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Canine Legislation Conference 2007 Coming to Kansas City September 15th-16th

August 12, 2007 : 3:42 PM
Will feature national experts in canine aggression, breed specific legislation, community outreach, fighting restrictive animal laws, and much more

Canine Legislation Conference 2007

Kansas City Dog Advocates invites all to attend the upcoming 2nd Annual Canine Legislation Conference! Canine Legislation Conference 2007 will feature national experts in breed specific legislation, insurance issues, animal health, and more. This conference is geared toward individuals and groups who want to improve canine legislation through fair and effective laws.

The conference is featuring Russ Mead, General Counsel for Best Friends Animal Society as the Keynote Speaker! Mr. Mead has been instrumental in getting cities and towns across the country to implement effective alternatives to BSL, along with advocating on behalf of stronger animal cruelty laws. This conference is spanning the gamut of ways to make our country safer for all members of society through education and better laws.

When: September 15-16, 2007

Where: Westin Crown Center Hotel

1 East Pershing Road

Kansas City, Missouri 64108

For more information, including hotel reservations and online
registration, Click Here.

Contact CLC Conference Coordinator: Jennifer Burke at clc2007@kcdogadvocates.org


************Speakers and Panelists (in alphabetical order):**********

· Deborah Bresch, Esq., Legislative Liaison, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

· Bill Bruce, Director of Animal and Bylaw Services for the city of Calgary in Alberta Canada

· Tom Clements & Thumper, Disc Dog Entertainers

· Chris Cory, Director and Executive Producer of "Diva Dog" the movie

· Jim Crosby, Canine Aggression Consultant, investigator of serious and fatal dog attacks

· Midge Grinstead, Lawrence Humane Society Executive Director

· Tio Hardiman, Director of Gang Mediation and Community Organizing at Cease Fire Chicago

· Donna Herzig, Vice President of the Louisville Kennel Club

· Susan Hunter, Ph.D., Professor at the University of West Virginia

· Indy Pit Crew, Pit Bull education and advocacy group based in Indianapolis, IN

· Gina Pettrow and Chloe the service dog, pit bull advocates

· Ledy VanKavage, Esq., Director of Midwest Government Affairs and Public Policy for the ASPCA

· Andrew "Roo" Yori & Wallace the Pit Bull, Disc Dog Champions

· And more speakers being added weekly!

Conference Sessions:

Importance of Advocacy - An overview of the role everyone has in advocating for good canine legislation.

Case Study: Kansas City - A look at circumstances during the summer of 2006 which lead to an onslaught of Kansas City Metro cities proposing breed-specific legislation. What can be learned from the wins and loses?

Case Study: Toledo - A discussion of the Tellings vs. Toledo case, the importance of the Toledo decision, and what it means for people fighting against BSL.

Case Study: Denver - An examination of the current court case challenging Denver's 18-year breed ban and what the case means for other states.

Case Study: Louisville - As assessment of the Louisville case which began as proposed breed-specific legislation and transformed into heavy mandatory spay neuter. What lead to the change and why does it matter?

Why Some Cities Have BSL - An overview of factors that impact the adoption of breed-specific legislation.

Legal Panel - A question & answer session about canine-related legislation lawsuits.

Case Study: Lawrence - A look at the animal laws in Lawrence, KS and what can be learned from Lawrence's progress.

Case Study: Calgary - Calgary's animal laws as a model for other cities. How relevant are the laws in this Canadian city to cities in the US?

Animal Control Panel - A question & answer session about canine-related animal control issues.

Dog Fighting and Inner City Outreach - How to change culture in the inner city to stop dog fighting and other violent activities? What has worked and who is involved in creating change?

Science Behind Canine Aggression - What are common factors in fatal attacks? How can dogs be evaluated for this propensity? What does this mean for law enforcement?

Screening of Diva Dog - A documentary about an ambassadog who demonstrates how animals with disabilities can survive and thrive and deserve a chance to do so.

501c3 Workshop - A discussion about the role of 501c3 organizations in advocating and what they can and cannot do without jeopardizing their tax status.

State Lobbying Q&A - A question & answer session about state laws that affect dogs and dog owners/guardians.

Media Workshop - Strategies for using the media to your advantage.

BSL 101: Community Lobbying - How to challenge breed-specific legislation with facts. How to present complicated information about dogs, dog behavior, and community safety for a lay audience.

BSL 101: Community Forums - How to organize community forums to educate and activate members of the community against breed-specific legislation.

Ambassadogs - The use and importance of ambassadogs to impact public perceptions.

Community Outreach - A question & answer session about how to get people involved in dog-related issues and how to impact various target populations.

Strategy For Your City - Develop a strategy for challenging adverse dog laws in your community. Ask questions from folks who have challenged and had success.

Ambassadogs in Action! - An exhibition of dogs who challenge breed myths by excelling in agility, disc competition, and more!

For more information, including hotel reservations and online
registration, Click Here.


We look forward to seeing you!
KC Dog Advocates

Photo is representative only. Pictured is Mr. Smiley, who is available for adoption through Missouri Pit Bull Rescue. Mr. Smiley is super loving, very well behaved, and a big-time cuddler! Read about him on Petfinder.com here.

Posted by Patricia Haddock, Best Friends Network


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Comments
  
September 16, 2007 at 10:56 AM
posted by: marys
Ruthy92.....you need to READ the above. It states "along with advocating stronger animal cruelty laws"! This is the only way it will be effective and save these precious lives. Go Kansas!!!
  
September 15, 2007 at 12:04 AM
posted by: momofelliemae
I hope you will attend the conference. In fact, a careful review of the evidence reveals that BSL -- esp. laws that ban certain breeds or impose a liability insurance requirement -- kills good dogs and doesn't reduce dog fighting or cruelty.
  
August 12, 2007 at 6:00 PM
posted by: ruthy92
The problem here is that this kind of "advocating" only helps the interests of the breeders and the fighter/breeders

Pit bulls need breed specific laws to protect them, and until that happens "challenging dog laws" means giving breeders the right to do whatever they want

And more dogs get bred, tortured, hurt, euthanized

That is why the BREEDER INDUSTRY fights bsl and tighter dog laws. They want to keep exploiting animals freely, without regulation.

And it is sad to see people from the humane world helping them.
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