Suki
04-03-2007, 06:09 PM
New York City
Pet owners protest proposed dog rules
By Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com
April 2007
Rob came to Astoria from Staten Island Saturday with his pit bull, Royce, to show his displeasure at proposed city legislation aimed at dog owners.
Nancy came too, but left her pit bull Max at home. She thinks the proposed ban on pit bulls is "breedism," a play on the word racism, but just as insidious, she said.
They were among several owners of pit bulls and other dogs who set up shop outside City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.'s 31st Street law office in Astoria Saturday.
They handed out pink stickers and fliers to bring attention to the councilman's proposals to ban pit pulls and to prevent dogs from being tied up outside for more than three hours.
"Vallone needs to know people out there are clearly in opposition to everything he says about pit bulls, about tethering," said Nancy Hassel, co-founder of the Dog Federation of New York, sponsor of the gathering. "It's just an uneducated thing just to assume something about a certain thing when you don't know."
Hassel said the group believes Vallone's proposals use flawed information and also that the tethering legislation is in retaliation for the negative publicity he received following the pit bull ban suggestion.
Vallone, public safety chairman for the City Council, said yesterday he had never heard of the Dog Federation of New York, which according to Hassel was founded last year and has about 400 members statewide.
"Their claims are beyond ridiculous that I don't know if I should dignify them with a response," Vallone said.
Several passersby stopped at the table that was loaded with literature and pictures touting the group's positions on various dog issues, politicians, upcoming events and a petition to stop the proposed pit bull ban.
Nancy Silva and her daughter Deanna, both of Astoria, stopped to peruse the table and decided to sign the petition.
"It's just ridiculous," said Nancy Silva, who said she sadly got rid of her pit bull, Pistol Pete, when she moved. "They are the nicest dogs. Any breed can be raised to be vicious. It's not fair to single them out."
As for the tethering proposal, Silva said, "That's just so the city can make more money."
Under the current version of the legislation, no one could keep any animal restrained outdoors for more than three hours during a 12-hour period. After getting a warning for a first offense, violators could be fined $250 for a second offense.
Vallone said he is working on some modifications to the legislation and that he has the support of several animal rights groups, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"We're working on hammering out details now," Vallone said.
"We're looking to ban the cruel use of tethering. We want to do what's best for dogs." (say, what????)....
Pet owners protest proposed dog rules
By Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com
April 2007
Rob came to Astoria from Staten Island Saturday with his pit bull, Royce, to show his displeasure at proposed city legislation aimed at dog owners.
Nancy came too, but left her pit bull Max at home. She thinks the proposed ban on pit bulls is "breedism," a play on the word racism, but just as insidious, she said.
They were among several owners of pit bulls and other dogs who set up shop outside City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.'s 31st Street law office in Astoria Saturday.
They handed out pink stickers and fliers to bring attention to the councilman's proposals to ban pit pulls and to prevent dogs from being tied up outside for more than three hours.
"Vallone needs to know people out there are clearly in opposition to everything he says about pit bulls, about tethering," said Nancy Hassel, co-founder of the Dog Federation of New York, sponsor of the gathering. "It's just an uneducated thing just to assume something about a certain thing when you don't know."
Hassel said the group believes Vallone's proposals use flawed information and also that the tethering legislation is in retaliation for the negative publicity he received following the pit bull ban suggestion.
Vallone, public safety chairman for the City Council, said yesterday he had never heard of the Dog Federation of New York, which according to Hassel was founded last year and has about 400 members statewide.
"Their claims are beyond ridiculous that I don't know if I should dignify them with a response," Vallone said.
Several passersby stopped at the table that was loaded with literature and pictures touting the group's positions on various dog issues, politicians, upcoming events and a petition to stop the proposed pit bull ban.
Nancy Silva and her daughter Deanna, both of Astoria, stopped to peruse the table and decided to sign the petition.
"It's just ridiculous," said Nancy Silva, who said she sadly got rid of her pit bull, Pistol Pete, when she moved. "They are the nicest dogs. Any breed can be raised to be vicious. It's not fair to single them out."
As for the tethering proposal, Silva said, "That's just so the city can make more money."
Under the current version of the legislation, no one could keep any animal restrained outdoors for more than three hours during a 12-hour period. After getting a warning for a first offense, violators could be fined $250 for a second offense.
Vallone said he is working on some modifications to the legislation and that he has the support of several animal rights groups, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"We're working on hammering out details now," Vallone said.
"We're looking to ban the cruel use of tethering. We want to do what's best for dogs." (say, what????)....