The American Beagler Forum

July 16, 2006


Subject: Jefferson County Dog Ordinance

Dear Honorable Officials,

The purpose of this letter is to express my concern about the Jefferson County Dog Ordinance that is currently being considered. First off I want to emphasize that I for one do not condone “Un responsible Dog Ownership”. I feel that the Jefferson County community has experienced several unfortunate instances of “Un responsible Dog Ownership” in the recent past, and something must be done to address these issues. As a community, we must work together to eliminate any instances that might cause injury or even death as we have seen in the past. I feel that corrective action must be thoroughly thought out and a well-established plan must be implemented. However, I feel the broad “Cookie Cutter” proposal that is currently being considered is based more on emotion, lacking a thorough understanding of the long term consequences of its implementation and It Must Be Voted Down.

The state of Kentucky is fortunate enough to truly own “Bragging Rights” throughout the World on numerous traditions. Kentucky is the Thoroughbred Capital and Bourbon Capital of the World. We have a strong tradition in college sports (mainly basketball, but we are seeing football starting to steal the spotlight year after year). We not only play host but we own the most coveted Horse Race in the World. The State has another claim to fame that goes unnoticed in the broad public and you may not be aware of it yourselves. Kentucky is home to some of the best hunting dogs/hounds in the world. Just an example of the states influence and more importantly Jefferson County’s influence did you know that the 2006 NKC Open Class-WORLD CHAMPION Beagle was born right here in the shadows of Jefferson County. Within a 50-mile radius of Jefferson including Jefferson County you have had numerous NKC Champions and Grand Champions, UKC Champions and Grand Champions, PKC Champions and Grand Champions, AKC Field Champions and AKC International Field Champions. This is in the Beagle community alone. There area many more accomplishments in other breed communities way to numerous to list and that I myself have no personal knowledge. These accomplishments may not be broadcast over the world or be posted on the Signs as you enter the State but it still brings pride to the hearts of many that practice this Time Honored Tradition. We can truly declare in addition to the many wonderful Accolades that Kentucky is also the Hunting Dog/Hound Capital of the World. As hunters, houndsmen and houndswomen we find ourselves in this day in age facing many obstacles. Loss of hunting lands, restricted lands, public perception of our sports, higher fuel prices (having to drive farther to enjoy our sport), higher hunting licenses and fees the lists goes on. It saddens me to know that there are more obstacles that lay ahead. There is a saying in the Hunting Dog/Hound Community that if you teach your kids to hunt, and then you do not have to hunt your kids. This rings true to those of us fortunate enough to have grown up in families where deep-rooted hunting traditions are carried on for generations. It would be a tragedy to eliminate or hinder future generations from experiencing the traditions of the Sporting Dog Community or just everyday companionship and the joy dog ownership brings.

After reviewing the proposed dog ordinance I get a sick feeling that Jefferson County does not want dogs or dog themed events. The fees that are proposed basically tell the community that if you do not have money then you do not get to own canines in this community. The proposed fees for selling a dog, registering a dog owning a dog will make the ordinary working people basically get to a point that they can not afford a dog. It would be apparent that those of you that would Vote Yes on such an ordinance have never witnessed the excitement in a child’s eyes when they obtained there first puppy, or having a child bear witness to the amazement of life with the arrival of a newborn litter or even see the pride and joy of grownups when the dogs that they purchased as a pup or raised from conception enact the genetics breed into them in there pursuit of game.

In closing I say there is more to this proposed Dog Ordinance than what you may have conceived. I ask of each of you to Vote this ordinance down. As a community there are better ways to alleviate the past issues of “Un Responsible Dog Ownership”.

Thank you for your time!!!

Sincerely,

William H. Mason
Kentucky Citizen

Great letter Will. I was unaware of any proposal that would effect what we do with our dogs. I hope that they take it to heart. I will write a letter myself. Send me the address that I need to send it to. Thanks.

Pete

http://americanbeagler.huntingboards.co ... hp?t=22622

Pete here is all about it, I wrote to everyone on that list requesting that they resend that proposal.

Council Member James Peden emailed me back and said he does not support the current Dog Ordinance draft and will fight it. Way to go Mr. Peden.

William Mason

Thanks TC.

All I am gonna say is William H. Mason for Governor of KY. Maybe you can put Jimbo in charge of the campaign.

Great letter Will, maybe this will help sway their views on hunting dogs.

Good job Will. Wayne

Will it is evident that your 8 years of college has paid off.lol. I would hope that they understand all dogs need not be catorgorized. I do beleive in some type of leash law . But they want to basically shut down
all of us . Kentucky has been blessed as far as antis are concerned but without a doubt they are just around the bend. The kentucky houndsman association has BY far been our strongest voice thru out time . Even the fish and wildlife dept at times seems to work for everyone in the world besides the dog guys . They sure seem to worry about fish deer and turkeys but screw the rabbits. I have had the oppurtunity
to speak with ben chandler as he is from montgomey county . I fill as though he will be our next govener in ky , he actually owns a few bird dogs , I beleive him to be on our side but he is a politician . It appears
that in kentucky the democratic party backs dogs more than republicans.
jmho.Voters we as houndsman gotta vote .

Has the state considered the revenue it gains from hunting dog sports/events?

Kinda seems they haven’t thought this all the way through…

Jack

Great letter Will! I went back and read the information about the law and after I read Will's letter. It just goes to show what kind of fools are elected to offices everyday. I didn't see who sarted the law but you guys in the Louisville area should definitely be supporting his opponent in his next election. Must be Jefferson Co's own Peta law. Lol

Will, my Mom will be proud someone went to college longer than I did. Thanks Buddy! Lol

Jeff right at 6 yrs. about a year and half I dont count. I stopped going to class and just concentrated on one long party. Those days my motto was you could always retake a class but you can never relive a party...lol Crazy as it seems I am either going to go to LAW school or go and get my MBA in the near future. To think at one time I swore off school...lol

Great letter Will, but I wish you had spelled out UKC, NKC, AKC, PKC, it sounds like the law maker's in your state might not be smart enough to recognize what the abbreviations stand for.

I sure hope that all who responded to your letter from your state also write a similiar letter instead of hoping that this letter will be enough by itself to stop the action. If you think it would help for other states to send letters as well, just let us know where and to whom to send them.