Everyone is welcome but please note that DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ATTEND THIS EVENT. It is our turn to speak up for them so their presence is not required and they would prefer the sofa at home anyway!!!
We are asking everyone who attends to write a personal letter stating why they are opposed to B.S.L. At 5pm two representatives of DDAWatch will be escorted to Downing Street to hand in your letters.
If you cannot attend but would like us to hand in a letter on your behalf please address your letter to the Prime Minister and post it to:
Endangered Dogs Defence and Rescue Ltd
Post Office Box 1544, London, W7 2ZB
Or email it to -
ddawatch@googlemail.com
Please ensure all letters are hand signed and ideally an address for any response to be sent directly back to yourself.
A selection of letters may be read out at the Vigil although names/addresses will not be given out. Please state on the reverse of your letter if you do not wish your letter to be read out.
Please bring posters and banners and keep all dialogue with the public polite and friendly. We wish to share our message in a positive and memorable way.
We have a job to do, to educate the public and campaign peacefully to the government and we need to engage rather than enrage.
We hope many of you will be able to attend the vigil and show your support for the repeal of Section One, DDA.
Please bring cameras and soft drinks. Poster and banner ideas will be uploaded to DDAWatch facebook group in the next few days.
We are also hoping to do a live broadcast of the event and would love to hear from anyone wishing to hold a similar event in their area.
Please email mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk for more information.
To add a fun element to our peaceful vigil, there will be a mystery PRIZE for the best T-shirt of the day, best banner and after the event, best of photograph from the vigil, get creative folks!!
Press Release -
Press release celebrity Charlotte Dutton supports Not Guilty! -
NEW CD 'NOT GUILTY!' BENEFITS BULL BREED RESCUE, QUICK LINK INFO - 27 June 2010
A collection of songs written especially to raise awareness of issues
affecting bull breed dogs is to be released this month by UK
singer/songwriter Maria Daines. The 6 track CD, entitled 'Not Guilty!'
includes The Staffie Song, Sad, Crazy, Law, I'm Coming Home, Where do all
the Angels Go? Pit Bull, and title track Not Guilty! Inspired by the story
of American Bulldogs, Brandy and Karma who were incarcerated in police
kennels for 18 months, accused of being of pit bull type.
The CD is being released in association with DDA Watch, a UK volunteer
group that campaigns to find fair, workable solutions that can better
protect the public without compromising the lives and welfare of countless
dogs who have never acted dangerously.
Funds raised from sales of this CD go directly to bull breed rescue, order
information as follows -
Advance orders of the Not Guilty! CD are being taken now, CD's cost £5.00
each and will be shipped in the second week of July 2010.
To order your copy you can either order via Paypal, making your payment to
this email address - mail@endangereddogs.co.uk Please mark your payment
'For Brandy and Karma'
Or you can post a cheque to:
Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue,
Post Office Box 1544,
London
W7 2QA.
Please make the cheque payable to 'Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue' and
write “For Brandy and Karma” on the reverse. Please include your contact
details so that we can acknowledge your donation.
The CD is also available from our website store, benefitting bull breed rescue and helping to raise awareness of breed specific legislation and its detrimental effect on bull breed dogs and their responsible owners, coast to coast, world wide.
NEW CD FOR BULL BREEDS, FULL PRESS RELEASE - 25 June 2010
Press Release
A collection of songs written especially to raise awareness of issues affecting bull breeds is to be released this month by UK singer/songwriter Maria Daines. Maria adds her voice to campaign against against Breed Specific Legislation, stating that it is an unfair law and she hopes to draw attention to the fact that stereotyping of certain types of dogs causes fear and nothing else. Maria believes there are far too many cases of injustice that have resulted in the destruction of innocent family dogs, because of breed bans.
The 6 track CD, entitled 'Not Guilty!' is inspired by the story of Brandy and Karma, two young American Bulldogs that were seized and held in police kennels for 18 months, accused of being of pit bull type. Brandy and Karma, who have a vast following of fans from around the world, were set free by court order following a legal hearing a few months ago, they now live happily in foster homes, making up for lost time and enjoying their lives.
