postheadericon When Animal Control Knocks

from one of my friends who keeps me updated:

“I don’t know how many posts I’ve made about AC people illegally seizing  dogs…this is happening all over the country. I know I’ve become tired of seeing the posts…so may not have passed on as many as I have seen.

My point here is…every dog owner in the country should familiarize him/herself with search and seizure laws…because basically, you are NOT required to allow ANYONE into your home, or even on your private property, unless they have a warrant. Really. Most people are so intimidated by anyone they perceive as having authority that they actually let their animals be seized…………..

So…here you go…some information everyone needs to have. Other articles

on the same subject will be forthcoming…but in the meantime, go to www.carpoc.org/articles.html and read “What to do when Animal Control Comes Knocking,” or “Busted,” by George Eigenhauser. Eigenhauser, a Sacramento attorney, is now the CFA (Cat Fanciers) legislation pointman.  Don’t allow yourself to think none of this will ever apply to you…print the articles out and get yourself VERY familiar with what they say. And as I said earlier…learn the search and seizure laws where you live…………….

I know people often don’t believe that anyone can come and seize their dogs, their cats…..whatever…because “it’s illegal.” Yes, it is. That doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

Educate yourselves……..read and learn.”

postheadericon How Far Will the Tail Wag the Dog!

If you wish to know how far our country has come from its original origins as a nation founded on belief in God and for the majority, belief in Christ, please look up the news story on the following link.  I realize fully that we are a pluralistic society with citizens of many faiths or lack of faith, put this news story happened at Georgetown University, A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, in Washington D.C. Have we who believe have no rights anymore?  Will every symbol of faith in God be removed lest we offend someone somewhere?  What has happened to us???

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=46667   

 

I am also attaching an article written by me published in “The Royal Spaniels” this spring. 


 

HAVING MY SAY: “THE TAIL IS WAGGING THE DOG”

Meredith Johnson-Snyder

After a ten year retirement, I am back to work as a substitute principal in my old urban school system. Kids and the system have not changed much in the last ten years that I have had the freedom to travel chasing my Cavalier dream after retiring after so many years as a school principal. Why am I beginning an article in “The Royal Spaniels” by mentioning my former and now current again work? I am mentioning it because in my first conference with a parent, the parent tried to turn the conference around to blame me and the system for the child’s misbehavior. I had attempted to stop an emotionally disturbed young boy from running out of the school by putting my hands on his coat. The first thing the parent did was accuse me of putting my hands on her child while she refused to consider the child’s behavior. So many times in our society, the small minority of the guilty have gotten away with misbehavior or crime, by accusing the system of violating individual rights rather than apologizing for those acts against the majority of society. In my case the tail has never wagged this old bitch and I put the responsibility right back on the student without allowing the parent to put the school or me on trial for trying to uphold the rights of the rest of the student and staff population for a safe and orderly school. My point is that all to often in many areas of our lives, our society, our government, foreign governments and in our world in general, the desires, rights, or needs of the majority are cancelled out by very vocal minorities who wish to achieve their own agendas whether good for the majority or not. And we allow it to happen because we do not let our united voices be heard!

Take a look at recent past and current events in our country. The majority of Californians are outraged that tax money will be used to support the irresponsibility of the mother of octuplets who made a decision to use fertility treatments and multiple embryo transplants at the same time knowing full well that she could not be fiscally or medically responsible to take care of her six children much less eight more. The taxpayers of California and her fourteen children will pay the price for her own need to have “more children to love” without her considering the welfare of those children. One woman takes advantage of the system and the majority will pay as no one can or wants to deny the needs of her children and have given up trying to let their voices be heard.

Then we have the case of the border patrols in one of our Mexican border states where two of our border patrols shot at two fleeing drug dealing illegals, hitting them in their fleeing rears. So who gets in trouble? The two border patrols representing our government and doing their job go to prison while our government gets sued by the drug dealing criminals—another case of the majority sitting back and allowing injustice to rule. A couple of drug dealing tails certainly wagged the border patrol our legal system’s dogs.

