Responsible Pet Owners will Curb Dog Maulings

On June 17, a 10-year-old girl on Detroit’s east side was mauled by a pit bull while playing in the back yard of the home where the dog lived. She suffered horrific injuries. One can only imagine the fear and terror she felt as this happened and the scars, physically and emotionally, she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

The dog, known to be aggressive, was kept locked in an upstairs room when people came by the home. A door was inadvertently left open allowing the dog to escape and maul this poor, innocent child. This same dog attacked a utility worker in a previous incident.

Knowing this dog’s aggressive temperament, it was the owner’s responsibility to be vigilant and maintain strict control of the animal. This tragedy could have been prevented.

But why was a dangerous dog in someone’s home to begin with? Why would anyone keep an animal that poses a threat to their family? A 2015 Harris poll found that the majority of pet owners consider pets their family members. While encouraging, there are still many who don’t.

Instead, some dogs are used as a form of home defense, selected for their aggressive temperament, left alone in a yard, not socialized, chained and unloved. Their worlds consist of a short circle, the length of whatever chain they are tied to, and they will defend that world violently.

As a result, these animals have no idea how to interact with humans. Last Saturday’s horrific incident was a much more likely outcome than the dog deterring criminal activity. We have to move past the idea that a dog, or any family pet, is anything other than a companion. There is no reason to own a dog if its role in life is any different.

Having dogs with inherent and unpredictable aggression, especially if we know about it, has a compounding effect on all of us. Aggressive animals clearly impact the public safety of our neighborhoods, support stereotypes about Detroit, and counteract the positive work of animal welfare advocates throughout the state.

This is not a pit bull issue. It is not a Detroit issue. It is not a poverty issue. It is a negligence issue on the part of the owner and a lack of understanding and compassion for the animals with whom we share our communities.

We must, collectively, raise the inherent value of pets beyond merely serving a purpose and then easily disregarded or replaced. We must connect to our pets or, frankly, make the decision not to have them. It is so incredibly important. If we can elevate the value of companion animals, personally and in our communities, and ensure that dogs are treated with compassion and care, we will see these horrifying incidents disappear.

– Matthew Pepper, President and CEO

Crime Stoppers and Animal Cruelty

In June, the Michigan Humane Society and Crime Stoppers of Michigan announced a powerful and unique partnership that will result in a completely anonymous option for citizens to report animal cruelty. Now, animal cruelty calls received by Crime Stoppers will be directed to both the law enforcement authority in a particular jurisdiction and the Michigan Humane Society.

If you’re not familiar with Crime Stoppers of Michigan, this nonprofit organization is dedicated and committed to “working together to create stronger, safer communities.” Inherent in that core principle is the power of, and the need for, collaboration.

Why is our partnership important?

On the practical side, this partnership provides MHS a unique opportunity to both directly investigate animal cruelty and neglect in a larger geographic area, and provide critical counsel, assistance and resources to more local jurisdictions. You may not know this, but cruelty investigation and rescue is something we have been doing, and doing well, for more than a century. MHS responds to more than 8,000 complaints every year.

More importantly, teaming up with Crimes Stoppers is further evidence of an elevated understanding among law enforcement of the correlation between animal cruelty and human violence. Animal cruelty is more than simply an animal issue; it is a public safety and community issue.

We believe that animal welfare professionals and law enforcement have an obligation to respond to and address animal cruelty with the same level of professionalism and attention as any other form of violence.

As passionate protectors and guardians to the animals we share our lives with, the team at MHS embraces the notion that suffering of any kind is not acceptable.

Animal and human violence: the link

In theory, it’s not hard to understand that someone capable of inflicting pain and suffering on an animal is capable of doing the same to a person. History provides us with many examples of unspeakable criminal violence following early acts of cruel animal abuse.

And while we know of extreme cases, they are not unique. There is overwhelming evidence linking animal cruelty to serious conduct disorders, such as mass homicides, and more common crimes, such as domestic violence.

