Posted by Karen on April 7, 2002, 7:40 am Emails for the council members to start off... I have friends in Australia and when I read articles and such on the BSLs, I emailed a copy of my Bloodlines Article on why breed bans fail to each of them. No cover letter or anything, just the article from last spring. I have received some NASTY email replies from two members. (Needless to say, the emails have all been passed on to local newspapers and TV.) I just wanted to share with you and PLEASE pass this message on. Maybe enough emails from the world and they will stop being so nasty... People have to know the trueness of those they elect. (from Paul Tulley email #2 after he told me I needed psychiatric help) "That's why your country is run by rightwing neo-fascist numbskulls with a flawed electoral system which makes a mockery of any claim that you are the greatest democratic country in the world. But don't worry. I have already forwarded your email to the local media who are fully supportive of our unanimous ban on the American pitbull. This State's oldest and most-august publication, The Queensland Times - normally a model of right-wing political rhetoric - has described the ban as " a case where, for the sake of the bigger picture, a little hardship will be experienced". I will say good night now as I rest easy in the knowledge that I have tried to do something in my own small way to save the lives and bodies of young and older people in particular, who have experienced the dreaded savagery of the American pitbull!" (from Antonolli) "You pretend to have knowledge of dogs yet have no knowledge of the local situation. The Australian Govt. banned the importation into Australia of 4 breeds of dog. This included the pitbull. The reason for their ban is that these dogs are bred fighting dogs. In many respects the breeds have been bred, crossbred and bastardised to fight. The Queensland Govt introduced further legislation to ban the importing of these breeds into Qld and created extensive laws for those breeds currently within the State. Ipswich City Council further enhanced that legislation by introducing by-laws relating to the nominated breeds (not just pitbulls). We as a Council have a duty of care to the safety of our citizens. Our Council has some of the most stringent laws pertaining to dogs including stiff penalties for irresponsible ownership etc. We have also introduced programs for responsible ownership. If a local dog is determined as 'Dangerous' the Council will impose very tough conditions upon the owner for the control of the dog. If these controls are not adhered to the dog is put down. The most concerning fact is that many people are buying pitbulls as an ego trip or for some form of status among their peers. This promotes irresponsible ownership and the dog can become dangerous and while this breed (as you say has a good temperament, when they turn they are frightening in their vicousness. Therefore the breed is dangerous. To blame the owner not the breed is very simple to say, however it cuts no slack with the parents of a mauled child or the relatives of a mauled grandmother. It was not the owner who did the mauling and while the owner may have contributed, sometimes these attacks are unprovoked, unseen. Dogs are bred for many reasons, hunting, companionship, life saving etc. Pitbulls and these other 3 breeds are bred to fight. Therefore I have no sympathy for your arguements or your pitbulls and I doubt that any citizen of Ipswich City would have either. Subject over. Now, Here is my dog related resume - like I do not know a bit... Dog Related History, Magazine and Online Publications (present and pending)
jnugent@gil.com.au
davidm@gil.com.au
ptully@gil.com.au
vattwood@gil.com.au
tnardi@gil.com.au
hmorrow@gil.com.au
paulp@gil.com.au
andrewa@gil.com.au
charliep@gil.com.au
dhanly@gil.com.au
dpahle@gil.com.au
Councillor ANDREW ANTONIOLLI"
Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training
http://www.westwinddogtraining.com
Virginia, USA
Obedience from 1982 present
1982 1997: Former members of the Old Colony Obedience Club in Massachusetts
2000 Present: own and operate West Wind Dog Training in Virginia.
Pet Therapy 1984 1988, 1995-1997
1984 1988: ran my own small program and visited several area nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals.
1995-1997: Member of the Pets and People Foundation in Massachusetts
Agility 1995-present
Member of Boston Agility Racing K-9s in Boston, MA until moving to Virginia in 1997
2001 present I have returned to some training and occasional competition.
Shelter Work/Rescue 1984 1988, 1990 1997
1984 1988: volunteered and then added to paid staff at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA.
1990 1997: I did independent rescue work with rabbits and assisted local animal control and veterinarians.
Dog Play Group Volunteer 1993 1997
Volunteered with a Dog Play Group at Gail Fishers All Dog Gym, Inc., in Manchester NH, under the guide of Mrs. Alba Pollard.
Conformation 1985 present
I have shown dogs on and off in both Junior Show and Conformation.
Columnist, Community Voice, Prince William County, VA,
December 2001 present: I was offered my own pet-related column in the local Community Voice Newspaper.
Safe Kids/Safe Dogs Summer 2001 present
Developed and teach a child/dog safety awareness program at local schools, libraries, 4-H and scouting groups, PTA/PTOs, etc.
Club memberships past and present:
Old Colony Obedience Club, MA, past
Granite State Shetland sheepdog Club of South East NH, past
Boston Agility Racing K-9s, MA, past
Blue Ridge Shetland Sheepdog Club, VA, present
Dog Breed Information, (on line) www.dogbreedinfo.com
Multiple items on dog care/training.
Practical Pet Care (on line) www.practical-pet-care.com
Multiple items on dog care/training.
Central Pets (on line) www.centralpets.com
Multiple items on dog care/training.
The Sheltie Pacesetter, The Boy, a Sheltie's Poem, Sept/Oct 2001
United Kennel Club Bloodlines, March/April 2001, To Whom It May Concern: An Open Letter Regarding Breed Bans
Pending Publication in the Sheltie Pacesetter:
Tribute to the Forgotten Ones, (Those we forget when we write accolades and tributes to stars in the dog show world)
A Forever Home, (the story of a severely neglected dog and the journey to his final home)
Sorry for the length but DANG!!! I am ticked! To think elected officials would resnond so nastily to people! I have yet to hear back from the others...
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