VT: Pet dogs need your voice!

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Pit Bull Image Legislative Alert

House Bill 416 will end breed discrimination in Vermont.

Best Friends Animal Society believes that all dogs are individuals, and that the focus of any law pertaining to dangerous dogs or reckless dog owners should be on the behaviors of both dog and owner.

Currently in Vermont, it’s legal for overreaching local officials to outlaw pet dogs of any breed or mixed breed ― at any time. That means that any municipality can ban your dog, even if he or she has done nothing wrong. That's something that few Americans agree with. In fact, a whopping 84 percent of Americans believe that federal, state or local governments shouldn't be allowed to tell people what kind of dog they can own. House Bill 416 would stop this infringement of your rights and save the lives of dogs.

This important humane legislation was recently introduced in the state House of Representatives and assigned to the Committee on Government Operations.

Please take action today by contacting your elected officials. Urge lawmakers to support H 416 by voting “yes” to end breed discrimination in our state. Phone calls are also very effective. You can find your elected official’s contact information by using our online tool.

Don’t stop there! Once you have sent a message to your senator, please share this action alert on Facebook, Twitter and your other social media platforms. The more of us that speak up for Vermont’s dogs, the better our chances of passing this valuable legislation.

Together, we can fight breed discrimination to Save Them All.

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Dear [Decision Maker],

As a constituent, I urge you to support H 416 to stop local governments from infringing on the rights of Vermont citizens rights to own and care for whatever breed of pet dog they choose.

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We all want safe communities for people and pets, but breed discriminatory laws fail to enhance public safety, interfere with property rights and are extremely expensive to enforce.

Uniformity is needed. Citizens shouldn't have to give up their pets just because they move into a new town, and they shouldn't be subject to a fine just because they inadvertently walk their dogs from one city limit to another.

Indeed,  the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), the American Bar Association (ABA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Veterinary Medical Association, all oppose breed discriminatory laws. Dangerous dog laws should focus on the behavior of the dog and the behavior of the individual.

Local Vermont ordinances should protect people and pets through a culture of safety, personal responsibility and individual accountability.

This is America. Every American who follows the correct safety rules as a responsible dog owner should be allowed to own whatever breed of dog they choose. It's that simple.

I am counting on you to protect our freedom and help make Vermont the 21st state to ban breed discrimination.

Sincerely,