PUT AN END TO THE PUERTO RICO GOVERNMENT DOG BREED LEGISLATION

A Petition directed to the Governor of Puerto Rico:

WE oppose Project 1890  or 2376

which is Discrimination Based on a Dog Breed, Size and Appearance

Please add your voice to the rapidly growing constituency of dog companions, animal advocates and service dog companions across Puerto Rico who are protesting and opposing unreasonable dog breed discrimination  

All dogs must be free from any legislative attempts to eliminate them as family pets based on their breed, size, or some other physical characteristic. Physical attributes do not determine the behavior of a dog nor can they accurately assess suitability as a companion to humans. In regards to Breed Specific Legislation, we demand that lawmakers accept factual testimony that supports the following:

Statistics do not support the assertion that a specific breed of dog is dangerous.
When legislation is focused on the type of dog, it fails because it is unenforceable, confusing, and costly.
Focusing  legislation on dogs that are "vicious" distracts attention from the real problem, which is irresponsible dog ownership.
We declare that no governmental body should have the authority to penalize responsible law abiding citizens by imposing specific breed or size restrictions on their dogs.

We declare that under the protection of the 14th amendment, we have the right to maintain our dogs as personal property, which cannot be taken away without due process of law.
We declare that any attempt to criminalize the possession of a dog based on its breed, size, or physical characteristics is prejudicial and therefore unlawful.
Overzealous governmental regulations interfere in the workings of a true democracy. Therefore, it is my duty and privilege as an American and citizen of the United States to strongly oppose and vote against any and all forms of discriminatory legislation and government that threaten my freedom as a dog owner.
________________________________________
Spend No Dollars in Puerto Rico

Dangerous Dogs...

I think Not... Someone that has not had the pleasure of being a companion to any of these wonderful dogs should not be stereotyping the breed at any cost.

The aim of Project 1890 is theoretically to eliminate the ban on pit bull dogs. However, inherent in this bill is language that will stereotype many particular breeds BESIDES pitbulls and other large dog breeds and types:  Pit mixes, Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Chow Chows, Dalmatians and German Shepherds, and so on%u2026....

To us this sounds like an abuse of power!
While we recognize the need to protect the public from dangerous dogs and the need for public safety, the government must respect the rights of dog owners.

The determination of whether or not a dog is dangerous needs to be based on the behavior that an individual dog exhibits.  We believe that the actual behavior of an individual dog should be the sole responsibility of the owner not the dog%u2019s breed.

We are responsible owners and are united with animal advocates and animal protection organizations who believe that what is required is education. Many of us are particularly qualified to assess and understand canine behaviors and their impact on a community and its citizens.

The only dogs to be excluded from bills are Police Dogs

               Let not forget about the SERVICE DOGS

We all know that service dogs are those who help people with disabilities and depend on the services of these dogs?

The United States Department of Justice (United States) under title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. ?? 12181, et seq. are those that protect SERVICE Dogs.

SHAME ON YOU

GOVERNMENT OF Puerto Rico SHAME ON YOU

REMENBER SERVICE DOGS DO HAVE THOSE WHO PROTECT THEM UNDER THE FOLLOWING LAW

2.Title III of the ADA and its implementing regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability by places of public accommodation. 42 U.S.C. ? 12182; 28 C.F.R. ? 36.201. Specifically, title III requires places of public accommodation to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices, or procedures to afford access to persons with disabilities, including those who use service animals WHICH is equal to the access afforded to individuals without disabilities. 42 U.S.C. ? 12182(b)(2)(A)(ii); 28 C.F.R. ? 36.302(a).

What is a Service Animal?
Service animals are individually trained to work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Service animals are not always dogs; other animals may assist people with disabilities. Service animals come in all breeds and sizes, may be trained either by an organization or by an individual with a disability, and need not be certified or licensed. Service animals do not always have a harness, a sign, or a symbol indicating that they are service animals. A service animal is not a pet. Service animals assist people with disabilities in many different ways, such as:

?         Guiding people who are blind or have low vision and retrieving dropped objects for them;

?         Alerting people who are deaf or hard of hearing to sounds and the presence of others;

?         Carrying and picking up items, opening doors, or flipping switches for people with disabilities who have limited use of hands or arms, limited use of their legs, or limited ability to bend or stoop;

?         Pulling wheelchairs;

?         Alerting people with disabilities to the onset of medical conditions such as seizures, protecting them and cushioning them if they fall and reviving them.

?         Doing work or performing tasks for persons with traumatic brain injury, intellectual disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities, such as reminding a person with depression to take medication or waking him up, helping people with traumatic brain injury to locate misplaced items, or follow daily routines.

?         Providing physical support and assisting people with physical disabilities with stability and balance.

?         People with disabilities have the right to be accompanied by service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and anyone considers interference with, discriminate by breed or denial of the use of service dog can be serious violation under the ADA LAW.

               Together we can stop all these nonsense.

Address of the Governor Luis Fortuno
La Fortaleza
PO 9020082
San Juan, Puerto Rico
00902-0082
Telephone directory: 787-721-7000
Fax: (787) 723-3287

Senadores:
Direccion Postal: Senado de Puerto Rico
Apartado 9023431
San Juan, P.R. 00902-3431
Tel%u99AFnos: 787-724-2030 / 1-800-981-2036 (free of charge)