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Controversy over the sale of dogs for medical research is brewing in St. Joseph County this week. A citizens group is asking the county board to stop the practice.
Members of the group Citizens for Ethical Government rallied Tuesday to stop the county board from selling dogs from the pound to dealers who then resell the animals to for medical research. Protestors say board members have ignored a petition with 3,500 signatures that demands an end to the practice.
�We are concerned about government not doing what the people are telling them to do,� said the group�s Robert Nixon. �To the best of our knowledge, they have not gotten 3,500 signatures of people saying, �we want you to continue selling animals to the dealers for research.'�
The group is helping organize a campaign to oust board members they say have ignored the will of the people.
By CLIFFORD JEFFERY STURGIS JOURNAL NOVEMBER 20/00
CENTREVILLE
Kimberly McDonald came all the way from Livingston County to stand outside on a 29-degree day and protest a St. Joseph County practice.
McDonald and six others protested the county's sale of animals for medical research during an organized protest on the front lawn of the courthouse Saturday.
The frigid temperatures scared away most of the 15 to 20 people expected, but McDonald and others donned down coats, hats and mittens to protest what they see as an injustice.
"As a health-care worker, I'm not against animal research," said Sturgis resident Carol Strapple. "I'm just against research done on domestic pets that have been bred to trust humans." Strapple said she has worked at university hospitals and has seen what is done to research animals.
Lisa Tabor of Vicksburg said she felt it would be more humane to do away with the animals at the shelter rather than sell them.
"It would be more humane than shipping them off for research," Tabor said.
But other protesters were upset about more than the animal sales.
"I don't like the way my county commissioners are acting," said Janelle Showdl of Constantine. "Four commissioners voted to continue this (animal sales) despite 3,500 signatures on a petition. It doesn't seem like a good way to conduct county business," she said. Citizens for Ethical Government Communications Director Robert Nixon agreed.
"There will be demonstrations and a citizen's initiative to end pound seizures," he said. Nixon's volunteer CEGC group helps people who feel their government representatives are not following their wishes. "The (commissioners) knew full well the people didn't want this," Nixon said. Although there were only a half dozen protesters at the courthouse Saturday, they said they would stick with the issue until something changes.
"It's not a closed issue and it's not a done deal," Strapple said.
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Group to county: Stop sale of dogs for research:
http://www.wwmtnews3.com/www-news/nelocal.htm
23194 Van Resort Drive
Mendon, MI 49072
Home: 616-467-791
[email protected]
Lillian Carter
67339 Blue School Road
Constantine, MI 49042
Home: 616-435-7664
David Girton
21269 Fawn River Drive
Sturgis, MI 49091
Home and Business: 616-651-8941
Monte Bordner
68730 County Farm Road
Sturgis, MI 49091
Home and Business: 616-651-8353
[email protected]
Please add my voice to those who are opposed to the St Joe County Pound which is involved with the practice of "pound seizure" -- selling unclaimed shelter animals to animal dealers and research facilities.
According to the IDA Stolen Companion Animal Program, when a shelter sells its homeless animals, statistics point to an increase in the theft of dogs and cats. This is due to a profit motive to sell animals. No one can be certain their own beloved companion will never fall into the hands of researchers as long as animals from pounds are allowed to be sold to researchers.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine reports that sophisticated non-animal research methods are more accurate, less expensive, and less time-consuming than traditional animal-based research methods. Patients waiting for helpful drugs and treatments could be spared years of suffering if companies and government agencies would implement the efficient alternatives to animal studies.
This practice of experimenting on animals encourages animal users not to venture into more humane teaching and testing methods, and it puts already traumatized shelter animals through more pain, suffering, and distress before they are killed in the laboratory.
For all of the above reasons, I strongly urge you to immediately ban the sale of homeless and abandoned animals to research facilities. The citizens of your county have asked this to stop, yet they have been ignored. Personal reasons should not be the motive for allowing pound seizure to continue.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
-Your Name-
