Rescuing the Rescuers
Target:
To whom it may concern
Sponsored by:
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.
Please help support Animals in Need by signing below.
We the undersigned give full support to Animals In Need staff and trustess for the reasons given below.
1) I know them to be a law abiding organisation.
2) They have and continue to do excellent work within the community arranging to have dogs neutered.
3) They have prevented the birth of thousands of bull breed dogs over the years and consistantly strive to improve the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership and offering behavioural training.
We the undersigned ask that Animals In Need be given consideration for all the excellent work they have done and continue to do.
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.
Please help support Animals in Need by signing below.
We the undersigned give full support to Animals In Need staff and trustess for the reasons given below.
1) I know them to be a law abiding organisation.
2) They have and continue to do excellent work within the community arranging to have dogs neutered.
3) They have prevented the birth of thousands of bull breed dogs over the years and consistantly strive to improve the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership and offering behavioural training.
We the undersigned ask that Animals In Need be given consideration for all the excellent work they have done and continue to do.
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.
Please help support Animals in Need by signing below.
We the undersigned give full support to Animals In Need staff and trustess for the reasons given below.
1) I know them to be a law abiding organisation.
2) They have and continue to do excellent work within the community arranging to have dogs neutered.
3) They have prevented the birth of thousands of bull breed dogs over the years and consistantly strive to improve the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership and offering behavioural training.
We the undersigned ask that Animals In Need be given consideration for all the excellent work they have done and continue to do.
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.
Please help support Animals in Need by signing below.
We the undersigned give full support to Animals In Need staff and trustess for the reasons given below.
1) I know them to be a law abiding organisation.
2) They have and continue to do excellent work within the community arranging to have dogs neutered.
3) They have prevented the birth of thousands of bull breed dogs over the years and consistantly strive to improve the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership and offering behavioural training.
We the undersigned ask that Animals In Need be given consideration for all the excellent work they have done and continue to do.
We the undersigned give full support to Animals In Need staff and trustess for the reasons given below.
1) I know them to be a law abiding organisation.
2) They have and continue to do excellent work within the community arranging to have dogs neutered.
3) They have prevented the birth of thousands of bull breed dogs over the years and consistantly strive to improve the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership and offering behavioural training.
We the undersigned ask that Animals In Need be given consideration for all the excellent work they have done and continue to do.
1) I know them to be a law abiding organisation.
2) They have and continue to do excellent work within the community arranging to have dogs neutered.
3) They have prevented the birth of thousands of bull breed dogs over the years and consistantly strive to improve the welfare of dogs by promoting responsible ownership and offering behavioural training.
We the undersigned ask that Animals In Need be given consideration for all the excellent work they have done and continue to do.
We signed the "Rescuing the Rescuers" petition!
# 806:
8:04 am PST, Feb 8,
Shelley Woolsey, United Kingdom
# 805:
4:29 pm PST, Feb 7,
Jess Waite, United Kingdom
# 804:
2:30 pm PST, Jan 20,
Jessica Gifford, United Kingdom
# 803:
12:49 pm PST, Jan 20,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
In this economic climate when animals are needing the help of charities like this one, to then keep trying to go after charities and their founder, etc who are trying to help and at the same time be lawful is not helping and the stress and financial burden and possible prison sentence is not aiding the charity to do it's job and the help they give to do owners is invaluable and the DDA needs to take this into consideration if they find that the dog was in fact one on the DDA list.
In this economic climate when animals are needing the help of charities like this one, to then keep trying to go after charities and their founder, etc who are trying to help and at the same time be lawful is not helping and the stress and financial burden and possible prison sentence is not aiding the charity to do it's job and the help they give to do owners is invaluable and the DDA needs to take this into consideration if they find that the dog was in fact one on the DDA list.
# 802:
12:48 pm PST, Jan 20,
Jayne Wright, United Kingdom
# 801:
9:10 am PST, Jan 19,
David Barnett, United Kingdom
please rescue rocky, we also have staff x from animals in need and she is a family loving dog, she go's out for walks and plays with other dogs. Its just the minds of other people who don't understand them.
please rescue rocky, we also have staff x from animals in need and she is a family loving dog, she go's out for walks and plays with other dogs. Its just the minds of other people who don't understand them.
