Monday, October 31, 2005

Fight or Flight? YOU Decide!

If someone forcibly breaks into your home or car, should the law require that you turn your back and run away? If you don’t try to run away, then if you fight back, by shooting a gun, then YOU go to jail.

Well, that’s the law in many (most?) US states. Can you imagine being forced to flee an assailant? Is running away always the best way to deal with a threat? In a split second, you could be making a decision that could end your life.

You should have a choice, not be forced into flight. It doesn’t work that way in the animal kingdom. The option is FLIGHT or FIGHT… not just flight.

If I was a bad guy, and I knew you had to flee, then I could set you up to do just that… and be sure to kill you.

I like the Florida Castle Doctrine…

If someone forcibly breaks into your home or car, you can assume they mean you great bodily harm or death…

You can stand your ground and fight back…

And if the bad guy gets hurt, he can’t sue you in court, and you won’t go to jail.

Shouldn’t dog bite laws work the same way as the Florida Castle Doctrine? I think so. Dog owners have been SUED SUCCESSFULLY by criminals who forcibly broke into their homes, the dogs attacked, the criminals were injured... and they sued the owners for use of "excessive force"... and won! (Is this world messed up or what?)

Are you starting to see why gun laws and dog laws have so much in common?

Who Are Your Friends?

It is interesting to ponder the thoughts of the fanatics.

One major philosophy of the animal rights nutcases is as follows:

Animal rights activists, by contrast, generally invoke Jeremy Bentham's concept of suffering: "The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor 'Can they talk?' but 'Can they suffer?'" Under this approach, it's the ability to feel subjective pain that determines the presence of rights.

This sort of immoral and amoral thinking goes against reality and the moral pillars of our society.

Animal rights is anti-logic, anti-capitalist, anti-religious, and anti-nature.

The animal rights movement is a back door for far left, wacko communists to strip us of our humanity, and to impose upon us a socialist/ communist world. Don’t believe me? Note who they ally themselves with (anarchists, enviro-wackos, etc.) , and ask yourself if you’d have anything to do with their political “friends”.
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Insect Rights?

So, you think I’m kidding about animal rights extremists?

In Europe, they proposed legislation to give the same rights people have to “insects, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes.”

Do you want THEM in power?

Animal rights nutcases have huge political power in Europe… and they are coming here to inflict their pain on you.

Know What You Support

Do you know the difference between ANIMAL RIGHTS and ANIMAL WELFARE?

I am for animal welfare, not animal rights. If you love your dog, you will be, too.

Dog "Guardian" vs. Dog "Owner"

Have you wondered why the animal rights folks want to designate you as your dog’s GUARDIAN instead of OWNER?

Check this out. It’s sneaky, and it is part of an agenda to ban your right to reasonably own a dog.

Rome Bans Fishbowls

Here’s a great example of what can happen if you let the animal rights nutcases any significant political power… banning goldfish bowls and making dog walks mandatory.

These laws are enacted to gum up your rights to own a pet, not for any legitimate animal welfare purposes.

I’ve had plenty of elderly customers who weren’t fit enough to take their dogs for a walk every day. They had pooches that didn’t need that kind of thing in order to be healthy or well adjusted. The dogs were fit and happy, and got other forms of exercise every day playing with toys and running around in the back yard.

Either we organize and start fighting back, or this garbage will end up on our shores.

Many liberal thinkers in the US believe we should mimic what they do in Europe. This kind of animal rights nonsense will affect us in a serious way if we don’t stomp on it now. Laws like PAWS are just the sort of thing that we should be opposing.

There are reasons why the settlers left Europe 500 years ago, fought against their imperial oppressors, wrote the Constitution, and formed the United States of America. There is also a reason why Europe is in decline, and why the smart, ambitious young professionals are coming here. Euro-socialism is a failure.

Want To Reduce Crime In Your Community?

Then designate some of your more dangerous parks as an “off leash” area for dogs.

This has been used in various communities, including in Seattle.

It works. It is like implementing a Block Watch program. Criminals don’t want their hangouts patrolled by citizens, especially citizens with dogs. The citizens start demanding that the parks departments clean up the discarded needles and condoms, move out the bums (no, I’m not politically correct… I won’t call them “homeless”… they are bums), increase police patrols (which the cities don’t do because there are folks that benefit politically by ignoring certain types of crimes… because they are corrupt), and invest in new amenities. The dog owners also start pitching in to clean up these parks and making them safe again. The community benefits all the way around.

Animal control doesn’t like it, because bureaucracies don’t like losing power. Neither do the parks department bureaucrats. Take a look at what is happening in Chicago. People are demanding more off leash areas, and the city officials are fighting it.

There isn’t enough off leash space for dogs in most metropolitan and suburban cities. Allowing dogs off leash in dangerous areas, and after dark in all parks, say from 10 pm to 5 am, would benefit most communities.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Remember Buddy... Where Was His Master?

