Dear Senator Nass and Representative Campbell,

The HSUS has really painted us into a corner.  To the general public, who could possibly be against a ban on dog fighting equipment?  I am.  And so is my wife; she is a veterinarian.

You see, we both train dogs for a hobby.  I train hunting dogs, she trains for obedience and agility.  Unfortunately, you can't train dogs without equipment, and it doesn't matter what you are training for, much of the equipment is the same.  The difference is I will follow the law.  Dog fighters are already breaking it.  They have nothing to loose.  The only piece of dog fighting equipment I am aware of that is used almost exclusively in dog fighting is a "bite stick."  It is a small piece of wood or plastic.  You will never convict someone of owning a small piece of wood.

Some of the equipment that this legislation will ban includes wash tubs, dog houses, tie outs, chains with snap swivels attached and human exercise equipment.

The ultimate goal of the HSUS is to eliminate all animal "suffering" which includes the "suffering" they have when kept as pets.  They are actively seeking the end of pet ownership.  The tactics of the HSUS involve snipping off one of our rights at a time until we have none.  They are starting with the "low hanging fruit."

If I thought this would curb dogfighting at all, I would be in favor of it.  However, the only people it will effect are non-dogfighters.   This legislation will not do anything to prevent one dog being pit against another.  You should vote against it.

Todd Chrisman
Amanda Rizner, DVM
Shapleigh, Maine