Kent County Humane: We salute your solution

A federal prosecutor in Michigan made a recommendation of euthanasia for a group of dogs swept up in a cruelty case this past summer. The problem is, the Humane Society of Kent County has been housing several of the dogs for months and believes that they're adoptable.

The solution? Kent County Humane hired a lawyer and filed an affidavit to argue in favor of letting the adoptable dogs live. (backstory)

Guess what? They won the case today for 11 dogs in their facility, and they also won the right to evaluate five dogs that have been housed in a different facility. STORY: Judge spares dogs.

Right: 'Froggy' just won the right to a real life with a qualified home.

"We've spent nine months with them," Terpstra said outside the courtroom of the dogs in her care. "We would not make dogs available that we feel would be a danger." - Karen Terpstra, Humane Society of Kent County

This case is significant as it sets a precedent in Michigan that will affect the survival of future victims of cruelty. Up until today, courts and animal control agencies have used a vaguely worded Michigan statute to condemn dogs from cruelty cases to automatic death. Today, Judge Lawson demonstrated that the law has been used inappropriately to destroy dogs, and he set an example by allowing a qualified animal organization the right to treat the dogs as individuals. In a state that suffers from perennial BSL threats and breed discrimination, this win is a biggie.

We were keeping our eye on this case since we first learned of the dogs' plight and, and are just jumping up and down around here with the good news. We salute the Humane Society of Kent County for their MAJOR CAJONES tonight and are celebrating this victory for the dogs.

It seems fitting to play a little song from Detroit band Ranconteurs for all the people that rocked these dogs out of the hands of the bad guys and into the compassionate care of this organization. Turn it up.



Please keep your eye on this one. The Humane Society of Kent County is still trying to save two dogs from the group, and will return to court in two weeks to plead their case. Send your thanks here: humane@hskc.org