In family abuse situations, the family pet is often used as a weapon to control the victim. Threats and actual harm to the family pet often keep the victim from leaving or speaking up. A study by the American Humane Association in conjunction with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that 71 percent of pet-owning women entering shelters reported their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims.

The study also found that between 25 and 40 percent of battered women don’t leave abusive situations because they worry about how their pets will fare without them.

You can learn more about the link between animal abusers and how they negatively impact community health at a variety of websites. Here are three excellent sites to visit: sheriffs.org/programs, animallaw.info/article, nationallinkcoalition.org. I invite you to spend time educating yourself, because somewhere, somehow, your knowledge may help you make a positive impact with someone struggling with the issues I mentioned above.

You can make a difference today

This brings me to the crux of our collaboration with Crime Stoppers of Michigan. To successfully further efforts to combat and address animal cruelty in our communities, we need YOU!

We are depending on people like you who are willing to speak up for those who have no voice, to report the cruelty and neglect they witness in their neighborhoods and bring justice to those who deserve it.

When MHS and Crime Stoppers team up, we help make reporting animal cruelty a simple and anonymous process. We begin to address a serious threat to public safety and, together, work toward ending suffering of any kind in our communities.

Ending animal cruelty may seem a lofty, unrealistic goal, but we have to start with the end in mind.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” — Henry Ford

– Matthew Pepper, President and CEO

MHS Loves Pit Bulls

This week, Montreal approved legislation banning pit bulls.

Locally, the story of Diggy and the pit bull ban in Waterford Township made headlines. Michigan Humane Society’s position that such laws are ineffective and nearly impossible to enforce was bolstered when, eventually, a veterinarian declared that Diggy was NOT a pit bull after all.

I have written about MHS’ opposition to breed-specific legislation. Not only are such laws misguided, but we believe each animal should be judged on its own individual merit.

Genetics certainly play a role in any dog’s personality, but who that dog becomes is primarily a product of its owner and its environment. Raise a dog, any dog, in a positive environment and the result is likely a well-rounded companion that is part of the family.

These stories, and the lack of understanding of so-called bully breeds, often leave these dogs overlooked in shelters and without homes. In 2015, MHS placed more than 11,100 animals; many of those were pit bull or pit-bull mixes and went on to become incredible companions to their new families.

To show just how strongly we feel about this topic, we are highlighting some of the incredible pit bulls and pit bull mixes we have for adoption right now. Take a look at these amazing animals and consider welcoming one of them into your home today!

Junie is an energetic, one year old pit bull mix. She is available at our Berman Center for Animal Care in Westland. She is a bouncy, happy girl, but will settle down when you pet her, because she loves to cuddle!

Boss is a six year old pit bull mix at our Berman Center for Animal Care in Westland. He is a wonderful, loving boy who is best friends with everyone he meets, and very active!

Evie, a four year old pit bull mix, is a sweet and silly girl! You can meet her at our Petco adoption center in Sterling Heights. This girl is very friendly and affectionate.

Butterscotch is a five year old pit bull mix at our Berman Center for Animal Care in Westland. She is being treated for heartworm disease. She is shy but sweet, and loves to snuggle and play with toys.

Already have a pit bull buddy? Then take a minute and share its picture or tell us how he or she lights-up your life.

Thank you in advance for helping MHS be a voice for those who have none!

– Matthew Pepper, President and CEO

A Note From Matthew Pepper on Meatball

We have great news about Meatball!

With the single goal of doing right by Meatball, we are happy to share that today, through the collective efforts of the interested parties, an agreement has been reached to make Meatball’s foster stay with Karen Cameron of Bed & Biscuit Pet Lodge into his forever home.

I’m proud to say that under the agreement, MHS will transfer Meatball’s ownership from Eastpointe to MHS while simultaneously coordinating his adoption by Karen Cameron. By legally becoming Meatball’s owner, and without ever removing him from Bed & Biscuit, MHS will have secured the quickest route to keeping the dog where we know he is already loved.

