[Rottnbelle]

I forwarded this to another breed list that I am on. This is great news:

On August 17th, New York Governor George Pataki signed into law a measure
that will better protect the public and animals against "dangerous dogs"
while ensuring that dog owners are protected against unjustified dangerous
dog findings. The new law will take effect on December 15th.

A.6635-C/S.5910-B, sponsored by Assembly Member Paul Tonko and Senator
George Maziarz expands the existing dangerous dog law to cover not just
attacks on people but unjustified attacks on companion and farm animals.
The bill also corrects deficiencies in existing law by requiring that
dangerous dog determinations be made based on clear and convincing
evidence, by requiring that dog owners have the right to be heard at the
proceedings and to appeal a dangerous dog determination, and by giving the
court options beyond the current mandate of permanent confinement or
euthanasia so that it can truly make the "punishment fit the crime"

Unlike other bills considered by the legislature this year A.6635-C focuses
on the behavior of the individual dog rather than its breed. As such, it is
the most rational and effective method for addressing the problem of dogs
that are truly dangerous, while ensuring that no dog is erroneously labeled
as such.

Please take a moment to thank Governor Pataki for signing this important
animal welfare and public protection measure into law.

To email the Governor, go to
www.state.ny.us/governor/, click on
"Contact the Governor" and follow the instructions.

To have a letter sent to the Governor on your behalf free of charge,
http://www.aspca.org/site/R?i=KkN-DVfuy2cXSXLRAGHJvQ.. please click here.

Thank you for caring about animals. Your efforts do make a difference.

Sincerely,

Stacy Wolf, Esq.
Director, Legislative Services - Northeastern Region
National Shelter Outreach