Message from Dr. Stinson

>>

The Michigan
Legislature has introduced Senate Bill 626 to prohibit certain dog races for the
purpose of wagering or gambling. Since the bill does not define “dog racing” or
“wagering” or “gambling” the Michigan Association for Pure Bred Dogs believes it
“opens the door” to protests from animal rights groups to challenge certain dog
show events such a “agility, fly ball, lure coursing races, sled dog racing,
coon dog races, etc. Please read the position paper in light of the following
quote from the LACE>MichiganLACE> Penal Code
(750.301).>>

“Any person or his or
her agent or employee who, directly or indirectly, takes, receives, or accepts
from any person any money or valuable thing with the agreement, understanding or
allegation that any money or valuable thing will be paid or delivered to any
person where the payment or delivery is alleged to be or will be contingent upon
the result of any race, contest, or
upon the happening of any event not known by the parties to be
certain, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment
for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than
$1,000.00.”>>

The question should be
asked of your legislators “does the act that prohibits “certain dog races,” some
of which put the many competitive events such as fly ball racing, lure coursing,
agility trials, coon hound water races, etc. at peril by the “vague” definitions
in the act.  >>

 >>

Contact your Senator
and ask this question:  what is the motivation behind SB 626?  Please forward
any response you receive from you Senator.  Thanks.  >>

 >>

Al Stinson, DVM.
Director of Legislative Affairs, LACE>MichiganLACE> Association for Pure
Bred Dogs and LACE>MichiganLACE> Hunting Dog
Federation.>>

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