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<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- <BR>From: ADOA ADMIN <> <BR>To: big4dogs@comcast.net <BR>Subject: ADOA NEWS <BR>Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 17:48:32 +0000 <BR><BASE href=http://www.adoa.org>
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<TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14px; COLOR: #00008b; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana,sans-serif">ADOA NEWS</TD></TR>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear Members,</SPAN></STRONG></st1:place></st1:state></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></STRONG></st1:place></st1:state></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Pleaase read the tesimony of Representative Charles W. Stenholm, it is very important~</SPAN></STRONG></st1:place></st1:state></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></STRONG></st1:place></st1:state></FONT></P><FONT size=3><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Testimony of<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Congressman Charles W. Stenholm<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">to the<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">House Committee on Agriculture<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoHeader style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">May 8, 2007<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><BR style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always; mso-break-type: section-break" clear=all></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoHeader style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Congressman Charles W. Stenholm<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><st1:place w:st="on"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"><st1:city w:st="on"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Ericksdahl</SPAN></st1:city><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">, <st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></SPAN></FONT></STRONG></st1:place></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Chairman Boswell, Ranking Member Hayes, and Members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to testify here today on behalf of all animal agriculture.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There is an old saying that there are two things you should not see being made: laws and sausages.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This Committee has the job of making laws about sausages – laws that help animal agriculture in protecting animal welfare.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">If you eat or wear clothes, you are affected by agriculture.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The industry remains an important part of the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> economy, and according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), animal products account for the majority (51 percent) of the value of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place> agricultural products, exceeding $100 billion per year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As a farmer and rancher, I believe in the significance of the agriculture industry and in the value animal agriculture producers put on the safety and welfare of their livestock.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">The Kentucky Derby was this past weekend, and I’m sure many of you watched it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With over 130 years of racing history at Churchill Downs, it is clear that the owners, trainers, and riders of the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Derby</st1:place></st1:city> care about the welfare of their animals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’m sure many of you went to zoos as a child or will bring your children and grandchildren to one this summer.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, more people attend zoos every year than all sporting events combined, and the caregivers at zoos nationwide care about the welfare of their animals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many of you probably remember the first time you saw the circus and may attend when it comes here.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Ringling
Brothers and <st1:placename w:st="on">Barnum & Bailey</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype> for Elephant Conservation has one of the most successful breeding programs for endangered Asian elephants outside of <st1:place w:st="on">Southeast Asia</st1:place>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They care about the welfare of their animals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Just like these groups of animal owners, production agriculture has not been given the credit it is due by animal “rights” activists, and we, too, care about the welfare of our animals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There is one thing that everyone agrees on: all animals should be treated humanely from birth to death.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Background</FONT></STRONG></U></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">You will hear testimony today from several livestock producer associations, and they all care about the same thing: ensuring the health and well-being of their animals is their number one priority.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The livestock industry has worked hard both from a legislative standpoint and through industry guidelines to improve animal welfare conditions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Animal agriculture constantly works to accept new technologies and science and apply them to the industry, investing millions of dollars every year to ensure the wellness of their livestock.