Action Alert! Big trouble in Dallas, Texas!

(need yawl help)
TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.
Permission granted to crosspost.

February 15, 2008
Action Alert! Big trouble in Dallas, Texas!

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance has been unable to obtain a copy of the
"suggestions" for animal ordinance revisions passed by the Dallas Animal
Shelter Commission January 17th. We can't wait any longer and must launch
an opposition campaign immediately as it is tentatively scheduled for the
Quality of Life Committee March 24th and appears to be on a fast track for
passage in secrecy. We'll have to run with what the Dallas Morning News
reported and need everyone's support. First San Antonio and now Dallas,
who's next?

According to the newspaper reporter who attended the January meeting, the
proposal:

* Mandates Pet Limits of 6 dogs, cats or combination in a single family
home;

* Requires all dogs and cats over 4 months of age to be spayed/neutered;

* Requires $500 Breeder Permits (unobtainable for residentially zoned
property);

* Requires Rescuer and Foster Home Permits to be able to keep more than pet
limits.

Talking Points (Choose some from below):
* This is a national "animal rights" legislative agenda to end all use,
breeding and ownership of animals, and was not developed to address local
animal problems.

* This type legislation has failed where passed 15 years ago: San Mateo
County, CA; King County, WA; Montgomery County, MD. It hasn't been
successful anywhere.

* Robert (Skip) Trimble, chairman of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission,
received the "2001 Activist Award" from People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA) September 8, 2001.

* PETA has a "No Birth Nation Campaign" and the permits allowed now will be
unavailable in the next round of legislation - if not in this round.

* Pet limits mean fewer homes for dogs and cats.

* Pet owners will not purchase pet licenses, breeder/rescuer permits, nor
get Rabies Vaccinations and will go underground, creating a public health
threat.

* This legislation will not reduce strays nor lower the budget for Dallas
Animal Services.

* This legislation will not reduce animal cruelty and is discriminatory to
low income pet owners.

* This will be the death knell for working breeds of dogs and also all
mixed breeds.

* Provisions are unenforceable without costly door-to-door enforcement and
will mean more animals will be relinquished to local shelters and Animal
Services.

* "Permits" mean permission is granted to enter premises at any time
without a search warrant. Breeders and rescuers are already regulated by
animal nuisance, animal cruelty and leash laws.

* Is the city of Dallas ready to face the liability of ill effects of pet
spay/neuter, such as increased risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), cardiac
hemangiosarcoma, hypothyroidism, progressive geriatric cognitive impairment,
prostate cancer, urinary tract cancers, orthopedic disorders, urinary
incontinence in female dogs, and other risks?

* All surgery incurs some risk of complications which can result in death.
This is a decision to be made between the pet owner and their veterinarian,
not city government.

* Dog and cat shows are held annually and have a positive economic impact
on cities, with exhibitors spending millions at area businesses. This
legislation is vehemently opposed by dog and cat fanciers who would feel
their events are not welcome in your city.

* Free and low cost pet voluntary spay/neuter programs should be provided
in problem areas of the city and encouraged, not mandated by law.

* The answer is strict enforcement of existing leash laws, animal cruelty
and animal nuisance laws; education in proper pet care and bite prevention;
free and low cost pet spay/neuter programs; and aggressive off-site pet
adoptions for impounded animals at Animal Services.

Please contact ALL the Dallas city officials below. Always place
"Opposition to proposed Chapter 7 revisions" in the subject line or first
sentence as that may be all they read. Write a Letter to the Editor in
opposition and thank them for letting us know about this proposal.

Dallas Morning News
Letters to the Editor bmong@dallasnews.com

Address all:
City of Dallas
1500 Marilla Street
Dallas, Texas 75201

E-MAIL MUST BE PASTED INTO EACH FORM FOR COUNCILMEMBERS!

Mayor Tom Leppert
Phone: (214) 670-4054
Fax: (214) 670-0646
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/mayor_mail_form.htm

City Manager Mary Suhm
Phone: (214) 670-3296
Fax: (214) 670-3946
No e-mail

Asst. City Manager David Brown
(supervises Animal Services)
Phone: (214) 670-3390
Fax: (214) 670-4965
No e-mail.

Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Elba Garcia
Phone: (214) 670-4052
Fax: (214) 670-3409
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD01_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Pauline Medrano
Chairman: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4048
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD02_Mail_Form.htm

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway
Phone: (214) 670-0781
Fax: (214) 670-3409
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD04_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember David Neumann
Member: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-0776
Fax: (214) 670-1833
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD03_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Vonciel Jones Hill
Vice-Chair: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-0777
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD05_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Steve Salazar
Member: Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4199
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD06_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Carolyn Davis
Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4689
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD07_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Tennell Atkins
Phone: (214) 670-4066
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD08_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Sheffie Kadane
Quality of Life Committee
Phone: (214) 670-4069
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD09_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Jerry Allen
Phone: (214) 670-4068
Fax: (214) 670-5115
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD10_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Linda Koop
Phone: (214) 670-7817
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD11_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Ron Natinsky
Phone: (214) 670-4067
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD12_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Mitchell Rasansky
Phone: (214) 670-3816
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD13_Mail_Form.htm

Councilmember Angela Hunt
Phone: (214) 670-5415
Fax: (214) 670-5117
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD14_Mail_Form.htm

Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
900 NE Loop 410 #311-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
Website: www.responsiblepetowners.org
$15 Annual dues (January - December)
To share information, subscribe or unsubscribe,
e-mail rpoa@texas.net.