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.
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  NSW Parliament is sitting and we are ready. Read about our proposed amendment to the Companion Animals Act here (members area).

Progress Pets

MacMasters Beach Progress Hall PET SHOW - this Saturday, 29th Sept. for members in the Sydney/Newcastle region. Prizes for Most Unusual Pet, Pet/Owner Look-a-like, Best Dressed, Best Groomed, Best Party Trick and THE FASTEST SAUSAGE EATER! $2 entry per category,. More info, email macs@barking-mad.com.au

Dog event in no dog park

Newcastle Dogs Day out was HUGE - and held in a no-dog park! Shows just how much discretion council has. Our community could be very dog-friendly now, without a lot of changes to the law. They just need us to support them to offer us access to parks, beaches and public space in general.
We handed out hundreds of cards, signed up new members and made a few friends in the industry and in government. A successful and beautiful sunny day by the sea.

Louie is Alive

I couldn't put him down, it's not his time yet.

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own live within a fragile circle...Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way." I. Townsend
Louie, at age 15, continues to live on - with dementia and a caring family of human minders and he loves living with Pema the border collie.

We are preparing for the beach dog walk and surf club fund-raiser at Bar Beach on Sunday. We had an interview on Newcastle radio this morning thanks to one of our members. We have great support in the Hunter Region of NSW. Hope you can visit the Barking Mad stall this Sunday.
We are a tiny bit distracted - between all the work of Barking Mad, this may be Louie the cat's last night. He is 15...... so it's a sad time as most pet owners can relate to. We know what it is like to lose a pet..

Buzzz . . .

It was a week ago that I woke up early, ready do the 40 metre commute to the office when I heard this amazing noise amongst the quiet of my sea-side bush. I mean BUZZ. What sort of power tool is that? Why have they started before 7am? Where is it from? Was it a power tool? Nope. IT’S SPRING.
The massive Ash tree is a-flower and wow, does it have company. These BEEs are VERY BUSY BEES - just like Barking Mad, except we work all year around AND day and night.
We've added QUEENSLAND campaigns and hopefully have a state coordinator there again. There are some really STUPID dog laws out there.
Did you receive your membership email? That email system costs us a small fortune ($250/month) so I hope it's keeping you informed and happy. We're off to court tomorrow again trying to finish up the litigation that gave birth (so to speak) to Barking Mad. After being defrauded three years ago, I decided to get a dog and the rest is history. So too is my win in court, but have they paid? NOPE. Does the court care? Doesn't seem to, but we'll see. Pema now goes to court with me as they can't find any reason in the Court Security Act to stop her and my judge doesn't mind her in his court. Here is a photo of us waiting for the Sherriff to let us in. So far we've been in three different courts and not even for dog things (yet).
What else? We are busy writing ammendments to legislation for the next session of Parliament in NSW (hopefully).
My 16 year old cat exhibits a zest for life and a quest for death alternatively at least 10 times a day. I'm sure there is a story about compassion and responsiblity there, but now he takes a lot of my emotional energy. Pets are really about caring; we are caring people. It's not nice when we're made out to be criminals because we have (legal) companion animals.
And Pema had a great time at Circular Quay after our last court date making a lot of people happy and creating a warm, social atmosphere in a tourist venue. And how funny to meet a scottish couple with a busines back home called Barking Mad!

Poster Puppy

Isn't our poster puppy on the home page gorgeous? You can have yours as the next poster pet, just send us a good quality photo.

Peaceful co-existence with moments of tolerable but utterly frustrating annoyance. It's not my quote, but it sums up what Barking Mad is trying to achieve. Can we achieve peaceful co-existence in our community with the wide variety of people and vast range of preferences people have? Leaf blowers, loud parties, graffiti - different activites both legal and not, driving us crazy - but only AT TIMES.

