Give Them The Boot! 2006 My Dog Votes Top 10 List

2006 My Dog Votes Top 10 List - Give Them The Boot!

Several months back, My Dog Votes asked for nominations for the most UN dog-friendly politicians - those you think should be booted from office for their decidedly anti-dog views and policies. You responded loud and clear with emails naming names of anti-dog legislators. Breed bans, weight & size restrictions & the PAWS bill were clearly on your minds. Dog owners are mad as hell, and like that Twisted Sister song says, you're not gonna take it anymore.  So move over, Dee Snider.................. 

The anti-dog politicians on our list share an unfettered greed for headlines, a willingness to twist tragedy into political gain, and a complete lack of regard for the constituents who hired them in the first place. They eliminate the rights of the many while they make new laws to glorify themselves. All are white - most, but not all, are male. We just couldn't wait till the end of the year......could you?  So without further ado,  here is the 2006 My Dog Votes "Give Them The Boot" List.  Drumroll please.............

10. Jeff Graham, Mayor, Watertown, NY

You said GIVE HIM THE BOOT! Watertown NY Mayor Jeff Graham - that fountain of canine expertise - doesn't want certain breeds of dogs--specifically pit bulls--to be offered for adoption by local agencies. More that a little late out of the box, this Kory wannabee is knockin' on the wrong door for votes next election. Will Watertown voters make an orphan of Jeff? Municipal Building 245 Washington Street, Room 302A Watertown NY 13601 Mayor's Office: 315-785-7720

9. Jim Graham, City Council, Washington, DC

DC Dog Owners Literally Called This Man A Doofus & Say GIVE HIM THE BOOT!  "This is a dangerous breed," city Councilman Jim Graham, (concerning pitbulls) who has introduced a ban three times since 1999. Will DC dog owners dump this doofus along with that tie? COUNCIL MEMBER JIM GRAHAM 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW, Suite 105 Washington, DC 20004 (202) 724-8181 fax (202) 724-8109

8. Paul Wesslehoft, State Senator, Oklahoma]

Another winner  is Paul Wesslehoft - this time from the Heartland.  "The bottom line is that,by getting rid of pit bulls in Oklahoma, we will be making our state safer for all Oklahomans, in particular our children and the elderly." Will Okies get rid of Paul & elect someone who will really protect the children & elderly. Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 329 Oklahoma City,OK 73105 (405) 557-7343 District Address: 1105 N.E. 29th St. Moore,OK 73160 (405) 794-9464 Email: [email protected]

7. Richard R. Makuch, Town Council, Dunkirk, NY

You Said GIVE HIM THE BOOT! Makuch he believes certain breeds (Pit Bulls and Rottweilers) are making life miserable and dangerous for city residents.  He keeps trying to introduce a breed ban ordinance in a state that prohibits such laws.  We hear he couldn't get a second vote on that ordinance after local dog owners implemented the My Dog Votes campaign up in Dunkirk.  Richard won his ward by only 83 votes - BTW.  Richard R. Makuch (D-3rd Ward) 747 Deer St. Dunkirk,NY 14048    Ph: 716-366-1557

6. Ed Malloy, Mayor, Fairfield, IA

Fairfield is going for the gold!  Less-than-fair Fairfield has banned a whole lotta dogs andSIZE DOES MATTER. Move over, cause they've taken banning to a whole new level...... A direct quote from the town's website, "Doberman Pincher, Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier,or any other dog whose appearance and characteristic of breed is commonly regarded as Pit Bull,Pit Bull dog, or Pit Bull Terrier or a combination of such breeds, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Siberian Huskies, Malamutes.  Dogs that by size present control concerns including Great Danes, Wolfhounds, Deerhounds, Mastiffs, Boerboels and other dogs weighing in excess of 100 pounds or crossbreed of such dogs listed above which have similar characteristics to those animals specified.  Hizzoner Ed Malloy is at Fairfield City Hall, 112 South Main, Fairfield, Iowa 52556  Ph: 641-472-6193

5. Ginger Rugai, Chicago Aldermam, 19th Ward

Chicago Dog Owners Say GIVE HER THE BOOT! Like a Timex that keeps on ticking - Alderman Rugai Says BAN ALL PIT BULLS - and she keeps saying it. Will Cook County cook Ginger's goose come election time? Ginger Rugai: 10444 S. Western Ave, Chicago IL 60643    [email protected]   Phone: 773-238-8766

4. Molly Markert, City Council, Aurora, CO

Molly voted to ban 11 different dog breeds, along with the rest of the town council.  She sided with Bob Fitzgerald, who said the reason for the ban was "we didn't want those people coming here", referring to dog owners moving out of Denver to escape the Denver ban.  And wouldn't a big chunk of those dog owners be black or Hispanic?? Or maybe you think they're just White Trash? Tsk, tsk.  Molly is up for reelection in 2007.  Contact Molly at: 15151 E. Alameda Parkway,80012 303-739-7516 (council office) 303-752-2614 (residence) 303-941-2244 (mobile) E-mail: [email protected]

