No Sh!t - and no agreement

Barking Mad is a relatively new lobby group. We have no need to 'trash' any side of the political debate. We have 30 years of experience in lobbying, and as a lobbyist, that means we lobby for controversial issues. History is clear in showing us that many of these 'controversial' issues become commonplace - it's the lobbyists that are the leaders to get the public perception into the political arena. And yes, sometimes we suffer personally for it, and historically, many 'lobbyists' become 'heroes' only after death.

Minister Watkins didn't agree to anything as this article in the Telgraph implies. He is just confirming what we have asked to be publicised for nearly a year. Barking Mad located our statutory right when many other groups did not. Thank you to our members who supported us in this early vision and subsequent victory. Why did it take a violent arrest for our right to travel on PUBLIC transport to be acknowledged? Barking Mad works for responsible pet owners - the majority.

Pema Leads...Daily Telegraph

Welcome (again, with gratitude) to our members and a special welcome to new readers who have arrived here because of the Daily Telegraph article. If you are, were or want to be a pet owner, and support what we do (even if not HOW we do it), I ask you to JOIN. By joining (for less than a bag of premium pet chow), you make your vote count.

If you think pets are dirty, not-welcome in cities, or that they are all owned by irresponsible people, I offer you the following to consider:

Independent research (facts) show that the vast majority of pet owners are 'responsible' and aware of their obligation to share our community resources.

1. Pet owners make a significant contribution to our national economy.
   
   
2. Overwhelming evidence exists of the utilitarian value of pets (mostly dogs) to the aged, infirmed, disabled and to building community.
   
   
3. Yep, there are 'idiot' owners just like there are parents who let their kids act illegally, men who feel a need to urinate in public stairwells, and people who chose to be violent towards another person or to break into their personal space.
   
   
4. There are also 1 out of 5 Australians who suffer from a disability and effects of certain disabilities can be commonly misunderstood. (Bi-polar folks are amongst many of our top achievers).
   
   
5. Lastly, a fact that few want to accept because 'blame the dog' is so much easier, is that a child is at least ten times more likely to be injured at the hand of their parent or guardian than a dog.
   
   
6. Lastly, another fact that is unwelcome in the media, is that the largest category of dog owner is a family with children.

Barking Mad accepts your view of pets and asks you to respect ours. If you support our work, please make a donation. Even a charity can't work without $. Each week I hear the stories of support that pets have provided in difficult times. Would people be left alone to die in a unit if they had a pet? My bet is that the pet would raise the alarm.

Bus Arrest

I was travelling by bus from Ryde to Sydney (CBD) at about 5pm on the 21st of February. After being in court the day before (with three members all with dogs) then being arrested after spending a lovely 5 hours socialising at an outdoor pub, I boarded the bus without drama looking forward to a quiet meal in the city before travelling back up the coast by train.

• We have official correspondence on STA letterhead advising our right to travel on Sydney and Newcastle buses and ferries with our pets, as long as they are clean and well behaved - no special ID required!

It was a nice new bus with fold up seats to make space for wheelchairs. Pema was happily sitting on the floor in this space when the Transit Police boarded for a ticket check. They told me to leave because of dog. I told them to call the depot and quoted the STA instructions to bus operators that allowed me to travel on this bus. The driver confirmed he allowed me on the bus.

The transit police we not happy. They shut down the bus, got everyone off (several folks said good luck), and got the big guns in - three NSW Police. What happened next is the stuff of horror and confirms what we hear about police treatment of youths, Aboriginals and 'people of Middle Eastern appearance' and Ms. McDonald, the 62 year old (Asian) grandmother they searched and hurt while she was waiting for a bus. They grabbed me to get me off the bus so I went to get Pema. My effort to collect my dog now made me 'resisting arrest'. Why would I resist arrest? An arrest can often result in a faster policy change than other means. Dragged, feet kicked out from under me, handcuffed, separated from my dog, etc. I am injured and under medical care. The rest of the story will be in the members area. This is a sad and senseless situation. Please read about Rosa Parks - arrested in 1955 and deemed a criminal only to be later credited by the US Congress as the mother of the modern-day Civil Rights Movement. Please consider making a donation to help fight this insanity. We also need help in the office for the next week while my injuries heal, email if you can help.

Warringah Council rangers were not told...

Photo: Our party after court; two of these three dogs are Assistance Animals by law.

For one year, we have assisted members challenge many 'stupid' dog fines in court. We have won each and every one. We've been looking forward to this legal challenge issued by Warringah Council against Barking Mad's proprietor Eedra Zey because it contains several important issues of law. Please recall that this 'penalty infringement notice (PIN)' was issued during a legal assembly back in May 07 - Salty Dogs Day Out #2. Case law strongly supports the right of people to 'protest' peacefully, yet Warringah appear to think they act above court decisions. We wonder if that is why the Council was SACKED by the NSW government and remains in control of an 'administrator' unlike other councils that have elected members.

Our court appearance, attended by several Barking Mad members and their dogs took the entire day. We've got to hand it to the two rangers who were witnesses. They are SO caught in the middle, and both who testified showed common sense well beyond the Warringah Council administrator who so ignorantly proclaims (with tax payers money) that 'dogs and beaches don't mix'. Unfortunately, the rangers were not aware of the Plan of Management for the beach in question - oops. Log into the members area for more details.

Our case continues in May. Council chose not to accept that the dog was a Disability Assistance Dog which would have concluded the case. We don't mind, as we would much prefer to argue jurisdiction, which is often difficult to do in the lower courts but we are managing thanks to Warringah Council's obstinacy.

