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.