Please copy and RETYPE. Be
sure to REMOVE all ( ) s and insert the needed information. ALWAYS give your
name, address and phone
number.
(TO:..insert name here)
(address)
(city, state,zip)
(FROM:..Your name)
(Your address)
(your city, state, zip)
(your area code and phone number)
Dear (insert name here):
To be useful, legislation must
be effective, enforceable, economical, and reasonably fair. Recently, a bill
(CITE BILL NUMBER HERE) has been placed before (RELEVANT BODY i.e., city council,
etc.,)that would fail all of these tests. This legislation is motivated by fear
and lack of relevant knowledge. .
The media and the inexperienced
would have you believe that these breeds are vicious and should be prohibited.
However, these very breeds as a whole have proven their stability and good canine
citizenry by becoming 'Search & Rescue dogs, Therapy dogs working inside
hospitals, professional Herding dogs and family companions for years.
Our Country was not founded on
the restriction and punishment of the masses based on the actions of a few...
when has this changed?
A five year study published in
the Cincinnati Law Review in 1982, vol. 53, pg 1077, which specifically considered
both Rottweilers and "pit bulls", concluded in part that:
...statistics did not support
the assertion that any one breed was dangerous, ..when legislation is focused
on the type of dog it fails, because it is ... unenforceable, confusing, and
costly. .. focusing legislation on dogs that are "vicious" distracts attention
from the real problem, which is irresponsible owners.
In light of this and other studies,
we urge you to take the following actions:
1. Reject the current legislation,
which is contrary to fact and distracts from the real issue, that of responsible
ownership.
2. Actively pursue legislation
that would render owners liable for the actions of their pets, such as a good
non-breed specific dangerous dog law.
We suggest that the appropriate
policy should be "blame the owner, not the dog." Owners can and should take
responsibility for their pets.
Bottom line: the legislation proposed
will not only be unfair for responsible citizens but it addresses the wrong
problem. Voting for this proposal as it stands only harms the law abiding responsible
dog owner.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME