Michigan Citizens Urge Policymakers to Protect Dog Owners' Property Rights by Banning Dog Breed Discrimination

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Make Michigan Next, a coalition of advocates, citizens and animal welfare organizations, supported by more than 1,000 of the state's voters, will host a rally on the East steps of the State Capitol in Lansing on Wed., Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to bring attention to discrimination against dog owners and the need to eliminate all public policy that discriminates against particular dog breeds. The speaking portion of the rally will be live webcast from noon to 1 p.m. at https://new.livestream.com/accounts/6848793/MakeMichiganNext.

Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) or breed discrimination refers to any law that bans or restricts certain types of dogs based on their appearance. It does not take into account a dog's actual behavior nor do these laws consider the environment in which a dog lives. Studies have shown that dog owner (mis)management is frequently the cause of dog bites. Dogs that are not properly socialized or trained and that are often confined or chained in an outdoor area are often implicated in dog bites. These are often the events that trigger breed-specific bans at the municipal level.

"Dogs have no control over their environment, but their owners do," said Courtney Protz-Sanders, a Make Michigan Next coalition member. "This rally is about everyone's right to own dogs and the need to stop discrimination based on appearance. Right now, because we have no state law to protect us, any breed of dog can be banned from visiting or living in any township, city or county in Michigan."

The rally will begin at 9 a.m. when more than 40 animal-friendly vendors set up booths across the capitol lawn in Lansing. At 11 a.m., a human chain will form at the east steps, symbolizing voters' unity against breed discrimination. At noon, speakers will address the rally crowd.

So far, 19 states have passed a statewide ban on breed discrimination. Participants in today's rally urge our state's elected officials to "Make Michigan Next." MMN and its partners are urging Michigan residents to reach out to their legislators to express their support of a state ban on BSL and to sign an online petition (www.makemichigannext.org).

"It's time to bring Michigan law into the modern era. There is no place for discrimination in our society," Protz-Sanders said. "We are the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. They don't vote, but we do."

A national survey reveals that 84 percent of citizens believe that local, state and federal governments should not infringe on a person's right to own whatever breed of dog they choose.

Michigan's voters agree.

"We have communities in our state where German shepherds are banned, where rottweilers are banned, where bulldogs and mastiffs are banned," said Terry Hodskins, a Make Michigan Next coalition member. "This is a violation of our right to own the dog of our choice. And every dog lover should be concerned about this because their breed could be next. More than 35 breeds face discrimination of some kind in Michigan and that number continues to grow."

Organizations that support making BSL a historical relic:

• American Bar Association
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control
• National Animal Care & Control Association
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• National Canine Research Council
• American Animal Hospital Association
• American Dog Owner's Association
• American Humane Association
• American Kennel Club
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Best Friends Animal Society
• Canadian Kennel Club
• The Humane Society of the United States
• International Association of Canine Professionals
• National Animal Interest Alliance
• National Association of Obedience Instructors
• The White House, Obama Administration

BSL does not work:

• BSL neither improves public safety nor does it prevent dog bites
• BSL ignores the plight of victims and potential victims of non-targeted breeds
• BSL is costly
• BSL requires each and every dog to be identified as a breed — something that has proven impossible to do accurately and objectively
• BSL makes targeted breeds more desirable to irresponsible and criminal owners
• BSL does nothing to make irresponsible dog owners accountable
• BSL punishes responsible dog owners
• Not a single canine welfare organization in the U.S. supports BSL

About Make Michigan Next
Formed in 2014 by more than a dozen animal welfare organizations, Make Michigan Next's mission is twofold:

• To introduce and enact a statewide ban on breed discrimination legislation
• To replace existing discrimination laws with responsible pet ownership laws

Ending breed discrimination in the state of Michigan is an important step forward for Michigan pet owners and their pets. Make Michigan Next is a campaign to end BSL across our state. Backed by a coalition of animal welfare organizations, Make Michigan Next will continue to collaborate with lawmakers to draft legislation that will protect the rights of pet owners and prohibit cities, townships and counties from establishing breed discrimination laws.

www.makemichigannext.org
[email protected]
facebook.com/MakeMichiganNext
@MakeMichNext

Media Contacts:
Courtney Protz-Sanders, 248-761-7716, [email protected]
Michele Spranger, 248-470-7569, [email protected]

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SOURCE Make Michigan Next