Maria says 'Brandy and Karma are living proof that breed bans do not work, these dogs would have been put down if they were found guilty of being slightly more look-alike of pit bull type than they were - and regardless of their lack of aggression. Brandy and Karma committed no offence, so how can BSL, section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act, be fair law? And how is this protecting the public? These dogs have the most placid, gentle temperaments, despite their ordeal and the disruption to their early learning, when they missed out on vital socialisation because they were locked up as prisoners. They were prevented from doing all the normal things dogs do, like going to the park, enjoying the companionship of human beings, being part of a family. They also missed out on learning basic training, this is reprehensible since society needs well controlled and socialised dogs, yet by incarcerating dogs suspected of being of pit bull type, you are taking away the very things they will need most - when and if they come out of kennels. So, it is testament to the generally good natures of bull breeds that Brandy and Karma continue to make a remarkable recovery from long term incarceration and they are catching up fast, enjoying their new and fulfilling lives in multi-dog households. They are the lucky ones, but we must remember there are far too many dogs out there that have been removed from responsible owners and loving homes, because of breed specific law. There are innocent dogs stuck in police kennels now, whose owners have no idea how to get them back and maybe no financial means or legal representation to even try to save them. These are the dogs that the public may be unaware of. I do not believe our canine friends should be punished in this way, and it is quite abhorrent to acknowledge that since the introduction of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, many, many dogs have ended their lives waiting alone in a kennel cell, waiting for months, even years, and wishing to hear the voices of home that they remembered, but those voices never came back... These poor dogs simply fell off the edge of the world, they were invisible and their lives were ended out of sight, at the expense of the British taxpayer. Dog victims of BSL need our help, no longer can we ignore this situation, we cannot forget about them and allow them to die alone, missing their families. Things will not change unless we ask for change and we must campaign and expect better from our politicians, our lawmakers. We must at least, expect them to know what is happening and to understand the devastating consequence of breed specific legislation, when it is applied to remonstrate with the innocent.
I want this CD to show that we do care and we should all care, because BSL is haphazard, uncivilised and badly managed, and that's not surprising because it is commonly referred to as a gigantic and very expensive failure. The Dangerous Dogs Act was written sloppily and in haste, and therefore it is inherently wrong. Furthermore, in light of the fact that it is paid for by the taxpayer, it doesn't prevent dog bites, and instead causes terrible injustice to innocent dogs that have never put a paw wrong, we should expect our MP's to fix this mess, shouldn't we?
An example that has always spurred me on to do more, is the heartbreaking case of a Great Dane cross who was destroyed because he was a stocky boy and he was labelled a pit bull type. He died despite being wrongly accused; he was a gentle family dog living happily with his devoted owner until the disaster of BSL blighted their lives forever. I will never forget this story as long as I live, it ended so tragically with the poor dog being euthanized four years after his incarceration in police kennels, and despite his owner spending all his savings to fight the case and ending up financially and physically ruined, the dog and his person were broken. What kind of law can do this? Breed Specific Law, section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act, that’s the law that does this to people and their companion dogs. And this is why I speak up, because a law that inflicts this utterly devastating, deadly damage upon law abiding citizens and their well behaved pet dogs cannot be a law that I can uphold, respect or agree with.
So, this is a chance for me to give dogs that I care about, a voice. I want people to hear these songs but not just listen to them, to really think about the content, the stories behind them, and then do something that will help to save lives; saying NO to BSL is a must for all dog lovers. Banning dogs because of their appearance is an incredibly stupid and cruel way to treat man's best friend and if it didn't have such deadly connotations BSL would be a joke. But it's no laughing matter, cases of dog seizure and prosecutions are on the rise, and I blame bad reporting and media hype for making matters worse, it's got to the stage where thousands of people can see the law is wrong but still the British Press continues to slam the dogs at every opportunity, ignoring the fact that problems with dogs are created by people.
We need education not victimisation! I want to help redress the balance and give these dogs and their responsible owners a peaceful weapon, something to fight back with in a positive light. Maybe if the track that directly implicates politicians for the shortcomings of BSL mistakes, entitled 'Sad, Crazy, Law' were to reach mainstream radio, it would send a strong message that we're not going to put up with this hopelessly warped legislation any longer, and certainly 10 million responsible dog owners in the UK deserve better!
