FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 25, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Attorney General Nessel Recognized by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

LANSING ? Yesterday, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) recognized Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel with the Leadership in Government award for her advocacy on behalf of Michigan laboratory animals.

Over 40 years ago, the Michigan Legislature passed a law calling for the creation of standards for the humane treatment of animals used in medical research. The law also required research facilities to comply with those rules or lose the ability to operate. Those standards have not yet been created and in May 2022, Attorney General Nessel issued a formal AG Opinion calling for oversight and the creation of standards consistent with the legislative intent.

?I am honored to receive this award and to have an opportunity to provide a voice for the voiceless,? said Attorney General Nessel. ?How we treat animals in our society is a reflection of our values. The Michigan Department of Attorney General is committed to ensuring the humane treatment of animals, safeguarding their well-being, and defending animals against unnecessary violence and misery.?

Ryan Merkley, director of research advocacy for PCRM said, ?We were incredibly excited to present our Leadership in Government Award to Attorney General Nessel.? Animals used in labs are lucky to have her on their side. She is helping to make research in Michigan more humane and more beneficial for patients.?

Attorney General Nessel has been a champion for animals since taking office. In 2019, she partnered with Humane Society of the United States to launch an education campaign protecting Michigan residents from common puppy adoption scams, and has visited animal shelters and rescues across the state to educate the public about these scams. In 2021, AGs Nessel and Rosenblum (Oregon) led a national effort to protect endangered gray wolves,which the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California upheld in a 2022 ruling. In 2022, she announced a new partnership with Michigan Humane to investigate and prosecute cases of animal abuse. She has also joined in multiple national actions, including a national lawsuit to prevent rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act.

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