Remember when Bill Clinton got a dog (Buddy, a fun loving, chocolate Labrador Retriever) to boost his sagging ratings in the polls?

Then, that fad faded, as such whims do, the dog was sent off somewhere, ran into the street and died… with Bill Clinton a million miles away.

Nope. Never forgave Clinton for that.

The Bushes have been dog people for years. Don’t see stories like that about their dogs…

Don’t get a dog if you can’t keep it with you.

Lots of celebrities do keep dogs with them, such as Oprah… so don’t start making excuses for Clinton. He is, and always will be, a publicity seeking ego hound. I have no respect for him as a person. This isn’t a Liberal/ Conservative thing, either. Oprah can’t be accused of being a conservative. But, clearly, she cares for her dogs.

Buddy was loyal. Bill wasn’t. And I don’t let Hillary Clinton off the hook, either. It was their home and their dog. I hope she doesn’t run for Prez… we don’t need another Buddy adoption when the chips are down.

Liability & Dog Breed Bans

When fighting a political battle, you have to be able to recognize allies and count votes.

I contend that the center/ right of both political parties, Democrat and Republican, are our best allies, and best chance of passing pro-dog legislation.

Here are a couple of examples:

1.) Who passed legislation to shield gun manufacturers from liability, when someone misuses a gun? The Republicans in this Congress. The Democrats have, for several years, been wanting to make it the gun manufacturer’s responsibility if a criminal uses a gun to kill someone. Why should a gun manufacturer be responsible if some weirdo steals a gun and then uses it to murder someone? It is immoral to hold people responsible for sins that they never committed.

2.) Who passed legislation to shield fast food retailers from liability, when someone stuffs their faces for years and years and ends up morbidly obese? Again, the Republicans in this Congress.

The Republicans, as a general rule, if they are conservatively bent, tend to support the idea of personal responsibility. The liberal ones will not.

The Democrats, as a general rule, if they are liberal, tend to protect whomever they perceive to be the “victim”, regardless of whether the victim caused their own problems or not. The conservative ones will not.

Which brings us to banning of certain breeds of dog.

As a rule of thumb, if you are going to be able to fight against breed bans, you’ll get a better hearing from less liberal Republicans and Democrats, because they will tend to focus on whether the dog or owner were responsible for a bad dog bite incident. Similarly, the more liberal the politician, the more they will want to hold the breed responsible, and want to ban the breed for the good of society.

Think on that when you go to the ballot box… or when you are lobbying for change… or writing letters to the editor…

Who are our allies and who will vote with us?

a.) Center/ right politicians, whether Democrat or Republican. Liberal Democrats and Republicans will side against us… and that could mean the end of your dog, period.

b.) I’m betting we can get some support from the gun and food industry, since this kind of trend to blame things instead of individuals has a trickle down effect to them, too. I think you can get the gun lobby, and possibly other targeted groups, such as the fast food manufacturers, to side with us in our fight… and even mobilize their people to send logistical support, funds, and volunteers our way to support our pro-dog causes.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Can't Be Pro Dog & A Pacifist

I’m not a pacifist, and neither is a dog.

I’m also a logical person. I think you need to be consistent in your beliefs and political philosophies.

If you get in a conversation with a pacifist, they are typically also a believer in either a.) evolution or b.) God.

Well, you can’t honestly believe and reconcile that the world works according to the laws of the survival of the fittest, and also be a pacifist. Have any of you read Darwin? You can’t repeal the law of the jungle just because you don’t like it. Likewise, you can’t honestly believe and reconcile that the world works according to the laws of God, and also be a pacifist. You can’t explain how Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple with a whip, or accept the rest of the Bible, say you believe in the teachings of Jesus and the prophets, and be a pacifist. Can’t do it.

When you talk to an animal rights nut, pacifist or a far left wing nutcase about the use of dogs for self protection, they are against it. These are also the types that will fight you when it comes to allowing dogs to protect themselves or you. They are also against using dogs to hunt. And they fight against normal dog training techniques, opting for harnesses, head collars, treats and clicker training… while excusing why their dogs don’t obey in emergencies, even if they endanger others in the process. Dogs are predatory and pack oriented, much the same way people are. Aggression can't be programmed out of them... or wished away... or legislated away.

Extremism comes in many forms.

The Right To Keep And Deploy A Dog?

My understanding is that the courts have generally ruled that a police dog is not a “weapon”, because its primary function has been to locate criminals, not attack them, which is true. So, the terminology has tended to refer to dogs as a “tool” of the police, with the biting part incidental to the location, capture, and arrest of suspects.

But, just as many legal theories are fictions made up by lawyers and the courts to get an end result that they want, without then directly delving into other sticky issues, we could first argue that our pets are just, well, pets. But, clearly, in reality, the police want the dogs along to protect them in a fight. The same is true with the military. Yes, they use the dogs to locate suspects, but what about times when they come on the scene and the suspect is readily visible and threatening? Then, the dog isn’t just a “tool”.

