Animals 4Ever: 2014

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Update about 'STOP THE KILLING OF MUTE SWANS IN MICHIGAN' on Change.org‏

from Karen Stamper

Yesterday, June 18, 2014, Senate Bill A8790A-2013 passed in the Senate. This bill was supported by Senator Avella and puts a two year moratorium on the slaughter of mute swans in New York State. It also will make the DEC prove their claims that the mute swans are a menace in their state. Please, everyone who receives this and lives in Michigan, thousands and thousands of mute swans have been and are being killed everyday. We tried in 2011 to get Senator Kowall to do what Senator Avella has done. He made promises then bailed on us. Needless to say he won't be getting my vote. Anyway, please reach out to your state representative or state senator and ask them to do what Senator Avella has done. Tell them our DNR has no Michigan studies that prove their claims about the SAV, Human conflicts, and disrupting native waterfowl, like geese, which the DNR round up in June and take to game areas to be hunted. The DNR needs to show Michigan proof of their claims. Find your state rep by clicking link: http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/ or state senator: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/FindYourSenator/byaddress.htm

I have been in touch with Representative Kesto. He knows what the DNR is doing. If you live in Commerce Twp, West Bloomfield, Wixom, or the Village of Wolverine Lake, please contact him and ask him to do the right thing and support a bill that will put a moratorium on mute swan killings in Michigan. Make the DNR prove their claims. Make them produce their Michigan studies. We have over 11,000 inland lakes. Maryland has ZERO! His info is: http://gophouse.org/representatives/southeast/kesto/contactkesto/
Representative MacMasters was also in talks with us, if you live in his district: Antrim, Otsego, Charlevoix, Montmorency and Oscoda counties, please contact him: http://gophouse.org/representatives/northernmi/macmaster/contactmacmaster/
Please reach out to these officials or the killing will continue and our future generations will never see a mute swan in Michigan. For those of you in other states, please find out what the swan management plan is in your state. For those of you out of the country, please write your papers or these representatives and tell them what a disgrace the US gov't is for allowing our mute swans to be slaughtered without any true studies to back their claims. Thank You!!!
Sincerely, Karen Stamper

This message was sent by Karen Stamper using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by Karen Stamper on Change.org: "STOP THE KILLING OF MUTE SWANS IN MICHIGAN." Change.org does not endorse contents of this message.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

URGENT: Update about 'Defund and Stop the Wild Horse & Burro Roundups' on Change.org

URGENT! BABIES SAVED, MUMS KILLED.
SUPPORT IS NEEDED NOW!!

Dear Friends of wild horses and burros,

After a stealth Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roundup, paid for with tax dollars, 37 wild horses were sold to a Canadian slaughterhouse.

The heritage herd had been on the range for generations but the State of Wyoming didn't want them roaming free on public land anymore so they called in the BLM to round them up.

In March the herd was chased by helicopters and rounded up at taxpayer expense, handed over to the Wyoming Livestock Board and sold at auction to a Canadian slaughterhouse for $40 a piece. 23 herd members over the age of 2 were slaughtered to be eaten abroad before we got involved.

I'm grateful Mark Boone Junior and I were able to secure all 14 youngsters ages 8 months to 2-years-old and get them out before they were slaughtered too. We call them the WY14. Sadly all their mamas were butchered at the Canadian slaughterhouse shortly after the clandestine roundup.

On Memorial Day weekend we transported the WY14 out of the Montana feedlot to Wynema Ranch, in California near Reno where they will stay temporarily until they move down to the San Francisco Bay Area.

While at Wynema, Protect Mustangs pays for all their hay and these youngsters need to eat a lot. Right now the orphans eat about 3 bales a day. We need your help to feed the 14 survivors. We have started a fundraiser here: http://www.gofundme.com/9xcfag Please share it with your friends and family so we can raise the money for hay to help the victims of the roundup.

