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An open letter to concerned Dog and Wolfdog owners..
In regards to Colorado Senate Bill 167 I have been doing a lot of home work, travel and phonecalls. I'm sure of the objective at this point. What I would like to accomplish from our efforts is"our fair, just rights" to own a wolf dog. This is my pet of choice, I and thousands of otherowners across the country should have the right to own a wolf dog. I am asking nothing morethan my neighbor. I refuse to be singled out and forced to live by breed specific regulations thathave no statistics to warrant such action.
My background in this issue is that I own a two year old male wolf, husky / malamute namedTimbre. He is like a child, we have raised him from five weeks old and he is more gentle thanmost other breeds that we've had in the past. When I say that Timbre is as a child to us I meanthat sincerely, we love him as one of our family. We raised German shepherds for several years.We have also raised Border Collies. Over the years we have had many animals share our home.Through those years there have been some special dogs. I speak for my family when I say thatTimbre is very high on the "special" list.
I was alerted to SB167 nearly two months ago and have been calling and writing to everyone thatmay be of help since. February 19, 1997 we were invited to the State Capitol for a newsconference along with several people that brought wolf dogs from refuges. There were a numberof well behaved animals being handled by many people. The focus of the media however was noton the behavior of the animals. One refuge owner voiced concerns about over breeding andpoorly educated owners. This is a valid point and needs to be addressed but is certainly not abreed specific issue. Senator Hernandez read the study issues of SB167 and recalled the death thatapparently started a lot of the attention. What came from this trip to Denver is that I am toparticipate as a member of the study committee if Governor Romer signs the bill. I don't feel astudy is needed but if it's going to happen we need equal representation. My concern is that weare being singled out and if we don't assure a balance on this committee it will not happen.
What I feel would help are letters and calls as described in, "When you write", "When you call".Wolf dog Coalition Info. Packet. I think at this point Governor Romer would be the best contactto make. Express your feelings you have for your pet and concern about representation ofowners and breeders of wolf dogs on the study committee. At present I am the only ownerinvolved if this committee forms. I have been in touch with two other people that I feel would beof great help on this committee. If there is anyone out there that's willing to spend some time tohelp insure your rights I urge you to write to the Governor (at the address below). If you could serve in any way on thestudy committee this should be made known.
I have been very surprised at the lack of concern by so many of the owners I have talked to lately. These politicians work for you, make the system work and assure your rights. Write, call, visit your local paper, (we did and got a whole page of coverage). Call your local T.V. station, we gothold of KWGN Denver and they drove a hundred miles to do an interview. I also found out theyhave two wolf dog owners on their staff. Contact animal control, dept. of agriculture, Senators,representatives, contact your humane society, do whatever it takes.
What it all comes down to is that many of the lawmakers that we are dealing with have only seenthe problem children of the wolf dog community. It's like they don't know there are many happyhomes with wolf dogs in them, estimates for Colorado are around 30,000. Quit using Hybrid inyour vocabulary and don't use it in your letters and calls. You have a wolf dog, dog is and alwayshas been part wolf. If we can get everyone to see this one point we have come a long way!
You can reach me at the following address for further info. address included for Gov. Romer.
Thanks !
465 Steele St.
Craig, CO. 81625
970-824-4165
E-mail: (Jamred@tristategt.org)
Feel strongly about what Jim has written above ? Then express your opinions too ! Write to:
The Honorable Roy Romer
136 State Capitol Bldg.
Denver, Co. 80203
1-800-283-7215
E-mail: (romer@governor.state.co.us)