My main aim is to see the end of BSL via repeal of section one of the Dangerous Dogs Act, it will be the happiest day of my life if this comes to pass, because it will not only mean innocent lives are saved but it will represent the fact that we are evolving, we are using our common sense, we are making headway for the voiceless, for the sake of educating our species and for the sake of doing what is right and compassionate for our canine friends. Surely we can learn and get things right in 2010? Killing dogs because of head measurements and all this other ridiculous paraphernalia that goes hand in hand with BSL, should have no place in our society. It's like a witch hunt, almost like announcing that all stocky, muscular dogs equal 'danger' - this attitude is so ignorant and utterly futile in trying to end dog attacks, it beggars belief that an English law is based upon it - and that dogs actually lose their lives because of it. We need to understand why dogs attack in order to prevent attacks. And it's my belief that by raising the standard of dog ownership via education, we will prevent the irresponsible behaviour of dog owners that leads to accidents and put an end to the ridiculous hunting down of innocent bull breeds.
This CD will raise funds for bull breed rescue, starting with Brandy and Karma, and I hope it sells, not only for the fund raising aspect for rescue dogs, but for the job it can do to raise awareness of the very bad deal bull breeds receive in the UK and around the world. I want this CD to send a clear message to responsible dog owners that there is hope and we can make a difference. Let's stop BSL together, let's unite to be better dog owners, let's unite to make laws fair for dogs that have never acted dangerously, and let us all help to end dog attacks and make the UK a truly dog friendly country that celebrates responsible, safe dog ownership.'
'Not Guilty!' released in association with DDA Watch, includes track titles 'Sad, Crazy, Law', The Staffie Song, Pit Bull, Where do all the angels Go? I'm Coming Home and Not Guilty!
Advance orders of the Not Guilty! CD are being taken now, CD's cost £5.00 each and will be shipped in the second week of July 2010.
To order your copy you can either order via Paypal, making your payment payable to this email address - mail@endangereddogs.co.uk Please mark your payment 'For Brandy and Karma'
Or you can post a cheque to: Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue, Post Office Box 1544, London W7 2QA.
Please make the cheque payable to 'Endangered Dogs Defence & Rescue' and write “For Brandy and Karma” on the reverse. Please include your contact details so that we can acknowledge your donation.
Our thanks to Bill Pearson for creating the CD art work.
Thank you for your support!
DEAD IN THE WATER - 17 June 2010
Sharing a video made by Terri Davis, raising awareness of the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
It's time we started to take care of our planet, instead of destroying it.
'NOT GUILTY!' A SONG FOR BRANDY AND KARMA - 24 May 2010
Dear all,
Brandy and Karma's song is now released online.
If you would like a copy of Not Guilty! on CD or sent to you as an mp3 via email, please make a small donation to the Brandy and Karma appeal and we will gladly send you the song.
Now you know my name and the journey I've been on
Oh I still look the same, I'm just what I always was
And time has flown and the walls came crashing in
But I wasn't here alone, me and Karma we still ride the wind
Never too late when you're innocent
Never too far when you wish for love
Never lonely when the time is right
And we always had our freedom in our sight
Not guilty! There's nothing here but love beneath the skin
Not guilty! Just look at us you'll know just where we've been
Not guilty! Seized for something we had never done
Not guilty! We're here in the sun just having fun
We're so full of smiles, we're the bullies on a broken hearted mile
They took us far from home, to the places where we didn't wanna go
And we were young and a year went rolling by
And I remembered Karma and I told her not to cry
Never too late when you're innocent
Never too far when you wish for love
Never lonely when the time is right
And we always had our freedom in our sight
Not guilty! There's nothing here but love beneath the skin
Not guilty! Just look at us you'll know just where we've been
Not guilty! Seized for something we had never done
Not guilty! We're here in the sun just having fun
Now you know my name and the journey I've been on
Oh I still look the same
I'm just what I always, what I always, what I always
Was...
DDAWatch is a new initiative from the Pet Owners Parliament set up to help monitor "dangerous dog" legislation, to educate and assist those affected by it, while campaigning to find fair, workable solutions that can better protect the public without compromising the lives and welfare of countless dogs who have never acted dangerously.
Thank you to Mary Alice Pollard, Cornwall's Voice For Animals, for creating the banner art for Brandy and Karma's song.