Grass hay locally is $17.50 for a 100 pound bale, if we buy it in 2 ton loads--otherwise it is $20 a bale at the feed store plus the gas to pick it up. We would like to buy grass hay by the ton to stretch dollars. One month of hay delivered costs about $1850. Once the WY14 move to the Greater Bay Area, the heritage herd will need hay until we can find irrigated pasture for them. Please make a donation today to help feed the young wild horses who have lost their freedom and their families but have survived the horrors: http://www.gofundme.com/9xcfag

For more information about the plight of the WY14 visit www.ProtectMustangs.org We are a California nonprofit. While we are applying for our 501c3, donations are retroactive, but even so, for this Hay Drive we are under The Wild Horse & Burro Fund which is part of the Andean Tapir Fund--an established 501c3 so your donations are tax-deductible right now. All donations go directly toward buying hay minus the fund-raising widget fee (4.5%).

Please help by making a donation for hay right here: http://www.gofundme.com/9xcfag These 14 little orphans are skinny and need good quality hay to grow strong. Every dollar goes to nurture and feed them so they can heal from the trauma of the roundup and the loss of their families.

The WY14 know people care about them. They felt everyone's prayers to find them before it was too late. Now they are counting on us all to come together and buy hay so they can grow strong and have the best chance at a new life. Please share this email with your friends and family because it takes a village. . .

In gratitude,
Anne

Anne Novak
Executive Director
Protect Mustangs
Tel./Text: 415.531.8454
Anne@ProtectMustangs.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAnneNovak
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMustangs
In the news: http://protectmustangs.org/?page_id=218

www.ProtectMustangs.org
Protect Mustangs is a nonprofit organization who educates, protects and preserves native and wild horses.

This message was sent by Protect Mustangs using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by Protect Mustangs on Change.org: "Defund and Stop the Wild Horse & Burro Roundups." Change.org does not endorse contents of this message.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Please Sign New Petition For Tony! (Updated)

UPDATE 04/19/14 from Tony's Friends

Thank you for signing our petition asking the Louisiana State Senate to OPPOSE SB 250 a bill seeking to "water-down" Louisiana's big cat law and "exempt certain persons from the requirements of the big exotic cats rules."

Just a quick update on SB 250: It is "Pending Senate final passage - Scheduled for 4/21/14" You can track the bill here: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=14RS&b=SB250&sbi=y

CONTINUE to TAKE ACTION by CONTACTING Louisiana State Senators and asking them to VOTE NO on SB 250! Actions to take in addition to this petition here:
http://freetonythetiger.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/actions-to-take-for-tony-regarding-sb-250/

Please take a few minutes to speak out for Tony against this bill which would "weaken" Louisiana's Big Cat Law!

FOR TONY,
Tony's Friends

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/16/14
PLEASE TAKE ACTION FOR TONY NOW! Louisiana Senator Rick Ward has introduced bill SB 250 seeking to: "exempt certain persons from the requirements of the big exotic cats rules" (specifically to allow Michael Sandlin to keep Tony at Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete Louisiana.)

The bill has passed out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee and is scheduled for a vote before the full Senate today. PLEASE SIGN this PETITION telling them to OPPOSE SB 250 and to UPHOLD Louisiana State Law PROHIBITING private ownership of tigers.

http://www.change.org/petitions/louisiana-state-senate-oppose-sb-250-uphold-louisiana-state-law-prohibiting-private-ownership-of-tigers

SPECIAL FOR LOUISIANA RESIDENTS:

PLEASE Call your Senators NOW and tell them to Vote NO on SB 250! Take five minutes to make a brief, polite call to your State Senator. You can simply say, "Hello. I am one of your constituents and I'm concerned about the welfare of captive tigers in our state. I would like you to vote against SB 250."

You can find out who your Senator is here: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/FindMyLegislators.aspx by entering your address. A list of your representatives will generate. You need to call your Louisiana Senate District #” Senator, not your U.S. Senator.

Senators’ phone numbers: http://senate.la.gov/Senators/Offices.asp

Please take a few minutes to be a voice for Tony. Share this post with others. It is crucial that the Louisiana State Senate hears that their constituents OPPOSE this bill!

More info: http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5154/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1289250

Thank you.

