Tails in the News
Pending legislation would strengthen animal cruelty laws
Anti-animal cruelty bills HB 4550, 4551, and 4552 were passed by the Michigan House of Representatives by a vote of 80 to 26 on June 14. If approved by the Michigan Senate, the legislation would increase penalties and psychological counseling for neglect charges, create progressive punishments based on the number of animals harmed, and add consecutive sentencing for felony cruelty charges.
State representative John Espinoza (D-Croswell) introduced the portions of the legislation in the house after an officer in his district found 33 dead animals and 45 more suffering from severe malnourishment on a local farm. Because of the way the animal cruelty laws were written, the local prosecutor was unable to pursue felony charges against the farmer. “My intention was to amend the law to give the prosecutors the tools they need to ensure individuals like those in my district who severely neglect animals would be subject to harsher, more appropriate penalties by basing the penalties on the number of animals affected,” says Espinoza.
Stephanie Baron, a Michigan Humane Society spokesperson, says the existing anti-cruelty laws only have two levels; a 93-day misdemeanor for neglect and a four-year felony for severe abuse—with nothing in between.
“Many cruelty cases may affect one or, in some situations, numerous animals, resulting in moderate to extreme suffering,” she says. “Courts need a wider variety of options to better match the penalty with the crime.”
In addition to HB 4550, 4551, and 4552, MHS is encouraging legislation that would establish more restrictions on tethering, clearly define animal hoarding, and penalize people who allow animals to suffer preventable pain.
Espinoza’s support of anti-cruelty legislation doesn’t end with these three bills. ”In the future, I will be happy to introduce or support legislation that will protect the welfare of humans and animals whenever the need becomes apparent,” he says.
The bill is currently waiting for approval in the Senate. Supporters of the bills include the Michigan Humane Society, Michigan Veterinary Medical Association, the Michigan State Police, the Animal Law Section of the State Bar, and Capital Area Humane Society. For more information, visit Senate.Michigan.gov.
New reptile sanctuary opens in Burch Run
Wilderness Trails, a non-profit zoo in Birch Run, Michigan, opened its new Rescued Reptile Sanctuary on June 24. The sanctuary is home to 28 reptiles and includes pens, a turtle pond, an alligator pond, and a tortoise enclosure. The reptiles housed in the sanctuary have been mistreated, hurt, or abandoned by their former caretakers. Reptile abandonment is a huge problem; oftentimes people will adopt a reptile without understanding the commitment and attention required to take care the animal.
The sanctuary was built by volunteers and funded entirely on donations. Spearheading the project was Karen Y. Niezgucki and her family, who donated hundreds of hours of volunteer work in addition to thousand of dollars to help make the reptile sanctuary a reality.
Niezgucki spent many hours volunteering with Wilderness Trails before starting on the reptile area. “First we did the alligator area, and then built a space for birds. One thing grew to another, and we thought ‘why not move the iguanas from the front and make a sanctuary?’”
The reptiles housed in the sanctuary are either from the rescue Niezgucki and her family run, or from the Mid-Michigan Reptile Rescue in Bay City. Animals living in the Rescued Reptile Sanctuary aren’t eligible for adoption. Niezgucki says the animals taken by the rescue have oftentimes been hurt and abused and she would be concerned about the possibility that a new home would do
so again.
There are currently 28 reptiles in the sanctuary, but that number will be increasing as the zoo adds five additional cages. The current residents of the sanctuary run the spectrum of reptiles: Black and White Tegus, Savannah Monitor, Rhinoceros Iguanas, Black Spiny Tail Iguanas, and a variety of tortoises and snakes. For more information on the new Rescued Reptile Sanctuary at Wilderness Tails, visit WildernessTrailsZoo.org.
Wienie dogs gear up for annual Dachshund Fest
The 2nd annual Bavarian Dachshund Festival will take place Saturday, August 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Jaycee Pavilion in Heritage Park in Frankenmuth. The festival is a fundraiser for Dachshund Rescue of North America (DRNA), a national organization that works in support of Dachshund rescue and adoption. The group concentrates on rescuing, rehabilitating, and re-homing needy Dachshunds and Dachshund mixes. Though the event is free, organizers hope that attendees will buy raffle tickets and donate to DRNA’s medical fund to help support Dachshund rescue. Last year, more than 200 people attended.
Participants will also be able to adopt a Dachshund at the festival, but only if they have already been pre-screened. All adopters must fill out an application, have their references checked, and pass a home visit before a Dachshund is placed with them. “We want to make sure each rescue’s next home is a safe, loving, forever home,” says Dachshundfest volunteer Lisa Sanders-Voss.
Event highlights include a “wieners bobbing for wieners” activity, best trick contest, and wiener dog race. In addition, vendors will be selling Dachshund themed products including jewelry, bumper stickers, and more. Sullivan’s Black Forest Brew Haus and Grill will be selling food at the festival or attendees can bring a picnic lunch.
2007 HOGS for Cats and Dogs event a success
The 7th annual HOGS for Cats and Dogs event at Motor City Harley-Davidson in Farmington Hills attracted families to a day of motorcycles, adoptions, and family fun. Twenty dogs and cats found new homes, with the first 10 adopters receiving a $20 gift card for Pet Supplies Plus, a free engraved ID tag, and a free Harley-Davidson collar and leash. The event, which was sponsored by the Michigan Humane Society, also included a microchipping clinic.
