Legislation that could eventually affect every dog owner (boxer, terriers, breeder)

[World Citizen]

Originally Posted by aquastone

I would think that whomever gets elected is not going to have time to worry about dog legislation. USA is in a bad place right now, and it's not just the president that is going to "fix it" (no "one man/woman" created this mess). It takes his cabinet, the house, the senate, state and local governments and of course the citizens. These problems start way back....years of "bad deals", it's going to take many years to even get on track going in the right direction.

With all due respect, given my personal experience this is a very important issue and one that is very close to my heart.

You're right about one thing... legislation is put into effect by the cabinet, the house, the senate and state and local governments... all of which are elected by the citizens of the United States.

Don't think it doesn't matter who you vote for and who is in power.
You may not feel it's a priority right now, but when there are "more important things to worry about" these things can be pushed through more easily without as much scrutiny....

Once legislation is in effect, it's a lot harder to get it removed or changed.

Therefore, when you're choosing your representatives at every level of government this issue should be just as important as anything else... unless you don't care if your right to equal representation under the law (as a pet owner) is taken away.

I'd hate for you to find out like I did that pet owners can't beat these new laws in court.

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by World Citizen

Yes, it really is.

I had to learn about these things the hard way when I was forced to work to change the law in my community -- which meant working with State lawmakers.
Because of bad dog laws,...a tiny scratch cost me my home,... and about $50,000.

Do your homework and find out which party is introducing most of the legislation concerning dog laws -- and who is voting for and against them.

btw - the people with power who are lobbying for this legislation are the Lawyers and the Insurance lobbies -- two of the most powerful lobby groups in America. The Democrats want you to believe that they aren't in their pocket but it's proven by their voting record who controls them.

You see, in order for the Personal Injury lawyers to get money judgments they have to have laws on the books that support a judgment.
In order for Insurance Companies to cancel your insurance or charge you HIGH premiums as a dog owner -- is if the laws allow them to.
Bottom line, it's all about money. And, the lobby groups... that's really how these laws get passed.

Think about which party really supports freedom and the American way of life when you go to the polls this year!

and.... here's just one more example --
(please note that this first link is posted on a Personal Injury Law Firm's webpage)

Bill Seeks To Tighten Ohio's Vicious Dog Law :: California Injury Blog

please note, also, that the Personal Injury Firm is in California but they're closely watching a bill that was introduced in Ohio by Mr. Tyrone Yates, a democrat in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Tyrone Yates - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interesting stuff. Still frustrating for most folks since it's still like p****n in the wind. Animals aren't high on politicians agendas. Amongst the different changes I'd like to see are those concerning puppy mills.

[Sam I Am]

MODERATOR: Let's keep this one in the scope of laws that affect pets, please...Please, by all means visit the Politics and Other Controversies forum with any party comments, etc. It's the forum for more generalized discussions of the election, state of the union, etc.

[World Citizen]

Originally Posted by southward bound

SPRINGFIELD, MA – Animal rights advocates in Massachusetts reached
into their bag of political dirty tricks last week to pave the way
for legislation that would be devastating to dog owners and
circumvent public participation in the process.

The legislation, which will be unveiled as House Bill 5092, would:...

Read the full implications of this terrible bill in a report by by John Yates of the American Sporting Dog Alliance:
Main Page @ americansportingdogalliance.org
asda@csonline.net

This legislation is being promoted vigorously by the radical Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS) in states that the polls
indicate are likely to be won by Barrack Obama in the November
presidential election. The list includes Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and now Massachusetts.

This bill would be the beginning of unreasonable restrictions on all dog ownership around the country, and affects ALL dogs, not just sporting dogs. There are links in the article to the bill itself, and you can contact the Sporting Dog Alliance for information about what is going on in your state.

We should all be aware before our rights are taken away!

To read about proposed House Bill 5092 go to this link:

American Kennel Club - Massachusetts HB 5092 Bad News For All Dog Owners

[southward bound]

World Citizen, it's good to hear from someone someone who has been personal impacted by these types of laws. Thank you for sharing your perspective. It's valid. We can't know what it's like until we have walked in your shoes. If nothing good came of it, at least it mobilized you into action. Too many of us sit by and watch while owneship of our dogs and other pets grows more regulated. No matter what the problems of the country are on a national scale, animal rights activists will keep on with their agenda. And they seem to be able to find sympathetic ears in some elected officials. On the surface, these laws may sound very good to those who aren't involved with animals to the extent that some of us are, and they may well think they are doing a good thing. I've seen examples of where legislators were politely educated on the implications, and ended up voting down a bill. It's worth being aware and being involved on all levels.