This message was sent by Tony's Friends using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by Tony's Friends on Change.org: "LDWF: Enforce Louisiana State Law & Ensure Tony The Tiger Is Released To A Reputable Sanctuary." Change.org does not endorse contents of this message.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Various petitions

YouSign.org

Change.org

Forcechange.com

Saturday, March 15, 2014

87 Care2 petitions

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Old petitions part 8

Forcechange.com

Change.org

ThePetitionSite.com

Ban the Import of All Research Animals (original link doesn't work anymore)
Save Finland's Ringed Seal from Extinction
Protect African Lion as Endangered Species
Stop Canadian Wolf Slaughter
Protect Whale and Dolphin Food Source

Friday, March 7, 2014

Natural Resources Board Member Proposes White Deer Kill Statewide – Vote April 14

THIS URL IS PACKED WITH THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE WHITE DEER EVEN IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND MORE IF YOU LIVE IN THE STATE:

http://protectthewhitedeer.com/what-you-can-do

“A growing moral dilemma is at what point does one person’s right to hunt and shoot an animal interfere with another person’s right to watch, photograph, and enjoy the living animal.” MaLenna Smith, Leland

Wisconsin has a rare and startlingly beautiful treasure gracing just a few areas of the state, including Leland and Boulder Junction. Locals adore them, and tourists flock to lawn chairs waiting to see them. Wisconsin Public Television’s series In Wisconsin filmed a special on them with Patty Lowe, http://video.wpt.org/video/1510278527/, explaining: “Some call them “the ghosts of the forests”. The animal in question is Wisconsin’s albino or ‘white’ deer and they’ve become an internet and international sensation… So far more than 14 million people have viewed our white deer video online.”

Fourteen million potential tourists to visit Wisconsin!

The DNR is thrilled – right?

Of course not. Greg Kazmierski, Scott Walker’s political appointee to the Natural Resources Board, is an NRA/ hunter activist who owns Buck Rub Outfitters. He personally drafted Question #35 which will be

posed to all citizens attending the April 14th DNR/Conservation statewide public election and vote:

“Would you favor legalizing the harvest of white and albino deer statewide?”

There is a small herd of 15-20 white deer near Leland in Sauk County. Mike Crowley, photographer, has a Boulder Junction website http://www.lifeinthenorthwoods.com/ picturing white deer mixed with their brown or white fawns in Vilas County. He writes, ”Unfortunately their numbers have dwindled and we are now down to 2 on our land with a scattered population of them all around the surrounding Boulder Junction area. We love all the deer but when an Albino comes into sight you do not even notice the brown deer. They are truly one of God's most beautiful and rare animals.”

John Bates and Jeff Richter collaborated on the book “White Deer, Ghosts of the Forest”. Richter told Patty Lowe that clerks had overheard people looking at their book saying, “This is really neat – if only they were real!” Bates, a northern naturalist, says it takes his breath away to see them. He estimates there may be 1 in 20,000 deer born albino with their pink features. While researching the book, they found that deer albinism does not require pink eyes and often their eyes are a goat-like blue or yellow. Piebald ( brown and white ) deer carry the genetics of albinism. If there are 1.5 million deer in Wisconsin, there may be 60-75 white deer.

They are that rare.

Albino deer had been protected by law, statewide, since 1940. Even with protection, the population remains very small. Then they lost protection in CWD zones, including Leland.

When two white bucks and a doe were killed near Leland in 2012, Amy Sprecher started a movement to gain protection for all predominantly white deer statewide, working out of the local bar she runs with her dad. Amy said, ”I just cannot understand how people can be so selfish, not to think about their beauty for all to share.”

Sprecher’s neighbor MaLenna Smith immersed herself in research, developing a really impressive website

http://protectthewhitedeer.com/, including what to do to help http://protectthewhitedeer.com/what-you-can-do .

“We are hunters and non-hunters alike who would rather watch these rare white deer going about their daily living than see them hanging lifeless on a wall.”

