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)