Johnson City,TN Proposed MSN Will Violate Due Process Rights of Dog Owners

The Johnson City, TN, Commissioners will have the second reading of a proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance on Thursday, February 18.  The ordinance, which is being proposed by shelter director, Debbie Dobbs, seeks to make criminals out of dog owners who fail to have their pets spayed or neutered or who fail to "apply for" an intact animal permit from the shelter.



Here Comes That Pesky United States Constitution Again...

It appears that the city leaders need a refresher course in civics.  According to the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution:

"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

So, let's break this down as to how it applies to Johnson City:

• The City would exceed its authority by attempting to regulate the ownership or possession of property (dogs) a violation of the 14th Amendment - with no rational basis
• The City would violate the 14th Amendment by predicating equal rights of animal ownership upon compliance with the unequal requirements of mandatory spay or neuter.

Not Without A Warrant, Mr Animal Control Officer!

Dobbs has stated that this proposed ordinance would be "complaint driven" and that "no one is going to go door-to-door" looking at your dog's reproductive parts (or lack thereof).

So, here is how this proposal would play out:  Let's just say that Mr Animal Control Officer gets a call from your neighbor that your pooch is barking incessantly and is interferring with trying to watch the latest episode of "American Idol" because they can't tell if that's the performer or a howling dog next door....

Mr Animal Control Officer comes to your door and knocks and says he has received a complaint that your dog is driving the neighbor crazy.  "I'm sorry, Mr Officer, but there's this squirrel that doesn't understand that "Fluffy's" dog food is off limits to him.  I'll make arrangements to feed "Fluffy" inside away from the squirrel."

"Ok", says Mr Officer, "but, by the way, I need to inspect fluffy and make sure he doesn't have his testicles, so I'm gonna take a quick peek at him in your yard."

OH!  I don't even think so, buddy.  Not without a search warrant you don't. 

I think we all see the obvious constitutional violations with this proposed ordinance.  Not to mention the fact that your dog's reproductive status is NONE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S BUSINESS.

Volumes of Opposition Letters Are Needed

Here is where you can help--no matter where you are from, or what breed or mix of dog you have--the folks in Johnson City, TN, need our help.  Write, email, fax or call and let the city commissioners know that mandatory spay/neuter has failed in every city in the United States where it has been implemented. 

Let them know that mandatory spay/neuter laws kills more innocent animals and that such laws interfere with YOUR rights as property owners.  Further, the costs associated with such draconian laws hurt local governments coffers.

Click here for all of the contact info for the Johnson City, TN, City Commissioners.


Oh, And One Final Thought....

For all of you dog owners out there that think that this ordinance "isn't that bad" or "isn't that big of a deal", consider this:  This is a classic "camel sticking its nose under the tent".  Dobbs has already stated that the "fee" can be raised in the future. 

And, to the individual that stated on a breed list recently that (in so many words) since this doesn't pertain to a specific breed, there really isn't a need to oppose....I personally thank my lucky stars that you have zero power of authority. Period.

Happy letter writing, ya'll.

Deadly Disease Killing Dog Owners and Breeders

In the midst of the battle for dog owner and breeder rights, a disease has been emerging that is GUARANTEED to kill off dog owners (INCLUDING members of the 'show fancy') and breeders (INCLUDING 'show-only breeders') from all walks of life.

This disease, at present, seems to be rearing it's ugly head primarily within the 'showing fancy', but remember that no one who owns, breeds, or loves animals is immune. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• Not being able to realize that ALL dog breeders (commercial, hobby, show, et al) are under attack by the Animal Rightists, such as PeTA and HSUS ("Well, I'm not one of those.....breeders", known as "Throw-The-Other-Breeders-Under-The-Bus syndrome)
• Mistakingly thinking their breeding program is above reproach and scrutiny from same Animal Rightists (the "I only breed for myself/once-every-few years..yadda, yadda, so I am OK", syndrome
• In-ability and down-right refusal, to recognize bad legislation when it is staring them in the face ("I don't mind paying an extortionate fee for a breeder's permit if it will help get rid of the bad/greedy{insert choice word du`jour} breeders"...known as "it's for the greater good" syndrome.
• Refusal to stand in unity with dog owners/breeders from other areas when BSL, Mandatory Spay/Neuter, breeder restriction type laws come up ("WHEW! I'm glad that law doesn't apply to my little safe bubble world",( known as "it's not my problem, and who am I to stick my nose in other state's/city's business..", syndrome)

There are other symptoms, but these are the most prevalent. The first thing to do if you realize you are suffering from any of these symptoms is DO NOT PANIC and realize that you have been used as a pawn in the most common strategy by the Animal Rightists: divide and conquer.

For the first 14 1/2 to 15 years of my own involvement in the sport of purebred dogs, I exhibited the same exact symptoms as described above, so if you are just now realizing your are afflicted, I know how you feel!. Thankfully, I found THE CURE! And you can too!

It involves truth-seeking into the Animal Rights' agenda of no animal use. It means to stop using AR-speak (words like 'guardian', 'puppymill', etc). It means realizing that YOU (yes, 'you' reading this right now), are NOT superior or any better than the Mom-and-Pop breeders down the street, because EVERYONE who breeds dogs is worse than the scum-of-the-earth in the Animal Rightists' view.

The cure, most importantly, involves joining with pet owners of all types, whether they show or not...breeders...whether you agree with their practices or not...We are all in this fight together, but if any of us hope to survive to be able to continue to enjoy, breed and/or show our dogs, WE MUST get rid of this terrible disease...

Apathy.