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URGENT ACTION NEEDED:
Banning Primates as Pets
(HB 5762-Andrew Kandrevas D-southeastern Wayne County): SUPPORT
Bill Introduced: January 21, 2010
MHS in partnership with the Detroit Zoological Society has introduced bold new legislation in Michigan to protect humankind’s closest relatives. HB 5762, sponsored by Democratic Reps. Kandrevas, Meadows and Scripps, would prohibit private ownership of nonhuman primates as pets.
Primates belong, first and foremost, in their native habitat. These wild animals can be dangerous, and should not be kept as pets in private homes. Primates pose dangers to public safety if they escape from their enclosures, as they can bite and spread diseases to humans. The average pet owner cannot provide the specialized care, diet, and housing needed by primates held in captivity.
HB 5762 would provide that only zoos or primate sanctuaries maintain such animals as chimpanzees and apes in Michigan. The bill was introduced on January 21, 2010 and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
State of Michigan Legislation:
Prosecuting Animal Fighting as Racketeering
(HB 5656-John Espinoza D-southeastern Wayne County): SUPPORT
Bill Introduced: December 8, 2009
MHS is excited to work closely with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office on the groundbreaking effort to allow animal fighting to be prosecuted under existing state racketeering laws.
Illegal gambling is often the primary reason that dogs and other animals are forced to fight, with thousands of dollars changing hands over the outcome of the bloody battles. The suffering of animals held captive and trained for this horrible cruel activity extends beyond the fight ring, to the purposeful breeding and baiting of uncounted dogs and other animals in our state.
This bill, one of the first of its kind in the nation, would give prosecutors a critical tool to help stamp out animal fighting where it occurs. It would allow them to prosecute animal fighting as racketeering, or criminal activity for financial gain.
HB 5656, sponsored by Reps. Espinoza, Polidori, Hansen, Byrnes, Tlaib and Neumann, was introduced on December 8, 2009 and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Farm Animal Welfare
HB 5127: PASSED!
Governor Granholm Signs Historic Farm Animal Welfare Measure into Law
Michigan Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States and Farm Sanctuary Applaud Enactment of Compromise Bill to Improve Treatment of Animals
(Oct. 12, 2009) - Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a landmark bill today that will, for the first time, extend modest yet meaningful protections to farm animals. A result of extensive negotiations between humane and agricultural groups, the law requires that certain farm animals have enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around and extend their limbs, rather than being confined in tiny cages.
Animal welfare groups - including the Michigan Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States and Farm Sanctuary - applauded Governor Granholm for signing the bill and lawmakers, agricultural groups, and environmental groups for supporting the measure.
HB 5127 phases out veal crates for calves within three years, and battery cages for laying hens and gestation crates for breeding sows within ten years. The state has more than ten million laying hens, approximately 100,000 breeding pigs, and is ranked by the Cattleman’s Beef Board as a top veal-producing state (no official numbers are available).
Michigan becomes the seventh state to ban gestation crates, the fifth to ban veal crates, and the second to ban battery cages. Arizona, California and Florida have passed similar measures through ballot initiatives, and Maine, Colorado and Oregon have passed related laws in their state legislatures.
“All stakeholders realize that we must move in the direction of improved animal welfare standards, and this legislation provides a roadmap to move us in that direction,” remarked Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. “All animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food.”
“This law represents modest yet important advancements for farm animals in our state,” said Michigan Humane Society President Cal Morgan. “I want to extend my gratitude to Reps. Pamela Byrnes and Mike Simpson for their leadership in bringing the parties together to forge a reasonable compromise.”
“Giving animals at least enough room to turn around and extend their limbs is something we can all support,” Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary, said. “We applaud Governor Granholm for signing this important reform.”
Facts:
- The House approved HB 5127 by a vote of 87-20, and the Senate approved it 36-0. The House concurred with the Senate version of the bill by a vote of 86-22.
- Major national retailers like Wendy’s, Safeway, Burger King, Red Robin, Carl’s Jr. and Hardees are increasingly phasing in crate-free and cage-free products due to consumer demand for better animal welfare.
- Scientific research confirms the welfare problems with battery cages, veal crates and gestation crates.
Pet Food Labeling
(HB 4814, Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills): SUPPORT
This bill would require pet food labels sold in retail stores to list the country of origin. This would enable consumers to make educated decisions on whether to purchase foods made with ingredients from other countries whose production standards may be lower than in the U.S.
Increases Penalties for Dog Law Violations
(HB 4802, Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake): SUPPORT
This bill would increase the fines and jail time for persons who violate the provisions or provide false claims under the existing Dog Law of 1919, which deals with dog and kennel licensing and livestock damage claims.
Pound Seizure Ban
(HB 4663, John Espinoza, D-St. Clair): SUPPORT
Animal shelters should be safe havens for animals, and not sell pets into research. This bill would ban that practice in Michigan.
Animal Friendly License Plate
(HB 4167, Kim Meltzer, R-Macomb County): SUPPORT
This bill would allow animal lovers to purchase a new specialty vehicle license plate. The proceeds would support MHS animal welfare projects across the state.
Amendments to the Dangerous Animal Law
(SB 316, John Gleason, D-Flint): NO POSITION AT THIS TIME
While MHS supports the intent of this bill, which would address dogs and other animals who seriously injure or kill domestic animals, we are working on improvements to it that would add a category of “potentially dangerous” with lesser penalties.
Amendments to the Probate Trust Code
(SB 0387, Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt): NO POSITION AT THIS TIME
This bill addresses many aspects of the probate trust code. Regarding animals, it would allow a person having an interest in the welfare of an animal owned by the deceased person to request the probate court to appoint a person to enforce a probate trust or remove an appointed person.
Outlaw Gas Chambers to Euthanize Animals
(HB 4803, Fred Miller, D-Macomb County): SUPPORT WITH CHANGES
MHS supports ending the use of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide chambers for euthanasia of dogs and cats in animal shelters. However, this bill must be amended to allow the use of specialized gas chambers for unusual cases, such as injured baby birds, for which injection euthanasia is not recommended.
Outlaw Gas Chambers to Euthanize Animals
(HB 4263, Rick Jones, R-Eaton County): SUPPORT WITH CHANGES
MHS supports ending the use of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide chambers for euthanasia in animal shelters. However, this bill must be amended to allow the use of specialized gas chambers for unusual cases, such as injured baby birds, for which injection euthanasia is not recommended.
Waiver of Sterilization Deposit for Temporary Foster Care
(HB 4465, Pete Lund, R-Macomb County): OPPOSE
Since the law mandating sterilization deposits does not apply to animals until they are adopted, this bill does not appear to be necessary. MHS does not support waiver of sterilization deposits at time of adoption, as deposits are incentives to encourage neutering, thus helping reduce animal overpopulation.
State Animal Regulation:
Federal Legislation:
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