Humane Society recognizes State Rep. Pam Byrnes for contribution to animal welfare
The Humane Society of the United States has selected State Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Lyndon Township, as the Humane State Legislator of the Year for 2009.
The Humane Society said it chose Byrnes for her active leadership to negotiate a compromise between animal welfare groups and agricultural leaders in the state. The organization also credited her for passing a bill that phases out the confinement of breeding pigs, veal calves and egg-laying hens in small crates.
Pam Byrnes
“Michigan has become a national leader in animal welfare thanks to the dedication and effectiveness of Representative Byrnes,” Jill Fritz, the director of the Michigan branch of the Humane Society, said in a press release. “The Humane Society of the United States is tremendously pleased to honor Representative Byrnes with this award and acknowledge her dedicated public service."
Byrnes said she was pleased with the acknowledgment.
“I am honored to receive this recognition from The Humane Society of the United States
for my work on animal welfare in the Michigan Legislature,” she said in a press release. “I am proud to say that I share The HSUS' commitment to animal welfare issues.”
Byrnes will be formally announcing her candidacy for the Michigan Senate on Sunday.
Comments
Erin Swain
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 1:51 p.m.
Your story is a bit misleading as to the Humane Society of the US. It is not to be confused with the Humane Society that does such excellent work at the Huron Valley Humane Society. The HSUS is an animal rights group that as raised millions of dollars from gullible people who think they are supporting their local humane society, when in fact they have never given one penny to any humane society or ASPCA. I would love to see AnnArbor.com do an expose on what they are all about. It would be eye opening. HSUS is spending a lot of money this year in Michigan in order to influence animal legislation, which could have a profound affect on those of us who are careful and reputable breeders of heathy, quality pets, and as a breeder of champion Australian Shepherds, I am deeply concerned that their legislative efforts will affect my freedom of choice for myself and my dogs. The HSUS would see the end to purebred dog and cat breeding on any level, for any reason. To them, it is abuse. Animal abuse is a horrific crime, but there are laws in place to deal with those crimes, and they need to be better enforced to protect animals from those who would abuse them. The HSUS needs to put their money where their mouth is: donate to the local Humane Societies where the workers need help and money, especially in these difficult economic times, rather than donating millions of dollars to lobbyists across the country. That money could go a long ways to help animals who are desperately in need of help.
aa3lw
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:44 p.m.
Way to go, Rep. Byrnes! As always, she's worked on the behalf of the people and NOT the special interest groups. This is the type of leadership we need in the Senate!