Media Coverage - Anti-dove hunting group files another complaint over fundraising
Published September 13, 2006. Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A group that opposes dove hunting in Michigan has filed another complaint against a group that supports dove hunting, alleging it raised money from an illegal lottery.
The Committee to Keep Doves Protected said it filed a complaint Wednesday with the secretary of state's office partly because a ruling by Attorney General Mike Cox ending the sweepstakes did not go far enough.
Cox in August announced a settlement to cancel the sweepstakes advertised by Citizens for Wildlife Conservation. The settlement allowed refunds to people who thought they were entering a raffle and not making a contribution.
But the anti-dove hunting group said all the money should be returned to ticket buyers, and said the pro-dove hunting group is violating campaign finance law by moving the money to another similarly named ballot committee.
A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with the pro-dove hunting committee.
In November, Michigan voters will decide whether to reinstate a ban on dove hunting. The ballot proposal was sparked by what is now called the Committee to Keep Doves Protected, which has been backed by The Humane Society of the United States.
Hunting and conservation groups have said the campaign is a first step in a broader effort to take away hunting and fishing rights in Michigan.