CALLING FANS OF OUR BLUES ROCK MUSIC!! - 6 May 2010
Dear all,
Last Friday on Radio Caroline, DJ Barry James played two songs from our Wisdom's Tooth album. On tomorrow's show in order for Barry to spin another track we need as many people to email the show as possible, the show is 10am-2pm GMT and you can hear it live online on this link -
PLEASE HELP TO SAVE THE HORSE REFUGE, KENT, UK - 18 April 2010
The horse in the photograph above was left tied at the gates of the Horse Refuge recently, obviously starved and hardly able to move, she has been given the kindest love and care and it looks as though she will survive. For horses like this it is vital that the refuge stays open.
I started a facebook group after visiting Sara Ross, founder of The Horse Refuge in Wittersham, Kent. In a few weeks the Horse Refuge could be gone, it is that desperate! Sara needs to raise approximately £600,000 to buy the land that her rescue is based on. The rented property is up for sale and the only way she can stay there and secure it for the future welfare of the horses, is to buy it. If she doesn't, the horses, most of which are too fragile and sensitive to be moved, would be at risk and some may have to be put to sleep.
I'm hoping as many people as possible will try to save this wonderful shelter. The horses in Sara's care have suffered terrible abuse and neglect before they were saved by Sara and her volunteers.
Now it is almost the 11th hour and the land must be bought to secure the future for the equine residents. Some of the horses have survived terrible cruelty and now live in peace and comfort at the refuge. It would be heartbreaking if this amazing place were to close forever. I hope we can all do something to help the Horse Refuge keep going in their hour of need and for the future.
If you can donate anything, even the smallest amount will help, it could save lives and really make a difference. Sara hopes that once the land is secure she can go ahead with plans to make the refuge into an educational centre which would ensure regular funds could be raised.
Please invite your friends to join the group and send the website link to as many people as possible.
This is a race against time, a race to save LIVES!!
I spoke with Sara on the telephone today and despite some press editorial the funds are not coming in quickly enough to save the Refuge. It will take a miracle now to save the horses and Sara is beside herself with grief. It is a desperate situation but I'm hoping we can still raise the funds if we all share the links and do what we can to help, thank you to everyone who is doing their best, it's much appreciated and Sara is very grateful for your help.
TWISTED SOUTH MAG ON SALE WITH FREE DOWNLOAD OF OUR SONG!! - 3 April 2010
Dear all,
The first issue of the new TWISTED SOUTH magazine launches with a free download of our new song 'Alligators, Snakes n' Drugs' inspired by Howard 'Zeke' Loftin, editor of Twisted South.
Call in here to listen or download the song and please support this great new Southern style magazine which features rock n' roll from the US and beyond!
LONDON MARCH FOR THE MUSTANGS - UK PRESS RELEASE - 24 March 2010
Media Advisory - For Immediate Release
International March for Mustangs Comes to London this week!
Rally in London supports simultaneous marches in Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Los Angeles, on Thursday 25th March, 11am- 2.00pm, Outside the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square
What
London, UK, March 24, 2010— Singer/songwriter Maria Daines, and actress and advocate Melita Morgan, will lead supporters from across the UK tomorrow to protest the massive round ups and removals of America’s iconic wild horse and burro herds, ordered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which now threaten the very existence of America’s wild horses.
Over 100 herds have been completely zeroed out by the BLM, and independent analysis of the Bureau of Land Management’s own figures show there may be as few as 15,000 wild horses now left on their protected wild public lands, outnumbered by cattle 100:1 on public lands.
The justification for the removals, that the land is so poor the horses are starving, has been disproved by thousands of pictures of healthy animals being rounded up, especially as cattle replace them by the thousands through public lands grazing schemes.
Mary Alice Pollard, Founder, Cornwall's Voice for Animals, says:
'One of the beautiful visions that come to mind when I think about America, are the wild horses. I cannot imagine this world without them. I don't want my grandchildren or their children to grow up reading about them in history books! They all deserve our love, respect and protection,’
UK supporters have been mobilized by reports of the continuing daily death toll from the latest grueling mid winter round up in the Calico Mountain Complex in Nevada. So far 79 mustangs have died and counting, at least two foals have had their hooves literally run off, and nearly 40 females have aborted their late term foals in the Fallon, Nevada holding pens, after being chased for over 10 miles by helicopter over rocky midwinter terrain.
