Please write and forward widely
Sample letter and email block follow:
Chained dogs bake outside in the intense tropical heat and sun of Miami-Dade
County. Imagine how painful it is for a dog when a scorching hot metal chain
touches his paws, nose or genitals. Chained dogs are also subject to tropical
storm and hurricane force winds. On Jan. 22, 2008, the Miami-Dade County
Commission rejected a tethering ordinance that would have established humane
conditions for tethering. The ordinance would have required people to be
outside when
their dogs are chained. Please help the chained dogs of Miami-Dade County by
writing to the commissioners of Miami-Dade County.
Commissioner emails:
[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED],
[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Commissioner Seijas has no email. Fax her at 305-375-2011
Sample letter (Please personalize the letter. If you're boycotting travel to
Miami, please say so.)
Dear County Commissioners:
Miami wants to be known as a glamorous and fun tourist destination. A dog
suffering on a chain in the hot tropical sun tarnishes this image. Please
approve
the tethering ordinance that was proposed Miami-Dade Animal Services, which
would have imposed humane conditions for tethering, including requiring people
to be outside when their dog is chained. I am shocked that in spite of all the
evidence that demonstrates why chaining is cruel and inhumane, often making
"vicious monsters" out of otherwise gentle and social animals, Miami-Dade
County Commissioners refused to act on this important legislation, which would
have
restricted this cruel and archaic practice.
Dogs are social animals who instinctively want to be part of a group or pack.
Leaving dogs chained outside makes them aggressive. The Center for Disease
Control reported that chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite. Dogs who
are forced to live at the end of a chain are at risk from the elements:
blistering heat, windstorms, rain and lightning. They are also vulnerable to
attacks
by other animals.
Numerous jurisdictions have enacted tethering ban ordinances because studies
show that to do so is not only humane, but it also ultimately protects both
dogs and people. I urge you to act at once to enact this ordinance that will
improve the lives of so many neglected and abused animals.
Sincerely,
**************
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