# 800:
9:52 pm PST, Jan 18,
Name not displayed, Rhode Island
# 799:
3:26 pm PST, Jan 18,
Silvia Batista, Portugal
# 798:
2:46 pm PST, Jan 17,
Jackie Price, United Kingdom
i understand the animals in need rescue center to be a safe and law abiding group. And believe Rocky to be a safe family PET.
i understand the animals in need rescue center to be a safe and law abiding group. And believe Rocky to be a safe family PET.
# 797:
3:56 am PST, Jan 15,
D Patterson, United Kingdom
Please release Rocky! We have 2 rescue dogs from Animals in Need and they are both wonderful pets. Animals in Need are doing a brillant job for unwanted animals. We want Rocky to live a nice life as he deserves and not labelled as something he is not. Give him a chance.!!!
Please release Rocky! We have 2 rescue dogs from Animals in Need and they are both wonderful pets. Animals in Need are doing a brillant job for unwanted animals. We want Rocky to live a nice life as he deserves and not labelled as something he is not. Give him a chance.!!!
# 796:
9:57 am PST, Jan 14,
Jessica Wheeldon, United Kingdom
# 795:
8:32 am PST, Jan 14,
Eileen Hennessy, Massachusetts
Breed Specific Legislation is tantamount to racism, just as killing dogs because of the way they looks is genocide. So much for England's love of animals. This cruel mistreatment of dogs, who are completely innocent and would love nothing more than to be home with their loving families, is shameful and shows your country in a bad light to the rest of the world. Any responsible people willing to care for these animals should be allowed to do so. Rocky, and all the other dogs being subjected to such inhumane and unnecessary imprisonment, should be released immediately. THEY HAVE COMMITTED NO CRIME -- SET THEM FREE!!!!!
Breed Specific Legislation is tantamount to racism, just as killing dogs because of the way they looks is genocide. So much for England's love of animals. This cruel mistreatment of dogs, who are completely innocent and would love nothing more than to be home with their loving families, is shameful and shows your country in a bad light to the rest of the world. Any responsible people willing to care for these animals should be allowed to do so. Rocky, and all the other dogs being subjected to such inhumane and unnecessary imprisonment, should be released immediately. THEY HAVE COMMITTED NO CRIME -- SET THEM FREE!!!!!
# 794:
12:07 pm PST, Jan 13,
Karen Shotton, United Kingdom
# 793:
11:05 am PST, Jan 11,
Cynthia Nakaya, California
Just ridiculous. Are you going to lock up the jews next?
Just ridiculous. Are you going to lock up the jews next?
# 792:
4:23 am PST, Jan 11,
Heather Fields, United Kingdom
Please let this family dog go back to his family. It's not his fault that others may have done harm, but he has no wrong doing. Please let him be with his family and his family be blessed by his love.
Please let this family dog go back to his family. It's not his fault that others may have done harm, but he has no wrong doing. Please let him be with his family and his family be blessed by his love.
# 791:
6:29 pm PST, Jan 10,
Peggy Acosta, Pennsylvania
# 790:
11:59 am PST, Jan 10,
Paul Boughey, United Kingdom
please let common sense prevail and return this dog to his rightfull loving and responsible owners ive been barked at and bitten by more lapdogs than staff type dogs but we dont lock them up
please let common sense prevail and return this dog to his rightfull loving and responsible owners ive been barked at and bitten by more lapdogs than staff type dogs but we dont lock them up
# 789:
2:06 pm PST, Jan 8,
Steven Price, United Kingdom
Animals in Need do a fantastic job for local communities and dogs. Keep up the great work.
Animals in Need do a fantastic job for local communities and dogs. Keep up the great work.
# 788:
1:43 pm PST, Jan 8,
Siobhan Brown, United Kingdom
# 787:
9:34 am PST, Jan 8,
Claire Muirhead, United Kingdom
# 786:
7:09 am PST, Jan 8,
Lexa Dudley, United Kingdom
Surely the police and courts have better things to with their time. This dog could become stressed away from his loving owners and saftey of his home. Let him go back where he belongs in the name of sanity and common sense.
Surely the police and courts have better things to with their time. This dog could become stressed away from his loving owners and saftey of his home. Let him go back where he belongs in the name of sanity and common sense.
