Congressman Claims HSUS Campaign Harming Local Humane Societies According to republican and pro sportsmen U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg, efforts by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to defeat him in his reelection effort caused donors to stop giving to local humane societies that actually take care of homeless animals. Knollenberg, who lost on election night, in the last weeks of the campaign called on his democratic challenger to ask HSUS to stop a $400,000 effort to defeat him. While his opponent stated that Knollenberg was merely trying to distract voters during a close and intensely contested campaign, there is evidence that Knollenberg’s statements are true. A spokesperson for the Michigan Humane Society indicated that his group had received numerous telephone calls from people who believed they were behind the anti Knollenberg ads. Initially, several stated that they would not continue to donate to the Michigan Humane Society. Despite being a major anti-hunting group, they changed their minds when informed that HSUS is completely separate. The Michigan Humane Society has also placed a disclaimer on their website indicating that they are not affiliated with HSUS.