The House Committee on Agriculture voted yesterday (July 1) to pass House Bills 6042 and 6043 (sponsored by Reps. Rick Jones and Fred Miller to ban gas chamber euthanasia of shelter cats and dogs) and House Bill 4663 (Koda's Law, sponsored by Rep. John Espinoza to ban pound seizure of shelter dogs and cats by Class B Dealers). The bills were championed by the American Humane Association, the nation's oldest non-profit organization with over 130 years dedicated to protecting animals and children from abuse and neglect, in partnership with the Animal Law Section of the Michigan State Bar.
"American Humane praises the committee passage," said Tracy Coppola, American Humane Policy and Government Relations Associate. "These pieces of legislation are significant steps toward making Michigan a more humane state for shelter dogs and cats.To make certain that these bills become law, we urge Michigan residents to request that their State Representatives and Senators support House Bills 6042, 6043, and 4663."
American Humane strongly believes that euthanasia-by-injection is the only humane method of euthanasia for shelter animals and that pound seizure—the practice of providing shelter animals for experimental research—should be banned.
To move the bills forward, the committee amended the gas chamber bill so that it explicitly exempts farm animals and made the effective date Jan. 1, 2012. The Class B dealer pound seizure bill was amended to allow research facilities to obtain stray animals and completely phase-out the Class B dealer 12 months after the bill becomes law. The committee believed amendments to both bills were necessary to achieve passage.
The bills will now head to the House for a floor vote.
About American Humane
Founded in 1877, the Denver-based American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals from abuse and neglect through public policy, education and services reaching a wide network of organizations and advocates. Programs include raising awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. The organization is also known for "No Animals Were Harmed,"® the end-credit disclaimer seen on film and TV productions. American Humane® Certified is the nation's largest and most regarded independent standards and certification program for farm animal welfare. American Humane earned the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval and is an American Institute of Philanthropy "Top-Rated Charity." Learn more at www.americanhumane.org.
Contacts:
American Humane Association
Heather Black, 720-873-6771
heatherb@americanhumane.org