Petition Rescuing the Rescuers

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/rescuing-the-rescuers

Animals in Need are a rescue organisation offering sanctuary to many abandoned animals each year. A registered charity, they have operated in Liverpool U.K for 18 years. Now the rescuers need rescuing.

With a strict spay/neuter policy for all their own animals they also spend a great deal of time and finance working with dogs and their owners within the community offering free neutering, chipping and training to those in need. As a result they have prevented the birth of hundred or even thousands of unwanted dogs. During the "pit bull amnesty" of 2007 they offered free help and advice to owners caught up in the Dangerous Dogs Act ( DDA) 1991. To this day they still do all the above.

However at the end of 2007 the DDA turned to the rescuers as two of their dogs were accused of being pit bull type. Then, in January 2008 a young dog was left abandoned and, being a law abiding rescue they notified the authorities. Animals In Need were then taken to court under 4b of the DDA for three counts of possessing a banned breed. The rescue refused to accept the first two dogs were "of type" and funded a legal team and experts to defend the dogs. They won and both dogs were deemed to be legal cross breeds and rehomed.

The rescue agreed with the authorities on the type of the third dog however having a strict non destruction policy they funded experts and a legal team to ask the courts to register the dog to Animals In Need. This was allowed and the dogs life was spared. She will live out her life under the care of Animals in Need who are the ONLY rescue within the UK to currently own an exempted dog.

However the nightmare was not over and at the end of 2008 the DDA struck again and a further dog was accused of being a banned breed. Unlike the previous three dogs this one was seized and removed to secure kennels pending court proceedings. Animals in Need founder, Fran Ellis is now facing another charge of possessing an illegal breed and with penalties that could include up to 6 months in prison, a %uFFFD5000 fine and a criminal record.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/rescuing-the-rescuers

signed

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