House To Consider Animal Abuse Bills

Senate-passed Legislation designed to keep people convicted of animal abuse or neglect from getting a pet is now before the Michigan House.

Under the two-bill package, a person with animal abuse or neglect offenses on their record would be prohibited from adopting a pet for five years.

Legislative sponsor, Senate Rick Jones, says the bills also waive the fee for non-profit animal shelters to access a statewide database to perform background checks on those wanting to adopt an animal.

The lone no vote on the bills in the Senate, from Republican Leader Arlan Meekhof, says he feels the legislation gets too close to equating animals with humans.

The legislation is before the House Judiciary Committee.