MASSFED NEWS

Spring 2007

Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners

MASSFED NEWS

page 1

Spring 2007 www.massfeddogs.org

This Federation… • Promotes and protects the interests of responsible dog owners. • Actively assists and participates in local, state and national legislation concerning dogs and dog owners. • Brings such legislation to the attention of the membership and the general public.

• Promotes responsible dog ownership. • Uses all legal means to promote the general welfare of dogs and dog owners. • Disseminates information and knowledge regarding dogs.

May 14 Hearing - Joint Committee on Municipalities & Regional Government May 14, 2007 was the hearing date for a long list of bills (several relating to dogs) referred to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. MassFed was well represented by the majority of its Board of Directors and many Associate members, Delegates from MassFed member clubs and interested dog owners. MassFed provided “No BSL” and “Support Rep. Hill’s H1948” (Dangerous Dog bill) stickers which dotted the lapels of attendees around the auditorium. The hearing format deviated from the familiar as the Chairman called several expert panels whom he had invited to testify which took the majority of the day. Many of us couldn’t stay until the end of the day and left written testimony for each member of the Joint Committee. Note: None of the bills on the docket for the hearing that day were related to Pit Bulls. There are links to several more related newspaper articles on the MassFed website . GLOBE EDITORIAL Ban behavior, not breeds May 17, 2007 DANGEROUS DOBERMANS, Rottweilers, German shepherds, or any other dog breeds would get a pass under any legislation that focuses exclusively on banning or restraining pit bulls. Massachusetts needs a sound state law that addresses vicious dogs of every type, not breed-specific laws that fail to differentiate between behavior and brand. The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government is exploring a statewide pit bull ban similar to those adopted by some municipalities across the United States. Sympathy for such restrictions comes easily to the public after sickening incidents such as last week’s pit bull attacks on two children in Boston. And the breed does appear to be favored by hostile owners who could draw out aggressiveness in the meekest lamb. But banning pit bulls, most of which make reasonably good pets if treated properly, misses the wider point. Vicious dogs, regardless of breed, do not belong in any home or neighborhood. But current state law does not even

define what constitutes vicious behavior. Erratic enforcement efforts rest almost exclusively in the hands of municipalities. The state contributes with outmoded legislation recommending a first-offense fine of not more than $25 for any owner who ignores local dog ordinances. That’s no hardship for people who pay more for a case of premium dog food. New Bedford is taking a tough and sensible approach to the problem. The South Coast city’s dangerous-dog ordinance would never be described as soft on ferocious canines. The law not only addresses actual attacks on people but also gives an animal control officer leeway to find a leashed dog dangerous if its actions are so aggressive as to suggest that an attack would have taken place if not for the presence of the restraint. No specific breeds are cited in the ordinance. But there are plenty of specific consequences if a dog is deemed dangerous, including: mandatory spaying or neutering of the animal; mandatory microchip identification; mandatory confinement behind a fence; a total ban within 500 feet of a playground or park; and euthanasia at the discretion of the city’s animal control officer. Owners of vicious dogs can face licensing surcharges, mandatory insurance, and fines up to $300 daily for failure to comply with the ordinance. The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which opposes breed-specific bans, endorses a Senate bill (S512) that is scheduled for a fall hearing in the Legislature. It provides strictures like those in New Bedford while mandating extensive training for animal control officers. Less preoccupation with pit bulls should lead to laws that minimize the likelihood of dog bites and maximize the penalties for owners whose callousness is often at the root of the attacks. © Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/05/17/ban_behavior_not_breeds/

page 2

Spring 2007

MASSFED NEWS

OPPOSE H3841 – Establish a Division of Domestic Animal Protection (Rep. Callahan) The Hearing for H3841 (Establish a Division of Domestic Animal Protection - Rep. Callahan) was held on June 26, 2006. There were five people representing the dog fancy in attendance waiting four plus hours to testify against this bill - Charlotte McGowan (Patriot Papillon Club), Virginia Rowland (MassFed), Lin Falat (N.E. Terrier Club), Gale Cummings (N.E. Terrier Club), and Liz Sullivan (New England Dog Training Club). Only three were able to stay long enough to testify. Lin read written testimony written by Liz, Charlotte testified regarding shelters being the number one supplier of pets in Massachusetts and they are exempt from regulation by this bill. Two people representing the Mass. Pet Professionals testified against the bill stating that their industry is already being currently inspected by five different entities and they do not need to be inspected by a sixth!

