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People of conscience have a soft spot for animals. Horror-stricken, we recoil from the spectre of animals abused or neglected. Regrettably, many among us are immune to the pangs of conscience and are therefore capable of shocking, subhuman acts of cruelty. Witness the charges related to dogfighting against Michael Vick and our reaction to his indictment.

As quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Vick has showcased speed, athleticism and an uncanny ability to elude pursuing defenders. Consequently, he has earned legions of fans and the respect of his opponents. If convicted, he will lose both. After all, there is nothing "manly" about animal cruelty. It is a disgrace on the level of beating one's wife or children: the epitome of cowardice.

According to the indictment against Vick, he and his fellow wannabe gangstas "executed" pit bulls that lacked the will to fight. They were reportedly "shot, drowned, electrocuted, hanged, or in one case, body slammed to the ground." Charming.

The law, at its best, defends the defenseless and punishes, swiftly and severely, those who prey on the weak. The Vick case presents a window of opportunity not only to create awareness of animal cruelty, but also to send a message to those who demonstrate their "manliness" by abusing or neglecting animals. A man capable of torturing and slaughtering animals may soon tire of that "sport" and move on to women and children. If a man is free of conscience, what's the difference?

The Vick case also creates an opportunity to examine another form of animal abuse, one that is taking place here in our back yards. Because of overpopulation, North Carolina shelters euthanize about 250,000 dogs and cats every year. This is an unfortunate reality, the consequence of pet owners failing to spay or neuter their animals.

But shouldn't those animals be put down humanely, by a method that is quick and painless? All too often, they are not. More than two dozen North Carolina counties use carbon monoxide -- the gas chamber -- to euthanize animals. (Guilford County abandoned the practice years ago, with good reason.)

Here is a gut-wrenching description of the gas chamber from the N.C. Coalition for Humane Euthanasia: "Documentation has shown that animals can struggle and wail for up to ten minutes before death in gas chambers. Some bite themselves and each other in panic, beat their heads against the chamber walls, choke and vomit while being forced to inhale carbon monoxide. Groups of animals are often gassed together. Carbon monoxide is not effective for baby animals, for very old, sick, or pregnant animals, since they may not inhale enough gas to die. Even healthy adult animals have survived the first gassing. Shelter employees admit to gassing the same animals up to three times."

Two years ago, Davidson County gassed 6,368 animals; Randolph County, 5,486; Alamance County, 4,769; and Rockingham County, 4,708. Death by carbon monoxide is cruel and unusual punishment. Although one could argue that some humans deserve it, dogs and cats clearly do not.

There is a much better method available. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, euthanasia by injection is "the most humane, safest, fastest and least stressful to the animal, and is safe for shelter personnel." The Humane Society concurs. So does the American Humane Association, which informs us that "Most shelter workers would prefer to be able to hold and comfort the animal during euthanasia," which is possible with euthanasia by injection.

In fact, despite its widespread use, the gas chamber is, in many circumstances, illegal. Under North Carolina law, carbon monoxide cannot be used on "animals under 16 weeks of age, or on sick animals." This law is routinely violated.

The state Department of Agriculture conducted a hearing on new euthanasia rules two weeks ago in Raleigh, during which several speakers condemned the horrors of death by carbon monoxide. Many at the hearing prefer euthanasia by injection and would like the more humane method mandated (and enforced) by law. New rules will be finalized this fall.

One of the speakers in Raleigh was Jennifer McCollum of Greensboro, a volunteer with SPCA of the Triad. She argues, quite rationally, that "the way to prevent shelters from having to kill thousands of animals at all is to have our animals spayed or neutered." McCollum (jennifermccollum @triad.rr.com) is a devoted and tireless advocate for animals. But she is not humorless. She e-mailed me a photograph sure to strike the funny bone of people of conscience: two dogs playing tug of war with, and tearing to shreds, a Michael Vick jersey.

Charles Davenport Jr. (www.cdavenportjr.com) (daisha99@msn.com) is a freelance columnist who appears in the News & Record on alternate Sundays.