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4/24/2009 9:24:00 PM
Huck sponsoring pound seizure bill
Ryan Jeltema
News Editor
GREENVILLE - The Montcalm County Board of Commissioners' decision on whether to extend R&R Research's contract on Monday could be moot if a bill co-sponsored by State Rep. Mike Huckleberry passes.
House Bill 4663 would ban dealers from accepting animals from public shelters and selling them for research, which R&R Research has done with animals from the Montcalm County Animal Shelter for about 30 years.
The bill, which has been referred to the Agriculture Committee, includes three exemptions allowing veterinary schools to accept animals for spaying and neutering, providing medical care for sick or injured animals or donating an animal's blood to a blood bank.
Huckleberry, D-Greenville, said opponents of the R&R Research contract heard about the bill and asked him to get involved earlier this year.
"I'm getting a mixed response," Huckleberry said. "I had many people contact me and ask me to support it. I felt it was a worthwhile issue."
R&R Research owner Jim Woudenberg opposes the bill and believes Huckleberry is only getting one side of the issue because Huckleberry has not contacted him about it.
"I'm quite surprised that Huck has not contacted anyone licensed, especially since one of them is his constituent," Woudenberg said.
Fran Schuleit of Greenville, a member of the county's Animal Shelter Ad Hoc Committee, said the bill would be an improvement for animals that otherwise would go to research.
"In all three of the exemptions, the animals do not suffer and are given the oppportunity to be adopted into a good home," she said. "In the end, the animals are alive, comfortable and more adoptable. There is no cost for the care since veterinary students are performing the procedures under supervision of licensed veterinary faculty."
While he opposes the practice of pound seizure, which R&R Research engages in with the Montcalm County shelter, Huckleberry said he is not pressuring commissioners to end the contract.
"I've stayed out of this because I felt the county should handle it on its own," he said. "I expressed to my county commissioner how I felt. I didn't try to get in their way and manage county business."
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Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Joseph Huckleberry
It's a breath of fresh air to have a politician that listens to what the people want. Keep up the good work Mike.
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Mr Bobo:Blues Chimp
this is my favorite quote yet: "I'm quite surprised that Huck has not contacted anyone licensed, especially since one of them is his constituent," Woudenberg said
... seriously dude, lay off the cat tranquilizers!!!!
Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Sandra L. Carlton
Thank you Representative Huckleberry for not only supporting but sponsoring HB 4663. The sponsorhip of this bill which protects shelter animals from being exploited simply because they happen to have been lost or abandoned shows a concern for the underdog (if you'll pardon the pun) that was the hallmark of your campaign.
I have no doubt that you will work to pass this bill just as you have work on behalf of all the Montcalm and Ionia County workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
Oh, and please don't worry about not contacting the class B dealer before sponsoring this bill. His claim to be one of your constituents is just one more self-delusion he seems prone to entertain. While he might think he owns Montcalm County, he lives and is registered to vote in Newaygo County. Those of us who actually particpate in the democratic process and vote, know that is not in your district!!!
Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Joe Q. Public
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em1kM_Toz-U
For those who haven't seen the 1993 News 8 youtube clip.
Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Gina Moore
Thank you Representative Huckleberry and Espinoza for sponsoring legislation that will help animals in Michigan. Thank you for speaking for those who can't speak for themselves.
Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Article comment by:
To Jim
What was that you said before "do you want a band aid for your bleeding heart?"
You are mad that Huck did not come to 1 person for advice, yet over 150 people came to the board meetings to express their opinions and you think that ONLY yours counts? I will have that band aid for you on Monday.
Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Article comment by:
Thank You!
Mr. Huckleberry,
Thank you for co-sponsoring House Bill 4663!
Only three counties in Michigan still give pets from their tax funded shelters to privately owned for profit class-b animal dealers: Montcalm, Gratiot, and Mecosta.
I hope the Montcalm County Commissioners follow Mr. Huckleberry’s lead and end pound seizure
I'm not surprised Mr. Woudenberg opposes HB4663, as he personally profits from the sale of shelter animals.
Montcalm, it's time to join the rest of Michigan's 80 counties, end pound seizure and stop catering to a private for profit business.
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