Moderator cut: edit Don't think much more needs to be said on the subject.

[Blondie621]

Originally Posted by southward bound

SPRINGFIELD, MA – Animal rights advocates in Massachusetts reached
into their bag of political dirty tricks last week to pave the way
for legislation that would be devastating to dog owners and
circumvent public participation in the process.

The legislation, which will be unveiled as House Bill 5092, would:...

Read the full implications of this terrible bill in a report by by John Yates of the American Sporting Dog Alliance:
Main Page @ americansportingdogalliance.org
asda@csonline.net

This legislation is being promoted vigorously by the radical Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS) in states that the polls
indicate are likely to be won by Barrack Obama in the November
presidential election. The list includes Illinois, Indiana,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and now Massachusetts.

This bill would be the beginning of unreasonable restrictions on all dog ownership around the country, and affects ALL dogs, not just sporting dogs. There are links in the article to the bill itself, and you can contact the Sporting Dog Alliance for information about what is going on in your state.
We should all be aware before our rights are taken away!

I consider this off topic and something like this is rare to be on any candidates top list of priorities. As far as I am concerned, it is just something to put a blame on someone who is a running candidate for president. This should be closed!

[World Citizen]

Thanks, southward bound...

I believed in the fairness of our legal system until I went through what I went through. I discovered that justice is blind and the process is totally dependent upon how the laws are written. The facts are of secondary importance.

"Animal rights advocates in Massachusetts reached
into their bag of political dirty tricks last week to pave the way
for legislation that would be devastating to dog owners and
circumvent public participation in the process..."

I've certainly learned a great deal about the political system in the last couple of years... and about trying to enlighten dog owners.

It's sad that dog owners don't want to know about these things and prefer to have their heads in the sand because it's "not their dog"...
Some day soon it may be too late to learn about what's going on.

Thanks for posting this important information!

[BrianH]

Originally Posted by Raggy dee Ann

Interesting stuff. Still frustrating for most folks since it's still like p****n in the wind. Animals aren't high on politicians agendas. Amongst the different changes I'd like to see are those concerning puppy mills.

You're right they are not high on politicians agendas so Lobbyists or pressure groups produce a ridiculous law and it gets passed with little to no research, hence BSL. I wouldn't tie it down to a party though. I would pin it down to a vast majority of politicians living on a different planet to the rest of us.

[World Citizen]

Originally Posted by BrianH

You're right they are not high on politicians agendas so Lobbyists or pressure groups produce a ridiculous law and it gets passed with little to no research, hence BSL. I wouldn't tie it down to a party though. I would pin it down to a vast majority of politicians living on a different planet to the rest of us.

Did you look at the Bill on the AKC site?

American Kennel Club - Massachusetts HB 5092 Bad News For All Dog Owners

BSL is part of this bill.. and they are trying to take away citizens right to be involved in the decision making.
As you know, usually municipalities decide these things at the Common Council level. What they've done is come up with "joint municipalities commission" who at state / legislative level are planning to bypass that level of government.

Massachusetts dog owners were blind sided by this.

http://www.breederretriever.com/foru...ead.php?t=1712

And, if they can get it passed in one state there will be others that will follow suit... it's always easier to get it passed in other states after the first one does.


Edited to add.... I'm on the Massachusetts legislative site and trying to find a republican among their legislators. Haven't clicked on one yet!

http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm

[Calidreemer]

Anything beyond general legislation to handle vicious dogs on a case by case basis or handling of dogs/animals in a cruel or harmful way is chipping away at our rights. I don't want anyone to tell me what kind of dog I can have. I understand they are trying to curtail back yard breeders and the pet over population problem, but I'm not sure this is the way to do it. As I have said over and over we are smarter than this.

I also resent being told that HOI wont cover you for certain breeds. It's discrimination IMO.