TX-RPOA E-News
>From RPOA Texas Outreach and
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
"Animal welfare, not animal 'rights'
and, yes, there is a difference."
Permission granted to crosspost.
July 14, 2010
The San Antonio Current has published a very lengthy article regarding the
Chapter 5 Animal Ordinance that passed June 17th. (URL is below.)
Aside from some out of context misquotes that were put in RPOA's mouth, it's
a very well researched article by reporter Callie Enlow and no real harm
done there. It's a very difficult topic to cover with limited space.
However "real" harm was done by Animal Care Services Director Gary Hendel
who took the opportunity to make some shocking defamatory remarks about
RPOA. Hendel actually accuses RPOA members of sending him death threats and
says Mary Beth Duerler, Executive Director, is "dishonest and inflammatory."
RPOA has requested copies of all records from Animal Care Services in regard
to these "death threats" under an Open Records Request. We're not sure how
Hendel determined the death threats are from our membership since he doesn't
have our membership list..
It's a sad day when an animal control director lowers himself to this level
and let's hope he can prove his statements. He can't win on the statistics
and merits of his "animal rights" legislative agenda so he resorts to this?
Hendel was quoted in the SA Express-News recently as saying the SA ordinance
amendments are a "first step toward more progressive laws already on the
books in San Francisco, CA, and Denver, CO." He added: "The
progressiveness doesn't quite fit in San Antonio right now." Does Hendel
not know how these two cities are regarded by animal lovers and tourists?
Many dog owners won't drive through the city of Denver with their dogs,
preferring to reroute around it.
RPOA succeeded in getting the "Mandatory Spay/Neuter requirement for all
dogs over 6 months of age or purchase the Intact Dog Permit Section"
deleted in its entirety from the ordinance. This is a major accomplishment
and has never been done elsewhere. We'll be doing a full report on this
convoluted ordinance as soon as we get to take a deep breath. It will be on
our website asap.
RPOA has administered a Pet Education, Assistance & Rescue Program statewide
for almost 20 years and is a key partner in the city's 5 Year Plan to Become
a No Kill Community. Long before Hendel came to SA from Portland, OR, a
year ago.
San Antonio Current article:
http://www.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=71292