3. Jackie Speier , State Senate, CA

There's a special place in our hearts for Jackie.  We would vote her "Used Car Salesperson of the Year" if she weren't in politics - no offense to dog-loving, car sales people out there. Overwhelmingly, dog owners in CA would boot the sponsor of SB 861 from office. She & SF Mayor Gavin Newsom cooked up SB 861, which circumvents CA state law prohibiting breed-specific measures & forces the sterilization of dog breeds that each city in the state may deem "aggressive". Jackie "The Breed Exterminator" is running for Lt. Gov. in 2006. Will Dog Owners Sterilize Jackie's Bid & Vote Her Out?  Jackie's info:  State Capitol,Room 2032, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 651-4008, Fax (916) 327-2186

2. Michael Bryant, Attorney General, Ontario, Canada

In a now famous clip from a TV news station in Canada, Ontario's  tough-talkin AG was unable to identify which dogs his law - Bill 132 - bans.  The AG became enraged and threw his hands up at the sweet reporter that put him on the spot by asking him to point out the dogs he banned out of a photo line up, and ended the interview. "I am convinced that pit bulls are ticking time bombs. I am convinced that they are inherently dangerous animals." Dog owners in Ontario are organizing to oust Michael Bryant, plus the entire McGuinty government that voted for Bill 132 - the ban.  Dalton McGuinty, Bryant's boss, defends the killing of innocent pit bull terrier puppies or shipping them off to a reseach facility as, "one of the most popular things our government has done".  You can't make this stuff up folks. Loyal Canadian dog owners say GIVE THEM THE BOOT! Ph  (416) 326-2220 or 1-800-518-7901 Fax: (416) 326-4007 Ministry of the Attorney General 20 Bay Street, 11th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 2K1

1. Rick Santorum, U.S. Senate, PA

What right-thinking Rebublican -cozies up to PETA? Why Rick Santorum! Known for that crazy mix of animal rights activism (PETA, HSUS & DDAL) and right-wing conservative philosophy (anti-abortion, home schooling, pro-biz) Rick Santorum is infamous for SB 1139 - AKA The PAWS Bill.  As SB 1139 tries to extend the long arm of the USDA (and of course we're bettin LOTS OF MOOLAH that there's a LOT of MOOLAH in the mix ) over the vast majority of this country's hobby breeders of dogs, cats, bunnies and plenty of other species. And since animal husbandry is generally in the realm of the conservative heartland, well - Rick's even angered much of his conservative base, not to mentioned pissed of all kinds of animal owners in every state in the country. We hear Rick may want to run for Prez.  Hey Rick - didja hear that dog owners are 40 +% of U.S. households?  Dog owners everywhere say GIVE HIM THE BOOT!  Voters back in PA will decide -but that may not be too tough, since his opponent, Bob Casey is a conservative, pro-life Democrat.  Where does Bob stand on PAWS? Will dog owners tip this election???

Bonus! Kory Nelson, City Attorney, Denver, CO

What list of anti-dog officials would be complete without Kory Nelson.  Famous for his quote about shooting loose running dogs, alas Kory Nelson is not elected, but our readers insisted he be mentioned. Kory Nelson is the bright-eyed zealot with an anti-dog agenda - first Chow Chows - now Pit Bulls   - who writes passionate 3 page letters to municipalities around the country touting his expertisie in the area of breed bans.  Now Kory - AKA as "Denver's Dr. Death of Doggies" has been strangely quiet of late. Perhaps it was his Taliban - like fervor to kill all Pitbulls and his personal letter writing on official City Of Denver letterhead (we've seen copies, Kory) that made Kory's bosses at the city attorney's office put a muzzle on him - for now. Talk about a risk management management issue. Ouch.

Bonus! Kenneth Baker, Lord Baker of Dorking 

Special Mention "This is the man who started it all back in 1991 as former UK Home Secretary in John Major's Conservative Government. This is the man who enacted the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991 and, by definition, was the benighted, misguided individual who gave the world Breed Specific legislation. Lord Baker may not hold office as such now, but as a peer he has the right to sit in the House of Lords, the Upper House of the UK Parliament and to pontificate - and meddle - in new legislation. Why should he be allowed to do so with his track record on drafting bad laws? Prime Minister Tony Blair started a programme of reforming the House of Lords - maybe Dog Owners can give him some ideas of how to modernise it further... by booting Lord Kenneth Baker out!"  (From our friend Nick in the UK)

Vote! For Love of Dog  & Country

Well, my dog loving readers, there you have it - the 2006 My Dog Votes Top 10 "Give Them The Boot" list.  Special thanks to all of our readers here in North America and Across The Pond for your submissions and insights.

Now - moving forward....It's time for us to look for candidates that have an interest in solving problems,  in enforcing civil and criminal laws and who will do the job that they are elected to do, regardless of party affiliation. It's time to look for candidates that are willing to stand up for our rights as dog owners.

Now stand up for your rights, stand up for your country and stand up for your dog. The solution is in your own backyard. Be sure to vote in your next local or state election and be sure to tell your legislators that My Dog Votes!