Our celebration party ended unceremoniously when a couple of young, bored police officers showed up and said the publican of Paddy Maguire's wanted me to leave because my dog was inside. She was outside with all the other dogs, and we were still being served drinks... They said I would be fined $550 if I didn't leave and I said 'yes please'. An hour passed until a (not bored) aggressive Sergeant showed up and arrested me. He was in no mood to know, understand, or even listen to any of the laws that make it illegal for a business to deny access to a person with an assistance animal. So, I was carted off to the police station where I finally got out 2 hours later having missed the last train home. Little did I know I was to be arrested again later in the day, in horrific, brutal and demeaning circumstances. And on that note, I must thank the city police for their humanity in keeping me with my dog, transporting me in a vehicle and otherwise respecting my health and welfare. OF COURSE, Pema won over the custody manager and ended up behind the police desk on the command chair and was given the rank of Sergeant.

• TRAIN: Remember that RailCorp allows you to travel with your dog "if it provides a therapeutic benefit to you or someone other than yourself." More on members area of the web, as to will be our campaigns that stem from these two arrests. None of these laws will stop you from being hassled until a big education campaign is put in place!

Movie Day with the Dogs

Since the beginning of January the notice "no dogs allowed" is removed from the Admiral cinema. Every Thursday, film goers can take their dogs with them into the cinema. For those who would like to sample the quality of the canine cinema for themselves, visit this Vienna theatre - remember you can take pooch on the plane or train or bus to get there, and when you arrive, a petting corner, popcorn for dogs and fresh water are provided.

I certainly recall a meeting with a State MP lately who said to me 'you wouldn't take your dog to the movies with you, surely?'. Whoof!

The Admiral cinema in Vienna's 7th district, one of the oldest in the city, has been under new management since December 2007. They have opened the doors of the picture house to man's best friend.

Sorry

I am sorry. I am sorry for the hurt and lack of humanity so many of our government policies cause. The short-term political arena is a difficult space for visionaries and deep-thinkers. So often, good intent turns into bad legislation. This thread could easily lead to a criticism of companion animal regulations and our previous Prime Minister, but I do not want to detract from the significance of the simple and meaningful act of humanity that started our 42nd Federal Parliament today. As an act of respect, I have linked the Reconciliation Speech onto the Federal Campaign page of Barking Mad - Equity for Pet Owners. As food for thought - dogs were companions to and provided assistance for our original Australians.

Wet Dog

Only a wet dog photo would be appropriate in the deluge coastal NSW has been experiencing for most of February and a lot of January (send in your wet-dog photos!). We have a tin roof, which makes phone conversations near impossible in this weather. It's difficult to think of all the other things we have happening in this NOISE, but I'll try.

• NSW - We are meeting with lots of State members to advance our draft amendment to the Companion Animals Act, get pets on public transport as is supported by the State Plan and raise issues of discrimination of renters, unit dwellers, the aged and those with a disability.
  
• Syndey -This is important for all of us nationally. We put in a 26 page submission to the City and wrote letters representing members' views. Read letters here (members sign-in required).
• TRANSPORT PASSES - not needed to travel on Sydney buses, but helpful. I am doing a bulk order for members in hope that they will take less than the three months it took to get mine. Members, to get a STA bus pass email me.
  
• Queensland - What a bland response we are receiving in regards to the 'one dog per family' policy. Many members have commented on the lack of humanity, responsibility or even care in the response from member Warren Pitt. We will change strategies, stay tuned.
  
• Federal - We are meeting with Federal Members to raise the profile of dogs (and pets) to health, aged care and independence, public-safety and also for national transport guidelines for pets on public transport. I've heard more than one story of holiday-makers who needed to get home after a vehicle break-down and found themselves stuck because of their canine companions.

Argo, a common scents dog meets the Transit Police

We love these stories from members about how they were ultra-responsible for their dog only to get 'done' by someone (often being in a uniform). When we STOP hearing these stories, we will have achieved a safe and pet-friendly society. So, onto the story....Argo travelled to Sydney with Mum to pick up a young relative from Central Station. Mum checked with Central Station that this would be OK and was told it would be. Mum and Argo moved through the turnstile past two lots of Transit Police all ok to meet the arriving country train on a Sunday at 7.30pm.

Relative arrives, everyone leaves the platform and moves to the main station by the newsagent where numerous people are smoking. Soon Argo is greeted by two security guards who said no dogs were allowed on railway property for fear of railways being sued if Argo bit (or barked at) someone. They said it was a $400 fine, so our member left. Next time, no doubt, she'll take the fine and challenge it. She also felt harassed by the security guys who turned a blind eye to all the smokers who just happened to levitate out of the area while this conversation about little Argo was taking place.

Argo (being a senior) is now more convinced than ever that he does not want to be reborn as a human.

A Fine Dog Ticket

Some time not too long ago in our Australian history, a dog ticket was a ½ price fare for your dog. Also in those times, many dogs were not vaccinated or de-sexed and most had fleas in the warmer weather.

Yet now, a dog ticket is what the uniformed men in grey with boots and mace give you when pooch is resting on the floor under your feet – taking up no extra space, and it’s $100.

These transit police were the nicest uniformed men I’ve met in a long time. They didn’t want to give me ticket; they wanted to give me warning. I received the ticket joyfully and was just about to tell them about Barking Mad but their station had arrived and they had to leave. 'Don’t go', I said, after they had both declared themselves dog lovers. 'But we have too, sorry'. They took the Barking Mad card with them and thanked me.

I received a ticket for doing what every Australian should be able to do –travel in an environmentally friendly way using PUBLIC transport, with their quiet, clean and well-behaved pet. Off to court we go. Read about our pets on public transport policy and lobbying here.

I take it for granted

I must, because the people I know in Sydney with dogs just don't experience the joy and delight their dog provides like I do. In no way am I saying my joy as a dog-guardian is any less than anoyone elses, it's just that everyday I walk on the ocean beach with dog, and most Sydney beach-side dwellers don't get to do that 'legally'.

Today the waves were big, the tide high, the clouds low and the lagoon was opened by the sea. People watched in awe as pressure waves rolled into the lake. And then their was William and Indy; a guy and his Australian Koolie. So simple, just sitting on the beach watching the waves roll in with endless talk about dogs and the surrounding beauty.