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Producers recognize the need to maintain animal welfare regulations for the safety and nutrition of their livestock, for the conservation of the environment, and for the profitability of their operations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>But those regulations should be based on sound science from veterinary professionals that best understand animals, working together with legitimate animal use industries.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Many of the livestock groups have quality assurance programs in place.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, the New Jersey Legislature and Department of Agriculture commissioned <st1:place w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:place> in 2003 to perform a study on veal calf production, and experts at the land grant university concluded that the Veal Quality Assurance program and the principles behind it were scientifically sound.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The poultry industry also continues to work on a united front to maintain a high level of oversight on animal welfare issues that ensures all employees practice the industry guidelines that were adopted.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The animal agriculture industry continues to strive to improve animal health and welfare through <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">scientific research, educational outrea
ch, advocacy, legislation, and regulations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Society of Untruths</FONT></STRONG></U></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">While the livestock industry has a long history of supporting animal welfare, many activist groups such as PETA, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and Farm Sanctuary have used falsehoods and scare tactics to push their hidden agendas of fundraising and systematically abolishing all use of animals, including production agriculture, zoos, circuses, and sporting events.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These groups campaign for animal “rights,” which is not synonymous with animal welfare, using half-truths or complete deception.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Farm Sanctuary charged veal farmers in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:place></st1:state> of malnutrition practices because of the absence of fiber in their calves’ diets.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>However, a coalition of dairy farmers, animal nutrition specialists, and dairy extension specialists at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> testified that it is typical to not give calves fiber because it is not healthy for a calf’s developing digestive system. </FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">These groups also fail to mention the millions of dollars in fundraising and assets that drive their misguided goals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>HSUS has accumulated $113 million in assets; has a budget three times the size of PETA’s; and according to the ActivistCash website, has more than enough funding to finance animal shelters in all fifty states, yet only operates one animal sanctuary, Black Beauty Ranch in Texas, which is at full capacity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>According to the <EM>Wall Street Journal</EM>, two offshoots of HSUS spent $3.4 million on Congressional elections and ballot initiatives, which is more than Exxon Mobil Corp.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And there is an ongoing investigation by the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:state> attorney general to determine if th
e $30 million in HSUS fundraising during the Hurricane Katrina crisis has been handled appropriately.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">These activist groups use the platform of animal “rights” to advocate for regulations so strict that they will put animal agriculture out of business (which is their real goal).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A video recently circulated to Members of Congress and a video produced by HSUS make numerous false claims against the livestock industry.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, the videos suggest that horses are inhumanely transported on double-decker trailers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, a law exists that has banned the use of double-decker trailers for transporting horses on their way to slaughter, and if a horse does arrive on one of these trailers, the processing facilities will not accept it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition, numerous truck drivers invested in new trailers that comply w
ith the law, and animal agriculture stepped up once again to improve animal welfare conditions.</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><o:p><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"><STRONG>Another example of the misleading rhetoric by animal “rights” activists involves the process of “captive bolt” euthanasia.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The previously mentioned <SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal">videos claim that captive bolt is not humane.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, the 2000 report of the </SPAN></STRONG>AVMA’s Panel on Euthanasia specifically approves the use of captive bolt as a humane technique of euthanasia for horses.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is also an approved method of euthanasia for pork, cattle, and lamb. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The captive bolt method meets specific humane requirements set forth by AVMA's Panel on Euthanasia, USDA and the HSUS Statement on Euthanasia because it results in instantaneous brain death, and it is generally agreed to be the <STRONG>most humane</STRONG> meth
