Currently, the bill (SB 818) rests with Senate President Mike Haridopolos. Senator Haridopolos will make the decision as to whether Florida’s shelter pets will continue to be killed at taxpayer expense or, alternatively, saved by non-profit organizations at their own expense.

This bill would set statewide standards for rescue group access and make it illegal for a shelter to kill an animal when a qualified non-profit rescue organization is willing to save that animal. The bill is common sense at its best. It will save lives and taxpayer dollars. It’s a win-win.

Florida residents, please click here and voice your support for this lifesaving bill. Our state’s sheltered pets need you to speak for them. The time is now!

This ban has ended the lives of thousands of innocent dogs, and it’s time for this nonsense to go.

The bills both passed their committees unanimously, and public support has been overwhelming. Unfortunately, some of our local commissioners are seemingly ignoring what their constituents want, and are looking to introduce a bill that would sustain our county’s breed ban. This is ludicrous, especially considering that years ago our state passed a law banning breed bans … albeit while grandfathering in our current local law. Stupid much? Cities and states across the county are putting an end to these ridiculous and impotent bans – why should Miami be left behind?

At this point, we need to make our voices heard loud and clear to the County Commissioners. They need to know that we won’t settle for any more indiscriminate killing of dogs which may or may NOT be pit bulls at the hands of animal services (paid for with our tax dollars). It’s time to end this, once and for all.

Below are the email addresses of the commissioners and their chiefs of staff, as well as a sample letter I sent voicing my support for overturning the ban. Please email and call (additional contact information can be found here). And, if you’re able, please attend the hearing for this new legislation, to be held on Tuesday, 2.14.2012 at 9:30am, 111 NW 1st St.

This is our time, this is our chance. Let’s save some lives!

(You can find more information about the process from the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation)

Commissioners’ email addresses:
“jforte@miamidade.gov” <jforte@miamidade.gov>,
“district13@miamidade.gov” <district13@miamidade.gov>,
“eddieb@miamidade.gov” <eddieb@miamidade.gov>,
“District8@miamidade.gov” <District8@miamidade.gov>,
“aragin@miamidade.gov” <aragin@miamidade.gov>,
“district10@miamidade.gov” <district10@miamidade.gov>,
“District4@miamidade.gov” <District4@miamidade.gov>,
“mariacl@miamidade.gov” <mariacl@miamidade.gov>,
“District12@miamidade.gov” <District12@miamidade.gov>

Sample letter:
Dear Commissioners,

As a Miami-Dade resident, I urge you not to consider the bill that
would maintain our county’s ineffective and nonsensical breed ban
against “pit bulls”. As I’m sure you know, the ban has done nothing to
reduce the number of dog bites in our county, and it has led to the
deaths of thousands of innocent dogs, many of whom were improperly
labeled. Our animal services staff is unable to even accurately
determine what a “pit bull” is, so why on earth would we support a ban
that targets animals the county can’t even pinpoint?

Overturning this ban is the right thing to do for our county’s
citizens and their pets. As you can see from the overwhelming support
for striking down the ban, it’s clear that the taxpayers no longer
want to see public dollars wasted on unfairly targeting and killing
“pit bulls” who have done no harm.

As they say, “punish the deed, not the breed.” That is the only
logical way to address the issue of dangerous dogs.

Again, I ask you to please support the passage of HB997 and SB1322,
and NOT consider a bill that would retain this ban. It’s time for
Miami-Dade to move into the future and reject nonsense legislation
that has proven itself ineffective and costly. Across the country,
cities are overturning these types of bans based on their track
records of failure. Don’t let Miami be left behind.

Miami-Dade is the ONLY county in Florida with this type of law. In fact, the state legislature passed a rule prohibiting breed-specific bans, but Miami’s law was grandfathered in.

It goes without saying that this law has been completely ineffective, and has only served to sentence thousands of innocent dogs to death – an estimated 1,000 each year. Everyone, and I mean everyone with any credibility in the animal welfare field has spoken out about this type of legislation, and it’s time that Miami finally put this crap to bed.

Best Friends, along with other animal advocates, are the forces behind House Bill 997 and Senate Bill 1322, which would overturn the ban. In addition, the Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation (MCABSL) has been battling for decades to make this change happen. Dahlia and her team have fought tooth and nail to save the lives of Miami’s innocent pitties. And now, the dream is close to being realized.

The fact that this ban is so closed to being struck down is INCREDIBLY exciting news for pitties and their families across Miami-Dade, as well as for all the homeless pibbles who will now have a much better chance at making it out of animal services alive. While we are VERY close, it’s still crucial that Florida residents show their support for these bills and contact their legislators.

Fingers and paws crossed all goes as planned and this ridiculous legislation is overturned, once and for all!

(PS – My apologies for the lack of recent posts. I’ve been traveling and have not had immediate internet access.)