Comments

[Jacqueline Gibson]

You should name the top 200. Pet laws and bannings are out of control and need to be stopped. Since when do we, voters, adults, and families need to be told which breed we can or cannot have and what we can or cannot do. While I do not promote fighting or abuse. I do think owners rights and thier dog rights need to be protected. There are plenty of Pit Bull owners and other "Dangerous Breed" owners that are very loving and DO NOT abuse thier animals. I am one of them. I own an American Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull. As I have also owned them in the past. I have done Pit Bull rescue before as well. Whatever happend to hold poeple/HUMANS accountable for thier actions. If a dog is aggressive I know for a fact it is not the dogs fault. It is the owner. The HUMAN that teaches bad behavior. Pit Bulls thrive on kudos and "good dog". They are always the best at what the are tuaght. I am so enraged that poeple can't see what the real problem is. Just a hint, IT IS NOT THE BREED OR THE DOG. ANY DOG CAN BE TRAINED TO FIGHT. We have to fight for a families, mine includes my dog.

[Kathleen J. Larsen]

You are so right! I will not vote for any of these people on the list.
However if the courts did their job on individual cases it would help! My son & his dog were attacked by a Pit Bull. His hand was injured. He found the owner of the Pit Bull and the judge let him off! He claimed he was just "careing" for the dog. He should have been fined, paid court costs and damages. We are not against Pit Bulls or any other breed. I raise German Shepherds. My dogs are kept in. SPCA needs to do their job! In our town you cannot comfortable walk, run or bike without being chased or threatened by loose dogs. However instead of enforcing the leash laws already on the books the SPCA is busy rideing around in their trucks hasseling Breeders. They have entered Breeders yards when not home. This is the other side of the coin. The pound is full to capacity with cross bred unnuetered & nnspayed dogs. KJL

[Dawn]

These people sound like a bunch of idiots. If a person is an irresponsible dog owner, it doesn't matter what breed of dog they have, it is still capable of biting someone. It's time to start holding people responsibile for their animals, and quit using a spacific breed of dog as a scape goat.
People that are ignorant to animals and their behavior shouldn't have a say one way or another.

[Lisa Calvin-Burtsche]

Stop punishing responsible dog owners because of a few bad dog owners. There are better ways to handle this then to kill dogs because of their breed.

[Ellen Opp]

To Mayor Colin Kinsley:
I must protest the continued Breed Specific Legislation Bylaw, and I did not vote for you because of it. This bylaw is not effective, and only punishes those who are law abiding. Do you seriously think a guy who lets his dog run loose, fight other dogs or kill small animals, and bite people is going to suddenly “firmly hold on a leash, by a person competent to restrain the DANGEROUS DOG, and muzzled by a properly fitted humane device” his dog? What planet do you live on?

The only people who will comply with such a bylaw are those who are responsible dog owners who respect the law, and as such, their dogs are not a danger to the public. These are also the people who buy kennel licenses, and dog licenses.

It also seems unfair to post signs that read “Dangerous dogs on premises” if the dog that lives there is friendly and well trained, and has never evinced any aggression to anyone, simply because it has some “bull” breed in it. Surely a protective German Shepherd or Rottweiler would be as “dangerous” if not more so. The whole concept is flawed.

It would be like posting “Dangerous Offender” outside a man’s house who had never been convicted of a crime, simply because of his race. This is obviously wrong. The same logic follows with the restricted dogs.

I will never vote for anyone, municipally, provincially, or federally, who uses such a line of reason. This is how dictators come into power. Their thinking shows up in the small things at first, easily ignored, but once they have power, the full potential of the destruction these people can cause humanity is proven by history.

Sincerely,

Ellen Opp

[Ellen Opp]

The Mayor of Prince George, BC, Canada, Mr. Colin Kinsley, also has BSL introduced under his watch. http://www.city.pg.bc.ca/cityhall/bylaws/bylaw7771.pdf

[Teresa Williams]

How about making a spot where we can keep information on the GOOD guys/gals? I've seen several elected (and non-elected) officials who oppose the breed bans and support SENSIBLE dangerous dog legislation. There is no doubt that irresponsible ownership causes a public safety issue (though not even close to how it is represented in the media). Often it is an issue of non-enforcement of what is already on the books! It would be great if the good guys knew they have voter support.

[Selma Mulvey]

Wow! Thanks to all the voters out there who saw fit to place our loquacious and stubborn Attorney General, Michael Bryant, right behind Rick in second place! As all Canucks know, you have to hit it big in the States before you can become a star here at home. Hope his stringer picks up the story!

[Linda D. Witouski]

Another well done...Bravo !! I'm still looking to get that extra lever at the polls...NONE OF THE ABOVE/MY DOG VOTES since I cannot get an answer from Bob Casey, Jr. after an even dozen letters and as many phone calls to find out what HIS position is regarding animals ... I think it's time we start PSL (politician specific legislation) and start to ban them. Well done article, again !!

Linda
DogLegislation List Owner, Pa.

[Barbara Welch]

I am sending this onto many, many (320) folks who may join :) Great job Barb

[Sandi Coy]

Love the list I know we could only have ten but I still think Kory Nelson assistant city attorney in Denver should be at the top of the list. Without his help and "guidance" countless other cities would not have looked at banning any breed. JMHO. Sandi