Media Advisory: "Make Michigan Next" Rally to End Breed Discrimination and to Protect the Property Rights of Pet Owners

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

What: Michigan's voters should have the right to own the dog of their choice. It's a matter of fairness. As Michigan law currently stands, any Michigan municipality can enact a law banning any breed of dog, tearing apart families and supporting discrimination against dog owners. A coalition of animal welfare organizations and concerned citizens launched the "Make Michigan Next" campaign and will hold a rally actively involving more than 1,000 registered voters to bring attention to the need to eliminate all breed discrimination laws in our state. Breed discrimination, or breed-specific legislation (BSL), is a category of laws that ban or restrict certain types of dogs based solely on their appearance. 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. All dog owners should be treated fairly and equally. So far, 19 states have banned BSL. That's why the focus of this rally is to inspire policymakers to "Make Michigan Next!"

Rally speakers:

• BSL victim Terry Hodskins
• Animal Control Officer Kim Walton, southeast Michigan
• Michigan animal law attorney Richard Angelo
• Animal Control Officer Rachel Jensen, west Michigan
• Veterinarian Erica Hawker, Union Lake Veterinary Hospital
• Senior Manager of Policy Jon Dunn, Best Friends Animal Society
• Rally MC Courtney Protz-Sanders, Michigan's Political Action Committee for Animals

When: Wednesday, September 17, 2014

• Educational booths and retailers: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Rock N Roll K9's Performance Team: 10:15 a.m.
• Human chain: 11 a.m. to noon
• Speakers: noon to 1 p.m.

Where: East lawn and steps of the state capitol, Lansing, Mich.

Webcast: The rally speaker presentations will be webcast live from noon to 1 p.m. at
https://new.livestream.com/accounts/6848793/MakeMichiganNext

Details: 

• Promptly at 11 a.m., citizens will form a human chain leading from the east steps of the capitol, symbolizing their solidarity against breed specific legislation in Michigan. 
• The human chain demonstration will be followed by brief remarks from industry leaders and victims of breed specific legislation.
• Media will have opportunities to interview speakers throughout the day.

To schedule an interview, contact:

Alex Shesterkin
(248) 760-6867
[email protected] 

Courtney Protz-Sanders
(248) 761-7716
[email protected]

SOURCE Make Michigan Next