Posted by: "V. Louise Feddema" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>That common frustration is expanded on with Ruby's noting of our common
>societal pollution of non-involvement with, " . . . ..........it is SO hard
>to get people mobilized into action. Just look at our own political
>elections....only 35% of voters vote.....
And while you are at it do you know who your county's DA is --
and do you keep in mind that this is an elected position and
that if you are not watching DA's make deals with criminals that
allow them to run loose -- and the laws are not are being determined
by the DA -- I have decided that the DA might be the most
important person in the local community.
Are people enforcing any law that is in place? DA's, judges, juries?
>A few suggestions:
>
>First, what are your local laws applicable to dogs?
Not only do I know -- But I have hand outs from the
Animal Control that outlines basics of licensing and
gives them the numbers for others questions.....
Our local Animal Control hearing are on public
access tv too -- the first Wed afternoon of each
month -- You would be amazed at the number
of people think that the defense for a dog bite
(running at large - barking) is --"It is a dog"....
>When was the last one passed by local officials?
1998 -- when we got it passed that the Animal
Control Board must be representative of the
community -- dog breeders, cat fanciers, animal
control, vets, DA's Office, an animal non-owner....
etc....
Do you know the positions of your local elected representatives on these
>questions?
After 100's of us showed up at each meeting for a while
and got a phone tree started -- mailing list started --
now we do know stands on issues.
>Why do they believe the way they do?
Most of rules (especially in the past) are in reaction
to animal owners not being responsible. Many now
are more pro-active.
>Have you tried to find others locally who view things the way you do?
--- No -- but I was found by others -- and then passed on
the message -- someone set up a sign up board at a
dog show that just asked "Do you want to be informed about
upcoming animal control meetings?"
>Can you develop a local lobbyist group?
I didn't do it -- but jumped on the band wagon
>Can you develop a list of dog owners in your local area?
See above -- this is how it was done in our area.
>What are the average number of dogs per owner in your area?
The county estimates that there are about 1.25 per permanent
household -- but the county only has .75 of estimate licensed.
That is for dogs -- and in our are area even "juvenile" dogs are
required to be licensed -- meaning birth to 6 months -free- but
required.
All cats and other domestic (non-farm) animals are required to
be licensed -- cat owners are much worse about licenses....
>How many are licensed and how many have rabies shots?
All licensed animals are required to have rabies shots - unless
there is a health reason why they cannot have shot (attested to
by a vet).
>Do you make presentations to schools, girl and boy scout troops, the boys
>and girls clubs, the 4H, church groups, and any other group to understand
>and work with your point of view?
I have -- I am a little busy right now with some human injustice --
(and find that people are even more ignorant - me included - about
the degree of injustice that can be done to a human [child] -- for
instance
do all of you know that the LAW says a child requires only "minimal
requirements for care" [basically; food, shelter] ? The requirements
that breeders and rescues require for puppy placement are so
much higher than are required for placement of a human child.)
>Just because you believe in the rightness of your point of view doesn't
>mean others will come and support you. You are in competition for their
>interest and support. If you don't actively sell them on your positions,
>why should they care?
This was an eye opener for me -- actually -- for a while I could not
understand why they needed a non-animal owner on the Animal
Control Board -- BUT - people who have abused the pursuit of
happiness of non-owners have necessitated this.
>Do you really think that the current laws just happened? Puppy millers put
>money into lobbyists, do you?
Not in our area -- the lobbyists here were the animal rights types
who don't think people should keep animals for pets or ever breed
litters (no matter what) - who finally got responsible owners and
breeders out to the meetings.
San Mateo County in California and King County Washington
both have tried to press for VERY strong animal control laws --
these have failed for the most part because they did not allow
for responsible dog ownership.
San Fransicso (City) County -does have laws against ANY
breeding ( last I heard ) - Pet shops can not sell cats and dogs -
they have controlled the population to the point that the
human society was "importing" dogs/cats for adoption
in their city.......
Our county is trying to stay on top of this - even with a
23% per year pop growth for a few years....
I am past "breeding age" -- but I have Great Danes because
of breeders -- I support rescue -- but I like to adopt a puppy from
an someone I know. I don't want to be penalized -- I want the
right to go to the breeder of my choice to buy a dog.
I sure don't want to throw out the "baby with the bath water"
and make it so difficult that breeders quit and leave only
the for-profit breeders behind......
Louise
http://www.worldaccessnet.com/~harldane/welcome.htm