Now to the news of the night which had me reaching for something to throw at the television. The United Nations is once more considering a resolution which would forbid the media from saying anything negative against Islam. Free speech is guaranteed by our Constitution; court battles rage over censorship in this country. Yet, the UN resolution would attempt to put a gag order on journalists or newscasters who might be critical of the Islam extremists who behind their religion to advance their agenda of hate and destruction—certainly not the agenda of Islam! To my knowledge, this resolution does not extend to other religions; it could still be open season on Catholicism, Evangelism, Judaism, and Voodoo to name a few. Atheism is of course still protected and continues to win the war against any kind of religion displays in government buildings, schools, newly minted coins, and, of course, public prayer and religious observances. Since in many Islam nations, religion and the government are the same, the possible UN resolution will thereby prohibit any criticism of Islam governments also. So a small number of nations will wag the UN tail and may get away with it despite what the too polite and politically correct majority may wish.

Now how does all my outraged rambling relate to our world of dogs? The tail in the way of the animal rights movement is definitely wagging the the body of the majority dog lovers and breeders who for some reason have little or no voice in protecting their rights to own and breed dogs. Will the majority do anything to fight back? They may win a battle or two, but are definitely losing against the political machines of the HSUS and PETA who are trampling over the rights of the rest of us.

As we all know, the world of purebred dogs is coming under attack. While we have concentrated on breeding and showing, animal rights groups have positioned themselves to eradicate purebred dogs and, in fact, all domesticated animals in several countries in the world, the UK and the United States being the top targets. Look at what has already happened in Switzerland; look at how fox hunting, a long tradition, has been eliminated in the UK. In the US, several communities and cities have passed breed specific legislation, restricted the number of dogs one can own, limited number of litters bred during a year or legislated no breeding at all, and put breeders under the jurisdiction of dog wardens who can enter a breeder’s home to check records without notice and seize dogs over trumped up charges without the breeder or dog owner having any way to get the dogs back. Every week, more proposed anti breeding and anti dog edicts come to our attention. This week, proposed legislation in Pennsylvania calls for the end of cropping and docking; an owner of a cropped or docked breed must be able to show at any time a certificate that a veterinarian performed the cropping or docking of their dog or face having the dog in question asked seized. New Hampshire has bad legislation in the works; California will be once more introducing mandatory spay/neuter legislation; West Palm Beach, Florida, has forbidden any breeding within its borders causing breeders to move elsewhere; Ohio, my state, will be introducing legislation to control and tax breeding in this new legislation session. The list goes on and on.

The public relations effort of the animal rights groups to demonize the breeders of purebred dogs and the dogs themselves is paying off. The public as well as many celebrities are extolling the virtues of shelter dogs as being healthier than purebreds, but who would really know as there are no health statistics being kept on mixed breeds and no mixed breed clubs tracking health problems. The unsuspecting public is duped into believing that buying a purebred will result in the death of a supposedly “healthier” shelter dog while shelters are sending dogs from one end of our country to another to fill empty shelters and importing puppies and dogs from other countries because in some parts of the country there are not enough shelter dogs to be adopted and shelters support themselves through adoptions. However, PETA and HSUS continue to specialize in successfully influencing public opinion against purebreds and breeders despite so many of us working to improve the lot of shelter dogs and pushing the neutering of the puppies we sell to pet homes.

There are so many anti breeding bills being proposed that one cannot keep up. The HSUS is now going after farmers in Ohio after their success of passing Proposition 2 in California. Farmers will not be able to operate as they have since our ancestors stopped being foragers and began to domesticate animals and grow food. Proposition 2 and the proposed Ohio Bill will drastically change the way farmers treat livestock. It is wrong to treat any animal inhumanely whether in care or slaughter, but animals are not humans as the HSUS would have us to believe. As long as we refuse to organize and fight back by docking (oh, my, did I use that awful red flag word?) all animal rights wagging tails, the interests of the purebred dog world will not be protected and all we may have left are the tails without the dogs.

