Tomorrow (Wednesday, December 11), the Michigan House Judiciary Committee will consider a bill that would allow a person to receive “non-economic” damages for mental anguish, fright and shock, and loss of companionship caused by the injury or death of their service animal.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages Michigan residents to contact the committee today to express your opposition to House Bill 5525.
Although such feel-good concepts may sound benign, they not only represent a potential change in the legal status of animals (animal rights), but would also significantly increase the cost of care for all animals, ultimately undermining the ability of pet owners to care for their pets.
Review AKC’s previous alert for more information and talking points.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:
Contact the House Judiciary Committee TODAY. Respectfully ask them to oppose House Bill 5525. If you are a constituent of a committee member, please let them know when you reach out. Please find committee member contact information below:
Kelly Breen, Chair (Novi)
Phone: (517) 373-2575
Email: KellyBreen@house.mi.gov
Kimberly Edwards, Vice Chair (Eastpointe)
Phone: (517) 373-0852
Email: KimberlyEdwards@house.mi.gov
Andrew Fink, Minority Vice Chair (Hillsdale)
Phone: (517) 373-1788
Email: AndrewFink@house.mi.gov
Noah Arbit (West Bloomfield)
Phone: (517) 373-3816
Email: NoahArbit@house.mi.gov
Tyrone Carter (Detroit)
Phone: (517) 373-0154
Email: TyroneCarter@house.mi.gov
Emily Dievendorf (Lansing)
Phone: (517) 373-2277
Email: EmilyDievendorf@house.mi.gov
Kara Hope (Holt)
Phone: (517) 373-8900
Email: KaraHope@house.mi.gov
Jason Hoskins (Southfield)
Phone: (517) 373-1180
Email: JasonHoskins@house.mi.gov
Gina Johnsen (Lansing)
Phone: (517) 373-1796
Email: GinaJohnsen@house.mi.gov
Pat Outman (Six Lakes)
Phone: (517) 373-3436
Email: PatOutman@house.mi.gov
Penelope Tsernoglou (East Lansing)
Phone: (517) 373-2668
Email: PenelopeTsernoglou@house.mi.gov
Pauline Wendzel (Watervilet)
Phone: (517) 373-1799
Email: PaulineWendzel@house.mi.gov
Doug Wozniak (Shelby Township)
Phone: (517) 373-0832
Email: DouglasWozniak@house.mi.gov
AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates on Michigan legislation, as necessary. For more information on this or other legislative issues in Michigan, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.