This, therefore, comes to where I want this debate to be taken.

Don’t citizens, just like the police, get dogs to protect them? C’mon! Let’s be honest here. Just as dogs are “tools” to the police, and the biting incidental, aren’t dogs “pets” to the Average Joe, and the biting incidental?

Then, there are guns. Guns are weapons, period. The police are allowed to use them, and so are citizens. The right to keep and bear arms is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. Yes, I know, fanatics will tell you that we don’t have the right to have a gun, but we all know that isn’t true. So, aren’t stun guns, batons, and mace considered “weapons’ by the court? Yes, they are. But they are considered as less-than-lethal weapons. Same with a police dog. The courts have acknowledged that dogs give the police another non-lethal way of dealing with criminals, and are not considered, generally, as “excessive force”. Then, why aren’t PET DOGS considered non-lethal weapons by the courts… and PROTECTED BY THE SECOND AMENDMENT of the US Constitution?

Maybe this kind of logic should be pressed in order to fight back against the banning of dogs. Maybe there is sufficient precedent to let a dog owner argue in court that if you get a dog as a pet and for self protection, that the lawmakers and courts can’t ban you from reasonably owning them?

Hey, you lawyers out there: Am I on the right track on this?

The Use Of Force To Defend Yourself

There have been numerous court cases defining the proper use of a dog for police work.

I think anyone who is working on a proposed dog bite law should examine these precedents.

There are times when it is appropriate for your dog to bite someone. The courts have recognized the value in using a dog against criminals.

Here is a web page with some interesting case analyses.

Some interesting concepts worth evaluating:

a.) Use of force continuum
b.) Use of a dog is not considered deadly force
c.) Definition of negligent training

None of this is indication that the courts are hostile to dogs being used to defend against criminals. In fact, it is an endorsement of the role of dogs in crime fighting, and helps show us the way to define the appropriate deployment of our own personal dogs in an emergency situation when facing a criminal.

Because, when the police aren’t there to protect you from a crime (and when are they ever on the spot at the time an attack takes place on anyone…?) it might just come down to you and your dog.

I think the logical conclusion would be you could use a dog for self protection when faced with:

a.) the immediate threat of trespass, terrorist crime, bodily harm or death would cause the dog handler to feel the need to actively and physically defend themselves;
b.) the suspect is engaged in a crime;
c.) a warning is given to the criminal before the dog is sent to bite.

I think a homeowner’s, or citizen’s, dog should be held to a lower standard of training than a police officer’s dog. A police officer has more tools at hand to deal with, and fight against, a criminal than a citizen. Thus, the situation is more dangerous to the citizen than the police officer. As a result, the claim of “excessive force” should be exempted when the above criteria are met before a dog is actively sent on a criminal by a citizen.

My Rules

I guess there are some things I should spell out with regards to this blog…

By participating in this web log, you agree to the following:

a.) I’m against any kind of wacko political stunts to further the pro-dog agenda… meaning no violence, property destruction, foul language, or anything that would otherwise bring dishonor to ourselves, our dogs, reasonable dog owners, or reasonable public servants. We’ve all been disgusted and appalled by the stunts of the animal rights nuts. We don’t want to be like them. You will not engage in any of these kinds of stunts in my name, or in reference to this web log.
b.) We need to work within the political / legal / cultural system. We need to persuade people by the logic of our positions. We have a strong case to present, and it is a winning cause. You agree to abide by the law.
c.) Everything stated here is my opinion. Every event quoted is “alleged” until proven in a court of law. I’m trying to examine and illustrate why we are right on this issue, not to conduct an inquisition or legal proceeding.
d.) From time to time, I receive very interesting comments, emails and letters. Typically they refer to some kind of behavioral problem or political issue. Since this web site is a way for me to oftentimes educate about responsible dog ownership, I shall sometimes use these inquiries and correspondence as the basis of a posting, article or as an example. By submitting any correspondence or inquiry, you thereby agree that the materials and information submitted are wholly your own, and you hereby give me permission to publish them in whole or in part, for potential profit or for free, without compensation to you of any kind, and to indemnify and hold me, and anyone or any organization referenced here, harmless for all claims and damages arising out of anything you say. This information, if we choose it for source material for this web site or other publication, will usually, but not always, be reasonably stripped of direct information about who you are, to protect your identity. This information shall then be used to educate people and benefit society concerning pro dog politics, dog training, behavior, responsible dog ownership and other relevant issues.
e.) If I don’t like the way you treat others, you can be banned from this web, at my sole option and discretion.
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h.) If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision of this agreement and statement of policies is deemed to be unenforceable or contrary to law or void as against public policy or otherwise, if possible such provision shall be modified to be as similar to the original provision while still conforming to law (otherwise it shall be considered severable), with the remaining provisions continuing in full force and effect. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties and no modification hereof shall be effective unless agreed to in writing and signed by all parties. Exchanged emails shall not constitute such written agreement.
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i.) Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.
j.) No Warranties and Limits of Liabilities, Uses of Information: Information provided herein is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation warranties of merchantability, accuracy, timeliness, fitness for a particular purpose, or completeness. The author(s) of this information and web site assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions contained herein. Users of this information do so at their own risk. You can’t train every dog the same way, political issues are often times more complicated than presented in a web log, and legal remedies and advice need review by a competent attorney. Since this information is for educational, and sometimes business, purposes, some information is purposely omitted because the intention is to stimulate debate. This blog is NOT a political action committee or similar organization, nor represents itself as a non-profit venture. This is an e-newspaper and editorial comment device, for all practical purposes. Sam Basso and other producers of information for this web site shall not be made liable to users of this information, or anyone else, for any direct or indirect damages arising from any use of this web or information. Users must hire Sam Basso to obtain more complete, accurate and current information. We make no warranty that any of the materials on this web site are accurate, complete, or current. Although we may make changes to the materials contained herein at any time without notice, we do not make any commitment to update the materials.
k.) Permission is granted to temporarily download the materials (information, graphics, or software) from this web site for personal, non-commercial transitory, or educational viewing only. Such use may not violate the policies of www.blogger.com or www.blogspot.com or their related entities. You may also excerpt this web, or link to it, for the purpose of promoting pro-dog causes. We also reserve the right to require that you withdraw and/or delete any quote or link that we find detrimental to the purposes of this web log. This is the grant of a license, not a transfer of title, and under this license you may not: remove any copyright or other proprietary notations from the materials or transfer the materials to another person or "mirror" the materials on any other server. This license shall automatically terminate if you violate any of these restrictions and may be terminated by us at any time.
l.) Hyperlinks to third-party web sites: We shall, from time to time, hyperlink this web to other web sites. We cannot be responsible for the contents or policies of any site we link to, nor do we make any express or implied warranty as to whether you shall be satisfied or damaged by interacting with these other web sites or their related businesses. It is possible that some links will be to retailers and manufacturers, Sam Basso might be an authorized affiliate, manufacturers representative, or otherwise be receiving a referral fee, commission and/or profit on any purchases you make. Sam Basso cannot make guarantees concerning the business policies or practices of these retailers or manufacturers. If you have a purchase dispute, you should contact them directly.
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I hate rules. I wish we lived in a world where "a man's word was his bond", where people took personal responsibility for their words and actions, where you could do business on a handshake, and that people worked out their differences in a friendly and reasonable way. But, unfortunately, things just aren't that way. I have to penalize the 95% of good people out there, by having to implement some business rules, so that I can weed out doing business with the 5% of the nut cases out there. I apologize for having to set some rules just to advocate pro-dog editorials and to make an honest buck.
-- Sam

Friday, October 28, 2005

NO WAY on Santorum 2008!

I generally vote center/ right Republican. I’m for free enterprise, strong national defense, the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, and religious freedom. I’ve got liberal and conservative friends. But, I’m a true, classic conservative at heart… a balanced mix libertarian (small “L”) in economic matters, socially conservative family values, and traditionally strong national defense/ law and order/ Constitutionalist conservative legal views.

But, there is NO WAY I’m going to vote for Sen. Santorum (R ) if he runs for President. What kind of Republican sides with animal rights nutcases? To me, this is a classic RINO (Republican In Name Only). No wonder we aren’t seeing a Reagan type revolution in Congress with these types in leadership positions in Congress.

Something about that doesn’t fit. Something stinks when a Senator sides with any group of fanatics, such as with the PAWS legislation (see previous post).

What Is Santorum Thinking? This Is A Republican?

Senator Rick Santorum Muzzles Opponents of his S1139 (PAWS) Bill

Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance

For Immediate Release

October 25, 2005

Senator Rick Santorum Muzzles Opponents of his S1139 (PAWS) Bill

Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) has scheduled a November 8, 2005 hearing before the Senate Agriculture Research, Nutrition and General Legislation Subcommittee, which he chairs, to take testimony on his own S1139 "Animal Welfare Act of 2005" (PAWS) bill. No opponent or critic of this devastating anti-hobby breeder legislation will be permitted to testify. Only six speakers are scheduled to appear at the Washington, DC hearing, all of them well-established PAWS supporters. Formal speaking requests by others have been ignored, effectively silencing and excluding from the legislative process the tens of thousands of pet owners and organizations opposed to this legislation.

PAWS has virtually nothing to do with animal welfare or closing Animal Welfare Act "loopholes." It's a direct attack on U.S. hobby breeders, hunting dog owners and animal rescuers. PAWS federalizes hobby pet breeding. Rick Santorum and the animal rights lobby failed to enact such a law in 2002 and they're back, trying again. Other PAWS supporters testifying have a financial interest in seeing S1139, or its House equivalent HR2669, passed.

