From: Animal Advocates Society of B.C.
To: publicity@raincoast.com
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 8:10 PM

Dear Raincoast Books,

Re: From the Vancouver Sun: June 20, 2003: Secrets of the latest Potter book intact despite a few early sales.
"(Harry Potter's Vancouver publisher) Raincoast did not return calls Wednesday, but reportedly has guard dogs to protect the books".

On Wednesday this week, an SPCA officer was severely mauled by a commercial guard dog. Other yard/guard dogs have inflicted worse damaged on defenceless people, usually children, Shenica White is the best known example.

Perhaps you are unaware of the abusive way that dogs are treated in this industry. We hope you will take a moment to read how AAS investigated, documented and rescued a dog from the biggest player in this industry at: http://www.animaladvocates.com/guard-dog-business.htm which includes the inhumane conditions that the dogs live in on the job and at the kennel and the sale of a particularly depressed and unhappy dog to Animal Advocates representatives for $1800 cash, no PST or GST.

Could you please tell us if you hired a guard dog or dogs from one a guard dogs company, and if so, did you chose to hire a man/dog combination or just a dog? The man/dog combination is more expensive but the Sun article does not mention a handler.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Judy Stone, President,
Animal Advocates Society of BC

(We will post here if we get an answer from Raincoast Books)