postheadericon If We Lose the Fight

From another list but of interest to many, shared by permission of the author.  This may be addressed to breeders but will also very much affect those who wish to buy high quality beloved companions.  We, the show and hobby breeders, who are passionate about our breeds and their welfare will not be breeding because we will be driven out of breeding.  The only choice will be a purebred from a high volume commercial breeder or a dog from a shelter.  If the bill now being proposed in Ohio passes, a stiffer bill than the ones we helped defeat last year, I know of several quality breeders who will just quit, myself included. See below for the Ohio Bill info:

              If We Lose the Fight

The time is coming when the decision to stop or to continue breeding dogs will be made for you by the dog legislation that is being passed. The one that just passed the house in Oregon will put a stop to much of the breeding that is going on there by hobby breeders. Not that they are going to ban it but they will pass lemon laws saying that  if you breed a dog with a genetic problem you will be responsible for the vet bills. Who is willing to take a chance on that? The ironic thing about this is that the only breeders left
standing will be those that can afford the insurance that it will take to continue.  Andrew Hunte comes to mind. He will be buying our dogs.

My advise is to enjoy your breeding programs while they last because it is truly a dying sport. We have spent way too much time hoping and wishing that the few fighters among us will win the fight. Our success or failure rest on our own shoulders. No one to blame but ourselves. If we could have put as much passion into fighting animal legislation that we put into fighting amongst ourselves, then we might have won.

postheadericon The First and Second Dog

From my friend Vivian—

Put your political feelings aside if you don’t like the new
administration, but please take the time to email President Obama and Vice President Biden on selecting the dogs that they each truly wanted and would work for them and NOT bending to the collective wills of PETA and HSUS.  There is a website for the President and the VP where you can do this.  Also, Senator Kennedy needs an atta boy on helping support the goals of the AKC by using a reputable breeder.  While you’re at it with him, put a bug in his ear and ask for federal legislation to stop these folks and make sure you mention the part about PETA, the IRS investigation, and home-grown terrorists.

The breeder of the Biden’s new puppy has been under attack and received death threats.  Guess who that could have been?  She has been quoted as saying she will never again sell to a high profile individual.  I’m sure the Portie folks are in for it next.  This only takes a few minutes to email each of these individuals and tell them of your support as other responsible dog owners and breeders.  Thank you.

 

And more on the very, very hard time that the animal rightists have given the breeder of VP Joe Biden’s dog has gotten since she sold the German Shepherd puppy to VP Biden. If you do not think that PETA wants to eradicate purebred breeders, please read below:

cross posted from another list with permission.

 

AR mad at VP & Breeder

By GRETCHEN METZ, Staff Writer

EAST COVENTRY — It was a proud moment for Linda Brown when then-Vice President-elect Joe Biden selected her kennel to purchase his new German shepherd puppy.

That was in mid-December.

For Brown, that proud moment was short-lived.

After the story about the puppy sale ran in the newspapers and on TV newscasts, three dog wardens from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture showed up on Brown’s doorstep for a kennel inspection.

And they showed up again and again for four visits over four months.

She said she has also received death threats from animal activists against her and Biden, which were reported to the Secret Service and the FBI.

Bob Slama, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Philadelphia field office, said the agency “cannot comment on an ongoing investigation.”

J.J. Klaver, special agent at the Philadelphia field office of the FBI, said his agency is not investigating the matter at this time.

“I thought when Joe Biden bought a puppy from me, what an honor,” Brown said. “Out of millions of breeders in the country, in the world, he picked me.”

The glow dimmed almost immediately.

Following a story about Brown and Biden in the Daily Local News, readers posted 131 comments, some chiding Biden for having the Secret Service with him when he went puppy shopping and others complaining he did not get the dog from a shelter.

Brown was taken to task for selling pedigree dogs.

Brown said she has read the comments, even the one that said she was sued.

“I’d like to meet that person,” Brown said, adding that she has not been sued.

Some people were outraged about the photograph of Biden holding a 5-week-old puppy, Brown said. But, the breeder points out, Biden only came to select a puppy on that visit, left it with its mother and returned three weeks later to take it home.

Brown was not only vilified in posted comments to newspapers but also on he Web site of People for the Ethical Treatment Animals, or PETA.

