STATUS UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED DANGEROUS DOG ORDINANCE

I am not dangerous...I promise:)

Last Tuesday, the Marion City Council met again to discuss the breed-specific changes to the existing "Dangerous Dog" ordinance. Once again - ONLY ONE CONCERNED CITIZEN attended the meeting to speak up on behalf of the dogs.

This is a very poor showing for an ordinance that will negatively impact MANY dog owners in Marion and possibly beyond.

We know the holidays are upon is and that everyone is busy - but if this passes as is - there is no going back.

It is critical that dog owners and lovers get voice their opinions on these changes before it is too late.

These are some of the changes proposed that will be implemented for Bully breeds in Marion even if:

-- they are well-trained,
-- well-behaved,
-- friendly,
-- service dogs,
-- therapy dogs,
-- never done anything more than give lots of big kisses and butt wiggles,
-- beloved members of your family,
-- not actually a Bully breed at all but could be mistaken for one depending on the knowledge of the person looking at your dog...

If this ordinance is passed with the breed specific language intact - you as a dog owner may be required to:

-- Build a fenced enclosure for your dog
-- Muzzle your dog at all times when out in public
-- Post "Beware of dog" signs on your property
-- Not let anyone under the age of 14 handle the dog (including your own children)
-- Hold a liability insurance policy of $100,000
-- Must report to the authorities if your dog dies, moves to a new location or reproduces.

Does that seem like a fair way to treat responsible dog owners that have non-aggressive, non-dangerous dogs? Should responsible dog owners and their dogs be held to the same restrictions as irresponsible dog owners that have not cared for, socialized or trained their dogs?

If you think this does not concern you as a dog owner because you do not own a bully breed - please take the following test and see if you can identify which dog is the Pit Bull terrier (keep in mind that this proposed ordinance is not specific to Pit Bull Terriers - but includes other "Bully" breeds as well - "American Staffordshire Terriers," "Staffies, '' etc ...)
http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

Then think about how well trained the authorities are, who will be enforcing these restrictions, at breed identification.

Additionally - once this door is open - it will be easy to add more breeds to the list as incidents of aggression occur in the community.

Mayor Fogelman and City Attorney, Jimbo Hale are ready to vote on this ordinance without changing any of the language - unless they hear some significant feedback from you - their constituents. If it was not for one intelligent councilman who insisted on due process - this ordinance would have been voted on this past meeting.

As it stands now - the next city council meeting is at 7:00p on January 25, 2011. PLEASE attend and let your voice be heard before it is too late. The December meeting is canceled unless something critical occurs.

Stand up! Tell the Mayor and the City Council that breed-specific restrictions are unacceptable. They need to punish the deed - not the breed.


Please do not muzzle me or take me away from my sleeping buddy!

CHECK OUT BELLA!

Bella with her new human "brother"

As noted in our last blog entry - Miss Bella finished up her Heartworm treatment at the end of October and was scooped up by a wonderful local adoptive home.

We just received the following update and pictures from her new family and had to share!

She is wonderful! We had a few adjustments to get use to with going to the bathroom inside at first but she is slowly getting adjusted to the outdoors for that.

Other than that, she has gotten very attached to me and my mom said she walks around looking for me when I leave the house. She is so loveable and sweet.

My son and I are so happy to have her in our lives. Thanks for all you do.

I have attached a few photos of her and I have more! Thanks! Melissa



Bella posing for family photos


Bella was a lobster for Halloween:)

Thank YOU Melissa for making Bella a true part of your family. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing one of our dogs being loved and spoiled after coming from a life of neglect and abandonment.

http://www.pawsofmarion.org/

UPDATES ON THE HEARTWORM DOGS:)

As many of you know - we have been slowly raising money to treat the many Heartworm positive dogs that come through our rescue.

It is a slow process as Heartworm treatment is expensive ($250 - $500+ depending on the weight of the dog and stage of the disease) and it also take 4-8 weeks to treat each dog once funds are raised.

