Man tries to kill dog; governor kills film industry

Two issues have come up in the past week that need to be kept on the surface rather than allowed to sink: the man who shot his dog in the head with a crossbow, and Gov. Snyder signing a bill killing the film industry in Michigan.

Christopher Scott, 28 of Goodland Township, shot his dog in the head with a bolt from a crossbow. He was in Lapeer District Court July 8, charged with felony animal cruelty, which carries a 4-year prison sentence.

Scott’s attorney, Denis McCarthy, tried to get Visiting Judge John Conover to dismiss the case. The judge did not rule on McCarthy’s motion, which means the pretrial exam will be continued, in this case to July 23.

Scott previously admitted shooting the dog in the head. He said the dog, Gemma, had killed another dog, a pug. Scott also is on record as saying he had five children in the home and was concerned about their safety.

He didn’t have to shoot Gemma. There were alternatives.

Scott could have turned Gemma in to Lapeer County Animal Control. That’s where Gemma is right now, recovering from her wound. The staff has said that Gemma is a good dog and if you didn’t know her history, you’d never know what happened.

I’ve covered court in the past. Often, when a judge does not rule on a motion, that kills the motion. I’m hoping that’s true in this case. Scott’s action cannot be allowed to stand. He was wrong and if his case is dismissed, all sorts of people will forget about humane methods of euthanizing their pets and follow Scott’s example.

Christina Hall of The Detroit Free Press has been doing an excellent job of covering this case.

Now on to Gov. Snyder, who signed legislation Friday, July 10 snuffing out tax incentives for Hollywood to make pictures in Michigan.

Good PR is something that cannot be bought. Having actors, directors and producers walking around Hollywood talking up Michigan was a good thing. It put Michigan on the map as an up-and-coming, forward-thinking state.

It all started in August 2007, when then-Governor Jennifer Granholm decided Michigan’s movie-making incentive program was too weak, so she changed things. She offered much higher tax breaks to movie houses if they would film in Michigan, to the tune of almost 50 cents on the dollar.

Did it work? Within two months, 24 movies had signed up to film in Michigan, up from two movies the year before.

And for a few years, Michigan became known as the go-to state for Hollywood. HERE is a list of films made in Michigan, including those prior to 2007.

Gov. Snyder’s short-sightedness in killing this industry robs Michigan of a chance to shine nationally and internationally. Michigan doesn’t have many chances like that.