HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2015.10.07 - 22035MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 15255
BY: Commissioner Helaine Zack, District #18
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS —SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 339 AND HOUSE BILL 4898
AMENDING STATE LAWS GOVERNING LARGE SCALE ANIMAL BREEDING AND HOLDING
FACILITIES
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS Michigan has no regulations in place specifically governing large-scale dog breeding and
holding facilities; and
WHEREAS in the last several years, there have been several reported instances of large-scale animal
breeding operations that have been shut down in Michigan due to animal abuse based on poor sanitary
conditions; and
WHEREAS animal control officials have removed animals from as many as 350 facilities due to poor
sanitary conditions and other hazards to health; and
WHEREAS in 2014, VVXYZ News reported, "100 dogs and puppies living in deplorable conditions have
been rescued from a puppy mill in Livingston County"; and
WHEREAS in 2013, WDIV News reported on the closure of a kennel facility in Lake City, Michigan with
the seizure of 150 dogs due to "deplorable conditions...many of the dogs were found living outside with
little protection from the changing weather elements...dogs also didn't have access to clean drinking
water"; and
WHEREAS the cost of rehabilitating, housing and placement of seized animals has placed a financial
strain on county and local governments responsible for animal control; and
WHEREAS prevention of further cases of animal neglect and abuse can be accomplished by updating
Michigan laws governing large scale kennels and breeding operations; and
WHEREAS a bi-partisan coalition of legislators have joined together in sponsorship of Senate Bill 339
and House Bill 4898; and
WHEREAS Senate Bill 339 and House Bill 4898 would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Rural
Affairs to create appropriate rules for larger facilities without creating an additional burden on small
kennels and hobby breeders; arid
WHEREAS Senate Bill 339 and House Bill 4898 would ensure greater consumer protection for the
adopters of animals by requiring that large scale facilities maintain and provide accurate health and
vaccination records of animals; and
WHEREAS Senate Bill 339 House Bill 4898 would reduce the risk of large scale animal abuse, preventing
the inhumane treatment of animals while reducing the exposure of county and local animal control
officials to significant costs related to subsequent seizure. Housing and placement of animals; and
WHEREAS greater clarity in existing state kennel regulations would assist local animal control officials in
their mission to protect animal welfare by providing regulations that appropriate to the size and scale of
kennels and breeding operations; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners support Senate
Bill 339 and House Bill 4898 as necessary measures to prevent the inhumane treatment of animals and
reduce the risk of significant financial burdens to county and local governments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the County of Oakland is directed to submit a copy of this
resolution to the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, Senate
Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, members of the Senate Agriculture
Committee, members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Oakland County delegation to the
Michigan Legislature,
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
Commissioner Helaine-Zack
District #18
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Resolution #15255 October 7, 2015
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee. There were no objections.