Observation of these last six months on the beach shows me that most of the people chatting are doing so with dogs. People without dogs cross each other on their walk and keep going. If the 300 people who die alone in NSW each year had dogs, would these people have died unnoticed and left to rot with neighbours just next door? My bet is that a dog would have put up a heck of ruckus if its owner stopped moving!

Dear Abby

We are Barking Mad. We wrote to Abby Rudd - yes, the DOG - at the Lodge. Read our letter here, it's been smell-checked by Pema before we sent it. We figure she is top dog now, and a non-labor voter in the post-office today told me Keven Rudd went up in her opinion after she saw the photo of him with Abby! It's all political - dogs here, no dogs there - is there any common sense?

We urged Abby to get her pack leaders to pay attention to the big (meaning federal) issue that is PETS. Why? Because companion, assistance and working dogs are a positive contribution to health, ageing, public safety, our heritage and more.

We anxiously wait our reply with paws crossed. Are you tired of seeing no-dogs allowed signs? Sign up to our letter writing team. (We usually write people, not dogs in case you are concerned about our sanity). Each letter can count for the view of 100 voters and that's good for dogs.

Fail to prevent cruelty

Recently, a NSW man was convicted of "FAILING to PREVENT an offence under the Cruelty to Animals Act". (Cockfighting case, 15 Jan). This opens up a range of options to deal with people who knowingly allow cruelty to occur. Funny how chickens are exempt from this law.

Councils with draconian restrictions on where owners can take their canine best friend also lead to cruelty as dogs are left alone more and more (with smaller homes in physical size and number of people).

They then can bark and end up being less-socialised then their European counterparts who can enjoy parks, transport and pubs with their owners. In other words, by restricting dogs from so many public places we are isolating them and creating problems for residents and dogs.

The dangerous dog act goes so far as to declare an owner guilty under proven otherwise. An untrained council officer can declare a dog dangerous and have it penned up in a concrete flooded enclosure not to be let out. They can do this without any animal experts involved and by believing hearsay stories. Sounds like Guantanamo and that does not have a reputation of making better humans! Research shows a strong correlation between how humans treat pets and animals in general, which negative behaviour towards animals also targeting the human animal.

It is legal to keep cats and dogs as pets and Barking Mad will work with as much vigour as those willing to confront whaling in our territory. The issue is the same, the moral debate on keeping pet or killing whales is a separate issue.

Click to Make our Community Pet-Friendly

I hope you have all received our email from our new database; it's an expensive email database system so I hope it provides a worthwhile service to members. PLEASE do click the links and send a letter to the members of parliament we are lobbying. Just like your membership, each letter counts for 100 votes. This email system allows us to view the click-throughs so we can have an idea of how much mail our politicians are receiving from Barking Mad members and supporters. I hope at least 50% will spend the few minutes to send an email so we can make more pet-friendly communities - faster!

Your action is needed now to:

• support more off-lead dog parks in Sydney


• to create a national public transport policy for us and our pets


• bring common sense to Local Government dog laws
  
• help make Barking Mad financial - donate (small amounts help too) or find us a sponsor
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Dogs are a Federal Issue

The Labor government has identified companion, assistance and working dogs as a positive contribution to:

• physical health (walking)
• mental health (socialisation and caring)
• ageing (safety and socialisation)
• safety in the home (an early warning system to intruders)
• public safety (police statistics show people out walking reduces incidents of street crime and those with dogs are less likely to be the victim of an assault)
• boosting the immune system of children age 2 and under when exposed to animals
• our heritage (the dog was an essential companion and worker to the Aboriginals and the European pastoralists).

The next three to six months are very important for our work and for our vision of a safe and pet-friendly society. Kevin Rudd's team is back from the holiday they didn't really have and Barking Mad is back from a lucky holiday we did have. Each bullet point provides the new federal government with an easy win; it's not rocket science. Dogs (and pets) are important to our heath, our ageing community, public safety etc.

Sure, the media can sensationalize the incidents of aggressive dogs, but it pales when compared to the violence of human to human, and sadly by comparison, parent to child. These are politically unfriendly facts.

Members – we will be contacting you. If you have offered your assistance in any way, please expect a phone call from us. Every member who wants to be involved needs to meet with their state and federal representatives by the end of March. Every member who is able to contribute the time we need behind the scene to guarantee change will sign-up to the letter writing team.

If you are member who likes more direct action, please help us organize our next public rally (Sydney) on the 31st of March.There is MUCH to be done. Get involved if you can and if not, please stay informed and help build our membership base.

Barking Mad is off to court on the 15th of January to challenge Warringah council doggie fine in an area in which they have no jurisdiction. We're travelling by train (yes, of course, with dog), so it should be a great day.

Dog Fines are not Fine

Barking Mad has been assisting members challenging dog fines. We do this when we view the fine as ‘stupid’ because these people are acting responsibly with their pet, but not strictly following what their local council would like them to. We keep winning – and that is actually a problem. We need to lose so we can get these matters to higher courts where precedents are set. If you’re one of the people who has gone through the process of challenging a stupid dog fine, you know how emotionally, financially and time draining it is. It isn’t easy – but is that a reason to be apathetic?

Each time we as dog owners accept something we feel is wrong – be it a fine for dog off lead BUT under effective control (often evidenced by the ability to walk a well-trained dog near a busy road and trust that it won’t bolt into the traffic), or dog in prohibited place because you’ve taken your toddler and your dog to the local playground, we support the dog laws as they stand today.

Many pet owners have no problem with the laws as they are. To them, being a member of Barking Mad has no value; we respect this. The changes Barking Mad proposes will not impact on their happiness. Barking Mad’s short term goal is to have 10,000 members (nationally) by the time the NSW Parliament sits in 2008. Critical mass – it’s a critical philosophy when applied. Legislation ALWAYS lags pubic opinion. That’s why dramatic actions are required at certain times. As a society, we want a human face behind changes in the laws – we don’t want facts and figures. Ask any lobbyist, they will confirm that this is the fact of our society.
If you want more access for you and your dog (or cat) – to housing, transport and public amenities, and you are not a member of Barking Mad, then don’t complain about the current situation.

No other organisation in Australia directly represents the rights of pet owners on a state and federal level. Your paid-up membership represents at least 100 votes – it’s a powerful lobbing tool. We have things happening on a federal level and on a state level in NSW and Queensland.


Do you really want a law that requires you to leave your well-trained dog at home when you go out on a summer’s night with your family for a meal? What about when your car breaks down and you can’t get a bus or taxi home because you have your dog with you?

Responsible owners will make responsible choices about where they want their dog to accompany them. A funny example was at the first Barking Mad conference on 700 acres of dog friendly space. Within 5 minutes we had banned dogs from our meeting and set them outside to play. This was an appropriate place for them to run free.

Sydney Morning Herald Today

Run around unleashed is a provocative headline that does not adequately describe a dogs behaviour in an off-lead area. I live on a dog beach and all summer it is crowded with holiday-makers, their children and their dogs. At any time of the day, dog will most likely be sitting next to the family while the child plays in the water.

Overly boisterous behaviour is directly related to how well-socialised the dog is. Restricting owners and their dogs from public places IS A PROBLEM IN ITS OWN MAKING. In other words, laws the prohibit our companion to BE OUR COMPANION cause problems such as over-excitement when (finally) let out for a romp, and barking when left behind.

Many types of dogs are a perfectly suitable pet for units with larger breads commonly being more docile then the white fluff’s. Dogs in high-density, cultured cities such as New York or most European capitals will know how to behave in public, because they are socialised.

A responsible parent will remove a tantruming child from a public restaurant so as not to be a nuisance. A responsible dog owner will choose where and when off-leash is appropriate. Although my dog is a well-trained assistance animal, I will not let her off the lead by a road, yet, we see many dogs walking quietly by their owners along busy roads.

Our own office of local government (NSW) states the majority of dog owners are responsible. Sure there are those who have a vastly different view of ‘responsible’ than you may have, but so too are there wild children, noisy neighbours, irresponsible drivers (and parkers). A vibrant society accepts frustrating annoyances, appreciating the diverse choices we have.

• Many more families have dogs than children.


• The City of Sydney proposal is talking about 14% of parks when 42% of homes have dogs (and 30% children).
  
  Most dogs have $10,000 liability insurance thanks to their home contents policy
  
• Laws are there to deal with the irresponsible owners.
  
• There is no such thing as the Youth Offenders Act for dogs. This law allows our juveniles to get away with all manner of crimes for dogs, but if a dog graffities your wall - it will be declared dangerous and locked up in a concrete pen for the rest of its life!

Stop maligning the domestic dog; our country would not be what it is today without the dog. Aboriginals kept them as pets and protection and Europeans used them to manage sheep and cattle. Good working dogs for yard and paddock work can sell for $20,000.

The Australian Medical Association attributes dogs to better health and the police credit dogs as protection for the elderly and those living alone or hearing impaired. Also, dog walking is shown to reduce incidents of street crime.
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Support proposed dog friendly parks

Support the City of Sydney and Clover Moore. Increasing off-leash spaces for dogs in the city parks. Click here for details and please make your comments by 1 February. This is our chance to have a louder voice then the anti-dog folks.

Our year, our companions & our family: maybe

Our year: our companions & our families. M A Y B E Are you reading this as a pet owner or pet-lover? Are you not yet a member of Barking Mad? If you want more access for you and your pets then join Barking Mad - it's not your small membership $ contribution that will make the changes, it is the fact that your membership counts for the views of 100 people. And that is how laws are changed. We have support in NSW Parliament and in the federal government - to raise the profile of the CONTRIBUTION pets make to our health and well-being. Do you want change? We can achieve it. We can differentiate ourselves as responsible pet owners - the laws are there to take care of those who are not responsible.

We don't ban everyone from driving because 1500 people are killed each year. The NSW office of Local Government credits 99% of dog owners as responsible. We think it may be more like 90%, but either way, we should not be penalised due to actions of a few - that's what the regulators should look after and we should be able to choose responsibly when and where we would like to take our companions with us. For example, you don't go to a family pizza restaurant early in an evening if you don't want to be around noisy kids. It would be a sad society that doesn't allow noisy kids in a family restaurant. Also, you don't have to go to a beach that is shared with families and dogs if you don't want to be around dogs - go to a different beach.

A healthy society is full of choices - and respect for others choices as well. Don't be part of the problem. Barking Mad is the only lobby group for pet owners. Join - it's easy.

2008 & Federal Labor

Puppy wakes man to house fire - A puppy has been credited with alerting a man to a house fire. Tenant Scott Grace says he was woken by the young dog barking before the smoke alarm went off. Don't you just love these stories? There are so many gorgeous stories of how pets contribute to the well-being of their carers.
Thank you to all members who have taken the survey and updated details to our new database. All new members should have received their membership kits in the post. In 2008 Barking Mad will be increasing our work to raise the profile of the domestic dog (and cat) as a contribution to the health and well-being of owners and the community. We are lobbying for a national ID for assistance dogs; especially those that help people with invisible disabilities. One in five Australians has a disability and is therefore protected by the Disability Discrimination Act.