Problem: After an exhaustive effort, a bill has been proposed this year, S512, to totally rework the dog laws for the state. H3841 is an effort to subvert that effort and remove dog, cat and other domestic issues from the Department of Agricultural Resources where they belong. While S512 isn’t perfect, it needs only the smallest changes to be a really good bill that should end the parade of dog bills filed year after year.

Julie Rembrandt Seeley (Wachusett Kennel Club) and Judith Erlanger (Yankee Golden Retriever Club) were unable to attend but faxed written testimony to each member of the Joint Committee in opposition to this bill. Monique Bertrand (Staffordshire Terrier Club of America, American Dog Owners Assoc. and Wampanoag Kennel Club) sent written testimony by U.S.P.S. mail and email. Holly Stump (North Shore Kennel Club) also sent written testimony prior to the hearing via email and fax.

The Department of Agricultural Resources issued an Emergency Order to insure shelter and rescue imports would be isolated and examined by a Massachusetts Veterinarian. This is being followed up with proposed legislation. The Department also began registering shelters and rescues that were importing strays from out of state to fill otherwise empty shelters here. Pet Stores are already highly regulated under Massachusetts. Law. Private Hobby breeders are regulated and inspected by the American Kennel Club. Commercial breeders are regulated and inspected by the USDA.

Rep. Callahan was the only one to testify in favor of the bill and spoke of the pet animal industry in Massachusetts as a billion dollar industry! She talked about how much people spend on their pets, that there are “emotional issues” in selecting pets and that dogs are like children to people. She painted a picture of commercial breeders, pet stores and the horrors of all this quoting a pet store expose that was in the news back in 2004. She said she receives at least 2 calls a week about people unhappy with animal purchases and getting sick animals. She indicated the Department of Agricultural Resources was not the place to take care of these things and that it was not doing the best job. She said that her new department would be paid for by all the missing sales tax from all the commercial breeders and people selling animals and not paying sales tax. She wants the price, breed, age of all animals recorded so taxes can be collected. She referred several times to the “industry” of pet breeding in Massachusetts and said that she knows it exists because $9.8 Billion is spent on pet care - no indication of her source for these numbers. She also alluded to her bill H727 that includes kennel definitions (“Breeding kennel”, a facility where 5 or more dogs, or cats are kept in a single location for the purpose of breeding or buying, selling or in any way exchanging dogs or cats for value.”). She said that some people would testify that S512 would be coming up later but that she was working with the Department of Agricultural Resources to include her thoughts and ideas in S512. Rep. Callahan did mention Mass. Fed.

History: Last year an Emergency Order was issued to regulate shelters and rescues for the first time because of the massive importation of shelter and rescue animals to the state from the South and from offshore Islands like Puerto Rico. One out of state shelter puppy even arrived at a Massachusetts Shelter with rabies!

What This Bill Does: H3841 creates a separate agency placing pet shops, commercial kennels, and home based hobby breeders of dogs, cats and other animals in a special division. The bill authorizes this division to write rules when the Department of Agricultural Resources already has the right to write rules and regulations. The bill excludes 501(C)3 shelters that import tens of thousands of strays from out of state from regulation. Some “not for profit” Massachusetts shelters and rescues gross hundreds of thousands of dollars selling imported shelter and rescue animals (dogs and cats) but they would be exempt from regulations. At least one other state actually charges sales tax on “donations” shelters charge for animals. Some of these “donations” are $400 or more per animal. Why You Should Oppose This Bill: This bill runs counter to the work done to recodify Massachusetts Dog Laws. The state should not spend money to create another layer of regulation that is clearly not needed. The state also needs to regulate not for profit shelters that are now the largest suppliers of pets in the state. The Department of Agricultural Resources is best suited to do this See page 3 for bill text.

The Joint Committee Clerk indicated that they had received many calls, letters and faxes in opposition.

Continued on page 3

MASSFED NEWS

Spring 2007

OPPOSE H3841 Continued from page 2

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

page 3

This section shall not apply to any non profit organization that provides care and protection for abused, neglected or abandoned domestic animals and the licensing and permitting procedures shall not apply to any persons who breeds I litter per year of a domestic animal.

—————— PETITION OF: Jennifer M. Callahan Christine E. Canavan

——————

There is still time to voice your opinion – contact members of the committee, particularly if they are legislators representing your town!