Since Meatball was the subject of an animal cruelty case (he was evidence), the reality of “leaving him where he is” was more complex than it appeared. His placement could only be permanent if legal processes were followed and completed. MHS’ efforts, behind the scenes and through its legal filings, were critical to resolving these issues in an efficient and legally appropriate manner.

MHS had been working towards today’s positive outcome since day one. Moreover, we maintained the integrity of our position regarding Meatball, despite opinions to the contrary. Sadly, during the last several days, another organization irresponsibly and unprofessionally used social media to mislead many of you.

I’m reminded of a quote by Mark Twain, “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.”

The facts are this:

1. MHS always had Meatball’s best interest at heart.
2. MHS did not actively work to remove Meatball from foster care while collaborative efforts were determining his permanent home.
3. There was never any intention to bring him back to an MHS shelter.
4. MHS worked professionally and quietly with prosecutors, Eastpointe officials and legal counsels for ALL parties with one end in mind: keeping Meatball happy and healthy.

When an animal’s well-being is at stake, the professional response is to request clarity on an issue and attempt to contact the involved organizations to ask for as much. This did not occur. Instead, misleading and false information was published and MHS was unfairly discredited.

What’s more, these actions did not help Meatball, nor did they help Bed & Biscuit. Rather, they caused confusion among officials involved in the case and animosity within the advocates who should have been walking alongside one another. The real loser could have been Meatball. Fortunately, he got the second chance he deserves.

We all understand the power of social media. We know it can have a positive impact on animal welfare. But in order to have that impact, we cannot blindly accept what we read as fact. I ask for unity among animal welfare advocates and professional organizations. So much more is possible when we speak as one.

– Matthew Pepper, President and CEO

A Note from Matthew Pepper on Cruelty Investigations

Cruelty is hard to understand.

Inflicting pain and suffering on a living creature is something most of us cannot comprehend. How could anyone do this? Whether it is physically beating a dog or tying it in the backyard for a life of solitude and sadness – the result is the same.

It isn’t just the concept of animal cruelty that is hard to understand. The process of addressing the problem can be just as complex and confusing as the idea of animal cruelty itself.

What are some of the legal issues impacting animal cruelty investigations?

Perhaps the hardest part is that we have to simultaneously consider the victim both a living creature and evidence. The implications of this can be far reaching. Whether we like it or not (and at MHS we assuredly do not) animals are property according to the law. Regardless of the crime committed by an owner, that person does not lose ownership of that property unless either surrendered or adjudicated by the court. It is not uncommon for court cases to occur months, even years, after arrest or any charges. If the animal isn’t surrendered – it has to remain without a disposition and cannot be placed or euthanized (absent irremediable pain and suffering).

The concept of animals as property is ingrained in our laws. There are other laws that impact the investigation of animal cruelty and the outcome for the animals involved. Let’s take dog fighting as an example; dog fighting is a horrific act of unspeakable cruelty. We have all heard stories of dogs being adopted or rehomed after arrests in dog fighting investigations – for example; the Michael Vick case. In Michigan, this is statutorily not permissible. Michigan does not allow a person to own a dog used for fighting. In fact , the law (MCLA 750.49) states that “[a] humane society or other animal welfare agency that receives an animal under this section shall apply to the district court or municipal court for a hearing to determine whether the animal shall be humanely euthanized because of its lack of any useful purpose and the public safety threat it poses.” In Michigan, euthanasia is the only legal outcome for dogs taken in as part of a dog fighting operation.

As professionals in animal welfare, we must adhere to the laws that exist or we compromise the integrity of our organizations, the legal process, and any possibility for justice and action against those that caused the suffering. Adhere to the laws or change them; which is why the Michigan Humane Society is spearheading legislation that would allow each animal to be evaluated individually and offers hope for placement (HB 4765).

What is the impact of cruelty on the animals and on what happens to them?