The death toll rises daily, and despite repeated requests from wild horse advocate groups, and a public commitment to transparency from the director of the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, Don Glenn, neither humane observers nor the public are permitted to observe the branding and BLM “processing” currently underway as the death toll continues to rise.
Award-winning Actress and advocate, Wendie Malick, who will headline the press conference at the Washington D.C. protest explains:
"We are coming together to save America's wild horses, who are in grave danger of disappearing from our public lands, we are calling for an immediate moratorium on all roundups, which have proven to be inhumane, expensive, and unnecessary."
“Advocates and members of the public worldwide are disgusted with the treatment of America’s wild horses and burros and are protesting Salazar's expensive plan for the removal and destruction of the last American wild mustang herds,” adds Ginger Kathrens, Director of The Cloud Foundation.
Building on over 25 protests in the U.S., Maria Daines, singer/songwriter, and board member of Saving America’s Horses , and actress and advocate Melita Morgan, CVFA Patron, will lead the London protest in front of the U.S. Embassy, calling for the protection and preservation of the world’s beloved American mustangs, and a moratorium on the round ups. The rally is organized by The UK Friends of Cloud, Cornwall’s Voice for Animals, Maria Daines, and co-sponsored by The Equine Welfare Alliance and The Cloud Foundation.
Maria Daines commented, “If we do not stand as one on issues that affect all species whose purpose is to live wild and free, we cannot expect our own species to evolve in a compassionate and considerate way towards each other. Wild horses deserve their time and place, they deserve our protection and we must exist peacefully with these glorious creatures or risk losing them forever.”
On Thursday, London voices will ring out with “United We Stand! Obama, hear our voices—protect America’s horses!” to bring this urgent message to the UK and the rest of the world.
When and Where
The London Rally will take place from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square.
Press conference will be held at 12.30 pm, with speakers Maria Daines, and Melita Morgan plus guests.
Media Contacts:
Mary Alice Pollard, Founder, Cornwall's Voice for Animals
cvfa.uk@virgin.net
Tel: 01 872 580 429
Melita Morgan - Rally Marshall
melitamorgan@btinternet.com
Maria Daines - Rally organiser
maria@maria-daines.com
Jane Bravery Schwartz
Cloud Foundation Volunteer
Los Angeles/London
818 865 8688
Cell 818 450 6343
=
UK HELP TO END BSL, DEFRA CONSULTATION - 12 March 2010
Dear all,
Please read and share, the time is now to speak out against BSL. The Defra consultation is underway and we have until June 2010 to make our views known. MP's have already hinted that they would consider adding more breeds of dog to the banned list.
Please do some research and find out what has been happening to UK dogs, many have been seized and put to sleep under the current Dangerous Dogs legislation. We need change, we need the public to be safe, we need responsible dog owners, but we do not need any more dead dogs. What we do need is education that helps to prevent dog attacks and fair laws that do not target innocent dogs simply because they 'look' like a banned breed.
We have to speak up now if we want a fair deal for responsible dog owners, changes to the dangerous dogs act could affect all of us and our dogs for better or for worse and we are being asked for our opinion so please let Defra and the government know how you feel about Breed Specific Legislation, and the Dangerous Dogs Act.
If you need any help with any of the questions on the Defra consultation online (and many people are telling us that it is extremely difficult to answer some of the questions) then please get in touch with DDAWatch and we will be glad to help if we can, email -
mail@dangerousdogsact.co.uk
Or Tel - 0844 844 2900
Thank you
Maria
DDAWatch TALKS UK DOGS AND THE LAW ON BBC RADIO 5 LIVE - 8 March 2010
Dear all,
Allie Green of DDAWatch talks UK dogs and the law on BBC Radio 5 live breakfast show Tuesday 9th March, 6am-10am GMT.
What did I ever do to you, just a dog living my life
With the good folks I knew, now I'm so far away
But I still see you...
I don't feel the pain, it disappeared at heaven's gate
I won't be home again, but the world is at my feet
I'm on another plane, I'm everyone's Buddy.
I'm everyone's friend
I'm the dog that you once knew, I'm the love within your hand
I'm the one that you will through, the one for whom you make a stand
Thanks, I know you love me, I'm everyone's Buddy.
