text:  And animal lovers and activists in Michigan are celebrating proposed legislation that they say would protect animals and save taxpayers money. The bills aim to provide resources for animal control and shelters to care for abused animals more effectively. The proposed legislation would separate civil cases from criminal cases, allowing abused animals to leave the shelters sooner, reducing the financial burden on taxpayers. Senator Dana Polhenke of Livonia says they'd also change the bond forfeiture system.