Marc Lovicott covered the killing of Sparky, a beloved white buck, for Channel 3000 in Madison. It was the 5th most watched story of all 2012.

MaLenna and Amy told me what extraordinary efforts they and other citizens made to testify at the deer Czar meetings where most citizens (me included) did not realize that the white deer were at risk. Their web site announced that January 22, 2014, the Natural Resources Board passed “an emergency rules package which included a rule to: ‘Prohibit the harvest of white deer in the CWD management zone.’”

The citizens of Leland and Boulder Junction say they feel totally betrayed that the Natural Resources Board voted to protect the white deer, then Kazmierski threw all their efforts back in their faces with an immediate proposal to kill them statewide. Kazmierski did not have to go through any of the rigamarole citizens endured.

Their citizen proposal was weakened from “Protect all predominantly white deer statewide” to question #40 on the Conservation Congress questionnaire (http://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/springhearing.html) :

“ Do you support extending protection of white deer to the CWD zone?” ( given they are currently protected in all other zones).

One brown spot dooms a deer. ( A burr? A smudge?)

Kazmierski also was entitled to add unsubstantiated information to his question # 35, implying white deer are inferior, saying, in part: “These animals often have other recessive traits and physical maladies such as poor eyesight in albinos, because of their pink eyes.” ( Few actually have pink eyes, as explained.) His bias: “From a strictly biological perspective, there is no reason to protect white deer.”

The DNR has done zero studies on the physiology, genetics or population numbers of white deer. They may have a recessive gene that is immune to CWD or any number of unanticipated threats. They may have a genetic superiority that can strengthen the deer herd, weakened by hunters destroying wolves and natural predators.

They are a beloved part of the mysterious diversity of life and should not be thrown under the DNR bloated hearse.

Please read federal Senate Bill 1996

(http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1996?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22S1996%22%5D%7D) which has passed the house and is poised for a vote in the senate. It takes over protected National Parks, BLM lands, and National forests for hunting, trapping, and killing just like they have taken over state parks and all private lands here. It bans the EPA from regulating 7,000 tons of lead in shot and fishing tackle that is poisoning millions of wildlife. It is urgent that you contact your senators against this and the related grab bag bills that go with it.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Update about 'Stop Long Island Farm Bureau/USDA Stealth Plan To Brutally Slaughter 5,000 East End Deer' on Change.org‏

from The Wildlife Preservation Coalition of Eastern Long Island

THE CULL HAS BEGUN! LONG ISLAND DEER NEED YOUR HELP!

“Deer” Friends,
The cull has begun. While we succeeded in convincing nearly every town and village on Eastern Long Island to forego participating in any deer cull this year, some, like North Haven and Southold Town, have refused to budge from their insistence on recruiting federal sharpshooters, using high-powered rifles to gun down our deer at night, or cruelly trapping and shooting them in the head. To make matters worse, the deer will be intentionally baited to their deaths! There has been no comprehensive review of the environmental impacts of the culling! No consideration of alternative strategies, including non-lethal methods, to address deer-human conflicts, and we, local taxpayers, concerned citizens, as well as tourists and visitors, who contribute greatly to the local economy, have not been able to meaningfully participate in the decision-making process.
The deer need your help to stop the slaughter! Elected officials are ready to sacrifice not only the deer, who are enjoyed and loved by so many, but also our own safety and the safety of our children and pets and that, is unacceptable to citizens and taxpayers concerned about the risks to the public, who also care about the deer, and have little interest in or tolerance for state-sanctioned federal sharpshooters invading our lands and killing our deer.

To help the deer, we need you to do three things.

(1) Help us fund the on-going legal action that has enabled us to stop these Towns, by making a generous tax-deductible contribution to the legal fund for deer at: http://www.humanelongisland.org/donate-for-deer. Please DONATE* to help fund our Young/Sommer lawsuit against the USDA, the DEC, and the Towns of Southold and North Haven. For these donations, made specifically to fund the fight for deer, be sure to indicate in the notebox when you make your donation: FOR THE DEER.

