Animal abuse bills stir controversy over sodomy

LANSING, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A package of bills designed to reduce animal cruelty is sparking controversy in Lansing.

Lawmakers tell NewsChannel 3 the new animal abuse bills are tied to an old code that outlaws sodomy.

Michigan Penal Code Act 328 of 1931 reads:

Any person who shall commit the abominable and detestable crime against nature either with mankind or with any animal shall be guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 15 years, or if such person was at the time of the said offense a sexually delinquent person, may be punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for an indeterminate term, the minimum of which shall be 1 day and the maximum of which shall be life.

The "mankind" clause is what's causing uproar on social media.

Sodomy laws deal with "unnatural" sex acts, which target bestiality but also typically include anal and oral sex.

Michigan is one of just a handful of states that still has a sodomy ban, even though the US Supreme Court ruled they were unconstitutional more than a decade ago.

As for how the animal abuse bills tie in, lawmakers tell us it's complicated.

Because the bills regarding animal crimes are connected to the sodomy law, they would by default also elevate the punishment for sodomy.

The animal abuse bills will be the first ones heard on the Senate floor Tuesday morning.

NewsChannel 3 is following the story and we'll keep you updated.