I always considered myself a cat person (providing they were kept in at night). But no more - dog crazy I now am, even those little snappy yappy ones. How did this happen? That dogs are preferable company to the human male is one theory, but we won't go there. I happened upon a rescue border collie 2 years ago when she was 18 months old. Two things resulted from having a canine housemate for the first time. One, I found out how limited my recreational and transport options were in Sydney if I wanted to have my dog with me. And two, I found myself interested in lots of other dogs breeds, and curious about why the people who now talked to me on my walks (JUST BECAUSE I HAD DOG) choose that particular breed. How do we love our pets? 'Let me count the ways'. The stories people share about how they came to love their particular dog, be one that farts, chews, snores, drools or slobbers, or one that is so old it is no longer house trained – or one that has cost them $3000 from injuries; the commonality is caring and compassion.

Mile High Dogs

Photo: Travelling with pet dog at Venice Airport.

But not everyone likes dogs, and we can't expect them too. Some like obedient, quiet dogs. Some don't mind the yappy ones. Some people think they shouldn't be kept as pets.
Lots of Barking Mad members tell me they don't understand HOW people can not love animals. I'm told almost daily about the direct correlation between cruel treatment of animals and cruel treatment of humans.

I think it is our obligation as responsible pet owners to accept and understand some peoples dislike of man's best friend. As we understand more of our rights, and as we do expand our access to more beaches, parks, transport and accommodation, no doubt the opposing view will be aired as well.

On the subject of RIGHTS. We have so many more then we are led to believe! We have new information from NSW Lands about Council's legal right to fine us (or not) on the beach below the High Water Mark. We have an interesting clause in the discrimination act referring to a 'trainned' animal. We have the railway dog (and goat) carriage rules. We have Manly Council actively allowing dogs within 10 metres of a playground even though this is 'an offense'.

There is simply no reason to put up with draconian restrictions about where you can take your pooch any more. Change is never easy and we are working on it several ways:

• changing legislation (hopefully in the next session of NSW Parliament)
• challenging restrictions in court or with whatever authority put this in place
• debunking myths about 'hygiene, health, food' etc.

Most importantly, by being responsible with our dog when we are out in the community. Sure, some people may say I'm not be responsible to society when I travel on the bus with Pema - because I'm doing something that many people think I "am not allowed" to do. Well - they are wrong, I am allowed, but I don't have to change their view. I make sure I have a clean and quiet pooch that doesn't take up a seat, bark, slobber or wee. If someone takes the seat next to us and doesn't want to be by the dog - I'm the one who offers to move away.

Summing up - assert your rights, respecting those people that may not respect you for doing so.

The Bus

THEY TRIED TO STOP US FROM TAKING THE BUS. How rude! The bus driver was so confused when I told him Pema was a registered companion dog - he then said it was ok, but he wasn't happy. Scroll down on the public transport campaign section for the story. We were going to see our barrister, how funny. Yes, we got on the bus, of course, after a vote from the passengers FOR the dog.

Get your COMPANION ANIMAL ID TAG from Barking Mad for just $35. Email us a photo of you and your dog, 300k max size. Post or scan your pooch registration. If you want your insurance details on the tag, scan or post your home contents policy. Send me details.

Apec dog because sniffing is allowed

We're off to the CBD with a freshly washed pooch to visit two of our barristers. Should be interesting with the APEC stuff, but we also need to trial Sydney buses more. One member was denied access to two northern beaches buses with her small pooch; both buses were nearly empty. She couldn't remember the protocol to tell the driver - the code number and to call the depot on the radio, so she didn't get her lift to Manly Dogs Day Out. Very sad. So, we're going on a few buses again.

The Pittwater and Warringah campaigns are launched - do check the Act Now section, write your letters and you can send money, too. We're waiting on the judgment where the magistrate was less than complimentary about Pittwater council dog laws.
And, we're on Pet talk TV and radio, so check out what we have to say.....and, what Manly Council (one of our favourites) said!

Companion Animal ID Tag

Get your COMPANION ANIMAL ID TAG from Barking Mad for just $35. Email us a photo of you and your dog, 300k max size. Post or scan your pooch registration. If you want your insurance details on the tag, scan or post your home contents policy. Send me details.

Two beautiful, sunny warm days and a spectacular lunar eclipse have passed. Throughout Monday of this week, I listened in amazement while (independently) four pet owners from three states came to Barking Mad with upsetting stories of discrimination. I struggle to come to grips with the distress these situations cause people AND the fact that they are not alone. So many people trying to live a normal life in our 'fair-go' society get, well, crapped upon, just because they have a pet; and I'm talking about 'responsible' pet owners who accept that pooch or puss needs to fit into society.