od of euthanasia for livestock.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Watching the end of life for any living creature is not a pleasant experience, even when performed in the most humane manner.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, these groups continue to use human emotion and sensationalism to pry on the public’s sensitivity in order to reach their goal of abolishing animal agriculture.<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman">Protect <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s Farmers and Ranchers<o:p></o:p></FONT></STRONG></U></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><o:p><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></STRONG></SPAN></o:p></U></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Unfortunately, we all know mistakes happen and laws are broken.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I will not try to convince you otherwise.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But when these unfortunate incidents occur, appropriate actions should be taken.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><STRONG>We should not get in the habit of creating arbitrary, uninformed, and emotionally based regulations</STRONG> on an industry who’s livelihood depends on the health and well-being of its animals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We should not tie the hands of researchers and investors that continually seek improvements in animal welfare practices, and we should not tie the hands of producers who work night and day to ensure the quality of life of their livestock so they can provide this country and others with the most abundant, safest, and most affordable food supply in
the world.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">Professional experts such as the AVMA, AAEP, and USDA continue to have their expertise questioned by animal “rights” activists who line their own pockets with donations secured by exploiting and distorting the issues.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These groups throw sensationalistic and often staged photos in the faces of those who do not understand it and ask them to give money to save the animals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But what they do <STRONG>not</STRONG> do is use their millions of dollars in fundraising to build animal shelters, provide research for new technologies and procedures or provide <STRONG>truthful</STRONG> information to consumers about the animal agriculture industry. Emotions run high, and with continued antics by activist groups the ultimate outcome will be devastating.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If animal “rights” activist groups
continue to be successful like we have seen in recent months with the closing of U.S. horse processing facilities, abandonment of animals will increase, animal welfare will decline, honest and legal businesses will close, America’s trade balance will worsen, jobs will disappear, family heritage and livelihood will be stolen, and the best interest in the welfare of animals will be lost.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyText style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman">As the Agriculture Committee, it is your job to keep science and best management practices at the forefront of your decisions when developing legislation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Emotional, feel good policy is not reasonable for the agriculture industry.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As a Committee, you are tasked with providing the type of environment for your agriculture constituents that allows them to have a manageable, profitable, and healthy livestock industry. <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Respectfully forwarded with permission to cross post. <BR><BR>Kathy Garcia, <SPAN id=lw_1178804022_11 style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 0%; BACKGROUND-ATTACHMENT: scroll; CURSOR: hand">Louisville, KY</SPAN> <BR><BR>Letter from The <SPAN id=lw_1178804022_12 style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 0%; BACKGROUND-ATTACHMENT: scroll; CURSOR: hand">Louisville</SPAN> Kennel Club, Inc. <BR><BR>Currently, we in the dog fancy are in a nationwide<BR>fight for our very <BR>survival. In city after city, state after state<BR>dog-unfriendly, anti <BR>breeding, anti-performance, anti-sportsman and breed<BR>specific laws <BR>are being passed every day. From <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state> to </FONT><FONT size=3><st1:state w:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_13 style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 0%; BACKGROUND-ATTACHMENT: scroll; CURSOR: hand">New<BR>York</SPAN></st1:state>, from <st1:state w
:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_14 style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 0%; BACKGROUND-ATTACHMENT: scroll; CURSOR: hand">Florida</SPAN></st1:state> <BR>to <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_15 style="CURSOR: hand">New Mexico</SPAN></st1:place></st1:state>, every day brings news of another hot<BR>spot where the <BR>Animal Rights Movement has taken away our right to<BR>own, breed, show, <BR>perform with <BR>and just enjoy our dogs. <BR><BR>As your may know, in <SPAN id=lw_1178804022_16 style="CURSOR: hand">Louisville</SPAN>, our own Metro Council<BR>passed what <BR>many regard as the worst anti-dog legislation in the<BR>entire country <BR>late last year. <BR>Worse yet, in a failed effort to force us to dismiss<BR>our Open <BR>Meetings lawsuit, they recently re-enacted the whole<BR>90 page <BR>behemoth. Side by side with the <SPAN id=lw_1178804022_17 style="CURSOR: hand">Kentucky</SPAN> Veterinary<BR>Medical <BR>Association, the League of <SPAN id=lw_1178804022