According to a Dec. 12 press release from the animal rights group, it aired its controversial TV commercials “Buy One, Get One Killed” in Biden’s home state of Delaware after he bought his dog from Brown. The commercial blames euthanization of animals in shelters on people who purchase pets from breeders.

Brown also was cited for record-keeping problems and warned about maintenance and sanitation shortfalls by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

“I was cited for a piece of kibble on the floor and five strands of dog hair. They took a picture of that, they walked around, snapped pictures and don’t tell you why,” said Brown, who disputes all the items where she was written up.

Brown’s case was heard by District Justice James DeAngelo in South Coventry on March 31. She was found “not guilty” for each citation, the judge’s office confirmed Wednesday.

Chris Ryder, press secretary for the Department of Agriculture, said Brown was inspected in December because of a complaint. He said it was department policy not to release the name of the person who complained.

Brown’s kennel, Wolf Den, was inspected twice a year by the agency and routinely had satisfactory reports until December 2008 when it had seven unsatisfactory inspection results out of 26, according to the inspection records on the agency’s Web site.

Ryder said the inspectors returned as a matter of follow-up to determine if the unsatisfactory matters had been taken care of. He said more than one inspector was brought in because Brown runs a large kennel.

Before going to court, Brown had to hire a lawyer. So far her legal fees are $4,000, she said.

“Never, never, never again,” Brown said about selling a dog to anyone with a high profile.

Brown said she gets her breeding stock from Germany. Each dog costs between $5,000 and $10,000.

“If I paid that much for them, don’t you think I’d treat them pretty good?” Brown asks.

While the First Family was shopping for a Portuguese water dog, Brown said those breeders were getting in touch with her to find out what her experience had been like.

Brown has a few words for them. “It’s been horrific since December,” she said.

————————————

postheadericon A Bit of Humor

Funny Moments in the Courtroom

These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters that had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?

WITNESS: He said, ‘Where am I, Cathy?’

ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?

WITNESS: My name is Susan!

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?

WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you sexually active?

WITNESS: No, I just lie there.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?

WITNESS: Yes.

ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?

WITNESS: I forget.

ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?

___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?

WITNESS: We both do.

ATTORNEY: Voodoo?

WITNESS: We do.

ATTORNEY: You do?

WITNESS: Yes, voodoo.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?

WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

____________________________________

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?

WITNESS: He’s twenty, much like your IQ.

___________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?

WITNESS: Are you shitting me?

_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?

WITNESS: Yes.

ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?

WITNESS: getting laid

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?

WITNESS: Yes.

ATTORNEY: How many were boys?

WITNESS: None.

ATTORNEY: Were there any girls?

WITNESS: Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?

WITNESS: By death.

ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?

WITNESS: Take a guess.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?

WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.

ATTORNEY: Was this a male or a female?

WITNESS: Unless the Circus was in town I’m going with male.

_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?

WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.

______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?

WITNESS: All of them. The live ones put up too much of a fight.

_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?

WITNESS: Oral.

_________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?

WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.

ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?

WITNESS: If not, he was by the time I finished.

____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?

WITNESS: Are you qualified to ask that question?

______________________________________

And the best for last:

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?

WITNESS: No.

ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?

WITNESS: No.

ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?

WITNESS: No.

ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?

WITNESS: No.

ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?

WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.

ATTORNEY: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?

WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

****************************

postheadericon VICTORY IN ILLINOIS

 

ILLINOIS

One More Brick in the Wall:

 Success in Illinois (HB 198 and SB 53)

By ESaunders AR-HR.com

It’s a good day. Due to a united effort from Veterinarians, the AKC, Pet Owners & Pet Breeders, IL House Bill 198 & Senate Bill 53 has been defeated, for now.  As cited on the HSUS webpage for these bills.

“Due to pressure from the Illinois Veterinary Medical Association, the American Kennel Club and puppy mill producers in Illinois, legislation (H.B. 198/S.B. 53) to crack down on puppy mills in the state was not brought up for a vote. We will continue working to crack down on puppy mills.”