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

—————— AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE DIVISION OF DOMESTIC ANIMAL PROTECTION. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follow Section 1 of chapter 24A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:Within the division of consumer affairs there shall be a division of pet shop investigators. The director shall establish rules and regulations and hire such inspectors as he deems best to investigate and ensure the health and safety of all animals sold to consumers in the commonwealth. Such rule and regulation shall apply to pet shops, kennels, and breeders who are sellers of domestic pets. The director shall also promulgate rules and regulations to track the sale of domestic animals by pets shops, kennels, and breeders. Such criteria to track said sales shall include, but not be limited to, the following: sales price, type of breed, and age of each domestic animal. Said division shall compile and release a written report on said data and shall be forwarded to the department of revenue and made public. The director shall also promulgate rules and regulations by which pet shops, kennels and breeders of domestic animal would require a license or permit to engage in the sale of domestic animal .

JOINT COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION & PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE Room 43 State House Boston, MA 02133 Telephone: (617) 722-2030 Members appointed to the committee: Sen. Morrissey of Norfolk and Plymouth - Chair - 617-722-1494 Fax: 617-722-1055 Sen. Montigny of Second Bristol and Plymouth - Vice-Chair 617-722-1440 FAX: 617-722-1068 Sen. Barrios of Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex - 617-722-1650 Fax: 617-722-1323 Sen. Joyce of Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth - 617-722-1643 Sen. Downing of Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin 617-722-1625 Fax: 617-722-1523 Sen. Brown of Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex - 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Rep. Rodrigues of Westport - Chair - 617-722-2030 Fax: 617-722-2215 Rep. Khan of Newton - Vice-Chair - 617-722-2140 Fax: 617-722-2339 Rep. Kafka of Stoughton - 617-722-2305 Fax: 617-722-2598 Rep. Straus of Mattapoisett - 617-722-2320 Rep. Murphy of Burlington - 617-722-2396 Fax: 617-722-2774 Rep. Kane of Holyoke - 617-722-2263 Rep. Spiliotis of Peabody - 617-722-2430 Rep. Wallace of Boston - 617-722-2013 Rep. Calter of Kingston - 617-722-2425 Rep. Humason of Westfield - 617-722-2803 Fax: 617-722-2390 Rep. Ross of Wrentham - 617-722-2305 Fax:: 617-722-2598

Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners President Virginia Rowland, P.O. Box 300, Templeton, MA 01468-0300; 978-939-5300; [email protected] Vice Prresident Nancy Fisk, 235 Maple St., Bellingham, MA 02019; 508-966-4564; [email protected] Corresponding Secretary Julie Rembrandt Seeley, P.O. Box 295, Harvard, MA 01451-0295; 978-456-8644; [email protected] Recording Secretary Judith Erlanger, 28 Piper Road, Acton, MA 01720; 978-263-7301; [email protected] Treasurer Charlotte McGowan, 15 Sargent Park, Newton, MA 02458; 617-527-3450; [email protected] Directors John Kenney, 53 Beechwood Street, Cohasset, MA 02025; 781-383-0504; [email protected] Rebecca Leonard, 50 Rice Road, Wayland, MA 01778; 508-653-6139; [email protected] Cynthia Stark, 245 Parker Ave., Holden, MA 01520; 508-852-2483; [email protected] Holly Stump, 263 Topsfield Road, Ipswich, MA 01938; [email protected] Phyllis Wright, 32 Pine Grove Road, Lunenburg, MA 01462; 978-343-6131; [email protected]

page 4

Spring 2007

MASSFED NEWS

General Meeting Minutes March 7, 2007

General Meeting Minutes May 17, 2007

The March 7, 2007 General Meeting of the Federation was called to order at 8:00 pm by President Virginia Rowland at Bickford’s Grill in Framingham, MA.

The membership meeting of the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners was called to order by President Virginia Rowland at 8:06 P.M. at the Boxborough Holiday Inn in Boxborough, MA.