_18 style="CURSOR: hand">Kentucky</SPAN> Sportsmen, the<BR>performance <BR>community, boarding kennels, grooming shops, <BR>multiple cat clubs and many others, we worked<BR>diligently for over 14 <BR>months to educate the Metro Council. Our input was<BR>disregarded. At <BR>the end of the day, only the testimony of the Humane<BR>Society of the <BR>United States (HSUS) and input from <BR>Dr. Gilles Meloche (the disgraced Director of<BR>Louisville Metro Animal <BR>Services) was considered. Unfortunately, the Metro <BR>Council believed that the HSUS was a legitimate<BR>organization and did <BR>not understand its true agenda. They also failed to<BR>understand the <BR>lack of expertise or experience of Dr. Gilles Meloche<BR>in the area of <BR>Animal Services. <BR><BR>We can only wonder what was so enticing about these<BR>experts who were <BR>heeded when all others were ignored. The HSUS is a<BR>national Animal <BR>Rights organization with a stated goal of eliminating<BR>domestic pets, <B
R>per it's president, Wayne Pacelle: We have no ethical<BR>obligation to <BR>preserve the different <BR>breeds of livestock produced through selective<BR>breeding one <BR>generation and out. We have no problem with the<BR>extinction of <BR>domestic animals. They are creations of human<BR>selective breeding. <BR>(Quoted in Animal People, May, 1993). The other expert<BR>was an Animal <BR>Control Director disgraced in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_19 style="CURSOR: hand">Canada</SPAN></st1:place></st1:country-region> for pleading<BR>guilty to multiple <BR>counts of selling anabolic steroids without<BR>prescriptions or <BR>documentation. Moreover, Dr. Meloche was fired after<BR>10 months from <BR>his position as Director of Animal Services in Durham,<BR>N.C. and <BR>forced to resign after 18 months as Shelter Director<BR>in Leon <BR>County/Tallahassee, FL. <BR><BR>We have currently filed two law suits to overturn this<BR>ordinance. The <BR>fi
rst suit was filed in conjunction with the League of<BR><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_20 style="CURSOR: hand">Kentucky</SPAN> <BR>Sportsmen over violations of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kentucky</st1:place></st1:state>'s Open Meetings<BR>Act, ignored by <BR>the Council Democrats <BR>when they chose to make substantial changes to the<BR>proposed law in <BR>secret, immediately before pushing the changed law<BR>through. The <BR>second suit, with a dozen <BR>plaintiffs, challenges the substance of the law. We<BR>are hopeful that <BR>we will prevail, thus setting a national precedent. <BR><BR>We are fortunate to have Mr. Jon Fleischaker as our<BR>attorney and we <BR>are hopeful that these cases will set a<BR>constitutionally driven <BR>precedent. Mr. Fleischaker is a nationally recognized<BR>and multiple <BR>award winning constitutional and individual rights<BR>attorney. We are <BR>challenging the ordinance under the <BR>multiple violations of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><
SPAN id=lw_1178804022_21 style="CURSOR: hand">United States</SPAN></st1:country-region> and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_22 style="CURSOR: hand">Kentucky</SPAN></st1:place></st1:state><BR>Constitutions, <BR>the federal Civil Rights Act, as well as many<BR>conflicts with state <BR>laws. Both the ordinance and the lawsuit can be read<BR>at <BR>__</FONT><A href="http://www._/" target=_blank><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_23><FONT size=3>http://www._</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT size=3> ( </FONT><A href="http://www./" target=_blank><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_24 style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 0%; BACKGROUND-ATTACHMENT: scroll"><FONT size=3>http://www./</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT size=3>) louisvillepetlov<BR></FONT><A href="http://ers.com/" target=_blank><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_25><FONT size=3>ers.com/</FONT></SPAN><FONT size=3>_ <BR>(_ </FONT></A><A href="http://www.louisvil/" target=_blank><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_26><FONT size=3>http://www.louisvil</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT si
ze=3> _ (</FONT><A href="http://www.louisvil/" target=_blank><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_27 style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 0%; BACKGROUND-ATTACHMENT: scroll"><FONT size=3>http://www.louisvil</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT size=3> /)<BR>lepetlovers. com/) by <BR>clicking on the Download link. <BR><BR>Pet owners in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_28 style="CURSOR: hand">Louisville</SPAN></st1:place></st1:city> are suffering tremendously<BR>under this law, <BR>which grants unfettered discretion to animal control<BR>officers to <BR>seize any animal (particularly, any unaltered animal)<BR>for any reason. <BR>Worse, the fees and fines that our animal control<BR>personnel are <BR>empowered to charge for pet <BR>redemption amount to government sanctioned extortion.<BR>Most pet owners <BR>must come up with $500 to $600 to retrieve their pets<BR>- even if those <BR>pets wound up at the shelter as a result of theft (as<BR>did happen in <BR>at least one case). A second citat
ion can result in<BR>the forfeiture of <BR>all animals and a prohibition <BR>against owning any animals for 2 years, as well as<BR>jail time up to 12 <BR>months. <BR>These severe penalties apply to the most minor of<BR>crimes, including <BR>walking an unaltered dog on a leash longer than 4<BR>feet! It is <BR>interesting that the law touted as the panacea for<BR>public safety has <BR>not prevented any attacks by dangerous dogs. <BR><BR>It is our firm belief that we owe a duty not just to<BR>the citizens of <BR><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_29 style="CURSOR: hand">Louisville</SPAN></st1:place></st1:city>, but to the entire <SPAN id=lw_1178804022_30 style="CURSOR: hand">Dog Fancy</SPAN> nationwide to<BR>win these. Our <BR>success will set a precedent that will not only allow<BR>others to <BR>overturn bad laws in their cities, but will chill the<BR>efforts of <BR>other cities to pass similar bad laws. <BR><BR>However, to win this fight, we need the dog
