresponsibility of the people who surrendered the animals in the first place. "
Blame everyone else for Barbers wrong doing!

"Others have volunteered to perform the euthanizations free of charge, but the county has decided to stay with Baber. "
How can the county back-up such a cruel person?
Thank God I don't live in this county.

Take them to a vet that lets you stay with your pet until the end.
 
Bunniesgurl
Bunniesgurl
1 year ago
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be really careful about who you take ur pets too plz plz plz
 
mary
mary (mary8949)
1 year ago
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Hank Thompson is as disgustingly guilty as Baber. Is he getting a payback under the table for keeping Baber on as the Vet? The entire town should demand both of their resignations for their cruel and inhumane acts of violence. Haven't those shelter animals been through enough in their short pitiful lives? The most humane method of euthanization is the injection into the vein, by a loving, caring person while being held by a loving, caring person. Their last few minutes on Earth should NOT be spent in extreme anxiety and being so scared. Damn, that's disgusting! What is "a reflection of the irresponsibility of the people who surrendered the animals in the first place". What a goof to make that statement! It's a reflection of the way the shelter is managed by Hank Thompson. He just doesn't want to take the blame for allowing the cruelty. He should step down.
He must be getting a kickback if he won't allow the other vets to perform the euthanasia for free don't you think?
It is sad that shelters have to do the dirty work of destroying the many, many unwanted animals. But to do it like Baber does is very sad indeed and horrific. There should be a law nationwide requiring all pet owners to spay/neuter their pets and NOT allow backyard breeders.
Since this happened 3 months ago, I wonder what is happening now and if those jerks were punished?
 
Patricia B.
Patricia B. (kraus)
1 year ago
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Another example of man's basic cruelty--and in a person who is supposed to know better! I am horrified that this is going on and that we have pictures of it and still this man continues to be used by the county. I'm disgusted!
 
jacquie b.
jacquie b. (jacquieb)
1 year ago
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not much to say when your stunned with disgust
 
Michelle M.
Michelle M. (mmick)
1 year ago
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This is crazy. Why would he do something like this?
 
Joni K.
Joni K. (jkerr)
1 year ago
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The people in this area should stop this procedure immediately. How cruel. Cost should not be a factor.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
 
Mary T.
Mary T. (matrice)
1 year ago
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I would hope that people stop using this guy..he's a disgusting creature
 
mybffmojo
mybffmojo
1 year ago
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most people becomes vets because they care about animals, but this guy is euthanizing them in a disgusting and cruel way. he obviously cares more about the money than the animals
 
chili1zz
chili1zz
1 year ago
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he is in it for the money and not what is right
 
rootbeerbottle
rootbeerbottle
1 year ago
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that is not even nice.
 
Shirley B.
Shirley B. (smapplebee)
1 year ago
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Baber is breaking the law. He should be fined and his license revoked. Thompson should be fined for knowing Baber's reason (More Money) and continuing to use him. Neither man has shown concern for the animals.
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