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Rep. Rigas commends Whitmer for saving fawn, Peanut, urges action to save coyote, Kota
RELEASE|October 17, 2025
Contact: Angela Rigas

State Rep. Angela Rigas, chair of the House committee charged with investigating weaponization of state government, today issued the following statement after the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced it would not continue pursuing the execution of an injured fawn, named Peanut, formerly under the care of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG). However, Rigas continues to urge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to step in and save another animal – Kota, a coyote who has been cared for by DAWG since 2018 – who is still being threatened by the DNR.

“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.

“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.”

Rep. Rigas recommends that concerned members of the public contact Gov. Whitmer at 517-335-7858 to urge her to protect the life of Kota and restore the integrity of the DNR.

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