The public often only see these animals from the outside as victims – perhaps from a short video on the news or a picture on social media. Through that emotion, we forget that any subsequent placement, if allowed by law or the courts, would still have to be responsible and safe. These animal victims have been the subject of incredible suffering often for extended periods of time. This often means the animal is unsocialized and unsound and cannot be placed. Animal behavior is a product of their owner and environment but that does not make them any less dangerous. All who care about animal welfare and public safety must take this into consideration while working to ensure that those responsible are never able to inflict this kind of irrevocable suffering again. As heartbreaking as it is, the end is not always a positive one. Yet we must take solace knowing that animal suffering has ended in instances where the victims are not able to be responsibly placed. That is not to say it can’t happen – in fact, at MHS, we put every resource into working with the subjects of animals cruelty. Many of our placements were at one point the subjects of an animal cruelty or neglect investigation. We have given thousands of victims new lives.

The timing and nature of an outcome for these animals is often more complex that one might think. There are often multiple organizations, court systems, attorneys and other interested parties involved. All of which may have authority over all or some of the aspects of the case including disposition of the animal. In a multi-agency investigation, the outcome, when and if an animal can be released and perhaps even to whom, often stands with the enforcement or investigating agency rather than the housing agency. At MHS, we both investigate acts of cruelty and act as a support organization to others.

Can social media interfere with animal cruelty investigations?

Social media is immediate and can add to the complexity of animal cruelty investigations. It is also without accountability and, frankly, it is often without facts. Animal cruelty cases can go on for an extended period of time and often involve much more complexity and detail than can be divulged to the public. Revealing these details can significantly compromise, or at times eliminate, any case against a potential offender and could lead to the return of the animal to an abusive situation. On Facebook, for example, the immediate calls for “justice” or “humanity” in a particular case are driven by the assumption that the source of the information has all the facts necessary to make an informed, rational, decision. This is rarely the case.

We all understand the motivation and emotion behind angry pleas for action on social media. But this tactic is often misguided. Using social media to invoke a public outcry without facts is irresponsible. Further, it often causes unfortunate and inappropriate knee-jerk responses by involved agencies in an effort to avoid misguided public criticism. As an example; if there are pleas to return a dog to an owner, based on partial information, and an organization involved in the case is hesitant to do so we must take in to consideration that there is more information available to the parties actively involved in the investigation.

What is MHS’ role in investigating animal cruelty?

One of our core competencies at the Michigan Humane Society is to investigate and address acts of animal cruelty. We have been doing this for 139 years and our Cruelty Investigations Division investigates thousands of cases of animal cruelty every year. We will always adhere to the law and take action in the best interest of the animals.  It is incumbent that we, as animal advocates, trust that professional organizations investigating animal cruelty have the best interest of the animals in mind. It is easy to be guided to an opinion by partial facts but better to be guided by a principal and all the facts. We, at MHS, are driven to end animal cruelty and to find justice in every situation we are faced with.

I have worked almost 20 years in animal welfare and a majority of my experience involves animal cruelty investigations. I was an animal cruelty investigator at the Humane Society of Kent County (now the Humane Society of West Michigan); I was an Animal Control Officer and supervisor for Kent County Animal Control. I oversaw animal control departments in Louisiana, Tennessee and New Mexico. I teach courses on complex animal cruelty investigations to police officers and have done so in several states. In New Mexico I began a formal animal cruelty task force, the P.E.T. Project, with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (actually the subject of a new book). Much of my career has been focused on investigating, responding to, and pro-actively addressing animal cruelty in our communities.

Animal cruelty infuriates me. It cannot, and will not, be acceptable as long as I – and our team here at MHS – have anything to do about it. We have incredible partners who walk alongside us in combatting animal cruelty in this State. Not the least of which is you – without your support none of our work addressing animal cruelty would be possible. You make it possible for us to be a voice for those in need. Thank you.

A Statement on Community Cats

Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center, according to reports published by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, saves more animals than any other municipal shelter in the state of Michigan. We are, and remain, partners in animal welfare alongside them.

