LANSING (WKZO-AM) — An animal abuse bill is garnering more negative attention for Michigan after it used language from an obsolete state law disallowing sodomy.
Senate Bill 219 used the word “mankind” in reference to sexual abuse against animals, because the penalty section was lifted out of the original bill.
But blogs erroneously reported the bill banned consensual anal sex between people. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled over a decade ago that anti-sodomy laws were unconstitutional.
Sponsor Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, said it would be a much larger hassle to remove the language.
Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, said the reference is not necessary and should have been struck years ago.
“Ultimately, the cleanest way to fix this would be to strike the unconstitutional and outdated language, then just get back to the bill that would prevent cruelty to animals,” Hoadley said.
It could pass with the current language, but still wouldn’t change the law for consenting humans.
– John McNeill
