My City May 2023

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suffering animals; for exam ple, those that may be sick or injured beyond help. “The courts will allow for inter pretation of a situation,” says Swanson. For example, there is a difference between ending an animal’s life humanely versus bludgeoning it to death with a blunt instrument or starving it to death. The courts will decide. Identifying those who abuse and mistreat animals is much more serious than first thought. Proving to people that there will be accountabil ity for such actions can help deter future violence. “There is a relationship between animal abuse and violence against people,” states Swanson. Animal cruelty is a known predictor of future violence including rape, murder, arson, domestic violence and child sexual abuse. Statistics show that 75% of abused wom en report a history of their animals being threatened or harmed by their intimate partner. From 1988 to 2012, it was found that 43% of school shooters had histories of animal cruelty. The possible impact of the initiative goes far beyond animal abuse. Protect MI Pet kicked off in April on National Pet Day with hopes of gaining enough support to be included on the November ballot and the

This ballot initiative for the 2024 election will create a registry of convicted animal abusers and change property laws to spare animals from being

Also in the State of Mich igan, animals are considered personal property (chattel) which ultimately can add to the neglect of abused animals. “If a person refuses to give up his property (the animal) then, the animal will be caged in a facility for the duration of the trial process,” explains Swanson. Trials may last years, prolonging the animal’s suffering. Should the ballot initiative pass, that loophole would be closed and allow animals to be placed in a good home after limited period. In addition to the animal’s suf fering, the loophole provides a drain of society funds and efforts. “We rescued 36 dogs from a dog-fighting ring and currently, they are in cages at Animal Control,” tells Swan son. “It costs roughly $20 per dog per day to house them. That’s $720 per day. To date, nearly $74,000 has been spent sheltering these animals with no end in sight.” Swanson also assures that there will be allowances for humane euthanasia of

incarcerated for months or years while their abusers await trial.

/ stock.adobe.com

PROTECT MI PET KICKED OFF ON APRIL 11, NATIONAL PET DAY, WITH HOPES OF GAINING ENOUGH SUPPORT TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

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