Sunday, January 30, 2011

Cypress CA REJECTS Breed Specific Legislation

by Diane Amendola
Board of Directors
California Federation of Dog Clubs
 
Monday, January 24, 2011
 
Tonight the Cypress City Council rejected BSL as punitive for responsible citizens. They are going to consider strengthening their laws on vicious dogs coupled with improved enforcement. One council member suggested the person being investigated pay for the investigation which was soundly rejected by another council member because someone could make an unjustified complaint against a neighbor (He didn't like guilty before proven guilty.)

The community representation was NOT good. As far as I could tell, only one community member spoke against the proposed law.  She is an AKC Judge and breeder of one of the Bull breeds and has lived in Cypress for 38 years and is a voting citizen; there were 3 other speakers and about 7 friends of the speakers who spoke against the legislation.   There were 3 ladies from the neighborhood having the problem and they all spoke in favor of BSL.

The neighborhood affected with problem owners has had ongoing issues that have prompted Animal Control to confiscate several vicious dogs.  One attack occurred while a child was walking her dog (the dog was killed in the attack).   The vicious dog was euthanized and the owners moved away, but when the impassioned parent spoke she made it sound like the dog and owners were still in the community.   It was good that the OC Animal Control Director was there to explain that that dog had been euthanized as had several other vicious free
roaming dogs.  One of the current residents still has one or two dogs and the neighbors want all her dogs taken from her because, according to the neighbors, she is an irresponsible owner who allows her dogs to roam.  This particular community has many serious problems besides irresponsible dog owners.

The statistics presented by staff showed the following for Impounds:  Pit Bulls 28; Chihuahua 27; Labs 15; German Shepards 14; Pomeranians 9; Siberian Husky 8; Miniature Poodle 7; Golden Retriever 7; Cocker Spaniel 6; Shih Tzu 6 (total impounds for the year=127)

Dog bites to humans:  Chihuahua 24; German Shepherd 11; Rat Terrier 7; Jindo 5; Parson Russell Terrier 5; Pekingese 5; Mastiff 5; Labs 4; Wheaton Terrier 4; Dachshund 4

Dog vs Dog Attacks:  Pit Bull 12; German Shepherd 5; Labs 5; Rat Terrier 2; Border Collie 1; Cocker Spaniel 1; German Shorthair Pointer 1;  Maltese 1; Miniature Pinscher 1; Rottweiler 1.  The report cited 36 incidents but only listed 30................

The Council mentioned receiving input from the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB and seemed duly impressed by that.

The director of OC Animal Control, Ryan Draybek, understands that this is a people problem and not a dog problem.  For that we are very fortunate. He is making great strides at improving his shelter operation. He took the time to meet Bill Bruce when Bill was touring California and hosted Bill at the OC Shelter for a tour, and spent time talking with Bill.

It was decided we must plan on attending all other meetings until this is a done deal.
 

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

MSN "lite" in Contra Costa County





by Chuck Bridges
Board of Directors, California Federation of Dog Clubs
Legislative Liaison, Contra Costa County Kennel Club
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Contra Costa County Public Protection Committee directed that an ordinance be drafted in line with the previously disclosed memo from the county's animal control director -- this despite strong opposition and no support in today's hearing.  There were about twenty citizens at the hearing, ranging from Laura Sanborn of "Save our Dogs" and Laura Finco from CDOC, to Chuck Bridges from CFODC, to representatives from various breed clubs, rescue organizations and Angie Niles representing the NAIA.
From the supervisor's opening remarks, the ultimate result was apparent -- don't bother them with the truth.  Neither supervisor believed the proposed ordinance to be MSN, and both ignored testimony that indicated (1) that there is no form of MSN that actually reduces shelter impoundments and shelter killing and (2) that there is no form of MSN that does not reduce compliance with licensing laws, thereby creating a public health risk.  One of the clearest statements about the failure of MSN is from the ASPCA's position statement on MSN:
Please note that while the ASPCA is firmly against MSN, it would advocate the MSN of dogs, "repeatedly caught at-large."  The current CCC proposal would define "repeatedly caught at-large" as once for any unlicensed dog and twice in any three-year period for any licensed dog, a premise that most would find unreasonable.
There was no mention by the two supervisors on the committee of any relaxation of any of the provisions of the AC director's memo.  The memo was part of the published agenda of the meeting:

The next step will be consideration of the yet-to-be-drafted ordinance by the Board of Supervisors.  With two supervisor votes already "in the bag," MSN "Lite" may become a reality in CCC.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Petition for rabies medical exemption

CALIFORNIA: Rabies Medical Exemption Petition http://www.change.org/petitions/view/california_take_action_to_help_dogs_too_ill_to_receive_the_rabies_vaccine for California residents. If the link to the petition does not work by clicking on it, simply copy and paste it into your browser or access the petition through the link at Lisa's story below. Please ask all the California residents you know to sign this petition.