fancy to<BR>help us. To <BR>date, our club has spent an exorbitant amount in legal<BR>fees. We have <BR>received generous donations from many breed and<BR>all-breed clubs from <BR>around the country. <BR>However, the loss in entries we suffered at our spring<BR>cluster has <BR>had a significant financial impact on our resources.<BR>We're asking <BR>your club to join with us and offer a donation to<BR>assist us in this <BR>effort which will benefit every club in the country<BR>and allow our <BR>sport to continue. <BR><BR>Thank you for considering our request. If you have any<BR>questions, <BR>please feel free to contact me by phone <BR>(<SPAN id=lw_1178804022_31 style="CURSOR: hand">502-339-7062</SPAN>) or e-mail at donnaherzig@ </FONT><A href="http://hotmail.com/" target=_blank><SPAN id=lw_1178804022_32><FONT size=3>hotmail.com</FONT></SPAN><FONT size=3>.<BR>Please send all <BR>donations to: <BR>LKC Legislative Fund <BR>c/o Ellen Kapen, LKC Treasurer <BR></FONT><FONT size=3><SPAN
id=lw_1178804022_33 style="CURSOR: hand">8620 Bardstown Road <BR>Louisville, KY 40291</SPAN> <BR><BR>Kathy G</FONT></A></SPAN><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
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<H1 style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: auto -13.2pt auto 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">City leaders request law for vicious dogs<o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4"><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>By KAREN NELSON<BR></FONT><A href="mailto:Klnelson@sunherald.com"><FONT size=3>Klnelson@sunherald.com</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 4"><STRONG><SPAN style="DISPLAY: none; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-hide: all"><FONT size=3>PASCAGOULA --<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Jackson</SPAN></st1:placename><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <st1:placename w:st="on">County</st1:placename></SPAN></st1:place><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> leaders have asked the county legal department to draft a law on vicious dogs in order to better protect people who live outside the county's four cities from the possibility of attacks by breeds like pit bulls. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Supervisor John McKay introduced the idea Monday, but said he had already been told by a county attorney that the law can not single out one specific breed of dog.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>"I'd like to see us, before somebody gets hurt, have a vicious dog ordinance," McKay said while making his pitch to the rest of the board. "We need to let people know they can't have vicious dogs, and if they do, they can't be running the street."<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Supervisor Manly Barton asked if it would be a law governing a criminal or civil action, and McKay said he didn't care how it was handled.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Supervisor Frank Leach said that enforcement is the key to success.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Supervisor Robert Norvel said the solution is to have an ordinance banning dogs altogether, the way cities ban farm animals, but other supervisors said that wouldn't fly.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>McKay said that if there is any way, he'd like to ban pit bulls specifically, because they are often the breed responsible for vicious dog attacks.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>"If we can do it, I'll make a motion: No pit bulls in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jackson</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">County</st1:placename></st1:place>," McKay said. He also said he hoped that if the county drafts a proper ordinance, the cities may adopt it as well.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN-RIGHT: -13.2pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>McKay<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><!-- Begin Prospero Comments --><!-- End Prospero Comments --><FONT size=3>BALTIMORE</FONT></SPAN></STRONG></st1:city><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> , <st1:state w:st="on">MARYLAND</st1:state></FONT></SPAN></STRONG></st1:place><STRONG style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Gardina proposes pit bull task force </SPAN></STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Breeds not tracked on licenses, bite reports </SPAN></STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></TD></TR>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>05/09/07</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3>by Bryan P. Sears <o:p></o:p></FONT></EM></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR><A href="http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=659&show=emailnews&newsid=805064"><SPAN style="COLOR: #0066cc"><FONT size=3>Email this story to a friend</FONT></SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>In the wake of a pit bull attack that sent a 10-year-old boy to the hospital with severe injuries, Councilman Vince Gardina is calling for a task force to find out if the breed is a problem in the county. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>But that could be a hard task, because no department tracks the breeds of dogs licensed in the county or the breeds of dogs involved in biting incidents. