Citizen Patriot
Jackson, Michigan
 
Friday, September 30, 2005
 
By Paul Overeiner
povereiner@citpat.com
  
734-768-4917 
 
Jackson County will continue the practice of selling stray cats and 
dogs for animal research, at least for the foreseeable future. 
 
During a Committee of the Whole session Thursday, county commissioners
discussed the contentious issue but in the end left things as they are. 
 
At Tuesday's regular board meeting, following a score of impassioned 
pleas from animal rights activists during a public comment period, Chairman
Clifford Herl, R-Rives Junction, suggested that commissioners revisit 
pound seizure. 
 
The county traditionally has sold strays from the shelter to an animal
broker, who in turn provides the animals to research universities. 
 
"Should we get it back in the committee system and bring it back to the
floor and vote on it or let it go?" Herl said. 
 
It appeared most commissioners favored the latter option. 
 
"I'm not going to change my stance on an issue just because people come
every week and talk for five minutes," said DeAnn Gumbert, R-Blackman
Township. 
 
Gumbert, like several other commissioners said the arrangement brings
potential health benefits for humans. 
 
"The science side is what we need to stay with," said Greg Wilson, 
R-Summit Township. "It takes a dog, or a cow or a horse (to save a human life), 
so be it." 
 
But James Shotwell, R-Summit Township, argued that most research 
requires
specially bred animals with a genetic base and the few thousand dollars
gleaned from pound seizure isn't worth it. 
 
"It's not got anything to do with stopping animal research," Shotwell 
said. 
 
"My feeling is we just need to stop it." 
 
Judy Dynnik, head of Jackson County Volunteers Against Pound Seizure, 
said she felt betrayed after the debate curled up and died. 
 
"I'm infuriated," Dynnik said. "I was led to believe the commission had
changed their mind in our favor." 
 
Shotwell said there was a chance the issue could be revived in committee,
although he held out hope that the election of new commissioners would 
be the most likely avenue for change.