A substantial majority of U.S. pet owners opposes PAWS, including over 30 American Kennel Club parent breed clubs and 300 - 400 other organizations nationwide. Their voices won't be heard on November 8, 2005.

Announced S1139 (PAWS) November 8, 2005 Hearing Witnesses

Panel 1
Witness 1: Ron Menaker, Chairman - American Kennel Club
Witness 2: Dr. Henry E. Childers, President - American Veterinary
Medical Association
Witness 3: John E. Hoffman, Esq. - Dog Fancier


Panel 2:
Witness 1: Wayne Pacelle, President & CEO - Humane Society of the United
States
Witness 2: Sara Amundson, Legislative Director - Doris Day Animal League
Witness 3: Norma Worley, Director - Animal Welfare Program, Maine
Department of Agriculture

Kelly Wichman, President of the Dog Federation of Wisconsin, commented, "Why even go through the time and expense of a holding a hearing? There's not a single witness testifying that believes hobby breeders should not be subject to Federal oversight - Uncle Sam in our bedrooms sounds good to them."

California Federation of Dog Clubs President Susan Sholar stated, "I am very upset that this Californian John Hoffman is representing individual dog owners. I have been president here for 5 years and I have never heard of this man. He has never contacted me regarding any dog fancy issues AND his own parent club is opposing PAWS."

Master of Foxhounds Association Executive Director Lt. Col. Dennis J. Foster declared, "We don't need the federal government, overworked and under funded, overseeing people's rights to breed and make decisions for their dogs when state and local laws more than cover the issues. We especially don't need animal rights organizations like HSUS and PETA, who have been involved in writing this legislation telling us what's good for our pets. Whatever happened to a fair hearing with both sides equally represented? This hearing is a farce and an insult to democracy."

Susan Wolf of the North Carolina Responsible Animal Owners Alliance opined "By falsely labeling PAWS the puppy mill bill, its supporters are using emotional jingoism to push a bill that can't be factually justified. Barring hearing testimony from PAWS opponents reinforces the conclusion that this flawed bill can't stand up under careful scrutiny." "I'm particularly concerned that PAWS will force the USDA to regulate most US hunting dog owners," said Bob Kane, spokesman for the nationwide Sportsmen and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance. "This bill is aimed directly at private hobby breeders and hunters, two of the animal rightists' major longtime targets. Senator Santorum needs to reschedule this hearing and make sure that all affected stakeholders are properly represented," Kane continued.