# 785:
3:42 am PST, Jan 8,
Stephen Potts, United Kingdom
Put the people who they rescue the dogs from in jail instead! The people who breed these dogs and sell them to inexperienced irresponsible young owners need punishing. If it wan't for people Animals in need then there would be far more of these dogs out there causing far more problems. They need to be helped and thanked not punished!!!
Put the people who they rescue the dogs from in jail instead! The people who breed these dogs and sell them to inexperienced irresponsible young owners need punishing. If it wan't for people Animals in need then there would be far more of these dogs out there causing far more problems. They need to be helped and thanked not punished!!!
# 784:
3:13 am PST, Jan 8,
Hannah Potts, United Kingdom
# 783:
1:14 pm PST, Jan 5,
Jan Ellis, United Kingdom
# 782:
10:01 am PST, Jan 5,
Katie Hodkinson, United Kingdom
# 781:
10:31 am PST, Jan 4,
Liz Whalley, United Kingdom
# 780:
5:28 am PST, Jan 4,
DENISE RUTLAND, United Kingdom
# 779:
1:31 am PST, Jan 3,
Alana Higgins, United Kingdom
We have had the good fortune to have Fran. and her staff, from Animals-in-Need, support us, whenever we have wanted a dog. (Over the last 20yrs.)They are the most proffessional and responsible animal organisation, who have the welfare of all the animal's in their care, as a priority. They would never put an unsafe dog,with any family, so please support them in their attempt to stop this cruel treatment of Rocky, who for no fault of his own, is being prosecuted. ( as part of the Dangerous Dog Act.)
We have had the good fortune to have Fran. and her staff, from Animals-in-Need, support us, whenever we have wanted a dog. (Over the last 20yrs.)They are the most proffessional and responsible animal organisation, who have the welfare of all the animal's in their care, as a priority. They would never put an unsafe dog,with any family, so please support them in their attempt to stop this cruel treatment of Rocky, who for no fault of his own, is being prosecuted. ( as part of the Dangerous Dog Act.)
# 778:
10:06 am PST, Jan 1,
Lisa Kellett, United Kingdom
# 777:
10:32 am PST, Dec 31,
Nicola Goodwill, United Kingdom
# 776:
6:42 pm PST, Dec 28,
Michelle Cotton, Australia
# 775:
1:10 pm PST, Dec 28,
Nina Corbet, Australia
# 774:
12:22 pm PST, Dec 28,
Terri Renneberg, Australia
# 773:
3:52 am PST, Dec 28,
Joyce & Geoff Stokes, Australia
# 772:
4:29 pm PST, Dec 27,
Carmen Armillas, Illinois
# 771:
4:08 am PST, Dec 27,
Irina Denisova, Russian Federation
# 770:
3:25 am PST, Dec 24,
Gerlinde Palsingh, Austria
# 769:
1:33 pm PST, Dec 23,
Phyllis Weatherall, United Kingdom
Rocky, Should be removed from police custody immeadiatly, He obviously is not a threat to society, and should be with his responsible owners. Not languishing in a state sponsored residence.
Rocky, Should be removed from police custody immeadiatly, He obviously is not a threat to society, and should be with his responsible owners. Not languishing in a state sponsored residence.
# 768:
5:18 am PST, Dec 23,
Clare Armor, United Kingdom
If the dogs have been identified as a legal breed, and have no history of aggression, then they should be given back to their owners. I think the authorities should concentrate on educating the young men who encourage their dogs to become aggressive, as it makes them look more intimidating.
If the dogs have been identified as a legal breed, and have no history of aggression, then they should be given back to their owners. I think the authorities should concentrate on educating the young men who encourage their dogs to become aggressive, as it makes them look more intimidating.
# 767:
12:56 pm PST, Dec 22,
Sarah Brand, United Kingdom
# 766:
4:05 am PST, Dec 21,
Caroline Cassidy, United Kingdom
I’ve worked full-time at Animals In Need for over 11 years now and have seen at first hand the work that we do. We are a small team of law abiding citizens, who care about the animals we help. Even since before I met, Trustee Fran Ellis, she was leading the way forward in actively helping to reduce the huge amount of unwanted animals by neutering dogs and cats before litters can be produced. We even pick up owners with their pets and take them to the vets (sometimes at our cost) so appointments can be met. We go out of our way to help when we can or offer temporary solutions until suitable accommodation can be found. We provide food for owners struggling to feed their pets. We offer a life-line to animals who may be destroyed. So we know the animals have the best start once they find new homes, we arrange for them all to be health checked, neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, wormed and flea sprayed. Fran Ellis is not a paid member of staff. She gives all her free time to help run the Sanctuary and fundraise so we can continue our work. Rocky is the most lovable, friendliest dog you could ever meet. All his 2 legged friends at Animals In Need miss him loads. The Sanctuary will continue to fight to have Rocky returned to his home.
