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STAY INFORMED!
News and Legislation Impacting Westie Owners & Breeders
While this report is for Michigan, it is likely happening in YOUR area too. Please read and consider.
We are currently getting a LOT of reports of dog theft rings. They seem especially active in central and western Michigan but it is also starting to drift towards the east side of the state too. There are known dog-fighting rings who are answering ads for "free to a good home" type dogs and stealing dogs from yards. They will take even small dogs as "bait" for the training of fighting dogs. They are taking all sizes. The police are investigating at least one of these rings but, in the meantime, there are a lot of stolen dogs reports.
PLEASE be very careful with your dogs. When in the yard, check on them
frequently.
And consider calling on ads you see in the paper for "free to good homes" just to warn people. People need to closely check out adopters. These people are good at what they do. They will come to the home, sometimes with a child so you will believe the dog will be a pet. People giving away dogs this way need to do vet reference checks and visit the home that the dog is going to. It is a good idea to ask for a $100 or so just to try to weed them out. Perhaps, they can ask for $100 and offer to pay it directly to the person's vet on an account. A
real adopter would agree to this; a fighting ring would probably not.
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Pet Safe is a Red Cross program in Nassau County, NY that is a cooperative effort of local groups and government working together to assist people and their pets during times of disasters. We're asking the American Red Cross to adopt it as a national program.
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With dog ownership comes responsibility, not only to feed and shelter but also to protect and defend our animals. Most people are familiar with the laws in their community governing things like proof of rabies vaccination and leash laws; but, it's important to be aware of regional, state and national activity that can impact both you and your dog. As a dog owner you may not consider yourself a political activist; but....
Did you know that there is a movement in Michigan and several other states that could impact your homeowner's insurance based on the breed of your dog? It's aimed at the 'protective' breeds but is based on generalized profiles of all breeds.
Are you a Westie breeder? You'll want to keep up with news on breeder licensing initiatives in several states.
Articles on these issues and many more can be found at the AKC legislative web site: LEGISLATIVE ALERTS
RECENT NEWS STORY OF INTEREST
More Wily Coyotes Call Suburbs Home--Keep a Close Eye on Your Pets
Click here: Detroit News
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Perhaps you've viewed our section on Puppy Mills and want to voice your outrage but don't know whom to contact. Find your senator and representative in the Michigan legislature by clicking on the links below. Many of them, including the Governor, have
e-mail addresses. And don't be surprised if you get a response!
Michigan Representatives:
Michigan Senators:
Governor of the State of Michigan:
"Dear Governer Lady....."
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A 'letter to the editor' of your local newspaper is still a very effective way to state your opinion and these days most of them accept emails. The link below lists e-mail addresses for Michigan newspapers.
Note: These were picked up from a web site which has since been lost. If anyone knows of the site so we can give credit or create a link, please let us know.Lansing State Journal (150 words or less) EMAIL Fax: 517-377-1298
Detroit Free Press (200 words or less) EMAIL
Detroit News (250 words or less) EMAIL Fax: 313-222-6417
Traverse City Record Eagle (200 words or less) EMAIL
Grand Rapids Press (300 words or less) EMAIL
Ann Arbor News EMAIL
Flint Journal EMAIL
Jackson Citizen Patriot EMAIL
Bay City Times EMAIL
Saginaw News EMAIL
Kalamazoo Gazette EMAIL
Muskegon Gazette EMAIL
Oakland Press EMAIL
Dear Mr. Editor.....
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There are also advocacy groups lobbying at both national and state level to protect animal rights. Many have websites full of good information. They believe, as we do, that knowledge is power. Use a search engine such as WWW.GOOGLE.COM and type in 'animal rights'.
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