It is unfortunate that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) could not gracefully accept that the proposed legislation was rejected by the people of Illinois.  Attributing the bills’ defeat to ‘puppy mill producers’ is sour grapes & an attempt to stain the reputation of the AKC, Illinois veterinarians, pet owners, trainers, responsible breeders and families involved.  In the face of an practiced & expensive lobbying campaign by the HSUS, the mostly volunteer effort held the day through sheer blood, sweat and tears to protect the rights of pet owners and breeders with respect to
the pets they hold so dear.

The effort is far from over.  Similar unnecessary bills are preoccupying legislators’ time across the US.  Time that could be better spent focusing on the colossal economic issues facing the US and the world right now.

But today, we hold forth a cheer for the little guys.  The people who are dedicated to truly understanding dogs and sharing their lives.  Tomorrow they still have dogs to feed, care for and love while they tell their legislators to get back to work and enforce the multitude of laws already on the books to deal with animal protection matters.

http://ar-hr.com/2009/04/13/one-more-brick-in-the-wall-success-in-illinois-hb-198-and-sb-53/

 

postheadericon FROM THE UK BUT COULD BE HERE!

A bit of humor from my friend Jenny Hall in the UK:

We are in DEEP trouble…

The population of the UK  is

approximately 60 million.

32 million are retired.

That leaves 28 million to do the work.

There are 17 million in school or at Universities.

Which leaves 11 million to do the work.

Of this there are 8 million employed by the  UK government.

Leaving 3 million to do the work.

1.2 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Osama Bin-Laden
and fighting in Afghanistan , etc 

Which leaves 1.8 million to do the work.

Take from that total the 0.8 million people who work for Local County
Councils. And that leaves 1 million to do the work.

At any given time there are 488,000 people in hospitals or claiming
Invalidity Benefit.

Leaving 512,000 to do the work.

Now, there are 511,998 people in prisons.

That leaves just two people to do the work.

You and me.

And there you are,

Sitting on your bum,

At your computer, reading jokes.

Is it any wonder that we are in such a mess and that I am stressed out
through trying to cope on my own?

postheadericon Happening All Over–We Need to Fight Back Before it is too Late!!

 

It is great that President Obama chose a pure bred dog from a breeder for his family’s personal dog.  I am sure that the animal rightists will be attacking President Obama for his choice of a purebred just as they have blatantly attached Vice President Biden for choosing a German Shepherd from a breeder. The campaign of the HSUS that everytime one gets a purebred dog, it causes the death of a shelter dog is shameful.  With a purebred dog, one has an idea of development, temperament, personality, and possible genetic problems.  One has no idea with a shelter dog.  I have a rescue dog and would not trade him for the world.  I will certainly adopt another rescue dog when the time is right, but do not take away my right to chose to own purebreds!!! 

Since Proposition 2 passed in California, HSUS has now targeted Ohio as its next state to overturn traditional ways of livestock farming.  Have there been abusive situations of raising livestock, absolutely!  Should livestock be treated humanely and slaughtered humanely, absolutely.  Should livestock farming be targeted by those who know nothing about raising livestock with the intent of changing how we raise livestock, absolutely NOT!  Do you remember a couple of winters ago when Colorado cattle where starving in severe blizzards because the snow was too deep to get to grass?  The Governor of Colorado asked the HSUS to help with airlifts of hay to the starving cattle. The HSUS refused, responding better the cattle starve than be enslaved in ownership.  So much for caring about the welfare of animals. The HSUS, which by the way is not affiliated with local humane societies;  It is not the NATIONAL Humane Society.  It does nothing with animal welfare, just animal rights.

An update on what is going on right now in the country from the Sportsmen and Animal Owners Voting Alliance:

SAOVA message to sportsmen, pet owners and farmers concerned  about protecting their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding, animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution, encouraged.
Prop2 Coming to Ohio; Rallying against animal rightist bills

Ohio cattlemen hear what’s hot: HSUS, OSU Extension cuts
by Susan Mykrantz, Farm and Dairy News Monday, April 6, 2009

ASHLAND, Ohio — Just when livestock producers are finding ways to clear the murky waters of low commodity prices and high input prices, comes another deluge of challenges in the form of steep funding cuts to the Ohio State University Extension and assaults from the Humane Society of the United States.