Basically, this act will insure that shelters cannot kill any animal that a (legitimate) rescue group is willing to save. While it seems like common sense, shockingly, 63% of non-profit rescue groups in Florida have said that at least one shelter has killed animals they were willing to save. Whether due to incompetence or willful cruelty, either way, it’s almost unimaginable that these animals died so needlessly. FARA can end these tragedies in Florida.

FARA will make shelters legally bound to turn over animals to legitimate, approved rescue groups. It’s a win-win for the taxpayers, and the animals. Every animal turned over to a rescue group is one less that shelters need to pay to feed, house and treat … or more likely, kill.

Sadly, those who favor the status quo of killing have been fighting to undermine this legislation, so it’s absolutely essential that Floridians come together to support this bill. Please visit www.floridarescueact.org, and scroll to the action alerts at the bottom. It takes just a couple minutes of your time. The time is now, ACT!

Tragically, the same situation has presented itself, yet again. The shelter has been closed for adoptions since last Saturday, and 18 dogs have been killed thus far based on testing positive for the disease.

In addition, several dogs have reportedly been released into the community with this illness. One was already brought back to MDAS to be killed, according to reports.

For those concerned about dogs they’ve adopted or rescued who are showing symptoms,  ”Animal Services is offering free distemper testing through Saturday for dogs adopted from the shelter between Dec. 24, 2011 and Jan. 6, 2012. Testing is available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the shelter, 7401 NW 74th St., no appointment necessary.” (according to the Herald). However, please be cautious. Distemper is airborne, so it’s risky bringing your pets back to the shelter where they could be exposed, if they haven’t been already. 

Let’s pray that more dogs don’t have to die due to this horrific disease, especially when it’s completely preventable. All dogs that enter MDAS are supposed to be vaccinated for distemper upon intake. Granted, if they have already contracted the disease before intake, the vaccine will not be effective, but any dogs showing signs of illness should be immediately quarantined at the shelter, regardless. This is crucial to stopping the spread of disease.

The irony is, current Florida state law actually prohibits municipalities from implementing new breed bans, but unfortunately allows those to stand that have been in place since before October 1, 1990.

Finally, after years of animal lovers struggling to strike down this ridiculous law, there are two bills in the Florida legislature looking to do just that. The Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation (MCABSL) is asking for Florida residents to show their support for these bills: SB1322 and HB997. They would serve to remove the grandfather clause that allows Miami’s ban to stand. 

HB997 has been assigned to the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee, although no hearing date has yet been scheduled.  Please email the following committee members, and urge them to pass this important bill:

Steve.Crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov; Rachel.Burgin@myfloridahouse.gov; Michelle.Rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov; jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov; jason.brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov; dwight.bullard@myfloridahouse.gov; matt.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov; luis.garcia@myfloridahouse.gov; richard.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov; tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov; steve.perman@myfloridahouse.gov; ray.pilon@myfloridahouse.gov; elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov; franklin.sands@myfloridahouse.gov; jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov

In addition, please contact your Florida state representatives and show your support for this lifesaving legislation.

MCABSL is also asking that we write to the bill sponsors and thank them for filing this measure:

HB 997 was filed by Rep Carlos Trujillo: carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov.
SB 1322 was filed by Senator Jim Norman: norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov.

Together, we can help drag Miami-Dade out of the distant past and save the lives of thousands of deserving dogs.

For 2012, an endeavor called “Just One Day” has been scheduled for June 12. The goal of this project is to get all shelters to stop killing, even if just for one day. Can you imagine all the lives we could save? All of us should encourage our local shelters and rescue groups to make the pledge, and participate in this groundbreaking day.

And for those of you not currently involved in shelter work or rescue, I still challenge you, this year – save one life. Many people believe there’s nothing they can do, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Each of us has the power to save a life this year. If you can’t adopt, foster. If you can’t foster, help transport. If you can’t transport, post homeless pets online. If you can’t post online, collect food & blankets for shelters. Get creative. There are COUNTLESS ways to save lives. And this year, if each of us works our hardest to save just one life – we’ll make an enormous difference for the lost and homeless pets in this country.

Not to mention the fact, that saving a pet’s life is just about the greatest feeling in the whole wide world. For both you, and the animal.

So make a promise to yourself. Add a resolution to your list. ‘Cuz saving a life is a pretty great goal for a pretty big year.

Recently, Brandon Martinez left his dog, Rocco, in the care of roommates, due to his mother being hospitalized. Through a series of events, Rocco ended up at the Santa Barbara County Animal Services, with strict instructions that he had an owner who would return for him.

But did the shelter listen? No. They killed Rocco. The day before Thanksgiving. Reportedly, despite protestations from staff and offers to pay to keep him alive.

According to the Santa Barbara News-Press: 

“He said both times he called the shelter, he had to correct them because they were referring to Rocco as ‘Luke.’