In attendance were: Rhoda Bergman (Associate Member), Jody Champlin (Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club), Bonnie Chandler (Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club), Sue Cohen (Springfield KC), Susan Craighead (Irish Wolfhound Assn of New England), Nancy Fisk (Board Member / Hockamock KC), Darlene Flood (South Shore KC), Jean Gamble (N.E. Rhodesian Ridgeback Club), Karen Jordan (Scottish Terrier Club of N.E.), Joan & John Kenney (Yankee Siberian Husky Club), Kirsten Ottmar (Associate Member), Henda Plosker (Associate Member), Nanette Prideaux (Pioneer Valley KC), Sandy Ross (North Shore KC), Virginia Rowland (Ladies Dog Club), Julie Rembrandt Seeley (Wachusett KC/ Poodle Club of MA), Holly Stump (North Shore KC), and Anne Testoni (Concord Dog Training Club). PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Virginia awarded Board Member Holly Stump a framed citation as the recipient of the AKC’s Community Achievement Award for her work with MassFed. VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Nancy awarded Julie a lovely ornament with display stand depicting the State House in Boston as a thank you for coordinating our three MassFed Lobby Day events at the State House. SECRETARY’S REPORT: The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as published in the Fall 2006 newsletter. Julie reiterated the highlights of the Secretary’s Annual Report which was also published in the Fall 2006 newsletter. TREASURER’S REPORT: In Charlotte McGowan’s absence there was no report available. As there was no pressing unfinished or new business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22p.m. in order to move on to our program for the evening “So Many Bills – So Much To Do! Have a little fun and learn about this legislative session’s Bills in preparation to Influence Beacon Hill with Faces and Facts” on Lobby Day, April 25, 2007. Respectfully submitted, Julie Rembrandt Seeley Corresponding Secretary PROGRAM NOTES: The program included discussion of the pros/cons of various legislation and our approach to lobbying at the State House on 4/25/07, copies of the Winter 2007 newsletter which detailed docket/bill numbers, a handout entitled “Tips for Contacting Your Legislators”, and a copy of the Lobby Day invitation which was mailed to all Massachusetts Legislators.

Present were President Virginia Rowland (Ladies Dog Club and Wachusett Kennel Club), Vice President Nancy Fisk (Hockamock Kennel Club), Corresponding Secretary Julie Rembrandt Seeley (Ladies Dog Club and Wachusett Kennel Club), Recording Secretary Judith Erlanger (Yankee Golden Retriever Club), and board members Cynthia Stark (Worcester City Kennel Club) and Phyllis Wright (Greater Lowell Kennel Club). Also present were Alan Alford of Greater Lowell Kennel Club, Bonnie Chandler of Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club, Roberta and Tom Davies of Springfield Kennel Club, John Seeley of Poodle Club of Massachusetts, Linda Saball of Greater Lowell Kennel Club, Diana Walther of Minuteman Samoyed Club and Diana Whitsit of Wachusett Kennel Club. Our speaker for the meeting, Rep. Jamie Eldridge and his aide, Joe, were also in attendance. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Virginia began the meeting with an introduction of our members. SECRETARY’S REPORT The minutes of the February Membership Meeting will be published in the Spring Newsletter. TREASURER’S REPORT There was no Treasurer’s report. Ladies Dog Club voted to give MassFed a donation of $1,000.00. COMMITTEE REPORTS Lobby Day – The event went very smoothly. We made great contacts with legislators. Lobbying in small groups is the most effective way to lobby. We need more people involved next year.

Newsletter – This will be published shortly. Website – The website has been updated with links to our position papers. The groomer bill link will be added. NEW BUSINESS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. It will be followed by a program by Rep. Jamie Eldridge on “Lobbying for a Legislator’s Point of View.” Respectfully submitted, Judith M. Erlanger Recording Secretary

MASSFED NEWS

Spring 2007

page 5

OPPOSE S235: Licensing and Regulation of Pet Groomers (Sen. Tisei) The Hearing for S235 was held on May 29, 2007 at the State House. Kerstin Ottmar and Charlotte McGowan attended this hearing on behalf of Mass Fed before the Consumer Protection Committee. Senator Tisei filed this bill on behalf of a husband and wife who had a rescue Greyhound and had brought it to a groomer for a bath. The dog was bathed and put it in a drying box and left apparently too long. The dog was in distress, the owners were called and they took the dog to a veterinarian where it subsequently died. As a result, the bill was filed asking that all groomers attend Pet Grooming School and be licensed. Quite a few people testified at this hearing. The only ones in favor of the bill were the Senator and the owners of the dog. Kerstin testified as a home based groomer and I testified on behalf of dog show people and dog handlers who occasionally groom dogs for others. I also stated there were very few pet grooming schools and one of those mentioned in the news article had no website and never seemed to answer the phone. The Massachusetts Pet Professionals also testified along with representatives from major stores like Petco. An organization representing groomers was there with badges and many testified. Groomers waffled around on whether they should be licensed and regulated but everyone agreed this was a bad bill. Hopefully the committee began to understand that dog grooming is a skill learned by doing and from master groomers rather than taught in a traditional classroom setting. As of June 27, no action has been taken on this bill. The Committee clerk reported that they had not received any further comment on the bill and it was doubtful they would take it to Executive session in the near future. Charlotte McGowan PROBLEM: A TV report of an accident caused by a pet groomer in Connecticut inspired a constituent to have a bill filed in Massachusetts to regulate Pet groomers. A Local Pet Grooming School owner who would benefit from such regulations was featured in the report. HISTORY: The dog show world requires that dogs being shown be immaculately groomed and presented at their best. A long tradition of over 100 years has established a system of dog show handlers learning grooming techniques in order to compete successfully. Professional Dog Show Handlers who groom and train show dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club or be-