The Michigan Humane Society, however, strongly opposes their stance on community cats.

Oakland County euthanizes feral cats and those not selected for adoption citing animal welfare and public safety concerns. MHS believes that community cat programs are viable alternatives to euthanasia.

Adoption should always be the preferred outcome for every animal, but that is not always a possibility. Sometimes a healthy cat is unsocialized or otherwise temperamentally unsuitable for a home, and in those instances, research has shown that death need not be the only possible outcome. Community cat programs are sustainable, effective, and a lifesaving outcome when adoption isn’t appropriate. 

Historically, it was thought that community cat programs would spread disease, lead to increased suffering, and were ineffective at controlling stray cat populations. This simply is not true. Animal welfare is an ever evolving field and our practices must evolve with it. MHS believes community cat programs are both humane and effective and should be a part of any progressive animal shelter’s programs. We are here to save lives, and community cat programs do just that.

The outdated method of euthanizing all feral and unsocial cats is ineffective. Unless the environment is changed, these outdated programs simply create a temporary void in which other community cats, typically unsterilized and unvaccinated, will soon fill. It does nothing to reduce population and does nothing to create healthier populations.

No more harm occurs in a community when a sterilized and vaccinated cat is released to where she came from. In fact, if she was owned, she has a better chance of finding her way home through a return-to-field program rather than at an animal shelter where, nationally, the reclaim rate for cats hovers around 2%. In addition, cats as part of a community cat program are vaccinated and sterilized therefore creating a healthier population and one incapable of reproducing.

At MHS, our community cat programs are viable, proven programs designed to save lives. Given what we know about community cats, we have an obligation to incorporate these initiatives into our services. When needed, we evaluate each cat as a candidate for these programs and look at her health, experience outside and behavior, while considering external factors like location, climate and time of year. Community cat programs are beneficial to the community and to the cats.

MHS opposes ineffective philosophies in animal welfare and strongly encourages the Oakland County Animal Control and Pet Adoption Center to adopt more progressive community cat programs in line with emerging best practices. A municipal animal control department has the overriding responsibility to public safety in addition to a responsibility to the animals. There is no evidence that these policies improve public safety in any way and community cat programs create healthier populations – which will exist at some level anyway – within that community. With no negative impact on public safety, the course of action that should be taken is both the most humane and effective one; that is a progressive community cat program.

A Note from Matthew Pepper on the Old MHS Detroit Building

Earlier this week, I attended the Detroit City Council meeting. One of the last items on the agenda was, in my humble opinion, one of the most important. The Detroit City Council unanimously accepted a gift from MHS – in the form of our old Detroit facility – that will dramatically improve the care for animals at Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC) which, in turn, will give us the opportunity to impact even more lives. MHS’s old facility will become the new base of operations for DACC once they leave their current building.

While our new facility has incredibly enhanced functionality and is the very definition of state-of-the-art, our previous Detroit shelter has been meticulously maintained and has functional years left. The current DACC facility, at best, fails to meet even the most basic needs of animals. This is about ALL the animals of Detroit and not just those housed at MHS. The functionality remaining in the old facility is best put to use by Detroit Animal Care and Control. In this way it will have the most impact.

This is an incredible time for MHS, the city of Detroit and, more importantly, for the animals we share the city with. We are proud to be working with Detroit Animal Care and Control to save even more animals and create the most effective, functioning and humane model of animal welfare throughout Detroit and the region.

– Matthew Pepper, President and CEO

A Note from Matthew Pepper: Animal Cruelty Must Be Taken Seriously

You may have seen the recent news regarding two high school students from Grosse Isle High School facing felony animal cruelty charges for slitting the throat of, and then beating a guinea pig with a bat.

In response to the charges, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy stated that, “The alleged facts in this case illustrate much more than a youthful prank or a pre-game antic. We must take these cases seriously.”

