Holland Reporter

State Representative Angela Rigas, who leads the House committee investigating the alleged misuse of state government powers, has responded to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) decision to stop pursuing the euthanization of an injured fawn named Peanut. The animal was previously under the care of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG).

Rigas expressed her appreciation for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s intervention in the case. “I’m thankful to Gov. Whitmer for stepping in and forcing her Department of Natural Resources to halt the execution of a harmless, injured baby deer, Peanut. However, while we are grateful for Gov. Whitmer’s efforts to save Peanut, she must now prevent the execution of Kota. Just like Peanut, Kota is under the watchful eye of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group and poses no threat to anyone,” Rigas said.

She continued to criticize the DNR’s actions. “The fact that the taxpayer-funded DNR is wasting everyone’s time by gruesomely pursuing the execution of beloved animals is one of the most blatant examples of weaponization of state government that I’ve seen. This department should be gearing up for hunting season, exploring educational programs related to the outdoors, or finding ways to better preserve and improve Michigan’s natural resources. Instead, they’re harassing and threatening harmless animals and service groups. These actions by our DNR are gross and abhorrent, and I pledge to investigate and expose this clear abuse of state authority.”

Rigas called on members of the public to contact Governor Whitmer to advocate for the protection of Kota, a coyote cared for by DAWG since 2018. She provided the governor’s office phone number for those wishing to voice their concerns.