Animal Protection Organizations Blast Governor Granholm for Reneging on Promise to Veto Dove Hunting Bill

6/18/2004

From: Rachel Querry of the Humane Society of the United States, 301-258-8255 or rquerry@hsus.org

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Fund for Animals today sharply criticized Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm for her decision to sign legislation that allows dove hunting for the first time in Michigan in 99 years. Gov. Granholm has indicated that she will sign the bill this afternoon.

"Jennifer Granholm lied to voters, and she has doomed millions of doves to suffering and pain with a single stroke of the pen," stated Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer of The Humane Society of the United States. "We mistakenly thought that Granholm possessed humane sensibilities, and she showed us how fundamentally wrong we were."

The legislation -- H.B. 5029 -- would declare the mourning dove a game bird and authorize the Natural Resources Commission to establish a dove hunting season in Michigan. During her 2002 campaign, the Governor responded "yes" to the question, "If the legislature finally did pass a dove hunting bill, would you veto such a bill?"

"We wanted Granholm to preserve the century-old policy of protecting doves not for any person's personal gain or profit, but simply because it's morally wrong for people to shoot and kill these gentle birds as a casual act of target shooting," added Pacelle. "Her cold-hearted political calculation will play out in millions of individual actions that will cause misery and suffering."

Several polls indicate that public opinion in Michigan is strongly opposed to dove hunting. Shooting doves is nothing more than target practice, as the tiny birds are seldom consumed. These backyard songbirds are not overpopulated, nor do they damage crops or eat ornamental plantings.

"Governor Granholm has gone back on her word to veto dove hunting legislation, and has signed a death warrant for millions of gentle mourning doves in Michigan," said Michael Markarian, President of The Fund for Animals. "It is absolutely appalling that she has thumbed her nose at Michigan voters, and that she is personally responsible for allowing the bird of peace to be blasted into pieces."

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than eight million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, D.C. and has 10 regional offices across the country. On the web at http://www.hsus.org.

The Fund for Animals was founded in 1967 by author and animal advocate Cleveland Amory. On the web at http://www.fund.org.