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Sunday, January 10, 1999 By Linda Wilson Fuoco
"You can't fight city hall . . . "
Dog owners from Ohio, Pennsylvania and California blasted that tired old saying out of the water when they banded to fight a proposed Youngstown ordinance that would have banned pit bulls in the Ohio city.
Dog owners mounted a successful campaign in just two days. And they did it during Christmas week, when most people are swamped with last-minute shopping, wrapping and cooking.
Dog lovers won this round. Youngstown council agreed at a Dec. 23 meeting to suspend plans to adopt the pit bull ban, which had been scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. Instead council will look at updating an existing law that aims to crack down on vicious dogs, regardless of breed.
Let's give credit where credit is due. This vote was also a "win" for the elected officials and citizens of Youngstown. Council stopped short of adopting a bad law that would have protected no one and would have punished responsible dog owners.
Council apparently took note of telephone calls, e-mail and letters sent from all parts of the country.
This is exactly the way "the system" is supposed to work.
There is a lesson here for all of us. Read newspapers (better yet, BUY them) to keep tabs on elected officials. If you don't like what they're doing rais ing taxes, cutting school enrichment programs or banning dog breeds - let them know how you feel.
Elected officials DO respond to public pressure.
Don't forget to praise and thank politicians when they do a good job.
Usually they mean well. The Youngstown ban was proposed after two small boys were attacked by a pit bull. But the proposed ban would not have helped children bitten by any other breed.
The Dec. 24 story in the Youngstown Vindicator noted, "Dog owners from California and Pennsylvania and the president of the United Kennel Club in Kalamazoo, Mich., have written asking councilmen to reconsider the ban."
Much of the Pennsylvania lobbying effort was initiated by Lora Bauer of Ambridge. Aside from owning three wonderful dogs - Freedom, Taffy and Me-Me - Bauer campaigns tirelessly to defend the breed that she loves.
People who love this breed cringe when their pets are called "pit bulls." They think that term should be reserved for the "street dogs" who are used and abused by people who fight them for fun and profit.
The correct name is American Staffordshire terrier or American pit bull terrier.
Bauer and other dog owners who exhibit their dogs in shows, obedience trials and therapy work have compiled e-mail lists. They send each other amusing anecdotes, news of show wins, sad news about pet deaths, and bad dog laws.
Dog owners in Ohio and California have similar lists, which is why the three states were well-represented in Youngstown.
The e-mail alarm was sounded on Dec. 21 by Thomas and Teresa Jones of Youngstown, who own two American Staffordshire terriers. Both dogs are champions and one is a certified therapy dog.
"He is an asset to the community," Thomas Jones told council.
Jones telephoned or e-mailed every dog owner he knew, including Bauer, and the doggie network sprang into action.
"I am overwhelmed by the response," Jones said in a recent telephone interview. "Council received hundreds of letters and messages."
Most of those people do not own Amstaffs or pit bulls. But this is every dog owner's fight, for our breed could be next.
One way to help is to join the American Dog Owners Association in Castleton, N.Y.
This group has been fighting bad dog laws for years, including those limiting the number of pets we can own. Yearly dues are $15.
This organization has quietly and successfully halted bad dog laws before they go on the books. They have done this in several Allegheny County communities.
Part of their game plan is to provide elected officials with alternative laws aimed at protecting the public from vicious dogs.
As Thomas Jones said when he e-mailed his thanks to everyone who helped in the Youngstown campaign:
"As a single voice you will fail. But united and organized, we can prevail."
Letters, telephone calls or e-mail can be sent to the American Dog Owners Association, 1654 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton, NY 12037; 518-477-8469; adoa@global2000.net.
Visit the association's Web site at www.global2000.net/adoa/.
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