We walk the line of not wanting the lives of two young men to be ruined permanently because of “one mistake.” It was clearly a horrible mistake, and whether poor judgment or intentional malice, one that we all need to take seriously. The suffering put upon this animal was inexcusable, and there is an unquestionable correlation between animal cruelty and human violence. It cannot be ignored.

If you would like to learn more about the link between human violence and animal cruelty:
National Link Coalition
ASPCA
National Sheriff’s Association
Animal Legal Defense Fund

What can we take away from this incredibly horrific act?

There is much work to be done. We know that we need to instill compassion for all living creatures – to a level that the thought of torturing an animal for any purpose is unthinkable. We all share the responsibility to speak out against animal cruelty and neglect. We all must be their voice. Humane education and teaching empathy for the animals we share our lives with has been a focal point of the Michigan Humane Society for decades. As we look toward the future, it is critical that these programs become even more robust and impactful.

We must also continue to build upon a basic understanding among law enforcement and government officials of the correlation between animal cruelty and human violence. Prosecutor Worthy’s comments are spot-on. Unfortunately, that level of understanding is not as widespread as we would all want it to be. This is not by intent or ignorance. Law enforcement is overwhelmed with their responsibilities under normal circumstances and, given the current climate in America, it is understandable that they could see these issues as less important.

In reality, animal cruelty is linked to serious violent behavior in our communities, and is a clear indicator of other criminal activity. Whether two-legged or four, victims are victims, and violence is violence. In response to this need, MHS provides a professional training to law enforcement that has been approved by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement.

MHS sincerely hopes that this incredibly heartbreaking incident acts as a catalyst to change. We know that it happened – now, as a community, it is our collective responsibility to stop it from happening again. Regardless of whether animal welfare is an issue close to your heart, individuals who intentionally cause the suffering of any living creature pose a threat to your safety and to your quality of life.

– Matthew Pepper, President and CEO

A Statement Against Breed Specific Legislation

This photo of Diggy with his new adopter started controversy about whether or not Diggy is a “pit bull.” Pit bulls are banned in Waterford Township, the city he now lives in.

Recently, the story of Diggy, an adopted dog, has been in the news due to questions about his breed and the city in which his owner resides, Waterford Township, having restrictions on specific breeds of dogs in their community. The Michigan Humane Society strongly opposes Waterford Township’s stance in supporting breed bans and asks that Diggy be able to remain with his new, adoptive family.

Michigan defines, under MCLA 287.321, a “Dangerous animal” as “a dog or other animal that bites or attacks a person, or a dog that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another dog while the other dog is on the property or under the control of its owner.” Diggy has not engaged in any of these behaviors. He has done nothing but become part of a family.

The public argument now is whether Diggy is an American Bulldog or a pit bull/pit bull mix. That in and of itself is controversial, as a pit bull is not a widely recognized individual breed, and it would depend on where you based the definition. However, the larger issue is this: it shouldn’t matter.

The spirit behind Waterford Township’s pit bull ban is noble: create a safer environment. It is, however, a misguided effort. Breed bans have proven to be, at minimum, ineffective and more appropriately, a misallocation of public resources and trust.

Our position on breed specific legislation is not unique. The ASPCA, The HSUS and the American Veterinary Medical Association all hold similar positions.

Having an officer with the Waterford Township Police allocate time, in response to a situation where a family pet was being nothing more than a family pet is irresponsible and a reaction to misguided perceptions about animal behavior and temperament.

Painting a breed with a broad brush may seem like a viable solution, but it does not address the core issue. While genetics certainly plays a significant role in any dog’s personality, who that dog becomes is influenced primarily by their owner and their environment.

If Waterford Township wanted to truly impact public safety, they would discard the notion of a breed specific ban and focus on real issues involving companion animals and public safety. Officers should be looking at cases of cruelty and neglect (regardless of the breed). Not only is animal cruelty strongly correlated to acts of violence directed at people, but the animals subjected to long-term abuse or neglect often are not appropriately socialized and may develop behavioral characteristics that make them potentially dangerous. In addition, officers must aggressively enforce existing laws, such as those concerning dogs running at large, for example. The fact that a dog is a pit bull is not a problem; however, a pit bull running loose in the streets is a problem, just as it would be a problem if the dog were a Labrador or a golden retriever. It is the actions of the owner that should be held accountable.