Mr. Martinez is adamant that shelter administration was aware Rocco had an owner and was aware that his mother’s illness was keeping him from coming for his dog.”

The shelter claims the dog demonstrated aggression towards cats. Due to that, and the simple fact that he was a pit bull, they killed him. And apologetic, they ain’t. Animal Services Director Jan Glick said the following:

“I looked at his behavior evaluation,” she said. “It looked like his reaction with cats was definitely in question. We don’t want to put another dog out in the public arena where they may injure another animal or person.”

So he was killed because his behavior with cats was “in question?” Ludicrous. It almost sounds like they went out of their way to kill this dog – despite protestations from staff and an owner awaiting him. Volunteers claim that dogs don’t usually get killed that quickly, unless they’ve demonstrated really bad behavior.

“Shelter volunteers verified that Rocco was a well-behaved animal and expressed frustration that the dog was euthanized.

‘Volunteer Mark Bandurraga said that while he was unaware that Rocco had an owner, there were sure-fire signs that he was considered a good dog and should not have been put down.

‘He was selected to be put in one of the outdoor pens that we have,’ he said. ‘A better dog is usually put there because it’s a place where other dogs go by. So based on that alone he’s considered to be a fairly good dog.’”

Another facility that has disgraced the word “shelter”. Until we reform our nation’s shelters, these types of stories will happen again and again. Kill first, ask questions later. Is that how we want our tax dollars used?

If you’d like to express your outrage about this story to Santa Barbara County Animal Services, their contact information is as follows. As always, please keep your comments respectful.

Shelter phone number: (805) 681-5285
Director’s email: Jan.glick@sbcphd.org

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors: SupervisorCarbajal@sbcbos1.org, jwolf@sbcbos2.org, dfarr@countyofsb.org, jgray@co.santa-barbara.ca.us, steve.lavagnino@countyofsb.org.
 

Little did I know, this circus is a hotbed for animal abuse. It’s horrific. Undercover videos have caught employees beating elephants to force them to perform, tying up baby elephants, forcing animals to perform when injured or lame, allowing animals to be crippled and many other unspeakable acts.  At least 26 elephants have died since 1992, including four babies. These majestic creatures should not be caged, beaten and killed.

Photo courtesy of RinglingBeatsAnimals.com

Recently, the USDA levied on Ringling Brothers the largest fine for animal abuse in the history of the circus industry. They were found with multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), dating back to 2007. But somehow, the circus is still allowed to operate. They’re coming to West Palm Beach, Florida, on December 27th, and a protest is being organized to stand up against their track record of abuse.

Visit this website to learn more about the actions of Ringling Brothers. Be warned – the images are very disturbing. I cried while watching them.

To me, a situation like this demonstrates the banality of evil. Who would have thought a show designed for children – appearing all merriment and fun – would turn out to be a perpetrator of misery and abuse? It’s crucial that we all look beneath the surface, especially when animals are involved.

I hope you’ll join me in boycotting and speaking out against this horrible organization. Urge the families you know not to take their children to this show, and spread the word far and wide.

Dr. John Lauby, Director of Animal Control, claims his job is to protect the people from these “vicious” dogs. He claims there have been 89 attacks by pit bulls in his region in the past three to five months. I was unable to find another source for those numbers, and frankly, they’re highly questionable.

As Director, his primary job should be to save lives. Public safety is certainly an element of his position, but the risk posed by stray dogs has been highly exaggerated. His old-school mentality about animal control is one that we need to reject outright as our society moves forward into the new paradigm.

Instead of a ban, Cumberland County is now discussing placing more onerous restrictions on potential adopters for these breeds. This is certainly not an ideal solution. Limiting who can adopt these breeds would still lead to higher kill rates for these particular animals. Fewer homes = more killings.

Adoption screening is extremely important, undoubtedly, but common sense should rule these types of policies. Some attendees at the Cumberland County meeting were even proposing background checks for potential adopters – not a wise idea. Making it impossible for people to adopt will not help save the lives of these animals.

Instead, the county should be focused on dealing with the individuals who are irresponsible, abusive owners. They are the real problem. Not the breeds. Not the potential adopters. Place the accountability where it truly belongs, and focus on a lifesaving mission.

Thousands of dogs are counting on you, Cumberland County. Don’t let them down.

For readers who want to encourage the county to do the right thing when it comes to adoptions and irresponsible owners, you can email city officials at the addresses below:

mayor@ci.fay.nc.us, jlauby@co.cumberland.nc.us, kedge@co.cumberland.nc.us, wmfaircloth@co.cumberland.nc.us, jcouncil@co.cumberland.nc.us, cevans@co.cumberland.nc.us, jkeefe@co.cumberland.nc.us, bking@co.cumberland.nc.us, emelvin@co.cumberland.nc.us