WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, PA-11, on Thursday introduced a non-binding resolution that he hopes will bring attention to the horrific practice of gassing stray cats and dogs.

The House Resolution expresses the dissatisfaction of the House of Representatives with "this cruel manner of euthanizing an animal," Barletta said.The congressman said the resolution is not binding and his expectation is that the measure would bring attention to this heinous practice. He would like to see states that permit this practice, including Pennsylvania, take action to make it illegal."This is a cruel way to euthanize an animal," Barletta said. "Sometimes the poor cat or dog is not completely euthanized and it suffers terribly. It's a horrible practice. I've even seen videos where the exhaust from a vehicle is used to try to euthanize an animal."Barletta consulted with The Humane Society of the United States on the issue of gas chamber euthanasia before drafting the resolution.In many states, animal-enforcement officials gas stray animals including dogs or cats who got away from their owners."As a pet owner who considers our dog and two cats an important part of our family, I find it horrific that an official who can't locate an animal's owner could take the dog or cat to a facility where it could be gassed," Barletta said. "This is unconscionable in the United States in the 21st Century."