We have been making great progress though!

Here are the updates on our Heartworm babies:


Bella - Bella completed treatment at the end of October and was immediately scooped up by a wonderful family! Yey for Bella!


Chloe and Mandy - after over a year with our rescue - these girls have FINALLY completed treatment and are ready for their forever family to find them! They are awfully sweet pups that live peacefully with other dogs. We hope that someone out there can see how special they are. They deserve a family to call their own.


Bob - Bob just started his second round of treatment this past week. He will be ready for adoption or rescue in 3-4 weeks!


Eskimo - This gentle giant has also raised the funds for his treatment. He started his treatment this past week and will be ready for adoption or rescue in 8 weeks.


Susie - Thanks to wonderful sponsors - Susie has raised the funds needed and will be starting her treatment shortly!

Thank you to our sponsors and foster parents for helping these pups move onto better lives!

If you take nothing else away from this posting - PLEASE keep your dogs on monthly heartworm prevention. A little prevention can save a lot of money and a dog's life!

www.pawsofmarion.org

UPDATE ON SOME OF THE "S" PUPS

The "S" pups were amongst the lucky dogs transported to rescue in New England on November 6. We just received a few happy updates from the foster parents to Spike, Sparks and Samson - thought we would share:)

Spike



Spike is settling in but he too like his sisters is very skittish especially with men and quick movements. We have to wonder if he was treated poorly by a man. He basically is house trained, 1 accident our fault not his. He is an awesome pup and we know with lots of love and understanding he will fit right in. He at the moment is on the couch snoring away. He and Bj are still getting use to each other. BJ will play for a while and then he'll have had enough and growl. Spike backs right off and respects him. Thank you again and we are looking forward to finalizing his adoption!

Have a great weekend. I am having my Mary Kay open house so a good test for Spike lots of stuff out he already grabbed one thing but gave it right up. He's really good.

Thanks again,
Sara


Sparks & Samson



The pups are doing very well. They are both crate trained now, though they would love to sleep on the bed!


When Steve leaves for work, he lets them out to go to the bathroom. When they come back in, I have started letting them sleep on the bed with me till I get up.

They have both really settled down and no more counter surfing! Both get along extremely well with other dogs and were really friendly when they met Steve.

Someone gave them a good start with dogs and people. They are confident and outgoing. Samson used to bark at unfamiliar things, but now he isn't quite so reactive.

I have yet to hear Sparks bark, but he makes little noises when playing. Sparks has lived up to his name and has found that he loves laying in front of the fire! Sparks is a real cuddly pup. One of his favorite things is snuggling up against me on the couch. He just looks at you with those hound dog eyes and you can't resist him.

Samson has a gait that looks tireless. They both love to run around the back yard, but Samson makes it look effortless. They do very well in the house, but we still have to keep an eye on Samson. He is not totally housebroken, but he has only been here for 4 days. Sparks has been good on that end, but both have to be watched reference chewing.

Deb

HOW MANY DOGS CAN FIT IN A MINIVAN?

Dedicated PAWS volunteers, Lisa and Leanne found out the answer to that question this past weekend when they transported 14 dogs to rescue! As you can see - these were not small breed dogs or tiny puppies - but somehow - everyone fit and are now on their way to better lives! Nice job!

Amongst the lucky PAWS pups to go were Daisy Mae (momma dog), Katie, all 6 of the "S' puppies (who are now teenagers), Autumn and Daisy. Lisa and Leanne also gave a ride to 3 pups in urgent need from the Marion Animal Shelter and one from another rescue group.







All of these pups have safely made it to foster and forever homes in New England and are loving life!

Thank you so much to everyone who supported this rescue effort by fostering, sponsoring Heartworm treatments and donating to the trip expenses.

Another giant "thank you" to our rescue partners for meeting us halfway in their minivan in the middle of the night and for saving so many lives!

http://www.pawsofmarion.org/