Producers are being targeted by groups determined to either change the way animal agriculture does business or put it out of business altogether, according to John Fitzpatrick, organization director for Ashland/Medina/Wayne County Farm Bureaus.

Following a preview of a multimedia presentation, Veal Calves and Cull Cows, Fitzpatrick told producers and industry representatives attending the Ashland County Cattlemen’s annual meeting that the Humane Society of the United States has targeted Ohio as their next state to pass legislation similar to Proposition 2 that was passed in California.

Fitzpatrick told the cattlemen that the HSUS is not connected with the local humane society in any way.

What you can do
All of agriculture needs to band together and tell its story to the public. “Don’t be afraid to speak up on behalf of agriculture,” he said. “You need to be willing to speak to the media, we all need to tell the same story.”

Full story at the link:
http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/ohio-cattlemen-hear-whats-hot-hsus-osu-extension-cuts/11659.html
http://tinyurl.com/d2pbzk

UPDATES ON CURRENT STATE LEGISLATION

ALABAMA
OPPOSE. SB 554 Sterilization of private dogs, cats required.
Requires the sterilization of all privately owned dogs and cats within the state with certain specified exceptions. This bill would also provide that the owner of a dog or cat over 6 months of age that has not been sterilized and that is the subject of a complaint to a local animal control agency, as specified, may be cited and, if cited, must pay a civil penalty to the local animal agency within 30 days.

Talking points:
* The proposed legislation allows for complaints from the general public to be included in the process toward mandated spay/neuter. Complaints can be for anything other than noise and do not need to be verified. The complaint-driven section is totally flawed.
* Spay/Neuter is an important medical decision that should be made for each individual pet only after careful consultation with the pet’s veterinarian, not mandated by the government
* Imposes state-mandated one-size-fits-all solution thereby removing any discretion from local officials, who know better than state officials how to handle problems in their community
* Exemptions for hunting, herding, detection or service dogs while working off their owner’s property are not included

Additional talking points are posted on the SAOVA website along with bill information, tracking, and contact information for Judiciary Committee members. http://saova.org/alabama.html

CALIFORNIA ACTION ALERT
OPPOSE. SB 250 Spaying and Neutering makes it illegal to own, keep or harbor a dog with intact sexual organs, except as specified. Makes it illegal to have an intact cat remain outdoors. Requires certificate of sterility as proof. Requires reporting of the sale of an unaltered cat or dog. Requires sterilization of any cat or dog impounded for any reason – even on first offense; or for violation of this law if cited for violation of other law.
A hearing is scheduled in Senate Local Government Committee for April 15, 2009 in Sacramento. Phone or fax your opposition now.
Committee Members:
Senator Patricia Wiggins, Chair
Phone: (916) 651-4002 Fax: (916) 323-6958 Senator.Wiggins@senate.ca.gov
Senator Dave Cox, Vice-Chair
Phone: (916) 651-4001 Fax: (916) 324-2680 Senator.Cox@senate.ca.gov
Senator Samuel Aanestad
Phone: (916) 651-4004 Fax: (916) 445-7750 Senator.Aanestad@senate.ca.gov
Senator Christine Kehoe
Phone: (916) 651-4039 Fax: (916) 327-2188 Senator.Kehoe@senate.ca.gov
Senator Lois Wolk Phone: 
(916) 651-4005 Fax:  (916) 323-2304 Senator.Wolk@senate.ca.gov

* Spay/Neuter is an important medical decision that should be made for each individual pet only after careful consultation with the pet’s veterinarian, not mandated by the government
* Imposes state-mandated one-size-fits-all solution thereby removing any discretion from local officials, who know better than state officials how to handle problems in their community
* Forced sterilization adds more costs to pet owners and already overburdened local governments.
* Areas which have passed this type of legislation have failed to see success in lessening animal abandonment