long to several professional organizations such as The Dog Handlers Guild or the Professional Handlers Association. Dog Show handlers have also had a tradition of apprenticeship for handlers who train and groom show dogs. Many of these dog show handlers also offer grooming services to the public for their pets. Additionally, many hobby dog show enthusiasts learn the art of grooming and training from their peers and handlers at dog shows. Many of these people can successfully compete with professionals and some of these people groom pet dogs in pet grooming establishments or from their homes as a part of their living. In more recent times, as pet ownership has increased, Pet Dog Grooming Schools have started up to educate novice groomers about how to groom dogs that are owned as pets rather than as show dogs. WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO: Set up a Board to license pet groomers and anyone who bathes or brushes a dog or cat for a fee. Set up tests for licensure, set fees for exams and licenses. Among other things, anyone who is licensed to bathe and brush a dog would have to have completed 80 hours in a bather/brusher program. Those who actually groom or clip animals would be required to complete many more hours of training at “Pet Grooming Schools.” Anyone who grooms, bathes or brushes a dog for compensation without being licensed would be subject to a $1,000 fine! WHY YOU SHOULD OPPOSE THIS BILL: 1. Writing legislation based on a TV report of an incident in another state is a poor reason to create a Board and licensure of pet groomers. These incidents have been sensationalized and are infrequent. 2. The most highly trained dog groomers (show dog handlers) would not be able to continue to work because they have not attended “pet grooming school.” In order to qualify for licensure, they would be required to fulfill large numbers of hours in such schools. No provision is made for the years of experience of these highly qualified individuals. 3. Highly skilled dog groomers of specific breeds such as Poodles, Cocker Spaniels, and various Terriers who have learned their craft at dog shows would not be able to groom pet dogs for a fee. This bill infringes on the rights of these well-qualified individuals to earn a living.

Editor’s Note: The text of this bill is 16 pages and is available for downloading from the MassFed website as is the MassFed opposition position paper

page 6

Spring 2007

Canton Restricts Pit Bull Ownership We received an alert Monday night (4/30) from Lisa Comuso regarding Town Bylaw Amendment (Article 19) – Article XIV – Section 39 – To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town Bylaws as most recently amended, by adding a new Section 39A – regulation of Pit Bull Dogs as follows or to take any other action in relation thereto: (CantonArticle19.pdf). The meeting had already taken place earlier that evening. On Tuesday I scrambled to get info and found that town meeting was continued to Wednesday and issues could come back up. We all began attempting to locate Canton residents to work with us on Wednesday. Nancy Fisk was able to find help and we started to put things together. Several members including Monique Bertrand and I sent letters by e-mail to the selectman. Nancy and Lisa Comuso were planning to attend and help. Wednesday morning I was able to speak with the Senior Clerk and was told that although any item may be brought back up until the close of town meeting, the criteria are quite hard to meet. The citizen needs to have new information relevant to article that was not available when the item

MASSFED NEWS

was discussed. This does not mean information you failed to use or obtain, but unavailable to you at the time. We had nothing to go on. Article passed – it was not a breed ban as published in warrant, but had been amended to restrict ownership. We are planning to work with ACO Ellen M. Barnett and the residents we identified to draft an article for next spring’s town meeting. ACO and office staff in Canton are on our side here. Important Lesson If you hear of any dog legislation, local or state, please let us know ASAP. We would rather hear about it twice than not at all! If it is time sensitive please call board members until you reach someone. We later found out that one member knew about this Sunday night. If we had the info then, we could have been at town meeting, and we may have been able to stop it from passing! Holly Stump

Editor’s Note: Canton Article 19 is downloadable from the MassFed website.