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Gardina proposed the task force last week after 10-year-old Dominic Solesky was attacked by a pit bull on April 28 while playing in a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Towson</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Manor</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Village</st1:placetype></st1:place> alley. The boy suffered severe injuries, including a severed femoral artery, and continues to be treated at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>It was the second attack by a pit bull in the county in a month. In Woodlawn, two pit bulls entered a yard and killed a smaller dog. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>"We need to do something to address this problem," Gardina told Health Officer Pierre Vigilance during a May 1 County Council work session. "There needs to be something to constrain these animals better." <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Gardina, a Democrat, represents the 5th District, which includes Perry Hall, part of Parkville and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Towson</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In a May 6 phone interview, Gardina said he hoped the task force would look at creating a more restrictive license. Owners of what he referred to as "dangerous breeds" would be required to keep the dogs in enclosed kennels or have higher fences.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Vigilance urged caution. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>"We want to be careful not to stigmatize any one breed of dog or sanction a particular type of dog," he said. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>He added that the attacks Gardina talked about were rare and the worst he knew of in the 18 months since he took over the Health Department. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Vigilance said he was not sure what such a task force would accomplish. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Baltimore</SPAN></st1:placename><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></SPAN></st1:place><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> issues about 18,000 pet licenses annually. It is generally believed there are many more dogs in the county that are not licensed. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>A database of dogs licensed in the county does not track their breeds, according to Tim Kotroco, director of the county Department of Permits and Development Management, which issues the licenses. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>From 2002 to 2006, the county has averaged about 1,000 reported dog bites a year, according to Animal Control records. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">county</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Animal</st1:placename></st1:place> Control Board does not track breeds of dogs reported to be involved in dog bite incidents in the county despite the fact that there is a space for such information on the report forms. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>The space is typically left blank because breeds are often difficult to determine, according to Monique Lyle, a spokeswoman for the county Health Department. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Gardina said the county agencies should look to see if there are ways to track breeds that are licensed or involved in biting incidents. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Indeed, a Centers for Disease Control study of dog bites shows investigators ran into the same problem. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A 2000 study of dog-bite-related fatalities found that "pit bull-type" dogs and Rottweilers were responsible for more than 50 percent of the 238 dog-bite related fatalities from 1979 to 1998. </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="COLOR: #c00000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Authors of the study wrote, however, that the statistics should be used cautiously. First, they believed that related fatalities were underreported. They also believed that description of a breed, especially a cross-bred dog, may be subjective and "even experts may disagree on the breed of a particular dog." </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Pit bulls, more formally known as American Staffordshire terriers, have been the target of bans in several jurisdictions around the country, including <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Prince George</st1:place></st1:city>'s County. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Tony Solesky, Dominic's father, said irresponsible owners are as much at fault as "bad dogs." <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>"I don't think all pit bulls are this way or all pit bull owners are this way," Solesky said. "There's no debate, though, that these are the dogs that can do the worst damage." <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Still, Solesky cautioned against knee-jerk reactions to any particular breed of dog. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>"I'd rather see responsible pit bull owners," Solesky said. "I don't want to alienate people. I don't want to see (responsible owners) lose their dogs or have to take up the side of idiots just so they can protect their own rights." <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in -13.2pt 0pt 0in"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>E-mail political editor Bryan P. Sears at </FONT><A href="mailto:bsears@patuxent.com"><SPAN style="COLOR: #0066cc"><FONT size=3>political editor Bryan P. Sears@patuxent.com</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT size=3> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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