(2) The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is the ringleader of this effort. Though the Long Island Farm Bureau has the money and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supplies the deer assassins, the DEC controls the permits that will allow this slaughter to occur. If the DEC is pressured not to issue permits for the cull, it can’t go forward!
Contact the DEC Commissioner, Joe Martens by telephone (518-402-8545), by fax (518-402-8541), or by email (fill out email form at http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/407.html) and ask him to cease issuance of any nuisance deer control permits for Eastern Long Island until the DEC and towns/villages fully comply with all relevant state laws, including the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
To make this easy, feel free to copy and paste the following message into an email, or fax it to Commissioner Martens, or to use it as a “talking-points” guide if you call his office:

Commissioner Martens,
I am a proud New York resident, tax payer, and I value New York wildlife. I am strongly opposed to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation(DEC) issuing any nuisance deer permits to allow federal sharpshooters or for- hire deer killers to cruelly gun down or capture and kill up to 1,000 deer on Eastern Long Island. Neither the DEC, individual towns or villages, or the US Department of Agriculture have complied with state or federal laws and yet the slaughter has begun. The agencies and municipalities completely failed to consider alternatives to this planned killing spree. Furthermore, I have not had any meaningful opportunity to participate in the decision-making process. In addition, the fact that the Long Island Farm Bureau has been given at least $200,000 dollars – my tax dollars -- by the New York legislature to pay for the cost of this slaughter – is appalling. This plan must be terminated and I demand that you act immediately to direct your staff not to issue any nuisance deer permits to kill deer on private or public lands on Eastern Long Island until, at least, compliance with all laws is attained.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

(3) Contact New York Governor Andrew Cuomo by telephone (518-475-8390) or email (fill out the form at http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php) and ask him to intervene and order the DEC not to issue any nuisance deer control permits for Eastern Long Island until all state law requirements are met.
To make this easy, feel free to copy and paste the following message into an email or use this as a guide, if you call the office of Governor Cuomo:

Governor Cuomo,
I am a proud New York resident, tax payer, and I value New York wildlife. I am strongly opposed to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) issuing any nuisance deer permits to allow federal sharpshooters or for- hire deer killers to cruelly gun down or capture and kill up to 1,000 deer on Eastern Long Island. Neither the DEC, individual towns or villages, or the US Department of Agriculture have complied with state or federal laws and yet the slaughter could start any day. The agencies and municipalities completely failed to consider alternatives to this planned killing spree nor have I had any meaningful opportunity to participate in the decision-making process. Furthermore, the fact that the Long Island Farm Bureau has been given at least $200,000 dollars – my tax dollars -- by the New York legislature to pay for the cost of this slaughter – is appalling. This plan must be terminated and I demand that you act immediately to direct DEC Commissioner Joe Martens not to issue any nuisance deer permits to kill deer on private or public lands on Eastern Long Island until, at least, compliance with all laws is attained.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

Thank you so much for your support and efforts to protect Long Island’s deer. Please share this alert with your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances who live in New York, as well as those who visit and shop in the Hamptons and/or Eastern Long Island, at our farm stands, vineyards, in our charming villages and at our malls, during the spring, summer, fall and holidays, and ask them to get involved.

This message was sent by The Wildlife Preservation Coalition of Eastern Long Island using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by The Wildlife Preservation Coalition of Eastern Long Island on Change.org: "Stop Long Island Farm Bureau/USDA Stealth Plan To Brutally Slaughter 5,000 East End Deer." Change.org does not endorse contents of this message.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Update about 'Franklin CO Courts & USDA: Please Stop Velma Muessemeyer From Neglecting, Abusing & Breeding More Animals' on Change.org‏

from Linda Sue

Judge Dave Tobben returned neglected animals to abuser!

One month after Confiscation...
http://fourleggedfriendsandenemies.blogspot.com/2013/12/judge-dave-tobben-orders-rabbits-and.html

The rabbits, goats and chickens seized from Mrs. Muessemeyer are farm animals. The dogs, cats and duck are not. The questions with respect to the farm animals is whether Respondent's care for and treatment of the farm animals falls within "normal or accepted practices of animal husbandry".

Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that the State has failed to show that the rabbits were not being cared for so as to remove them from the exemption of Section 578.007. With respect to the goats and chickens, the Court reaches the same conclusion. There was no credible evidence that the dogs or cats have been neglected.

Therefore, it is Ordered, Adjudged and Decreed that the animals seized on November 12, 2013, with the exception of those that have died or have been euthanized, shall be returned to Respondent.

See the Judgment here!
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/emissourian.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/07/c073efac-6990-11e3-bd06-001a4bcf887a/52b46dbb5c91d.pdf.pdf

This message was sent by Linda Sue using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by Linda Sue on Change.org: "Franklin CO Courts & USDA: Please Stop Velma Muessemeyer From Neglecting, Abusing & Breeding More Animals." Change.org does not endorse contents of this message.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Old petitions part 7

ThePetitionSite.com

Transportation Safety Administration: Stop losing our pets!

Forcechange.com

Update on the Green Tag Proposals Coming Before City Council‏

from FIDOS and B4ROS

Dear Green Tag Petition Signers:

The first reading of OSMP's proposed changes to the Green Tag Program will definitely take place at the City Council meeting Wed's, March 5th (a change from the previous date of March 4th to allow people to attend the political caucuses). There is no official public hearing on the Green Tag issue at this Council meeting. People may still speak on the Green Tag topic, however, but only during the Open Comment session, which starts at the beginning of the meeting (6 PM). Sign-ups to speak during the Open Comment session can be done on-line starting Friday, Feb 28th (the Friday prior to the Council meeting). Here's a link for further info: https://bouldercolorado.gov/city-council/speaking-at-council-meetings The Council meetings take place on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 1777 Broadway.

The public hearing for the Green Tag proposals is expected to occur at the April 1st Council meeting during the second reading of the proposed Green Tag changes. People must sign up in person at this Council meeting to speak during the public hearing. We will keep you posted if there is any change to this expected date.

Those of you with strong feelings or concerns about the Green Tag proposals are encouraged to speak during the Open Comment session of the March 5th Council meeting. Other interested people can come to this meeting to show their support for the speakers. Council members take notice when there is a large support group. Attendees are welcome to wave their hands when they like what a speaker is saying. Again, the Open Comment session starts at 6 PM, with sign-ups to speak taking place on-line.

Most importantly, we ask that as many people as possible attend the public hearing at the April 1st Council meeting to speak against the extreme Green Tag proposals during the public hearing, and to show support for your fellow dog guardians. Please come to this meeting wearing your dog leash as a sign of your support. We really need Council to see the numbers of concerned dog guardians!!!

And please, continue to write City Council members with your feelings on the proposed changes at: council@bouldercolorado.gov

Here's the link to OSMP's proposed changes. The summary of the proposals can be found in Attachment A of this document. https://www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/13-0618-revised-tag-recommendations-1-201307010955.pdf

Also, here's the link to the Council Agenda Packet for the March 5th meeting: https://www-static.bouldercolorado.gov/docs/030514_Final_Agenda_Packet_Electronic-1-201402271717.pdf
The section for the Green Tag Proposals starts on page 125.

Thank you for your support in opposing OSMP’s extreme proposed changed to the Green Tag program!

Email us at info@fidos.org or support@B4ROS.com with any questions.

Warm regards,
FIDOS (Friends Interested In Dogs and Open Space) and B4ROS (Boulder For Reasonable Open Space)