See <http://nopaws.org/> http://nopaws.org for additional PAWS
information or contact Bob Kane at 540-543-2312

~~~~~~~~~

The Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA) is a nationwide, nonpartisan group of volunteers lobbying legislation and seeking to elect politicians who will oppose the animal rightist threat to our rights as Americans. Our members hunt, fish and own livestock, dogs, cats and other pets. For more information about SAOVA, call (540)
543-2312 or visit <http://saova.org/> http://saova.org

Dogs and Guns, Again...

There are meaningful parallels between the banning of gun ownership and the banning of dog breeds.

GUNS

“With Canada's murder rate rising 12% last year and this year's high-profile rash of gang murders (six shootings just this week in Toronto), politicians are looking for someone to blame... On Monday night, during his dinner with Condoleezza Rice, Prime Minister Paul Martin claimed Canada's gun crime problem was being caused by weapons smuggled in from the United States.”

Mr. Martin's larger mistake is that -- like most politicians in Canada -- he puts his faith in gun control as a means to fight crime, and clearly believes the United States should too. But as Canada's experience with its registry -- which hasn't solved any crimes -- shows, gun control isn't the answer. Getting law-abiding citizens to disarm or register their weapons is easy. The hard part is taking guns away from criminals. Toronto's gangs have no trouble getting the illegal drugs they sell. Since they are already involved in a criminal trade, why should we expect that the law would keep them from acquiring guns to defend their turf?”

DOGS

Let’s substitute the word “dog” for “gun/ weapon”, “bites” for “murder”, etc., and see how that looks… Oh, let’s also substitute “Denver” for “Canada”, since they have banned ownership of pit bulldogs…

With Colorado’s recent sensational dog bite incidents last year and this year's high-profile rash of dog bites (several incidents last month in Jefferson County), politicians are looking for someone to blame... On Monday night, Denver’s mayor claimed Colorado's dog bite problem was being caused by pit bull dogs.”

The Mayor's larger mistake is that -- like most politicians -- he puts his faith in killing pit bull dogs as a means to fight crime, and clearly believes the everyone else should too. But as Colorado's experience with its new pit bull dog ban -- which hasn't solved any crimes -- shows, banning dogs isn't the answer. Getting law-abiding citizens to kill their pit bull dogs or register their dogs is easy. The hard part is stopping criminals from using dogs in their crimes. Denver's gangs have no trouble getting the dogs they use for their drug operations. Since they are already involved in a criminal trade, why should we expect that the law would keep them from acquiring other breeds of dog to defend their turf?

Hmmm…

Close parallel, isn’t it?

Innocent, law abiding people obeyed the law, licensed their pit bull dogs in Colorado. Then, the government blamed the dogs for the actions of criminals, and then took advantage of the intentions of those law abiding citizens. They used the registry of licensed dogs, went to people’s homes, seized their dogs, and put them all to death.

Do you really think this will stop the criminals from obtaining dogs and wrecking them? Do you think that banning pit bull dogs, or any other breed, will prevent criminals from getting dogs to guard their drug operations? Don’t you think criminals could breed a new type of pit bull by breeding terriers with bulldog breeds? Or, just switch to other breeds?

Study The NRA

The NRA has successfully fought back against gun bans.

There was another successful defeat of gun banning in Brazil last week.

The clues to fighting back have already been given us by the pro-gun groups.

Dogs Help Fight Crime

Just like the anti-gun folks will never let facts get in the way of their fanaticism, the anti-dog folks wont let facts get in the way of their fanatical desire to kill off reasonable dog ownership. The facts are that gun ownership reduces the crime rate. The facts are that dog ownership reduces the crime rate, too.

How many of you got a dog as a crime deterrent?

How many women have you met that got a dog so they could safely go jogging alone, take walks alone, or so they would be safer living alone or in a first floor apartment?

Do you want that taken away from you? If you ban dog ownership, will that make any of us really safer?

Dogs aren’t the problem, criminals are the problem.

Don't Blame The Dog

Next time you see someone getting arrested for their dog biting someone, realize that even the police have these same types of problems…

Note the following:

a.) The dog was off leash, on a search for a criminal, so was in a defensive state.
b.) The dog didn’t bite the handler.
c.) The dog had bitten the other police officer during the search. This kind of incident has happened before. When you deploy a dog, you have the other officers BEHIND the dog, not in front of it.
d.) The female police officer kept struggling with the dog, so it wouldn’t release the bite… a police dog, or any dog, in a fight, isn’t going to willingly let go if you keep fighting the dog.
e.) The dog had troubles letting go in a previous apprehension. This is a training and deployment problem. It is a shame the dog had to die.

Mistakes happen. Bad training and deployment happens. This wasn’t the dog’s fault.

Top trainers know how to solve situations like this. Maybe this police department needs to bring in a training expert to review their program.

Dog Bites

Dog bite situations are more complicated than we are led to believe by the dog haters and the media.

Here are a couple of videos of dog bites…

Don’t Handle Dogs You Don’t Know

This one is the result of getting in a dog’s face, when you don’t know the dog. People do dumb stuff like this all the time. I had a lady run up to my dog a few years ago, grabbed him by the muzzle and kissed him on the lips! She came up from behind me and was on him before I could do anything. Fortunately, nothing happened. She loved dogs, and my dog reminded her of a dog she used to have… still her face could have been ripped off.

Watch this video, look at the dog’s body language (any dog person could have seen this coming if they had been watching what was going on), watch the handler (who isn’t seeing the events… which is why you have to be doubly diligent in your supervision when around crowds), and watch the idiot who closes in on this dog. This was a PROVOKED attack, in my opinion. I don’t blame the dog. This was a police service dog… why would such a dog be expected to tolerate a stranger coming in that close and over the top of him?

Police Dogs Training For Terrorists and Criminals