2007 Bills to Watch

Hearing

Bill # Sponsor Name/Description Support/Oppose Date Revenue 617-722-2320 S1787 Sen. Resor Dog and Cat “overpopulation” Fund Oppose Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture - 617-722-2210 S512 Sen. Jehlen Rewrite Dog Laws Support w/ amendments 9/24 S1197 Sen. Resor Regulation of Shelters Oppose H751 Rep. Galvin Spaying and neutering cats Oppose 9/24 H727 Rep. Callahan Abused animals (kennel definitions added) Oppose 9/24 S475 Sen. Brewer Anti NAIS Support 7/9* H757 Rep. Gobi Anti NAIS Support 7/9* H150 Rep. Callahan Division of Pet Shop Inspectors Oppose 10/22 Community Development and Small Business Committee H 147 Rep. Atsalis Pet Shop basic care info 4/11 Judiciary - 617-722-2396 S789 Sen. Baddour Wrongful Death of Companion Animal Oppose S806 Sen. Brewer Dog Training Areas Support H 1339 Rep. Callahan Animal Cruelty and Veterinary Care Oppose H1546 Rep. Koutoujian Pets and abuse prevention H1529 Rep. Kafka Depiction of Animal Cruelty Oppose H3865 Rep. Callahan Damages for Malicious Injury to pets Oppose Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure 617-722-2120 S224 Sen. Resor Pet Store Warranties Oppose 7/17 S235 Sen. Tisei License Pet Groomers Oppose 5/29 H308 Rep. Reinstein Horse & Greyhound Racing Purse No opinion H309 Rep. Reinstein Greyhound adoption H320 Rep. Sciortino End Greyhound Racing Oppose Municipalities & Regional Government - 617-722-2090 Hearing May 14 11-1 Room A-1 S1167 Sen. Joyce Mandatory spay/neuter of cats Oppose 5/14 H1948 Rep. Hill Dangerous Dogs Support 5/14 H1919 Rep. Callahan Canine Rehabilitation Center Oppose 5/14 H1993 Rep. Spellane Condemned Dogs No opinion 5/14 H1917 Rep. Callahan Destruction of dogs Oppose 5/14 H2000 Rep. Vallee Vicious Dogs Oppose 5/14 H1940 Rep. Gobi Dangerous Dogs Support 5/14 H1941 Rep. Gobi Pet Stores Oppose 5/14 Transportation - 617-722-2400 H3477 Rep. Fennell Transportation of animals in cars Oppose fall Finance - 617-722-2220 H957 Rep. Gobi Homeowner’s Insurance Support *1:00 pm at a location off the State House grounds

MASSFED NEWS

Spring 2007

page 7

THANK YOU!

2007 Meeting Dates

We would like to thank the Framingham District Kennel Club for their recent $500.00 donation to MassFed.

Mark your calendars now for next year’s meeting dates:

Club and individual donaions make our ongoing education process possible.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST American Dog Owners Association http://www.adoa.org American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org Contacting Congress http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/committees.html Lawmaking in Massachusetts http://www.state.ma.us/legis/lawmaking.htm Mass. General Court http://www.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm National Animal Interest Alliance www.naiaonline.org Project Smart Vote http://www.vote-smart.org/ Thomas - U.S. Congress on the Internet http://thomas.loc.gov/ U.S. Department of Agriculture http://www.usda.org

If you become aware of any impending legislation in your town please contact a MassFed Board Member immediately so that we may start the process of investigation and take appropriate action! Board Member contact information is on the “Member” page of our website. MassFed Website Please visit our website frequently. The “News” page will include late breaking news about upcoming hearings and other events. Links from previous events and hearings will remain available for several weeks. The “Membership” page includes links to member club website and links to Delegate emails. Upcoming meeting information is also posted on this page. Please email website or newsletter information to [email protected].

• August 08 (Wed.) Emanuel “Manny” Maciel, Animal Control Officers Association of Mass. President and New Bedford Director of Animal Control, will speak about the Role of an Animal Control Officer & his work with SMART (State of Mass. Animal Response Team). Location: O’Connor’s Restaurant, Worcester, MA. • October 25 (Thur.) Annual Meeting NH Rep. James G. Phinizy (former AKC Bord Member) will speak on “Proactive Legislation & Lobby Techniques including members of the dog fancy running for the Legislature!” Location: Four Points Sheraton, Leominster, MA Check our website (www.massfeddogs.org) for updated meeting info and reservation forms.