Every Dog's Day has Arrived (again)

Hi everyone. Yes, we're still here. It's been a big week with the assistance dogs campaign, work with transit folks and our presentation to Warringah - where Barking Mad all began. Lots of Sydney members have really enjoyed being able to travel on buses with their pets, though lots of bus drivers are still confused about our right to travel. Today one of our members with an 'invisible' disability travelled to Canberra and back with assistance dog for the first time. Until he came to know Barking Mad, he didn't know he had this right, so he had to make other arragements for himself and for the dog. It was a big pain! No more!
BARKING MAD: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS - EXPAND YOUR ACCESS
We're working on getting the web updated with all these fantastic stories. If you are a member of Barking Mad and can help out in the office for a day or two, we can do a great swap with our beach-side bush office on the central coast of NSW. We can accomodate up to three people and three dogs as long as they won't eat the one remaining cat in the house. See the members area for more details. Thanks to everyone who attended the Warringah meeting. Barking Mad is establishing ourselves as a powerful lobby and moving out of our 'start-up' phase. It's all thanks to the members!
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Death, Apathy & Desire

DEATH: Today we mourn the loss of Lucy, the standard poodle loved by Irene, one of the original members of Barking Mad.
Lucy replaced the irreplaceable Ebony, who died 3 weeks after a diagnosis of cancer after a long life 10 years ago. Lucy brought surprise and joy to her human carers hearts – how is it that a replacement dog can become ‘even better’ than the best dog ever? Lucy lived in the same place and had her daily walks in the same areas for her 10 years. The tick that ended her life was the first tick she ever had.
Lucy died in intensive care, and was calm during her treatment and ultimately in her passing. We really thought she would pull through. These two middle-aged women found a labourer in the local paper to dig Lucy’s final resting spot in the yard she danced upon for her life. As things happen, he too was grieving the loss of his dog to a tick just 3 weeks earlier. His work placing Lucy in her resting place was healing for him. For us, it was restorative of the good of people, especially those who love animals who live a much shorter life than us. We grieve – and we will do it all again, for the love of dog, for the loyalty, for simple pleasures of a wag, a wave and a bark. Donations in memory of Lucy can be made to Sydney Wildlife.
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Election 07

Within a couple of days from my previous BLOG entry, Barking Mad received promises from both the NSW government and the new Labor government. We have really worked hard to achieve this amount of focus on a new issue in such a short amount of time. We have three months to lobby NSW Parliament and have started on Federal Labor already. Good dog!

Apathetic or Anarchistic?

APATHY: If you are apathetic, Barking Mad may look anarchistic to you!
We had a very successful day at the Leichhardt event on Sunday and this ‘apathy’ BLOG entry comes from an exerience at this event. Two people visited our stand with their beautiful muzzled greyhounds by their side. If you didn’t know, there is a law in NSW requiring ALL greyhounds, regardless of their temperament, to be muzzled.
I have personally been intrigued by this law as I can’t understand why greyhounds in NSW are different than those in other states where they don’t have to be muzzled. One of the perople asked ‘when will the greyhound muzzling law be changed?’ To which I basically responded something like you have muzzled your greyhounds, so you are stating your acceptance of the law. The response, as expected, was that they didn’t want to get a fine. WELL! If you’re not willing to stand up for what you believe in, then aren’t you part of the problem since you won’t be part of the solution?
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Desire rules the world

DESIRE: Desire rules the world. Have you ever watched a group of adults going from shop to shop because the one toddler in the group says they want an ice cream that is this way or that (place any colour or flavour here). Maybe it isn’t blatantly noticeable, but I’ve seen it happen many times while I’ve sat in public at a café with my quiet dog under the table watching kid after kid drive the adults from one venue to the next. Why? Because their desire for that ice cream (or whatever) is stronger than their parent’s resistance.

This is a Barking Mad strategy as well. It’s proven time after time to work, so we use it and hope you will too.

Please – vote with your membership for common sense and a value of our heritage. The dog and its relationship with humans is a part of our Aboriginal and colonial heritage. The recent election featured an off-lead dog on the cover of the election guide that went to 13 MILLION voters. This is our (election) guide dog!

Swim between the Flags

On this gorgeous morning, I had my first swim 'between the flags' for two years. I felt so safe! We get this message about swimming between the flags so strongly, yet so many flagged areas, at least in NSW, don't want our family dog with us, even if it is well trained and sits at the shore while we swim. It's madness. The biggest group of dog owners is families with children. It's summer. We want to be able to bring our children and our dog to the beach for a swim. Dogs love it.

Barking Mad had a long chat with the lifesavers who agreed that 'they' (council) make it hard on the 42% of people who own dogs. Pema was welcome at this beach, and it was a beautiful morning of swimming with kids, other dogs and a variety of people. All between the flags. Thanks to the voice of reason - we wish you would appear more often.

We have contacted all the councils in Australia (yes, all 700 plus) to inquire about their provisions to not discriminate against people with dogs and WOW what an interesting lot of responses we have got. We've found councils that don't even have a ranger, several without ANY 'no dogs signs', and many that are not aware of the Disability Discrimination Act. We've found two who are interested in our user-pays, 'extra access' dog registration. (Pay more, get more training, and get more access for you and dog). And, we've found problems with the AQIS requirements to take an assistance animal to Christmas Island. Did you know they are making Christmas Island dog free? We wonder if they have gotten rid of the foxes, rabbits and cats too. We will be adding this to the members area as well.

Stolen Time

SUNNY JACOBS and her boyfriend were falsely arrested and convicted of the murder of two police. She had her baby girl and 8 year old boy with her at the shooting event she witnessed, but did not do. There was no forensic evidence that she shot the gun. The guy who did failed a polygraph and did a deal with the police.

Her juvenile son was held by police for 6 weeks, repeatedly interrogated and never provided with a lawyer. Sunny and her parents could not even locate him or the baby for weeks while Sunny was still expressing milk for her baby in jail.

This amazing woman spent the next 17 years fighting for justice. Finally exonerated of the murders with the real killer identified, it's too late for her boyfriend who was killed for a crime he did not commit in a botched electric chair execution that took 7 minutes and sent flames up from the top of his head. Sunny was not permitted to go to his funeral.

Her parents managed to gain custody of the children and did all they could to shelter them from the media and raise them with love. On the grandparents first 'holiday' in ten years, they die in a plane crash, and the children are subsequently separated until Sunny finally gets out of prison many years later. At an appeal hearing after their death, the drug addict who was bribed to lie against Sunny and whose testimony was crucial to convict her had a heart attack while in the witness box and DIED when she tried to make amends for her earlier false testimony.After 17 years of survival in the US prison system, 5 years in solitary confinement on death row, I read her " inspiring fight for justice" but I am not inspired, I am devastated. I ask, how can this happen? And I ask that over and over and over.

