Alert 10/11/07    Peter Marsh, Loudoun Lawsuit & More

 

Peter Marsh's visit

Peter Marsh was with us the last weekend in September and captivated the crowd with his down-to-earth musings and advice. A DVD of the Saturday meeting will soon be available; details to follow.

Peter spoke of the thrill and concrete result of rescuing an animal, but noted that there is nothing like the "rush" of getting laws passed that help to decrease the need to rescue. He talked at length of strategies to get legislators to work in support, and how to build coalitions of groups, noting that in his home state of New Hampshire, they have been able to work with law enforcement, farmers, and vets - groups frequently at odds with animal welfare people - to make change for the animals.

We are putting together a Peter Marsh email group for those who want to work on some of the ideas he raised, and you needn't have attended to join the group. Let us know and we will add you to the list. Suggestions that seem to have hit very close to the heart dealt with the story of "The Cat Who Loved Kittens" and the dog collar line. We need you to work with us on this.

Lawsuit brought against Loudoun County

A lawsuit has been brought against Loudoun County seeking a temporary injunction to immediately stop the killing of pit bulls at the Loudoun County Animal Pound. Plaintiffs are Animal Rescue of Tidewater and Ron Litz, a Loudoun County resident.

A hearing regarding the lawsuit will be held next Monday, 10/15/07, at 1pm, at the Loudoun County Circuit Court located in Leesburg at 18 East Market Street (703-777-0270).

The suit alleges that Loudoun County's policy forbidding the adoption of pit bull and pit bull mixes violates state law. The link here to the 10/8/07 edition of Leesburg Today provides background: http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/2007/10/08/news/fp753pittbulls100807.txt

The hearing on Monday, 10/15, is open so the public may attend. Opposed as VVAW is to BSL (breed specific legislation), it will further our cause if many attend, and if those who attend are polite, not disruptive, and come with no signs and with no dogs. The message to convey is that many, many ordinary citizens care deeply about this case and, quite frankly, are fed up with Loudoun's policy of killing dogs based on breed. We want the court to know that ordinary, responsible and respectful citizens are paying close attention to whether or not the court does something to end that practice.

Those who choose to attend should please arrive early enough to be seated BEFORE 1:00 p.m. as those coming late are not likely to be admitted by the bailiff.

Note that VVAW has addressed this issue before. See the alerts of 11/3/06 on pits bulls and the companion alert of 11/9/06 about the Attorney General opinion. Both are on the VVAW website: www.VirginiaVotersForAnimalWelfare.com

Gas chambers - update

We await final decisions and statements of intention to regarding termination of gas permanently in three jurisdictions (Lee, Scott and Wythe counties).

To prevent these counties from using gas, and to prevent any others from resuming or starting to use gas chambers, we have contacted every person running for the General Assembly, incumbent or "wanna-be", asking each to commit, even before the November election, to become a co-patron of the bill to outlaw gas chambers which we will introduce again this session. The bill will once more be patroned by Del. James Scott; thank you once more, Del. Scott!

Please, be in contact with every candidate for the General Assembly and ask, as we have, for their support in eliminating gas chambers, and for their support for VVAW animal welfare bills in general that we will be proposing in the 2008 session.

VVAW Candidates

Remember that Don Marro is running for the General Assembly as the Senator (Senate District 27) to replace the retiring Sen. Russ Potts, long a VVAW supporter.

Remember that Kim Kincheloe, also on the VVAW Board of Directors, is running for a seat in the General Assembly as the Delegate for District 54, a seat currently held by the incumbent, Del. Bobby Orrock.

Both Don and Kim are running as Independents.

Upcoming meetings

Do you want a VVAW meeting in your area in the next 2 months? If so, tell us where, and tell us if you can help organize that meeting.

Thanks.

Lillian Clancy and Don Marro

Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare