[ SHOWGSD-L ] PAWS update
- From: pruett@xxxxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 16:08:55 +0000
A SAOVA message to sportsmen, pet owners and farmers concerned about protecting
their traditions, avocations and livelihoods from anti-hunting, anti-breeding,
animal guardianship advocates. Forwarding and cross posting, with attribution,
encouraged.
Dear Friends,
It's time for a short PAWS celebration! Senator Santorum, S1139's author, the
bill's cosponsors and its supporters, the AKC, HSUS, DDAL, PETA and other
animal rights groups have suffered a very significant setback. On July 27, 2005
Sen. Santorum made the following statement on the Senate floor.
As chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Research,
Nutrition and General Legislation, which has jurisdiction over PAWS, I intend
to convene a hearing and mark-up of PAWS shortly after the August recess to
make technical corrections, and to clarify some of the bill's language to
better reflect our intentions as set forth in this statement.
PAWS opponents were excluded from the "technical corrections" deliberations of
the Senator and also denied the opportunity to deliver testimony at PAWS
subcommittee hearings planned for September and October. Both of these hearings
were subsequently canceled and it's extremely unlikely that any PAWS hearing
will be held in 2005.
Our analysis of the current situation is that the Senate Agriculture Committee
members have heard and read so many substantive objections to S1139 (PAWS) that
Sen. Santorum isn't confident that he can pass the original bill or an AKC-HSUS
approved, amended bill in his subcommittee, let alone have the full committee
act favorably on it. The fact that his 2006 reelection polling has plummeted
since he introduced PAWS may also be a factor in his delay decision.
Formal opposition by tens of thousand of individuals and over three hundred
clubs contributed to the current congressional standoff. Some dog owners almost
immediately recognized PAWS for the disaster it is, contacted legislators to
oppose the bill, urged owner networks to do likewise and created anti-PAWS
webpages. Anyone and everyone that took the time to learn about PAWS's dangers
and contacted a legislator should be proud that the American political system
responded the way that it should when citizens become aroused.
PAWS isn't dead by any means, but it's sorely wounded. A largely unorganized and
publicly disparaged group of amateur animal owner advocates taught the
sophisticated, high-priced lobbyists and public relations flacks a thing or
two.
DON'T MESS WITH OUR SPORT AND ANIMALS!
Some of you may have noticed that SAOVA formed an ad hoc partnership to pursue
the PAWS fight. Let me introduce Kelly Wichman of the Dog Federation of
Wisconsin and Susan Wolf of the North Carolina Responsible Animal Owners
Alliance. Kelly and Susan both have state legislative lobbying experience on
dog issues and were among the very first PAWS critics. Kelly owns Pugs and a
Rhodesian ridgeback, while Susan has Shetland Sheepdogs. Both know infinitely
more than I do about conformation, show people, related topics and politics. My
chief expertise is in hunting dog owner advocacy and general legislative
lobbying.
This is an instance where synergies make the whole infinitely greater than the
sum of its individual parts. The three of us have been smoothly cooperating and
coordinating our anti-PAWS efforts since early July and filed an extensive,
joint opposition statement with Senate Agriculture Committee in late August.
That opposition package was well received and also shared with selected
Washington D.C. lobbyists. Additionally, many individuals and clubs have
recently contributed funds to permit us to more effectively respond to the
well-financed pro-PAWS faction and to pursue our NO PAWS program this year and
next. We're sincerely grateful for your generosity and faith in our legislative
knowledge, resolve and lobbying abilities.
The carefully crafted opposition statements and telephone calls of everyone
involved contributed to our current positive position. No single group of
volunteers can accomplish anything by itself in Washington. Lobbying is a team
sport. In recognition of that fact, the three groups have developed a website
dedicated solely to this legislative fight. As we move forward, please visit
the NO PAWS resource frequently for the latest pertinent news, suggested
lobbying strategies and new contact information. This site will soon suggest a
significant redirection of your PAWS opposition efforts.
I opined on June 21st, "There is virtually no chance that PAWS can pass, without
very much broader support. Its defeat is assured if organizations and
individuals vigorously oppose it."
The last four and one-half months have been hard, grueling ones, as we attempted
to counter the AKC's PAWS misinformation and slander campaigns, while informing
animal owners of PAWS's extreme dangers and how to oppose this bill. Numerous
other interest groups also oppose PAWS. It's crucial that we not permit the
AKC, HSUS, et. al. to divide and weaken us, as it's now clear they must do to
move S1139 or HR2669. PAWS can't be amended to make it acceptable. Its entire
basis is fatally flawed, as outlined at NO PAWS FAQ. Thank you for your support
and efforts to protect our sport and animals.
Please forward and cross post widely.
Sincerely,
Bob Kane
Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance -
Working to identify and elect supportive legislators
** NO PAWS **
http://saova.org/1139.html
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