Obviously, I recommend this book. It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase trial and error.

Sex, Lies & Witch Bank

INJUSTICE. Barking Mad started because I got a dog then suddenly and surprisingly found out how limited my access to normal, daily activities had become unless I left dog at home. I got the dog when my life and liberty were turned up-side-down due to being defrauded by an agent of a big bank (a bank that ignored my warning) and the bank decided (as it turns out wrongly) to defend their employee. I ended up in a legal battle that is now in year four. I needed a trusted companion and I found comfort and solace in the simple pleasures of life in the company of a smiling border collie. The bank employee was moved out of the bank one year ago, the bank still refuses to admit it, and Barking Mad is one year old and going strong - but REALLY under staffed.

Will Barking Mad Survive?

click and find out

Members Web Updates

Members - we're adding heaps of juicy stuff to the members pages in the next few days. We've started today with the classifieds so please send yours in. Need your password? Email.We have contacted all the councils in Australia (yes, all 700 plus) to inquire about their provisions to not discriminate against people with dogs and WOW what an interesting lot of responses we have got. We've found councils that don't even have a ranger, several without ANY 'no dogs signs', and many that are not aware of the Disability Discrimination Act. We've found two who are interested in our user-pays, 'extra access' dog registration. (Pay more, get more training, and get more access for you and dog). And, we've found problems with the AQIS requirements to take an assistance animal to Christmas Island. Did you know they are making Christmas Island dog free? We wonder if they have gotten rid of the foxes, rabbits and cats too. We will be adding this to the members area as well.

Discrimination

DISCRIMINATION. Barking Mad is concerned. This is not a joke, and this is not about one more dog beach or one more park. Barking Mad works to raise the profile of the domestic dog (and pets in general) in and to Australia.As we research the overwhelmingly positive benefits of pets (primarily dogs) to the well being of some of the most vulnerable members of our community, we are startled with the myths and outright lies people with disabilities are being told about their companion dog in public spaces. Some of this is inevitable as our culture adjusts to dealing with invisible disabilities and because (up until now), we have allowed draconian dog laws to permeate every part of our society. But to someone with an invisible disability who has a trained dog to assist them, each ‘no dogs allowed’ sign is evidence of discrimination. So too is the security guard who chases the person out of the shopping centre and makes a scene. This is just not tolerable.

Over one million Australians live with depression, epilepsy affects up to 2% of Australians and dogs are being used more and more to assist people who are socially isolated or are dealing with an illness.The health and utilitarian role of pets is more accepted than ever, and our financial spend on our pets is growing exponentially. Yet the value of pets in society does not make it into public policy. This is about to change. We are gaining support from peak professional organisations in health and social welfare. Stay tuned and write your letters.

Election 07 website

New web page - please Go there write your letters!

Write a letter for election 07

ELECTION O7 web page added to Barking Mad. Go there and PLEASE write your letters! We are getting a good response to the silly 'one dog per family' law in Queensland. We are calling on Malcolm Turnbull to get rid of the stupid dog line in Bronte (his electorate) and hold accountable those responsible for such madness, and the stress it has caused to many people, particularily the elderly.Your one letter could make a world of difference.Please - if you write just ONE LETTER this election, let this one be it:Email Kevin Rudd -
click here
sample letter: Does the Labor/Liberal Party support the discrimination of 40% of the population? Does the Labor/Liberal Party support policies that deny responsible pet owners access to housing, parks, public transport and taxies? Would the indirect discrimination faced daily by thousands of pet owners who rent be sanctioned by Labor (continued to be sanctioned by the Liberal Party?

• Do your environmental policies of require the 65% of the population who own pets to drive a private vehicle because even taxis won’t allow them to travel with their pet?
• Does the Labor/Liberal Party support a one dog per family law in Queensland?
• Will your party step in and bring and end to draconian dog laws that cause division in our communities and dress up revenue raising as animal welfare?
• Will the Labor/Liberal Party step in and change the focus to the proven benefits of pet ownership, dispel the ‘health risk myth’ and promote the many utilitarian roles for dogs such as in search and rescue, quarantine, policing, aged care and mental health?
  

We look forward to a positive response from you; one we can promote to our members.

Our first conference - no dogs!

Tuesday 30th October - Back to our seaside office after a wonderful riverside weekend away with Barking Mad members celebrating our first birthday. Thanks to all those who attended for your encouragement and support. And those who drove up from Sydney through wind, hail and rain - it's a weekend you won't forget soon. All our dogs are tired from endless running for 2 days. We'll always laugh about our Friday night gathering which we quickly made into a NO DOGS ALLOWED affair. How funny! What does this mean? It's not just 'no dogs allowed' that has us Barking Mad, it's that we, as responsible owners, don't get to make our OWN decisions about where it is appropriate it take our dogs.
Welcome to all the new members from our recent Bronte and Frenchs Forest events. You're membership kits will be in the post this week.
Election countdown - HELP! Barking Mad is desperate for office support up to the federal election. If you can assist with administration please contact eedra@barking-mad.com.au. Thank you.

Death of Louie Ananda 1992-2007

Due to the death of an aged pet (feline), Barking Mad will be unavailable except for media and conference inquiries until Tuesday, 30th October. For these urgent matters, please call 0418 463 360 and leave a message. If no response and you want to attend the conference, please call Riverwood Downs direct on 1800 809 772. Thank you for your understanding.

Bronte Dog Line

We had over 150 people who signed in at our assembly at Bronte this morning and many more who attended. What a show of support and what enthusiasm! It's very heartening to me when people make passionate comments about the role of dogs and pets in their family. One woman's story of the positive effect her pooch had on her family of five children, the fifth being autistic warmed my heart. We'll have that story soon on the family page. We'll get more reports on our two events today later this week - well maybe not because it's time to have a break and celebrate our one year birthday at our weekend away this Friday. It will be nice to be on 700 acres of pet friendly land, swimming, eating and enjoying family and dog companion at one time.

