LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are urging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to stop the planned euthanasia of two animals in the care of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG).
Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) and Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), chair and minority vice chair of the Weaponization of State Government Subcommittee, respectively, penned the letter on Wednesday. Fifteen other legislators signed their names to support the effort to stop the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from carrying out the euthanasia. The letter cited the department’s “bureaucratic technicality” as a reason for the euthanasia procedure, saying the technicality is a “missed deadline for an education permit application that is not clearly stated in any regulation.”
Rep. Rigas said, “Peanut is a non-releasable fawn with vision impairment, and Kota is a non-releasable coyote who has lived with DAWG since 2018.” She continued, “The DNR has ordered the execution of these animals over a bureaucratic technicality, showcasing a clear case of weaponized abuse by the agency.”
The letter calls on Governor Whitmer to grant a reprieve to the animals, stop the prosecution of DAWG, issue necessary permits, establish a fair process for rescue appeals, and allow such animal placements without arbitrary deadlines.
DAWG thanked the lawmakers on Facebook, saying, “We are in tears….we need to pray it saves their lives, thank every Representative and remember them when it’s time to vote!”
Rigas also said DAWG will be testifying before her committee later this month.
