For religious reasons

I recently read a post on a group I belong to. Posts often contain inaccurate or just false information. After reading the post below I had AI research it to see if it was true.

Below is the post in question followed by the results of the AI research.

A Michigan city legalized animal sacrifice for religious purposes, and the law remains in effect. In Hamtramck, Michigan, city officials voted to allow residents to slaughter animals as part of religious ceremonies, including practices observed by some Muslims during Eid al-Adha. The decision was approved in January 2023.

Is this true?

AI response:

Yes. The claim is substantially true. In January 2023, the Hamtramck City Council in Michigan voted to permit religious animal sacrifice on residential property, subject to certain restrictions.

The controversy centered largely on the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, during which some Muslims slaughter sheep, goats, cattle, or other permitted livestock as an act of religious observance.

However, there is an important distinction: Hamtramck did not give residents unrestricted permission to slaughter animals. The practice remains subject to applicable animal welfare, sanitation, and public health requirements.

What I verified

Date: January 10, 2023.
Vote: The City Council voted 3–2 in favor, with the mayor adding a supporting vote, making the final tally 4–2.

Location: Religious slaughter is permitted on residential property.

Current status: The ordinance remains in Hamtramck’s published municipal code as of November 2026.

Requirements: The ordinance specifies permitted slaughter methods and requires lawful disposal of animal waste.

One interesting detail: The city originally considered prohibiting animal slaughter, but reversed course after receiving legal advice concerning religious freedom protections.

In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1993, in Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah, that ordinances specifically targeting religious animal sacrifice violated the First Amendment

You can read the actual Hamtramck ordinance here: Section 90.030 — Religious Animal Sacrifice⁠.