And yes, Zara (below) got home and now we have work with the builders union as people are trying to ban dogs from work sites. That's why Zara walked. For five years she went with her dad to work. Now he was told to leave her home and it's not working for anyone. Zara is the 9th dog I have found on the central coast and all got home without being fined.

Handle every situation like a dog

Thought For The Day
Handle every situation like a dog .
If you can't eat it or chew it,
piss on it and walk away

Zara - found, but with broken laws

Photo: our found girl on the left and Pema on the right.Finally got the dog out for a walk this morning. We found a very cute and well behaved girl dog on the beach without an owner. These are the 'offences' we are 'guilty' of today:

• no id (our little dog didn't have a collar)
• not under effective control (I didn't have an extra lead)
• dog in prohibited space (I went to talk to the lifeguards about her)

There must be more! How about stealing? But then there is the prevention of cruelty act; so had I left her and she was injured, I would have been a party to that by not showing a duty-of-care.

I hope this one act of kindness is an example of how stupid some laws can be if authorities don't use appropriate discretion and look to the bigger picture.

Critical Mass - Legislation Lags

Barking Mad has been assisting members challenging dog fines. We do this when we view the fine as ‘stupid’ because these people are acting responsibly with their pet, but not strictly following what their local council would like them to. We keep winning – and that is actually a problem. We need to lose so we can get these matters to higher courts where precedents are set. If you’re one of the people who has gone through the process of challenging a stupid dog fine, you know how emotionally, financially and time draining it is. It isn’t easy – but is that a reason to be apathetic?

Each time we as dog owners accept something we feel is wrong – be it a fine for dog off lead BUT under effective control (often evidenced by the ability to walk a well-trained dog near a busy road and trust that it won’t bolt into the traffic), or dog in prohibited place because you’ve taken your toddler and your dog to the local playground, we support the dog laws as they stand today.
Many pet owners have no problem with the laws as they are. To them, being a member of Barking Mad has no value; we respect this. The changes Barking Mad proposes will not impact on their happiness. Barking Mad’s short term goal is to have 10,000 members (nationally) by the time the NSW Parliament sits in 2008. Critical mass – it’s a critical philosophy when applied. Legislation ALWAYS lags pubic opinion. That’s why dramatic actions are required at certain times. As a society, we want a human face behind changes in the laws – we don’t want facts and figures. Ask any lobbyist, they will confirm that this is the fact of our society.
If you want more access for you and your dog (or cat) – to housing, transport and public amenities, and you are not a member of Barking Mad, then don’t complain about the current situation. No other organisation in Australia directly represents the rights of pet owners on a state and federal level. Your paid-up membership represents at least 100 votes – it’s a powerful lobbing tool. We have things happening on a federal level and on a state level in NSW and Queensland. Do you really want a law that requires you to leave your well-trained dog at home when you go out on a summer’s night with your family for a meal? What about when your car breaks down and you can’t get a bus or taxi home because you have your dog with you?
Responsible owners will make responsible choices about where they want their dog to accompany them. A funny example was at the first Barking Mad conference on 700 acres of dog friendly space. Within 5 minutes we had banned dogs from our meeting and set them outside to play. This was an appropriate place for them to run free.

Events this Sunday

So much for peaceful jacaranda viewing or planning our conference which is on in 10 days time. We have TWO events on Sunday and what a contrast. We have excellent communication with Waverley Council about the 'dog line' and we have Warringah council basically telling us we are not welcome at their PUBLIC dog event. Wow. Do keep watch at EVENTS as it's updated constantly.

We've given Warringah until 3pm to rethink their decision. Write letters of support for responsible dog owners who will make responsible decisions about taking their dog into public spaces to council@warringah.nsw.gov.au and ingrids@waverley.nsw.gov.au

Please consider making a donation to support these campaigns: Barking Mad Bendigo Bank BSB: 633 000, Acct: 1289 10064. Thank you!

Two events this Sunday

We have TWO events on Sunday the 21st so it will be one of those magic things that only new, dynamic organisations can pull off of being in two places at the same time.
Can you help? We really need a few more people for the Warringah Dogs Big Day Out on the Northern Beaches. Email to help - please.

Jacaranda Bliss

The day I spot the first purple blooms on a jacaranda tree is a day I remember as my favourite for the year. These tress are so gorgeous; having loved the colour purple as long as I can remember, I was surprised and delighted when I sailed to Australia from the states (for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race) and arrived in November 1989 - just as Sydney Harbour was awash with purple trees. How spectacular! I was in heaven, and still am living in this amazing country

This year jacaranda day was even more special - and certainly satisfying. Some long-term blog readers may remember that Barking Mad came about because of my simple act of getting my first dog while living on Collaroy beach (May 05) and experiencing surprising restrictions on where I could take my new companion. But WHY I got that dog was because I had been defrauded (big bank involved) and lost my rural business, other property, my superannuation and most of the life I had known and worked towards for 20 years. So, on jacaranda day, I FINALLY found out that a major player in the fraud was finally escorted out of the bank where he worked . Litigation continues and hopefully, some day there will be justice. But, justice or not, we have BARKING MAD and are we ever getting some support and recognition!

It is an absolute joy to work with members who are able to take an active role in our activities. Pet lovers are the best people; KIND people. I love working with pet owners! We are starting to receive donations from people financially and in-kind. That's what we need to change these silly dog laws and it's all starting to happen. Thank you to all of you who have put your faith in this very young and new organisation. Together we will make our Aussie communities more pet friendly!

