Buffy my pup, and Breed Specific Legislation
So. On thursday we where informed that Rosalia has a pit bull ban. And I would have to get rid of my puppy (thats Buffy, in the icon).
Obviously, this is not an option. That leaves A. Moving, or B. Fight the law.
Guess which one I'm picking?
I have soooo much that I want to write. But this is so close to my heart right now, that I don't know that I can. I'm feeling very helpless and lost. I've never gotten a law changed before...and I don't know any one that has. But it's my only option. I know...there are MUCH worse laws out there...and more being passed all the time. This may seem small and insignificant. But...I gotta start somewhere.
I've contacted Spokane Pit Bull Rescue. And Stoptheban.ca. Jim is contacting the AKC in spokane, and a lawyer in spokane who is a friend of his parents. He's a civil rights lawyer...and I feel silly considering this a civil rights issue. I don't suppose I have the RIGHT to the kind of animal that I can and can't own, or keep in city limits. It's unfair to BUFFY certainly...but we have a HELL of a long way to go before we start worrying about the civil rights of animals. (lets tackle women and kids first).
I'm working (slowly) on a "Ban the DEED not the BREED" logo for LJ, and a little write-up on my website. (Like I said, it's hard, with something so personal...I open pictures of her to start working on a logo and I just burst out in tears.)
I've begun collecting facts about the breed (they where breed for dog fighting, true. But that has lead to them tending towards aggression to OTHER DOGS. Human aggression is NOT a characteristic of the breed and reputable breeders put down dogs who show signs of human aggression). As well as facts about the LAW (it does nothing to stop irresponsible owners from keeping them, it is expensive to impossible to enforce, it does nothing that a good dangerous dog law doesn't do, and it fails to protect citizens from OTHER dogs, etc.)
I'll be taking Buffy to an animal behaviorist for testing (if I can, so far what I have found shows that the need to be 18 months for testing to be reliable, and she is only 5) as well as getting a letter from her vet, as to her disposition, and maybe her experience with pit bulls in general.
Things I have on my side:
When I spoke to the sherif about it, he seemed...wishy washy. He SUGGESTED that we talk to the mayor about the law (he purposed a BOND for pitbull owners, to cover the expenses of someone bitten by them, which wouldn't be my choice, but since he suggested such a thing, I'm taking that as a sign that he can have his opinion swayed).
Rosalia is a very small town. 500 people. Seems like the "system" here will be easier for one person to work with. Less bureaucracy and red tape.
The law is vague. It's not even a LAW it's self. It's under the licensing requirements, and only says that "pit bulls" can't be licensed. Thats it. Then, it says that dogs have to be licensed and what happens if the aren't. (fines up to $150 per year). I made them make me a copy of the law (they had a hard time finding it, and THEY weren't even sure what it said exactly.) I can't see anything giving them the authority to TAKE her at all, or and especially, euthanize her. That doesn't mean that I think that they won't TRY to. In a small town like this, working out side the law wouldn't really surprise me. The sherif said he has never had anyone unwilling to get rid of their dog. They give them to friends or family in spokane. (Apparently without incident! what is with people?). I tried to press him on how long I have to take action (thats what lead to them looking up the law, they didn't know!) and he said "a couple weeks" and "I'm willing to work with people who are trying to find a home for their dog." so. I don't have a written citation or ANYTHING from him. I don't think he even knows my name or address! (He didn't ask, and I didn't offer) though finding me in a town this small wouldn't be hard. lol)
Kayla was walking Buffy, and the police officer stopped her, asked if she was a pit bull (kayla said yes, but it's pretty obvious, she is purebred and looks it) and told her "you can't have pit bulls in Rosalia". Kayla came home and told me and I stormed down there.
So. anything ya got. Ideas, resources or encouragement, is much appreciated. I'm just not really sure where to start.
Obviously, this is not an option. That leaves A. Moving, or B. Fight the law.
Guess which one I'm picking?
I have soooo much that I want to write. But this is so close to my heart right now, that I don't know that I can. I'm feeling very helpless and lost. I've never gotten a law changed before...and I don't know any one that has. But it's my only option. I know...there are MUCH worse laws out there...and more being passed all the time. This may seem small and insignificant. But...I gotta start somewhere.
I've contacted Spokane Pit Bull Rescue. And Stoptheban.ca. Jim is contacting the AKC in spokane, and a lawyer in spokane who is a friend of his parents. He's a civil rights lawyer...and I feel silly considering this a civil rights issue. I don't suppose I have the RIGHT to the kind of animal that I can and can't own, or keep in city limits. It's unfair to BUFFY certainly...but we have a HELL of a long way to go before we start worrying about the civil rights of animals. (lets tackle women and kids first).
I'm working (slowly) on a "Ban the DEED not the BREED" logo for LJ, and a little write-up on my website. (Like I said, it's hard, with something so personal...I open pictures of her to start working on a logo and I just burst out in tears.)
I've begun collecting facts about the breed (they where breed for dog fighting, true. But that has lead to them tending towards aggression to OTHER DOGS. Human aggression is NOT a characteristic of the breed and reputable breeders put down dogs who show signs of human aggression). As well as facts about the LAW (it does nothing to stop irresponsible owners from keeping them, it is expensive to impossible to enforce, it does nothing that a good dangerous dog law doesn't do, and it fails to protect citizens from OTHER dogs, etc.)
I'll be taking Buffy to an animal behaviorist for testing (if I can, so far what I have found shows that the need to be 18 months for testing to be reliable, and she is only 5) as well as getting a letter from her vet, as to her disposition, and maybe her experience with pit bulls in general.
Things I have on my side:
When I spoke to the sherif about it, he seemed...wishy washy. He SUGGESTED that we talk to the mayor about the law (he purposed a BOND for pitbull owners, to cover the expenses of someone bitten by them, which wouldn't be my choice, but since he suggested such a thing, I'm taking that as a sign that he can have his opinion swayed).
Rosalia is a very small town. 500 people. Seems like the "system" here will be easier for one person to work with. Less bureaucracy and red tape.
The law is vague. It's not even a LAW it's self. It's under the licensing requirements, and only says that "pit bulls" can't be licensed. Thats it. Then, it says that dogs have to be licensed and what happens if the aren't. (fines up to $150 per year). I made them make me a copy of the law (they had a hard time finding it, and THEY weren't even sure what it said exactly.) I can't see anything giving them the authority to TAKE her at all, or and especially, euthanize her. That doesn't mean that I think that they won't TRY to. In a small town like this, working out side the law wouldn't really surprise me. The sherif said he has never had anyone unwilling to get rid of their dog. They give them to friends or family in spokane. (Apparently without incident! what is with people?). I tried to press him on how long I have to take action (thats what lead to them looking up the law, they didn't know!) and he said "a couple weeks" and "I'm willing to work with people who are trying to find a home for their dog." so. I don't have a written citation or ANYTHING from him. I don't think he even knows my name or address! (He didn't ask, and I didn't offer) though finding me in a town this small wouldn't be hard. lol)
Kayla was walking Buffy, and the police officer stopped her, asked if she was a pit bull (kayla said yes, but it's pretty obvious, she is purebred and looks it) and told her "you can't have pit bulls in Rosalia". Kayla came home and told me and I stormed down there.
So. anything ya got. Ideas, resources or encouragement, is much appreciated. I'm just not really sure where to start.