GET TO KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORS Make certain to get in touch with your Legislators -- they need to hear from constituents! Stop in if they have a district office near you, get to know the staff. Let them know you will be happy to communicate and help them with educational material regarding dogs. Leave a copy of the MassFed newsletter for them and give them our website address! Remember, education is the key!! If you do not know who your State Senator and Representative is you can find out at the MA General Court website – http://www.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm.

NEW MEMBERS Welcome to our newest member club - The New England Sporting Group Association. We look forward to their active participation. We are always recruiting! Club and Associate Membership aplications can be downloaded from the website — www.massfeddogs.org. MassFed News is a newsletter published February, May, August, and November by MFDC&RDO for members. Any portion may be reproduced in the newsletters of member clubs with appropriate credit to sources. Material reproduced from other sources or opinions expressed in this Newsletter does not necessarily represent the official position of the Federation or its members. Please send correspondence to: Julie Rembrandt Seeley, Post Office Box 295, Harvard, MA 01451-0295; fax 978456-8853; e-mail [email protected]

page 8

Spring 2007

MASSFED NEWS

MEMBER CLUBS Airedale Terrier Club of New England Delegate Sybil Kevy [email protected]

508-358-2097

New England Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Delegate Jean Gamble [email protected]

978-779-6112

Bulldog Club of New England Delegate Anne L. von Rosenberg [email protected]

617-484-7003

New England Rottweiler Fanciers, Inc. Delegate Bruce Billings, Jr. [email protected]

781-727-5795

Cape Cod Kennel Club, Inc. Delegate Cheryl Malone [email protected]

508-385-2808

New England Sporting Group Assn. Delegate Jane Folkman [email protected]

508-339-6916

Charles River Dog Training Club Delegate Rebecca Leonard [email protected]

508-653-6139

New England Terrier Club Delegate Richard Marsh [email protected]

413-283-8874

Cocker Spaniel Breeders Club of N.E. Delegate Paula Emerick [email protected]

978-772-5545

North Shore Kennel Club Delegate Holly Stump [email protected]

978-356-1644

Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club Delegate Bonnie Chandler [email protected]

978-456-3169

Patriot Papillon Club, Inc. Delegate Charlotte McGowan [email protected]

617-527-3450

Concord Dog Training Club Delegate Anne Testoni [email protected]

978-779-6154

Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, Inc. Delegate Nanette Prideaux [email protected]

508-347-9674

Framingham District Kennel Club Delegate Donna Cappadona [email protected]

508-881-8714

Poodle Club of Massachusetts Delegate John W. Seeley [email protected]

978-456-8644

German Shepherd Dog Club of Central MA Delegate Jean Underwood [email protected]

508-867-7855

Scottish Terrier Club of New England Delegate Karen Jordan [email protected]

413-567-9738

Greater Lowell Kennel Club Delegate Phyllis Wright [email protected]

978-343-6131

South Shore Kennel Club, Inc. Delegate Darlene Flood [email protected]

508-888-6786

Hockamock Kennel Club Delegate Nancy Fisk [email protected]

508-966-4564

Southern Berkshire Golden Retriever Club Delegate Carol Ingher [email protected]

518-542-7772

Holyoke Kennel Club Delegate Joe Duda e-mail n/a

413-283-8066

Springfield Kennel Club Delegate Sue Cohen [email protected]

413-782-2945

Irish Wolfhound Assn. of N.E. Delegate Susan Craighead [email protected]

508-872-0070

Wachusett Kennel Club, Inc. Delegate Julie Rembrandt Seeley [email protected]

978-456-8644

Labrador Retriever Club of Gr. Boston Delegate Jeffery Snyder [email protected]

508-865-5824

Wampanoag Kennel Club, Inc. Delegate Micky Rein [email protected]

508-823-3178

Ladies’ Dog Club Delegate Virginia Rowland [email protected]

978-939-5300

Worcester County Kennel Club Delegate Cynthia Stark [email protected]

508-852-2483

Minuteman Samoyed Club Delegate Diana Dupont Walther [email protected]

508-867-3196

Yankee Golden Retriever Club Delegate Judith Erlanger [email protected]

978-263-7301

Nashoba Valley Hunt Club Delegate Daphne Taylor [email protected]

978-345-5391

Yankee Siberian Husky Club Delegate John Kenney [email protected]

781-383-0504