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):
This is in response to the pending
legislation in your jurisdiction as to regulating vicious/potentially dangerous
dogs via breed specific legislation.
All dogs are dangerous under certain
circumstances. Only when the owner or custodian of the animal does not properly
train and confine his/her animal, does that animal pose a potential risk to
human safety. A common ingredient to the dog personality is to guard and protect
it's owner and property. ANY dog with that personality can become a problem
for the public, if that dog is allowed to run loose and is not responsibly supervised.
The key word here is responsibility (per Webster, definition of responsibility:
Being legally or ethically accountable for the welfare or care of another.)
To say certain breeds of dogs are dangerous is not a complete statement. All
dogs can be dangerous if in the hands of an irresponsible owner.
Please retract your breed specific
bill/ordinance. Don't punish all of us responsible owners that maintain our
dogs as companions and members of our families. We can and do maintain our dogs
so they do not pose a threat to anyone, why should we be denied our companions
simply because irresponsible owners of the same breed of dog have not "ethically
and legally" protected others from injury?
There are several samples of existing
non-breed specific legislation (i.e., the State of California) that is competent
to regulate the irresponsible owners and not punish those that maintain their
dogs safely and humanely. I, as a responsible dog owner, ask that you seriously
consider the impact of breed specific legislation. The irresponsible owners
don't care what breed of dog they lose the right to own... they'll find another
dog breed to fit their needs. I deeply care, because it threatens me with the
loss of a family member.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)