LETTER: Oppose use of "guard dogs" in Newark, NJ
(from the latest Animal Spirit Newsletter)

Maybe some additional information / ammunition to use in BC and Canada ...

Please see http://www.newjerseyguarddogs.com/

SOURCE: megan1123@hotmail.com (hotmail.com)

BACKGROUND: Newark, NJ has been boasting its "Renaissance". According to
New Jersey Business Magazine
(http://www.njbmagazine.com/2002may/newark.shtml) new construction is
popping up all over the city and there are big plans for even more new
buildings and facilities. This all sounds great for the people of
Newark, and it is, but there's something important missing from this
story... what this means for the dogs. Guard dogs are frequently used on
new construction sites in Newark. In fact, Allied Security Group
provided dogs to guard the construction site for the for the new
International Center for Public Health in Newark. Guard dogs throughout
Newark are being treated with utter disregard for their needs and are
seen as mere commodities to turn a buck. See
http://www.newjerseyguarddogs.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Mayor Sharpe James
Newark Mayor's Office
920 Broad St # 200
Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973-733-6400
Fax: 973-733-5325
Email: mayor@ci.newark.nj.us (ci.newark.nj.us)

SAMPLE LETTER:

Oppose use of guard dogs in Newark

Mayor James:

Please accept this letter as a petition requesting that you oppose the
use of guard dogs on all of the city's current and future construction
projects.

Guard dogs are frequently used on new construction sites in Newark. For
example, Allied Security Group provided dogs to guard the construction
site for the new International Center for Public Health in Newark.
Allied Security Group has also paid $1,500.00 in fines for cruelty to
animals this past May and the ongoing abuse/neglect of guard dogs
throughout the city has been documented.

In addition to the obvious objection to these dogs being inhumanely
treated, the use of guard dogs also poses a great risk to the safety of
the city's residents.

I will not be visiting Newark, NJ as long as it condones the cruel and
archaic guard dog business. I will encourage my friends, family, and
business associates to do the same. I deeply regret losing the
opportunity to patronize a city which has made great steps toward
cultural development and hope that I will be able to support Newark in
the future.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,