Talking points for letters and/or speeches:
1) OSMP is unnecessarily attempting to punish the majority of dog guardians for the infractions of a few.
2) OSMP’s proposed changes are unfair. OSMP has gone over the top in targeting the single user group of dog guardians with these costly, complex, and excessively punitive proposals.
3) Regarding offenses such as one strike loss of Green Tag for chasing wildlife, or two strike loss of Green Tag if your dog does not come IMMEDIATELY when called --- No other user group faces loss of open space privileges for committing any offenses on or off of open space. Climbers do not lose open space privileges if they violate a seasonal raptor closure. Mountain bikers do not lose open space privileges for biking on a trail closed to bikers. Hikers do not lose open space privileges for hiking on closed trails, or for creating social trails. People do not lose open space privileges for harassing wildlife while trying to take that perfect photograph. Dog guardians should not be unfairly targeted with the harsh punishments outlined in OSMP’s proposals, which would even include Green Tag loss for a single offense of chasing a squirrel into a tree - on Open Space land or anywhere in the city of Boulder.
4) The $734,000 price tag, for just the first year, needed to implement OSMP’s proposed Green Tag Program changes, then followed by a $135,000 ongoing annual cost, is too high. This money could perhaps be better spent on building new trails.
5) Historically, Boulder has always been a dog friendly place. Just look at the picture in the 1967 first Open Space tax poster, showing children romping with their dog on Open Space. If we don’t allow dogs proper off-leash access, only the wealthy, who can afford acres of land, will have this privilege. This culture of dog friendliness has been eroding gradually, and now there is another OSMP proposal to introduce a much more restrictive and controlled environment, with a complex set of rules and punitive regulations. Dogs are family members. Dogs need to run and to exercise. Dogs benefit us all by making us lead healthier lifestyles.

This message was sent by FIDOS and B4ROS using the Change.org system. You received this email because you signed a petition started by FIDOS and B4ROS on Change.org: "Boulder City Council: Leave the Green Tag Program unchanged.." Change.org does not endorse contents of this message.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Update about 'Irish Government: Repeal and replace the Control of Dogs Act with better legislation.' on Change.org‏

from Páraic Ó Súilleabháin

I have made a submission to the Committee for the Environment, Community and Local Government for a hearing regarding the current legislation (over 16000 word document). I have outlined all the evidence worldwide. We have supporting statements from approx 100 world organisations currently, who are all in total opposition to breed specific legislation.

I just need your help one last time. This is what will make the difference and make this a success. I need you to please send a quick email to one (or a few) of the people listed below. They are the individuals responsible for the current legislation and have the power to remove breed specific legislation in Ireland. You can email whoever you want, location does not matter as it relates to a committee.

What I need you to do is:

o Email them explaining why you feel breed specific legislation (i.e. Control of Dogs Act Regulations 1998) should be removed from law
o Ask for a reference number for your email (this is important, and will make them reply)
o Above all please be polite, they may not know anything about the issues yet

If you could do this it would be amazing and greatly appreciated. It would take a matter of minutes, but the consequences could be huge.

All the best,

Páraic

Names and email address of the committee members:

Contact the one or ones that you wish below.

Cork: Michael McCarthy (Labour)
Email: michael.mccarthy@oireachtas.ie

Waterford: Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)
Email: paudie.coffey@oireachtas.ie

Tipperary: Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)
Email: noel.coonan@oireachtas.ie

Laois-Offaly: Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil)
Email: barry.cowen@oireachtas.ie

Laois-Offaly: Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Fine Gael)
Email: marcella.corcorankennedy@oireachtas.ie

Roscommon-Leitrim: Luke Flanagan (Independent)
Email: lukeming.flanagan@oireachtas.ie

Dublin: Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
Email: kevin.humphreys@oireachtas.ie

Sligo-Leitrim: Tony McLoughlin (Fine Gael)
Email: tony.mcloughlin@oireachtas.ie

Mayo: Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)
Email: michelle.mulherin@oireachtas.ie

Kildare: Catherine Murphy (Independent)
Email: catherine.murphy@oireachtas.ie

Louth: Gerald Nash (Labour)
Email: gerald.nash@oireachtas.ie

Kildare South: Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Fianna Fáil)
Email: sean.ofearghail@oireachtas.ie

Laois-Offaly: Brian Stanley (Sinn Féin)
Email: brian.stanley@oireachtas.ie

Meath: Peadar Tóibín (Sinn Féin)
Email: peadar.toibin@oireachtas.ie

Longford-Westmeath: James Bannon (Fine Gael)
Email: james.bannon@oireachtas.ie

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Old petitions part 6

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