Veterinary student Lisa Lippman has started a petition to get Rabies Medical Exemption legislation reintroduced in California. Lisa's story: http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/vet-student-assists-to-change-rabies-law-in-california.html

PERMISSION GRANTED TO CROSS-POST

Cypress CA to consider MSN for "Pit bulls"

Please pass this information on to any of your club members in the Cypress, CA area.

(Parent Club liaisons – Cypress is located in the Orange County area of Southern California, just south of Los Angeles)


The Cypress City Council will hear a report from staff at their meeting, Monday, January 24th regarding a draft ordinance to require the mandatory sterilization of “pit bulls.” Breeds covered will include Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or any dog displaying the characteristics of these breeds. It is imperative that responsible owners and breeders contact legislators and voice their opposition to this discriminatory and ineffective policy.

Cypress City Council Meeting
Date: Monday, January 24th
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Location: Council Chambers5275 Orange AvenueCypress, CA 90630

Breed-specific proposals, such as the one being considered by the council, prevent responsible owners from freely interacting with, showing, breeding or performing pet therapy with their dogs. Shelter costs could also skyrocket under this ordinance as citizens abandon pets that have been targeted due to breed or in order to avoid paying the substantial fines to reclaim an animal.

AKC supports dangerous dog laws that address specific, measurable criteria of dangerous or vicious actions, a method whereby a dog is determined dangerous, and an appropriate range of remedies should a dog be found dangerous.

AKC’s talking points on opposing breed-specific legislation can be found here and our talking points on mandatory spay/neuter can be found here.

What You Can Do:

Attend the meeting, Monday, January 24th and politely express your opposition to any breed-specific ordinances as well as any mandatory spay/neuter ordinances.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please consider sending a respectful email or fax to the mayor and city council stating your objections to this measure.

Mayor Prakash Narain5275 Orange AvenueP. O. Box 609 Cypress, CA 90630Telephone: (714) 229-6699 Fax: (714) 229-6682
pnarain@ci.cypress.ca.us

Mayor Pro-Tem Doug Bailey
5275 Orange Avenue P. O. Box 609Cypress, CA 90630 Telephone: (714) 229-6699Fax: (714) 229-6682
dbailey@ci.cypress.ca.us

Council Member Phil Luebben
5275 Orange AvenueP. O. Box 609Cypress, CA 90630 Telephone: (714) 229-6699Fax: (714) 229-6682
pluebben@ci.cypress.ca.us

Council Member Leroy Mills
5275 Orange AvenueP. O. Box 609Cypress, CA 90630Telephone: (714) 229-6699Fax: (714) 229-6682lmills@ci.cypress.ca.us

Council Member Todd Seymore
5275 Orange AvenueP. O. Box 609Cypress, CA 90630Telephone: (714) 229-6699Fax: (714) 229-6682
tseymore@ci.cypress.ca.us

For more information please contact the AKC Government Relations department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org. Locally, opposition is being organized by the California Federation of Dog Clubs and Diane Amendola at diane@oco.net will serve as the contact.
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Contra Costa Counta to consider MSN for impounded dogs

Tomorrow (Monday) starting at 11 AM, the Contra Costa County Public Protection Committee will meet in Martinez, CA to discuss a proposed all breed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for impounded dogs picked up at large.- unlicensed dogs face MSN on the first impoundment- licensed dogs face MSN on the 2nd impoundmentThere are no exceptions for extenuating circumstances or for breeding dogs, competition dogs, hunting dogs, or working dogs..More info.http://ca-contracostacounty.civicplus.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=5371

I will be there speaking against this ordinance.We need more residents of Contra Costa County to attend and make a polite, brief statement of opposition. If enough opponents do not show up to the hearing, we will likely lose.Two of the five elected county supervisors (Gioia and Glover) are on this committee. For a proposed ordinance to get a recommendation from the committee, both of them have to agree. Gioia supports mandatory spay/neuter.I spoke before this committee last August when they were considering a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for pit bulls breeds. A combination of a good turnout of opponents and compelling facts convinced Glover to not support the proposed ordinance. But the ordinance is no longer about pit bulls, so some of the key opponents have gone neutral or in the case of BadRap, switched to support.

If you can attend, please write to me privately ( laura @ saveourdogs.net)

Laura Sanborn
Save Our Dogs

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