The stories:

• Several Queensland local government areas limiting a family to one dog unless they can afford a house on land over 600m2 - by law! (but you can have 5 racing greyhounds).


• Renters in Albury NSW not being able to find a home because they have a dog.


• A member in Victoria who has lived in a strata complex for ten years with her dog and who is just now being told it can't be outside.


• And, locally in Sydney, a member being refused access to a bus on the Northern Beaches twice in one day.

Perhaps it sounds like four incidents to you, but Barking Mad is involved in so many matters concerning housing, it's a shock. We need more help to handle things - email or call if you can volunteer your time or money. Please listen to our Pet Talk Radio interview - and you can even watch the video - but it's not very exciting!

LENIN BAR CIrcULAR QUAY PHOTO: We are busy writing ammendments to legislation for the next session of Parliament in NSW (hopefully).
My 15 year old cat exhibits a zest for life and a quest for death alternatively at least 10 times a day. I'm sure there is a story about compassion and responsiblity there, but now he takes a lot of my emotional energy. Pets are really about caring; we are caring people. It's not nice when we're made out to be criminals because we have (legal) companion animals.

And Pema had a great time at Circular Quay after our last court date making a lot of people happy and creating a warm, social atmosphere in a tourist venue. And how funny to meet a scottish couple with a busines back home called Barking Mad!

One dog per family in Queensland

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING !!! I have heard the most amazing stories of discrimination today with transport and housing. This Gold Coast (insert expletive here) is true - have a look at http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?PID=22 Gold Coast City Council. Dogs are pack animals. Dogs are in Australia's heritage. Dogs are surf-lifesavers, police assistants and damn good company. It is as nonsensical to try to impose a one dog limit as it is to impose a one child limit in Australia. We must get Costello to call for one dog for the mother, one for the father and one for the country. Or more accurately:one rescued from an owner that couldn't get the dog to the vet because the bus wouldn't let him on with pooch, another rescued from Nanna because she was harassed about having a dog in the strata unit she downsized to after the death of Papa, and the third taken off of a back-yard breeder after the selling of live animals at pet shops was stopped!
The transport story is posted in the Act Now section of the web. Click here to read about puppy with broken leg having to walk 3km after being refused entry on a bus with his caring owners.

A great day at Manly Dog's Day Out - but at least two council people did not like that were were there, and that we were supported by the awesome dog and cat store, PetO. They harassed PetO for having the Barking Mad folks and brand - telling them they couldn't after they had paid for their stall! Council said only ONE brand could be represented.
PetO is a retailler - they (unlike Woolies) don't have their own brand yet. They sell many brands, including Barking Mad. What a show of fear by Manly Council. Most other stall holders were selling multiple brands, including Seaforth Vet (our neighbours) who were selling products and services, just like Barking Mad and PetO. We are waiting for an offical statement from Manly Council before we issue a press release. We have had a good relationship with Manly Council are we are supportive of the work they do to incorporate companion animals into their community. We would like to keep this positive relationship.

United we Stand, Divided we Fall

Have you clicked on the campaign section of the web that has just been added? Don't miss the deadline to express your views to Pittwater Council about Makerel Beach. This campaign has some very big legal issues that could work strongly in our favour - to end the discrimination of responsible pet owners.
I can't believe we have so much happening in so many different places - and not all the campaigns are uploaded yet. Where is that web content editor we need so badly? (work for us while not increasing your taxable income!).
United we stand, divided we fall. This is my mantra as I think about all the people, all over Australia, who have to fight to have ONE dog exercise area, or ONE place to swim their dog. Although this is a phrase that is hundreds of years old, and was used successfully by Ghandi to obtain the independence of India, it is as relevant today to Barking Mad as it was to those before us.
NIMBY: not in my back yard - so many people work so hard and achieve success in their little area for ONE dog beach, or ONE dog park. WE NEED TO UNITE so that we avoid these one-off, one-small-area, one-dog-beach-please fights. The laws restricting responsible pet owners from parks, beaches, transport and accomodation have NOT been challenged. That means they are fair game. They are not tested, they are not robust.
Please - if you are running a local campaign, come to the Barking Mad pack. Your local council does not MAKE laws. They are the meat in the sandwich. The states makes laws and we currently have excellent support in the NSW Parliament. We hope to have our cause debated within the next two months.