Well, I've been through the worst, a bad person is a curse
Take a life well that's a sin, and you know where I have been
Yeah, I know to hell and back, down a dark and snowy track
But now I feel your hearts and the love you send so far.
Well, life is what you make it and justice ain't for taking
You and I will raise it, it ain't so complicated
I'm here at your side, like every dog in every human's life
Yeah, we're gonna brave it.
Cos I'm everyone's friend
I'm the dog that you once knew, I'm the love within your hand
I'm the one that you will through, I'm the one for whom you make a stand
Thanks, I know you love me, I'm everyone's Buddy.
Man's best friend is here to the end
Always and every way we are one
Kind and true, I, I believe in you
I'm your dog your little piece of God
I pray we'll see this through
I'm just one but see what we begun
You are mine and I am yours
A better world for every one
Your hands and my paws
I'm everyone's friend
I'm the dog that you once knew, I'm the love within your hand
I'm the one that you will through, the one for whom you make a stand
Thanks, I know you love me, yeah
Cos I'm everyone's friend
I'm the dog that you once knew, I'm the love within your hand
I'm the one that you will through, the one for whom you make a stand
Thanks, I know you love me, I'm everyone's Buddy.
KILLING YOUR OWN, A SONG FOR THE PLIGHT OF THE KANGAROO - 18 December 2009
Photograph by kind permission of Stella Reid.
NEWS RELEASE FROM WLPA.ORG
Dear Kangaroo friends
I am thrilled to let you know that our precious kangaroos have a new ally - the powerful voice of Maria Daines.
Some time ago I came across a beautiful song about animals - and the voice, like the sound of bells from a cathedral, grabbed my attention.
I read about Maria and found out how compassionate and deeply committed to stopping animal suffering she is. I thought that a person with such a big heart would not stand by and do nothing while the senseless slaughter of our gentle kangaroos takes place every night in Australia.
I was not mistaken. When Maria learned about the millions of joeys decapitated, bashed or left to die from starvation she immediately ‘hopped to their rescue’ in the best way she could - using her great musical talent. Together with guitarist and producer Paul Killington she created a song especially for kangaroos -"Killing your own"
When I first listened to this song I had shivers going down my spine, as "Killing your own" so poignantly reflects the unspeakable tragedy which occurs every night in Australia. We are killing our own icon, we are killing our spirit of Australia, we are killing our own friends, our own souls ... By accepting the slaughter of defenceless, innocent joeys we also are killing our own feelings of tenderness, compassion and care for vulnerable beings of all species, including our own.
Maria Daines sends a powerful message: It is time to stop this senseless slaughter of kangaroos! It is time to stop the massacre of joeys!
Please stay tuned for a media release about Maria Daines joining the EU campaign to have kangaroo products banned from Europe.
- thank you for caring
Teresa
__________________
Dr Teresa Buss-Carden
Australians for Wildlife
Subcommittee of WLPA www.wlpa.org
The World League for Protection of Animals, Inc
‘Working for the rights of all animals, both native and non-native, since 1935’
Address:
Halina
….the song is truly touching and so heart breaking....
Gail
....I'm crying. that is the saddest song.....
Lindy
... we all listened to the song just now and we all really LOVED it. VERY professional , moving and passionate. Importantly you can hear most of the lyrics. No point in having a groovy soundtrack if you can't hear the lyrics.
Robin
.... I am moved beyond words. Well done-!! Our kangas have an important new voice because you, and people like you never give up...thank you, thank you, and thank you. Such powerful lyrics by Maria Daines and such beautiful images of kanga friends by Stella and Brett...very moving for me all around.
Joyce
... It was just beautiful.
The words were so very sad and melancholy and so true.
A wonderful voice with such real emotion.
I will send it to everybody on my list including local radio..
Brett
... Wonderful work , I'm also honoured that you selected 3 of my photos to illustrate this 'news release'.
Thank you....
Richard
... Fantastic - well done
Vivienne
...Wonderful and powerful words and fantastic music with it. She is a great
ambassador for our poor maligned kangaroos.
Let's hope this song becomes famous.
Antje
...That`s extremely well done! Congratulations.
