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):
I understand your concern and desire to protect your constituents from the
awful tragedy a dangerous dog can cause. You, I am sure, intend to do so with
the law you are (INSERT drafting/proposing/enforcing). However, all you will
do with such a law is turn thousands of pet loving voters against you
personally and you will be viewed as those terrible people who will cruelly
deprive animal lovers of their well behaved pets.
I am sure this is not your intention. To avoid making such a terrible mistake
in your proposed legislation I suggest you contact the American Kennel Club in
New York and ask for their draft version of a dangerous dog law. This law has
been enacted in several states and provides the general populace ample
protection from dangerous dogs while still permitting the people who properly
train and socialize their pets to retain them.
The loss of a child is a terrible thing but many people will claim the loss of
a beloved pet is very close emotionally to it. Banning or restricting a
specific breed will not keep children or adults from being injured by dogs
that have not been properly trained it will merely change the type of dog that
is kept by those who desire the protection of a guardian breed. As it is the
owners who control the training and socialization of the puppies they purchase
or adopt they are the ones responsible for those dogs that learn to bite
people.
Neither (INSERT breed/s here) are dangerous dogs per se rather they are breeds
that are popular not only with those devoted to them and their proper care but
those who wish a macho image. Prior to this decade other dog breeds were in
similar situations for example Dobermans, German Shepherds and ChowChows, all
breeds that were victims of great popularity and subsequent poor handling by
less than competent owners bringing them an undeserved reputation as a
'dangerous' breed. Banning (INSERT breed/s here) will merely hasten the
upswing in popularity of some other breed.
Controlling the people who will abuse the owner dog relationship through
ignorance or otherwise is a far better and wiser solution to the problem these
owners present to their neighbors no matter what breed of dog they own.
Respectfully,
(Your signature)