Call to Save Rescued Animals in Michigan

Representative Angela Rigas from Michigan, along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, urged Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday to halt the euthanasia of two animals: a rescued fawn named Peanut and a coyote named Kota, both deemed non-releasable. The Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) opposes the euthanasia, advocating for a sanctuary that does not kill.

“These animals aren’t threats; they’re survivors,” Rigas, a Republican, stated in a press release. “Peanut and Kota have been cared for by professionals and were supposed to be educational ambassadors. Now, their lives hang in the balance due to arbitrary deadlines and bureaucratic red tape.”

In their letter to the governor, the lawmakers requested that the DNR allows the animals to be taken to permanent educational facilities and that a more humane appeals process be established for similar cases.

Additionally, the letter calls for dismissing charges against DAWG and for issuing a permit that would allow for continued treatment of the animals.

According to Michigan law, wild animals that cannot survive in their natural habitat must either be moved to approved educational facilities or euthanized.

DAWG has held a rehabilitation license since 2014 and claims to have submitted all required documentation, only to be informed that they missed a technical deadline.

The sanctuary disputes this, asserting that both animals have been safely housed and regularly inspected.

The DNR has stated that the euthanasia order was issued because DAWG failed to apply for an educational permit in time, as reported by other news sources.

The DNR declined to comment further due to ongoing litigation but acknowledged that the matter is with an administrative law judge.

The lawmakers expressed their concern, noting that this case exemplifies how state institutions can overstep, potentially harming citizens and organizations that act in good faith.

Rigas has called for a review of DNR procedures, pointing out issues like “lack of transparency, arbitrary deadlines, and excessive enforcement tactics.”

She also accused the DNR of inconsistently applying its rules, asserting that these actions exemplify government overreach affecting those genuinely trying to help.

DAWG stressed that while Peanut isn’t blind, she does possess a mild disability that makes her unsuitable for release. Kota’s domestication similarly prevents him from being returned to the wild.

Peanut arrived at the facility for rehabilitation and was transferred to become an educational ambassador once she completed her treatment. Meanwhile, Kota has been with DAWG since 2018. DAWG insists it has provided all necessary documentation, stating that the decision to euthanize Peanut is both unnecessary and cruel.

In a Facebook post detailing Peanut’s recovery, DAWG recounted how she was found weak and unable to stand, requiring significant veterinary care to regain her strength.

Staff documented her gradual progress as she learned to stand and walk again, celebrating her resilience all along the way.

The post concluded with a plea for support, emphasizing Peanut’s deserving nature and the unjust circumstance prompting her potential euthanasia.

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon also voiced her concerns, criticizing the Whitmer administration’s handling of regulations, and advocating for the animals as deserving care and compassion.

Rigas and others referred to findings from a Michigan House committee addressing concerns about state government overreach. They suggested that the situation with DAWG reflects a broader pattern of dismissing compassion in regulatory decisions.

Rigas anticipates a hearing by the Michigan House Oversight Committee later this month to examine the DNR’s authority.

She emphasized, “This isn’t merely about one deer. It’s about whether bureaucrats can make life and death decisions without accountability.”

Rigas added that if action is not taken, the responsibility for Peanut and Kota’s fate will rest on the governor’s shoulders, framing the situation as a matter of compassion, common sense, and proper governance.

This incident resembles a previous case that stirred national outrage last fall when a squirrel named Peanut was seized and killed in New York, prompting public backlash.

As of now, Whitmer’s office has not responded to inquiries about the situation.