I’ve worked full-time at Animals In Need for over 11 years now and have seen at first hand the work that we do. We are a small team of law abiding citizens, who care about the animals we help. Even since before I met, Trustee Fran Ellis, she was leading the way forward in actively helping to reduce the huge amount of unwanted animals by neutering dogs and cats before litters can be produced. We even pick up owners with their pets and take them to the vets (sometimes at our cost) so appointments can be met. We go out of our way to help when we can or offer temporary solutions until suitable accommodation can be found. We provide food for owners struggling to feed their pets. We offer a life-line to animals who may be destroyed. So we know the animals have the best start once they find new homes, we arrange for them all to be health checked, neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, wormed and flea sprayed. Fran Ellis is not a paid member of staff. She gives all her free time to help run the Sanctuary and fundraise so we can continue our work. Rocky is the most lovable, friendliest dog you could ever meet. All his 2 legged friends at Animals In Need miss him loads. The Sanctuary will continue to fight to have Rocky returned to his home.
# 765:
7:32 pm PST, Dec 20,
Monica Rivera, Texas
PEACE!
PEACE!
# 764:
6:03 pm PST, Dec 20,
Dylan Mulenburg, Minnesota
# 763:
4:21 pm PST, Dec 20,
Terri Goding, North Carolina
# 762:
10:22 am PST, Dec 19,
Gwen Benjamin, United Kingdom
# 761:
9:07 pm PST, Dec 15,
James Campbell, United Kingdom
The DDA is a hastily drawn-up piece of legislation, vaguely worded and poorly implemented, which is now being used to target an organisation that represents the BEST of care for unwanted and abandoned animals. The DDA on the other hand is an example of the worst type of panic-led, media-hyped legislation which has already been criticised by members of the legal professsion. Animals in Need should be praised for the work they do, not harassed and treated like criminals. They should be allowed to get on with their vital work.
The DDA is a hastily drawn-up piece of legislation, vaguely worded and poorly implemented, which is now being used to target an organisation that represents the BEST of care for unwanted and abandoned animals. The DDA on the other hand is an example of the worst type of panic-led, media-hyped legislation which has already been criticised by members of the legal professsion. Animals in Need should be praised for the work they do, not harassed and treated like criminals. They should be allowed to get on with their vital work.
# 760:
3:06 pm PST, Dec 14,
Melanie Higgins, Australia
# 759:
1:44 am PST, Dec 14,
Vikki Marshall, United Kingdom
# 758:
9:56 am PST, Dec 11,
Susan Westhead, United Kingdom
# 757:
1:11 pm PST, Dec 10,
Kellie O'Shea, United Kingdom
# 756:
12:19 pm PST, Dec 10,
Terry Hindley, United Kingdom
# 755:
12:03 pm PST, Dec 10,
Kirsteen Leake, United Kingdom
# 754:
3:39 am PST, Dec 10,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 753:
3:32 am PST, Dec 10,
Claire Shepherd, United Kingdom
# 752:
1:57 am PST, Dec 10,
Nikki L., United Kingdom
Dogs are only as dangerous as their owners... Responsible and caring owners should not be persecuted in this way merely for having a dog who 'looks' like a so called 'dangerous breed'. Any dog is a danger if they have not been properly trained, irrespective of breed. Send Rocky home - this case is ludicrous.
Dogs are only as dangerous as their owners... Responsible and caring owners should not be persecuted in this way merely for having a dog who 'looks' like a so called 'dangerous breed'. Any dog is a danger if they have not been properly trained, irrespective of breed. Send Rocky home - this case is ludicrous.
# 751:
1:07 am PST, Dec 10,
Stuary Lark, United Kingdom
Please release this innocent dog - it is an absolute disgrace that he was ever taken away from his loving owners in the first place!
Please release this innocent dog - it is an absolute disgrace that he was ever taken away from his loving owners in the first place!