Drummoyne Dogs Day

We received great support at today's Drummoyne Dogs Day Out. So many people were shocked to hear about the 'one dog per family' law in parts of Queensland. It was not a crowded event, but we gained more new members than at any other event except for the 1 April beach event at Curl Curl. I think the quietness enabled us to tell people what we were about, what we had achieved, and what we are in the process of achieving -- so they signed up. We got three good sponsorship leads as well. Barking Mad is now an established and mature enough organisation to seek sponsorship; besides, I want to earn a wage! We are seeking a major sponsor of $100,000 + a year which is not much for a national lobby group. Sponsorship for parts of the organisation are also available such as media, printing, web costs, postal costs etc.

A special thanks to Judith, Liliane, Cal, Malc and J for assisting today. That support made it a very enjoyable day. It also enabled Pema and I to enter the BEST KISS competition and yes, we won a much needed bag of dog chow. (Things you just don't know and may not want to know about the Barking Mad founder - but the competition involved Pema kissing the organiser of the event!)

the media is a harsh (and needed) companion

Up before 6am with phone calls for breakfast radio shows; then a call from Channel 9 to get an event organised with a mass of dogs and people (on a weekday) for a photo shoot with a few hours notice. We did it, thanks to our ever growing team of MAD MEMBERS. Please join us in our October events which include Drummoyne on Saturday the 13th, Bronte then Frenchs Forest on the 21st of October and our celebration and play weekend awy on the 26th

The Rat

The Rat story got lost in one of those computer glitches much like those that cause the mystery of the missing sock or the missing pen but it basically goes like this. After being harassed for having my dog in the waiting room of the medical centre where my G.P. is (remember this is a placid, obedient hospital visiting dog who works with children), and being told ONCE AGAIN that it's a health risk (it's not and it's not a legal restriction in the health act), I was so fed up that I asked if they minded about the rat in my bag (which I didn't have) or the cockroach in my pocket.

Yes, I'm sure they thought I was totally mad, but in the mean time while they were talking about the protection of children I had the two most beautiful toddlers crawling all over Pema who rolled on her back and lapped it up. I had a lady next to me being a lot more vocal than me (I was on the phone to the media) saying "What's the problem? We've been waiting her for an hour, this is a beautiful dog and look how happy she has made people."

Photo: MyPetRat.com I got to see the doc (for sedatives!) with dog sitting outside the treatment room. I was later threatened by the centre management that if I went there again with dog they would call the police. My initial discussions with the police indicated they could only remove us if we were disturbing the peace. Being that our presence contributes so much to the JOY of the people in the waiting room, this could be quite a fun media event.

On the other hand, I'm sick of it. Responsible owners will make responsible decisions about where to take their dog. Had Pema been unwell, unwashed, uptight or smelly, she would have had to be minded outside the centre.

As I had taken THE BUS, where else could I put her? If she got stolen (and it happens) if she was left outside when there was no reason for her not to be with me other than discrimination, the medical centre could be held liable!

So, the short story is that I AM GETTING A RAT. I'm researching them as pets and apparently they can be a good pet. It will be fun to have one in my bag when I get harassed for having my COMPANION dog being my COMPANION. And yes, I'll probably collect the next cockroach that dies near my home and put it in a small plastic container as well. And NO, I am not nuts (and both new pets will not come with us on hospital visits). I just work with LOGIC in a world that would rather make NO SENSE or act on emotion and rhetoric. If my dog was an unacceptable risk, then I wouldn't have her. And that is the rave for the moment...

A new Bite - the third!

The third issue of our newletter, The Bite is now out. We are very, very proud of this edition and keen to hear your comments. If you would like a hard copy sent to you, please send a stamped self addressed envelope to Barking Mad at PO Box 310 Woy Woy, NSW 2256. We are seeking SPONSORSHIP - a donation of say $600, to send copies out to all members and vets in the areas where we have active campaigns

Best Trick

If you missed the brilliant Pet Show at MacMasters Beach (Central Coast, NSW) this year, mark your diary for the October Long Weekend in 2008. (5 October 08)
Pema won best trick and placed second in the dog/owner look-a-like and I'll never wear that dress again!

Our Pets, Our Vets

Is your vet a member of Barking Mad? If not, WHY NOT? Individual membership (even when we attain our goal of 100,000 members) will not sustain the work of Barking Mad. If you think you spend a lot of money on your pets, well trying hiring a pack of lawyers. Talk about meat eaters!

We need the financial support of the pet industry to keep Barking Mad a-rocking and a-rolling. If your vet employs 6 people (and less than 99), membership is just $110. I bet every paid up member has a vet, so please, have your vet become a member as it will raise the profile of Barking Mad even more.

EVEN MORE - we are on a roll (see Hot Dog below). We are taking on Queensland (yes, the state of Queensland) for their one dog per family law that has caused many a person to make the comparison with China's one child per family policy. Although these QLD councils have not implemented this policy to reduce the pet population, as we all know responsible pet owners are, well, responsible.

We think it is revenue raising combined with small-government syndrome (SGS), dressed up as animal welfare.Write to the new Premier at thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au .and ask her to stop this policy madness now. Half of Queensland population growth is from NSW and Victoria and 20% of dog owners have more than one dog. (The 'policy' is revenue raising because you can pay an application fee of $300+ to have someone decide if you can have more than one dog.)

SAY IT FAST: Health Risk Myth.

DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE MORE REFERENCES TO HOT DOGS than to our canine friends in the Food Acts of NSW and QLD?

I am Barking Mad from people telling us that 'dogs are a health risk'. I'm going VISITING in the hospital WITH my dog to give patients a moment of doggie-love. If dogs are a health risk why aren't the 42% of dog owners unwell? Why do we repeatly come up 'above average' in the health surveys?

• Did you know that our Federal Government FUNDS dogs visiting patients?
• Did you know that WALKING THE DOG (yours or your neighbours) is part of the NATIONAL HEALTH STRATEGY?
• Visit the new HEALTH page (click here) and debunk the health risk myth.
  ____________________________________________________
  NSW Parliament is sitting and we are ready. Read about our proposed amendment to the Companion Animals Act here (members area).