Please - if you are running a local campaign, come to the Barking Mad pack. Your local council does not MAKE laws. They are the meat in the sandwich. The states makes laws and we currently have excellent support in the NSW Parliament. We hope to have our cause debated within the next two months.

City CBD Dog

In support of Clover Moore's amazing work to make the City of Sydney dog-friendly, (read their policy here), Pema and I went into the CBD for a day's work. We went to St. Vincent's hospital first. In the lift from the carpark I was told that my dog was a health risk. I asked, then why are sick people in the hospital and we are out here? (Pema is a hospital visiting dog, anyway). And is she more of a risk than I am having just had the flu and a major stomach bug? NO ONE CAN TELL US WHAT THIS 'HEALTH ISSUE' is about dogs - and why guide dogs ARE NOT a health issue.

It's a myth and Barking Mad is debunking it - stay tuned for our report.We had a conference with one of our solicitor's - we have so many interesting cases. In a crowded legal office, Pema had a snooze under a desk. I must write up the case of the dog being fined when crossing the beach from a boat to a water-access home. It was thrown out of court last week, with a slap on the wrist to Pittwater Council, who the Judge was quite critical of. We need more cases. If you were fined for being responsible (but illegal), we can help you contest it.

While crossing the road at a busy intersection, my dog broke the law - AGAIN! She was interested in a border collie-x walking across from the other direction. This dog was interested in her, too - so they BOTH broke the law because they RUSHED at each other. Yep, rushing at any person or dog means the owner is guilty of an offence. Strict Liability - meaning the REASON it was lunging isn't relevant. Check out this silly law. Both dogs were on leads, the other folks in the crossing thought it was cute, I thought the dog AND its' owner were cute. All-in-all it brought a smile to a few bleak faces on a windy, cold day.

We then went to District Court and Pema went through her first x-ray machine. I've been in court for years now because I was defrauded from a business and my superannuation. That's why I ended up getting a dog and that's when I realised I was limited in where I could go and that's why I started Barking Mad! This was Pema's first visit and she was a big hit with the registry folks on level 9.

Then to the bank where she wasn't even noticed tied under the table just inside the doors, while I did business there for 20 minutes. (5 minutes of business and 15 minutes of waiting). We had a rest in Hyde (Australia's first) Park, welcoming the lack of 'no-dogs' signs. We also had a look at the Anzac Memorial. Then off to our 5 star hotel for the Barking Mad top-dog, top-drop thinking and drinking (board) meeting. After nearly two hours, we were kindly told that no dogs were allowed, so we moved Pema to the car to wait. The management at this hotel will talk to us about the pros and cons of being a pet-friendly hotel. They are very supportive of Barking Mad and what we are achieving.

Roads, Rates & Rubbish

Back in Australia where I think local councils should go back to their mantra of rates, roads and rubbish and leave us responsible dog owners to ourselves. Do they have 'small-government-syndrome' or what?

I attended our local board riding competition this morning – yes, at the beach, WITH the dog. 40 kids, 30 adults, food cooking away on the BBQ, 2 marquees and 15 dogs, most off-lead. WHAT THE? Food and dogs and beaches, surfers and kids – all mixing. All with a permit issued by a sensible central coast council.

To Sydney councils – wake up and service your ratepayers. More homes have dogs than kids; you have a legal duty to provide us with equitable services and you can’t just say ‘no dogs’ on the beach. You can't tell mothers not to take their toddler AND their dog to the playground. You can’t just wipe out the amenities of half of the population in one sweep. We will not tolerate this discrimination. We will work with you if you wish, otherwise, we will mount a legal challenge that will cost your ratepayers dearly. Get sensible – go after things that have a real risk factor. (rave over – off to play café-dog games in the Manly Council turf).