Here is an excellent video of the training and deployment of police/ military service dogs. I am a big service dog supporter, and advocate the use of police and military dogs to fight criminals and terrorists. These dogs are amazing. Watch the intensity and courage of these dogs.

If you ban the breeding and training of aggressive dogs, then where will the police get the dogs to protect us? Police dogs are bred by private breeders. By banning the breeding of protection dogs, you then can’t apprehend criminals and terrorists like this. The idea here is to get the outlaws, not outlaw the dogs!

If your kid was being held hostage, or your husband had to fight these criminals, would you want to deprive the police from using service dogs? Not me!

Many dog bites are justified. Got it now?

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Animal Rights Terrorism?

The Power Of The Dog Blog

If we are to win on our dog related positions, we need to master the use of the internet as an organizing force. I have just finished reading “Blog” by Hugh Hewitt. It is a must read. The dog haters and animal rights nuts have a head start against us in the media, so we have to now play catch up. Our advantage is that our positions will resonate with a majority of voters, and we can defeat the other side’s radical proposals. People love dogs and will reject being over regulated. We also need to start influencing the debate over reasonable dog ownership laws, rules and practices. That is why it is important for you to link your pro-dog web page to this blog. And if you let me know about your pro-dog articles, web pages, and blogs, I'll link this page to yours.

Harriet Miers Withdrawal Affects Us, Too!

The withdrawal of Harriet Miers nomination as a Supreme Court justice has me thinking…

Dog lovers have a stake in who gets on the Supreme Court. For now, we are an unorganized group of voters. But, decisions handed down by the Supreme Court affect our rights to reasonably own a dog.

For the past few years, dog owners and dog haters have started fighting it out in the courts. Many lawsuits over dogs are working their way through the court system. It is only a matter of time before issues such as breed bans, dog bite laws, homeowner association restrictions on dog ownership, breeding, and dog ownership make it to the Supreme Court.

We need to start watching and participating in this debate, too.

HALLOWEEN & DOG ATTACKS

If you participate in Halloween, it is foolish to let your dog greet kids or adults in costumes, especially at night. Your dog won’t see those costumes, or their behavior, as being anything but threatening. LEAVE YOUR DOG HOME, or put your dog away when Trick Or Treaters come by your house. Your dog could see them as a threat and attack.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Dog Was Better Than A Smoke Detector

The dog alerted the owner to the smoke before the smoke alarms went off."

There is a good reason why dogs belong with people...
Maybe Your Homeowner's Association Should Reconsider Its Ban On Dog Ownership...

" A family dog and locked door apparently thwarted would-be burglars at an Ann Arbor home Tuesday evening, city police reported."

We all know that dogs make our homes safer. I know of a family member that won't sleep with their window open at night... because they live in a first floor apartment. They tell me if they had a dog, it would be different...

Cities Are Getting A Clue: Make Parks For Dogs

Dogs need open space and play areas. Cities started with creating off leash areas in the worst parts of town. Now, they are catching on that people want a place, nearby, that is suitable for taking dogs for training, off leash play, and recreation. So, the next wave will be parks, nice parks, dedicated for dog owners. This will go a long way towards reduction of dog biting incidents (more socialization = fewer biting incidents), better training (peer pressure in public = people wanting their dogs to be well behaved in public), more city satisfaction (dog lovers will move to areas that are pet friendly).

Check this one out! This is going to be a growing trend. Please crosspost to other dog friendly sites. Get this to your local city council members!
Yes, we vote... Pro Dog!

Are dog owners a political constituency? To answer that question, My Dog Votes™ announced today the launch of The My Dog Votes™ 2005 Voter Opinion Survey. The My Dog Votes™ 2005 Voter Opinion Survey will seek to benchmark the political impact of anti-dog laws and policy through a random sampling of 1000 dog owners who are also registered voters. Dog owners are faced with rising local and state anti-dog legislation and measures.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

The Press

I was interviewed this morning by a Philadelphia newspaper reporter regarding Clicker Training.

Someone has written a new book, and he wanted a counterpoint argument for the article.

I do believe in working with the media. There are risks, but there are also benefits. You just have to be careful to be precise in what you say, and to not harm others. I make it a policy to not slam other people in an interview, or if I am doing the interview.

I will fight hard against ideas, but I go out of my way to not get in strife with people.

So, I discussed the theories of Classical and Operant Conditioning, but I said nothing to slam or harm this book writer or this reporter.

Be sure when discussing dog politics to win through rational arguments, yet avoid slamming people.

I do think it fair to criticize fanatics, if they are public figures or organizations, however. These people have entered into the public debate, and then their character sometimes does figure into the debate. Some people need to be discredited. Just make sure to have solid arguments that you can back up with logic and facts... and don't go beyond your expertise. Your ego will be your downfall, if you let it rule your press relations.

Reptilian Brains of The Media

I don’t know if you’ve been following the Judith Miller/ CIA/ Plame/ Cheney story, but the it reminds me of my own experiences with the press over the years.

I can’t think of one interview where I’ve been accurately quoted. I’ve even had quotes written that never even came out of my mouth.

I remember being called by a TV reporter from www.King5.com, wanting to know if I could give them some names of people I had worked with who had been severely bitten or mauled by dogs. The context of the situation was that they were looking to do a hit piece on certain big breeds of dog (Rottweilers, pit bulls, etc.). I told her “no way’ was I going to give her any names, and shame on her for trying to make an anti-dog story just to promote her career. I knew the story wasn’t going to be fair or balanced.

My dad used to say, speaking of the press, “don’t believe everything you read.” I don’t. And he was right.

