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For 39 years, animal lovers have tried to stop the Jackson County Animal Shelter from selling dogs and cats for research. Controversy began the moment county commissioners started the practice in 1967.
Hundreds of people have shown up at public meetings to oppose animal sales. A petition was signed by 6,000 in 1984.
No matter how many times they lose, animal lovers keep coming back.
To my way of thinking, this was always the key point in the debate: Dogs and cats sold for research would otherwise be killed at the shelter.
They will die, anyway, so why not let them do some good through research? Animal rights seemed a poor reason to change policy.
Suddenly, I realize this is stupid.
Animal rights are not the issue. The issue is people. People have a right to expect representation.
Many humans who pay taxes to run the animal shelter believe it is wrong to sell animals for research.
Few, if any, feel strongly that cats and dogs must be sold.
Why keep doing it?
Advancement of medical research is the usual answer. But many cities, counties and states have banned animal sales. Jackson County has one of about 10 remaining dog pounds in Michigan that sell animals for research.
Medical science cannot hinge on dog pounds with numbers like that.
Money is the other reason to sell dogs and cats. County government makes a few thousand dollars a year.
It is small change to justify this controversy.
Even a slow learner like me can see the animal lovers will win this fight sooner or later.
Thirty-nine years is long enough.