CALIFORNIA ACTION ALERT
OPPOSE. AB 241 Dogs and cats: breeders. AB 241 makes illegal to have more than a combined total of 50 dogs and cats with intact sexual organs. Authorizes certain officers to investigate a violation of such provisions, and to lawfully take possession of an animal kept in violation of existing law. Hearing scheduled April 14 in  Committee on Public Safety
http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=57

Committee Fax (916) 319-3745
Jose Solorio, Chair (916) 319-2069 Assemblymember.solorio@assembly.ca.gov
Curt Hagman, Vice Chair (916) 319-2060 Assemblymember.Hagman@assembly.ca.gov
Warren Furutani (916) 319-2055 Assemblymember.Furutani@assembly.ca.gov
Danny Gilmore (916) 319-2030 Assemblymember.Gilmore@assembly.ca.gov
Jerry Hill (916) 319-2019 Assemblymember.Hill@assembly.ca.gov
Fiona Ma (916) 319-2012 Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov
Nancy Skinner (916) 319-2014 Assemblymember.Skinner@assembly.ca.gov

MAINE ACTION ALERT
OPPOSE LD 964. Proposes unnecessary over-regulation of dog breeders establishing 3 categories of kennels with excessive kennel fees. The bill amends the definition of “breeding kennel” to specify that 5 or more female dogs capable of breeding are the threshold for needing a breeding kennel license. Adds new requirement that veterinarian must examine animal prior to sale. Creates a conditional license and fee before kennel license can be issued.  Allows the Department of Agriculture to charge a fee up to 50% of the kennel license for follow-up inspections.  Hearing is scheduled Apr 15, 2009, 0100PM by the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.  Contact the Committee:
http://maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/acf.htm.

ACTION NEEDED. LD 186 Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia.
LD 186 is being heavily lobbied by HSUS and the animal rights forces in Maine. Criminal Justice Committee members discussed the merits of the bill.  Representative Hanley (D-Gardiner) and Representative Sykes (R-Harrison) both expressed serious reservations that this bill was attempting to solve a problem that didn’t exist.  Representative Hanley reported that according to the Department of Public Safety there have been no convictions for animal fighting in the state in more than 40 years, and only one report (never confirmed) of such activity.  

Senator Stan Gerzofsky (D- Brunswick), who is the Committee chair, then spoke.  He stated that as a former dog trainer he is very familiar with dog ownership, dog training and the sport of Schutzhund, as well as AKC standards governing these activities.  Many of the items that might otherwise be characterized as animal fighting paraphernalia are also appropriately used in training dogs.  While he finds dog fighting abhorrent, he noted that there are already laws in existence that can sufficiently address the issue.  Further, given his familiarity with the subject, he is adamantly opposed to any legislation that would in any way limit the lawful activities of dog trainers. The Committee vote was 9-2 Ought Not To Pass, with Senator Davis and Representative Schatz opposed. 

The animal rights movement in Maine has continued to lobby for the minority ought to pass amended bill.  LD 186 was presented to the House April 8 where the Ought Not To Pass Report was accepted by a vote of 122-20.  April 9 it was heard by the Senate; Senator Gerzofsky motioned to accept the majority Ought Not To Pass Report and Senator Nutting motioned to table the bill for further discussion.
What you can do:
Contact Senator Gerzofsky and support his stand on LD 186 Ought Not To Pass
http://www.mainesenate.org/gerzofsky/email.htm  Senate President’s Office: 207-287-1500

Contact Senator Nutting and express your concern about his continued support of LD 186. http://www.mainesenate.org/nutting/email.htm
Senate Democratic Office: 207-287-1515

Contact members of the Maine Senate and urge them to vote Ought Not To Pass. http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/email/maillst.htm

Find additional information at http://saova.org/Maine.html

VICTORY IN MINNESOTA: HF 253 defining as a commercial breeder anyone owning or having interest in 20 intact dogs has been tabled indefinitely.

VICTORY IN MONTANNA: HB 548 defining as commercial anyone selling 20 dogs annually has been defeated.