DANGEROUS DOGS LAW IS A MESS, WARN CAMPAIGNERS - 7 December 2009
Dog attacks and number of people taken to hospital have doubled since 1991 act, activists say -
The death of four-year-old John-Paul Massey, who was mauled by his uncle's illegal pit bull terrier in Liverpool has led to calls for a repeal of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The act, introduced in 1991, is failing to prevent dog attacks, campaigners say. Former dog trainer Ryan O'Meara, publisher of K9 magazine, calls the act a shambles: "We need to have a new law that compels every single person who owns a dog to have compulsory education — that is the only way we are going to reverse these problems."
O'Meara adds that labelling all pit bulls as dangerous is as ridiculous as saying Ford Mondeos are the most dangerous car on the road.
Clarissa Baldwin, the Dogs Trust chief executive, said: "By banning certain breeds of dog rather than focusing on tackling anti-social behaviour it has not prevented a large number of dog attacks or reduced the number of pit bull terrier-type dogs in the UK. Since that act was introduced. the number of hospitalisations is reported as having doubled."
Alison Green, the head of DDA Watch, says the act is not working "as has been proven in the most horrible way in Liverpool".
"There have been deaths and an amnesty, but it has not been effective," she says. "It has not made one jot of difference to dangerous dogs.
"After cases like this people feel pressure to re-home their dogs by family members because of the media coverage.
"If people have bull breed-type dogs they find it difficult to walk them and they will often not be allowed at training classes when they are legally held, exercised and treated by vets."
Chief Superintendent John Martin, of Merseyside police, says pit bull describes a variety of dogs and is a complex issue. "If there is a dangerous out-of-control dog, we can instigate section 3 of the act and seize the dog.
"We have to respond in a way that is lawful, reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances and we try to reduce the risk and harm to the public."
John-Paul Massey's uncle, 21-year-old Christian Foulkes, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
The Dogs Trust wants the act to be repealed, to deal with aggressive or dangerous dogs based on actions rather than breed.
Certain breeds such as Staffordshire bull terriers, bull mastiffs and rottweilers are being vilified and labelled "dangerous dogs" because of their popularity with certain members of society and gang members.
When the dog fails to behave in the desired way it can be abused or abandoned. The trust's re-homing centres are seeing more unwanted bull breeds than any other dog.
Another dog, a brown pit bull, walks past with its owner, but won't talk.
The pit bull was made illegal under the Dangerous Dogs Act, along with Japanese tosas, fila brasilero and dogo argentino. The only way they can be allowed is if the owner obtains a certificate of exemption from a court after having the dog neutered, insured and a transponder implanted and an identification tattoo.
500 PUPPIES FOR SALE IN AD TRADER AND WE WONDER WHY THE SHELTERS ARE FULL - 6 December 2009
Dear all,
Browsing through our local Ad Trader newspaper (used to be called the free ads) there are always pages and pages of puppies for sale. I decided to count the total being sold in one week; the issue was 25th November to 1st December. There were approximately 491 puppies and 21 adult dogs listed. This figure is not including the dogs offered for free and there are also pages of cats and kittens for sale.
There was only one advert openly listed as a licensed breeder. This tells me that probably all or most of the others were advertisements for puppies bred by backyard or unlicensed breeders.
In my opinion, laws should be put in place to end backyard breeding and make it an offence to breed dogs without a license. Rescue shelters are constantly overcrowded and a report conducted by Dogs Trust revealed over 7000 dogs were destroyed unnecessarily in the UK in 2007.
I believe a way forward would be to petition the government for stricter laws regarding the breeding of all dogs.
The total amount of dogs available to buy in one week in one newspaper in East Anglia is 512.
I am sure there will be as many more for sale in next week’s Ad Trader and lots of advertisers mention Christmas as the all important date when the pups will be ready to go to their new homes.
If dogs and puppies could only be acquired through a shelter or from a licensed and reputable breeder we might see a reduction in dogs being re-homed unsuitably, which in turn would ease the burden for shelters and reduce euthanasia of healthy dogs. Good rescue shelters and licensed breeders will often carry out home visits to make sure a dog or puppy is suitable for its new family and vice versa.
The government really must wake up to the serious problem of overpopulation of dogs in the UK directly caused by indiscriminate breeding and irresponsible ownership.
