On Wednesday February 26, the Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance held a vote own HB 4035. It passed with 9 votes in favor and 2 against. One member was absent and one member passed. The bill now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee to have the financial aspects of the bill examined.
Here is a list of the House Ways and Means Committee members. Please call them and tell them to OPPOSE HB 4035! Below is a sample letter.
CHAIR: BrandtIden@house.mi.gov Phone: (269) 353-8254
JimLilly@house.mi.gov (517) 373-0838
EricLeutheuser@house.mi.gov (517)-373-1794
BethGriffin@house.mi.gov Phone: (517) 373-0839
RogerHauck@house.mi.gov Phone: (517) 373-1789
BronnaKahle@house.mi.gov Phone: (517) 373-1706
LukeMeerman@house.mi.gov (517) 373-1830
SAMPLE LETTER:
Please Kill HB 4035. This is a PREEMPTION bill, that if enacted, it would STRIP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS of their AUTHORITY to enact or enforce animal control ordinances in their communities. A legislative approach should not be so comprehensive that a municipality cannot protect its residents.
What if the state legislature attempted to strip local municipalities of their right to “opt out” of allowing marijuana dispensaries or other entities considered a nuisance or problem by the citizens of that community? The issues here are maintaining local control and enhancing public safety.
The Ways and Means Committee looks at the financial aspects of the bill. I hope members consider what dog attacks cost the taxpayer every year:
From DogBiteLaw.com, attorney, Ken Phillips: Every year, 4.5 Million people are bitten by dogs in the United States. Of those bitten, 750,000 go to the hospital for medical attention. Homeowners and renters insurance pay for just 16,000 of them (2%). The other 734,000 victims are covered by their private insurance or through Medicare/Medicaid. Bottom line: You don’t have to be attacked by a dog to be a victim of the dog attack epidemic because we are all paying for it! Total losses from dog attacks are estimated to be $2 Billion annually in the U.S. Since we all pay for dog attacks, we all have a stake in this.
Michigan is ranked #7 of the 20 worst states for dog attacks. Michigan residents reported 760 dog bites, costing about $35,468 per claim — for a total insurance payout of $27 million.
Mark Berstein, of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm, who represented the Strickland family of Detroit in the fatal pit bull mauling death of 4 year old Xavier Strickland, stated that, “We see the impact of Pit Bull attacks on an (almost) daily basis.”
The medical community calls pit bull attacks a public health and safety crisis! The medical data is clear that pit bulls cause the most severe injuries, including severe disfigurement, dismemberment and lifelong disability.
It has been proven that Breed Specific Legislation, when enforced, significantly prevents or reduces serious and fatal dog attacks. BSL prevents victims. HB 4035 gives only reactive measures to be taken after a serious attack or fatality.
Quite frankly, it is astonishing that this bill is even being considered in the wake of 3 pit bull attack fatalities in Michigan just recently including the deaths of:
Emma Hernandez, age 9, of Detroit in August 2019- she was ripped off of her bicycle and mauled to death by her neighbor’s 3 pet pit bulls.
Benjamin Cobb, age 4, of Hazel Park, killed by a fostered pit bull in October, 2019.
Brandy O’Dell of Bay City was killed by her two pet pit bulls in November, 2019.
According to the National Pit Bull Victim Awareness database from late 2015 to present five other Michiganders were fatally mauled by pit bull type dogs, bringing the death toll to eight (8). In addition, there were over 135 serious pit bull attacks on Michigan residents and their pets reported in the news during that time frame. How many more deaths and serious injuries will it take for the Michigan Legislature to put the safety of human beings first and foremost? How much does it cost to replace a life lost because of someone else’s pet choice?
Pit bulls are the #1 canine killer of people, pets and livestock every year. They were bred for a purpose so violent that it is a felony in every state. Every breed was developed for a purpose, such as hunting, guarding, herding, tracking, running or companionship. Pit bulls were bred to fight other dogs to the death in a pit. The fact is that dog fighting is their heritage; that cannot be changed. Genetics cannot be loved or trained out of any breed.
The first priority of government is to protect its people. The question here should be, will HB 4035 keep Michigan residents safer? The clear answer is NO.
Please oppose HB 4035 as it compromises public safety and will ultimately cost the taxpayers too much.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter,