NORTH CAROLINA
OPPOSE. HB733/SB460 Regulate Commercial Dog Breeding.  Defines as Commercial Breeder anyone maintaining or having control of 15 intact females within a 12 month period.  The bills are based on numerous emotional assumptions that breeder/owners with 15 females are keeping them in crowded, unsanitary conditions for mass-production.  The bill also assumes that an owner of this number of dogs isn’t capable of managing a kennel and maintaining dogs in good health without state intervention. Mandates veterinary health certificate prior to breeding.  Mandates facilities, record keeping; allows inspection of kennel and private property.

OPPOSE. HB626/SB695 Restraining Of Dogs. Limits tethering to 9 hours in 24; exemption only while dogs are actively hunting or herding. Allows local government to reduce time limit.

OPPOSE. SB515/SB739 Prohibit Penning of Wildlife.  Will close fox pens in North Carolina. Eliminates safe training for hounds and eliminates the need for the many small businesses across the state of North Carolina that provide hound hunters with supplies.

For additional talking points, contact information and downloadable form letters visit http://www.saova.org/northcarolina.html

TENNESSEE ACTION ALERT:
OPPOSE. HB 386 introduced by Rep. Janis Sontany (D, Nashville) will classify a Commercial Breeder as any person who possesses or maintains twenty (20) or more adult female dogs in whole or in part for the purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals. HB 386 will allow the state to outsource some animal control work to HSUS or other outside animal organizations. The bill was passed by the House Subcommittee on Civil Practice & Procedure. Recommended for passage w/amendments – refer to: Judiciary Committee 4/7/2009. Voice Vote – Ayes Prevail Rep(s). Representatives Dennis and Kelsey requested to be recorded as voting No.  The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear HB 386 on 4/15.
Go to
http://www.saova.org/Tennessee.html for Judiciary Committee contact information.

TEXAS
Texas dog owners have been exceptionally hard hit this year with animal rightist legislation.  RPOA Texas Outreach has all bills linked along with talking points.
http://www.rpoatexasoutreach.org/Texas_Bills_Filled_Summary.htm
Lone Star State American Pit Bull Terrier Club website also maintains a list of bills and update information: http://lsspbc.com/blog/2009/03/13/txbills/

VICTORY IN WEST VIRGINIA:  HB2843 defining as a commercial breeder anyone who maintains interest in 20 intact dogs did not pass out of committee before the April 1st deadline.

Watch the SAOVA website for continued updates.

Please share this message widely.

Susan Wolf
Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance –
http://saova.org
Issue lobbying and working to identify and elect supportive legislators

The message above was posted to West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri residents by the Sportsmen’s and Animal Owners’ Voting Alliance (SAOVA) on one of ten regional read only elists.

SAOVA is a nonpartisan volunteer group working to protect Americans from the legislative and political threats of radical animal rightists. It is the only national organization fighting this struggle for both sportsmen and animal owners, natural allies, in these arenas. Visit our website at http://saova.org for this program’s goals, methodology and list signup details.

postheadericon HE IS RISEN!

HAPPY

EASTER!!!

 

ENJOY YOUR DAY AND REMEMBER THE REASON!

 

 

postheadericon Great Story-Lucky the Dog

The Animal Rights groups pushing all the anti-dog and anti breeding legislation say they are concerned with animal welfare.  Animal welfare and rights are two totally different concepts in my view.  Dogs have contributed so much to us:  war dogs, hearing dogs, seeing eye dogs, therapy dogs, herding dogs, guard dogs, scent and rescue dogs, beloved pets–the list could go on and on about how dogs and humans work together and love each other.  All of the dog related bills being proposed throughout this county will do serious damage to all of us breeders and pet owners alike.  I know that I can not live without my dogs.  The following story is sweet and one more example of how we benefit from the dogs in our lives.

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named ‘Lucky.’  Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky’s toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky’s other favorite toys Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease….in fact; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her…what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary’s dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won’t understand that I didn’t want to leave him!  The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn’t even make it up the steps to her bedroom.  Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn’t come to her when she called.  It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn’t understand what was wrong.  She couldn’t move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!  While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It’s been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember….live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget….the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most Credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God