don't blame the breed
A little while back I came acrosss one of those online petitions. It basicilly stated that the US Army wanted to ban any and all famillies living on and Army post could not have an "agressive breed". Dobermans, pitbulls, rotties, chows, etc. There were a few others that I can't remember.
Needless to say I was furious. I signed the petition and also wrote the president and senators. I explained to them that Dobermans served in WWII, saved lives of American Soliders and know you are going to put that breed out. I also commented that the DPCA donated dogs to the military and that "you people" gladly accepted them. And the general public also donated their family pets in which our glorious government would return thses dogs home. But that was not the case instead of returning these dogs home the military was going to put everyone of these dogs down. Then the handlers step in to save the lives of these dogs, as the dogs have done for them. Some of the handlers adopted these dogs, they "rescued them" from a death sentence. I went on and on, explaing that it is not the breed it is the owner of the dog that is responsible for the way their dog acts. I also explained that I could make a poodle attack. And what about pomm's very small dog and known to be agressive. Again not on your list and again it is aggressive because of the owner.
I'm getting beyond myself, to make this short. I received a letter yesterday from my Senator.
Here is what the letter had to say:
I am enclosing a copy of a letter which I received from the US Army regarding your concerns about the pet policy of the Army's Residental Communtities military housing privatization program.
I hope you find this information helpful.
I was kinda excited getting this letter. I thought I actually made a difference. That I fought for this breed that I love so much and one something for them in the Dobe's favor. When I read the letter from Doug Altrichter, Congressional Coorinator of the Army. It basicilly said that these dogs could be grandfathered. If they moved the could not have one of these dogs, or once their dog passed they could not get another one on the army's list.
Again i am so ouitraged. The letter from my senator eneded in a form that he did me a favor, "If there is anything I can do", etc. I can promise you my Senator, the president, and the Army will get yet another letter from me.
When does this ever stop. A whole breed is being punished for a few irresponsible owners. I guess Vick, who was found guility of mistreating dogs is ok then. Maybe everyone that likes football will mistreat a dog. It's plain discrimination. It's all about the government they do what they want when they want and to whom they want. Unless you can give them a million dollars. It's all about money and power and screw everyone else.
sorry for ranting, I am just so furious. It's a great thing I live no where near DC
UGH. I'm surprised that GSDs aren't on that list if Dobes are! GSDs have a higher biting rate than Dobes in the first place! >:( The government is too ignorant for its own good. It's like they don't know how to love.
I just finished writing my Senator again, not that it will do anygood, maybe if I gave him a million dollars it would. I am so enraged about this issue.
This is a good idea, I should look up some laws in California and see if there's any breed discrimination here...Good way to get involved Phil!
PhilNCaine, give us some specifics so we can write our Senators (both of them) and our Congressman. What is the specific Army regulation you are referring to. Can you also send us a link to the online petition so we can sign it.
Breed discrimination is not going to go away easily. I would hope that the DPCA, AKC, and other groups are at work on this issue as well. Perhaps we need a Million Doberman March.
Seiitsu....
here is what I found under the California Fooed and agriculture code;
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=fac&group=31001-32...
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE
SECTION 31641-31646
Here is the link to the petition
http://www.petition2congress.com/2522/remove-dobermans-from-military-housing-a
Here is what the petition is all about:
In January, the Department of the Army released a memo stating a new breed specific ban for all on base housing. The ban targets Pit Bulls (including American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Wolf-Hybrids, Dobermans and crosses of these breeds. This ban also includes other dogs that demonstrate a propensity for dominant behavior such as:
Unprovoked barking, growling, or snarling at people approaching
Aggressively running along fence lines when people are present
Biting or scratching people
Escaping confinement to chase people
Every military branch has this same policy. So far it is ONLY the Army who has decided to add Dobermans to their list. Dobermans have played a major role in our military’s history and the Army apparently couldn’t care less.
Dobermans are very loyal, gentle and docile creatures. They are excellent with children, seniors, and everyone in between. I have done my research and can’t find a single bite incident regarding a Doberman on a military installation. My grandmother (who dislikes all dogs) has even commented on how well behaved and good natured my DOBERMAN is over all the other dogs she has been around. So why is my girl banned? She is not just a pet, she is my child. Why is it that my neighbor’s German Shepherd is allowed on post? Every time I go out into my own yard, I get barked and growled at by that evil thing. Myself, and a lot of people I know, are more afraid of Chihuahuas than Dobermans. The banning of a dog should be based on individual temperaments, not a specific breed.
When my husband and I recently moved into base housing, due to money issues, I was told, not asked, to get rid of my Doberman or live off post. No exceptions. It did not matter that my husband has dedicated the last six years of his life to the Army, spending one tour in Korea and two in Iraq. It didn’t matter that he is actually employed by the Army as an explosive dog handler. It didn’t matter that he spent 800 training hours at Lackland AFB becoming the excellent dog handler that he is today… nothing mattered.
How are current military families expected to want to reenlist if they cannot even be trusted with their own animal? Until recently, we had planned to stay Army until retirement. Now, we’re giving serious thought to rejoining the civilian world. When weighing the options staying in no longer makes much sense. We can’t afford to live off post, and we certainly won’t be giving up our silent family member.
I’m writing this petition in the hopes of opening some new eyes to this subject. I am not only writing this for myself, but also for the other families that have been hit with this ridiculous policy, and for the potential future military families. I can only hope that my cause will be taken seriously by my politicians, and others. I’m asking you congress, to please help me keep my family and others together.
where to find your state legislators:
House of Represenatitives:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Senators:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Idiot in the White House:
Kudo's to you for taking such a staunch and firm position for something that you passionately believe in... Dobermans!
How incredible an act and how selfless and patriotic to the BREED!
HIGH FIVE and MAJOR GOLD STARS for you for this action!!
Can you provide specifics as to the name/number of the memo sent out in January? What is the name/number of this particular poiicy? Asking a Congressman or Senator to help get a specifically named/numbered policy or memo overturned is much more effective than talking about "a memo" or "a policy" without specifically naming it.
I think this is the correct link for the memo
http://www.dpca.org/Legisltv/documents/SignedPetPolicyforPrivatizedHousing_Jan09.pdf
Wreckless behavior is running through our government, schools, and most of the establishments in our country. It seems to be the basis for living in this country now. Like "cut throat" pool. If you still have a few moral codes, you are most definitely at the bottom of the food chain. Thank you Phil for your fight!
Me and the Le
This topic is a little old, but being former military myself I feel the need to let you know that this has come into effect and no new members of the aforementioned breeds can be transfered to post living quarters.

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Phil, I'm with you! My father served our Beautiful Country for 22 years, and retired out of the Army. This is just wrong on so many levels. Those who volunteered to serve and keep us and, those writing this silly amendment, free and this is what happens! I'm so sorry, it seems some of these "people", are being paid our tax money to sit and ponder how to control us more. We are not losing our freedoms to outside forces, but to our government! God Bless, Sophie & Angie