They make stuff up all the time. In every interview I’ve been involved in, they slanted the story to fit their agenda. They weren’t trying to report the news. They were trying to make the news. They are predators, and you have to know what you are doing if you are going to be involved with them.

Monday, October 24, 2005

Jerks!

Do you REALLY think that this loser of a city (Aurora, CO) is having problems with all these breeds? I bet these folks haven't even SEEN, and never will see, several of these breeds in their entire lives! Geez. The Presa Mallorquin is considered almost extinct. Why not add the Tyranasaurus Rex and Big Foot, while they're at it?! You never know. One might just pop up in your town and eat your kids.

"Aurora City Council Proceeds With Pit Bull Ban

The Aurora City Council has given initial approval to ban pit bulls and several other restricted breeds from the city limits, and is expected to vote on a final acceptance of the ordinance within the next month.

Dog breeds included in the ordinance are:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • Presa Canario (also known as the Canary Dog, The Canary Island Dog)
  • Presa Mallorquin (also known as the Ca De Bou)
  • Cane Corso
  • Dogo Argentine (also known as the Dogo Argentino)
  • Fila Brasileiro (also known as the Fila, Brazilian Mastiff)
  • Tosa (also known as the Tosa Inu)
  • Any mixed breed dog that bears the majority of physical characteristics as the ‘standard’ for any of the above named breeds.

The ban does include an exception, however. Pit bulls licensed within 60 days of when the ordinance takes effect will be allowed to remain in the city. Pit bull owners who obtain a license within the required timeframe will have to comply with several provisions, including:

  • Pit bull owners must pay an annual $200 licensing fee.
  • Pit bull owners must spay or neuter their animal, provide proof of rabies vaccination and must have a microchip implanted in the animal.
  • Pit bull owners must be at least 21-years-old.
  • Pit bulls owners must provide proof of at least $100,000 of liability insurance.
  • When the pit bull is at home and outdoors, it must be confined in a locked, secured pen or enclosure.
  • Owners must post warning signs on their property.
  • When walking the dog, the pit bull must be muzzled and on a leash no more than four-feet long.

    Failure to comply with the provisions will result in a revocation of the license and impoundment of the animal. If a court finds the pit bull is in violation of the ordinance, it will be destroyed unless the owner can provide proof that it will be moved permanently out of the city limits.

    Anyone found guilty of violating the ordinance will be subject to at least a $700 fine and up to one year in jail.

    For more information, contact the Aurora Animal Care Division at 303-326-8280."

Animal Rights Supporters Have A Mental Disease

ANIMAL rights activists who glorify militant acts against economic targets and laboratories are to face prosecution under terror laws aimed at al-Qaeda supporters.

Right Wing Wackos, Too

Just so you realize I’m not biased… I have already criticized the left wing wackos who want to take away your rights to reasonably own a dog…

I also have a few critical words about right wing wackos who want to take away your rights to reasonably own a dog.

Dog ownership isn't a Democrat or Republican thing. You can get reasonable dog laws passed by appealing to the majority of people from both sides of the aisle. Remember: they own dogs, too.

I’ll spell out more of this in detail later, but here’s the gist of what I mean…

Right wing wackos will object to reasonable dog laws on the following grounds:

a.) “Dogs are property, and we don’t want to limit what people can do with their property. There are strong protections of private property in the US Constitution.”

True. But we have a different set of laws for “living” property and inanimate property. Thus, we talk about “our sons”, “our daughters”, “our wives” and “our husbands”. Yet, we have anti-slavery laws. You can’t do whatever you want with your property, and we punish people for harming “living” property. Just like all reasonable people support laws that punish spousal abuse and the sale of humans, we can also oppose selling dogs in pet stores, animal abuse and puppy mills.

b.) “We are Economic Conservatives. We don't believe in the Bible, but in free enterprise.”

We believe in free enterprise, too. But, we don’t live in a completely laissez-faire political/ economic system. We are highly regulated, and every regulation passed needs exceptions to counterbalance the restrictions imposed. Unless you can start repealing all these restrictive laws, then we need you to make the laws more balanced.

For example: What if the legislature required that if you were to buy a car, you also had to get insurance which guaranteed that if you killed someone in an auto accident, that the insurance company would resurrect them from the dead? In other words, what if they required you to get insurance, but the type of insurance they required was impossible to obtain? Well, that’s what is happening with dog bite legislation. The legislatures are requiring that you get types and amounts of insurance that the insurance companies are refusing to sell. The result is the banning of ownership of certain types of dog. Thus, you need counterbalancing legislation requiring the insurance companies offer whatever type of insurance that is being required.

c.) “Dogs aren’t people, they are dogs. They don’t have any rights in the Bible.”

True. But even God scolded Balaam in the Bible for beating his faithful donkey, so He does care about animals.

There are also horses, lambs, and lions in heaven... heaven isn't just for people... think on that one! There was a good reason why all those animals were loaded up onto Noah's ark... not all of them were food. It's about time to shed your doctrine and start reading the Bible again for what it says and doesn't say, not just what you heard some preacher say...

d.) “We believe in law and order.”

Good. So do responsible dog owners. But you we don’t want the nosy neighbor or the emotionally insane intruding on our rights to own a dog, by over-regulating us and calling the police every minute, either. Conservatives are supposed to be for limited government. The idea of "law and order" doesn't mean passing more and more laws that restrict our liberties more and more. We want objective standards to the law, relating to real harm and personal responsibilty. We don't want laws that are governed by the "feeeeellings" of weirdoes. We also support allowing dogs to be dogs, not holding them to the standard of being people.

There’s more… but I have to leave the house now and train some dogs…