The Michigan Humane Society strongly opposes Waterford Township’s breed specific ordinance. It is ineffective, misguided and serves no true purpose other than to perpetuate myths.

The Michigan Humane Society stands firmly behind Dan Tillery and Diggy and would condemn any action to remove him from his loving home absent any violations of existing State law governing dangerous animals.

Don’t Eliminate Animal Control

Earlier this year, we saw Grand Traverse County remove their two animal control officers from the budget, effectively eliminating animal control from the county. Now, Montcalm County finds itself considering the same course of action.

Elected officials and government leadership have difficult jobs; I know firsthand, having spent a majority of my career within municipal animal care and control departments. These departments are often asked to do what seems like the impossible by balancing services with limited funding. Animal care and control departments and their associated personnel are often seen as low-hanging fruit when it comes to budget cuts. They are, therefore, often the first to get hit when challenging financial times present themselves.

Eliminating or dramatically cutting municipal animal care and control departments is extremely short-sighted and potentially permanently damaging to the health and well-being of the community.

Animal care and control plays a vital role in both public safety and the overall quality of life for each and every community in Michigan.

In the absence of trained, compassionate personnel tasked with responding to animal-related issues in a community, the responsibility will most likely fall to local law enforcement and/or will be taken on independently by citizen volunteers. Neither provides the appropriate level of protection to either the citizens or animals of our communities. Local law enforcement is often not trained in handling or dealing with animals in the field, nor trained to recognize animal cruelty and its subsequent correlation to human violence – a focus point of the Michigan Humane Society’s Law Enforcement Training Program.

While highly compassionate, trained and committed volunteers are the lifeblood of organizations such as MHS, they should not be expected or positioned to take on a municipal, tax-payer funded responsibility. This most often leads to untrained individuals, with little or no oversight, acting in a public safety capacity. Even highly trained law enforcement officers often lack the specific training and expertise needed to handle animal-related issues in an effective, efficient and humane manner.  This is in no way to be seen as a slight on law enforcement or volunteers – they are doing what they need to do to be a resource to their community, but they are simply not properly equipped to do so.

Furthermore, when the number of animals who need care increases due to the lack of an animal control officers and resources, these animals often end up at local animal welfare organizations – nonprofits whose resources are already severely strained.  A community is most effective in caring for their animals when private animal welfare organizations, volunteers, law enforcement personnel, and the local animal control officers are each able to provide their specific services to the community.

Additionally, animal control officers are specifically trained to handle animals in a public safety capacity, and in cases of cruelty. They are uniquely trained in handling animal-related disease issues. For example, animal control officers know the rabies protocols and quarantine procedures designed to keep you safe. Keep in mind that, while uncommon in modern times, rabies still exists and is 100% fatal if not appropriately addressed. Furthermore, animal control officers are trained to address the suffering in neglect and cruelty cases – suffering that would continue to exist if the responsibility fell to those without the training or the authority to address it. The spread of infectious disease and animal victims of violence are, unfortunately, common concerns throughout Michigan, and communities must invest in the resources to appropriately address these situations.

Cutting the programs that protect us from animal-related injury and disease and provide appropriate protection to the community’s animals is a shortsighted solution to the financial issues facing many communities in Michigan. Is there an easy solution? No, there is not. That said, the ramifications of eliminating animal control functions from our communities often reach much farther than one might expect. If we are to provide our communities with appropriate protection, needed public safety, and protection for the animals our citizens clearly care deeply about, we must invest in our animal care and control departments and ensure that they have the tools necessary to be successful.

 

Matthew Pepper
President and CEO
Michigan Humane Society