Law Updates
We're taking Losses at Every Turn on the State Level this Year, but Never Fear! We WILL be Victorious in the End!
 Maryland's legislation passed with so many revisions, it is no longer a tethering bill, and only ended up specifying the kind of collar to be used!
Maine also suffered a tethering bill death.
Read
this excellent article from Orange County, South Carolina to understand
what we're up against, where there are allegedly some very shady
tactics being used to influence the county law under consideration. Member of Orange County's chained-dog study panel has ties to dog-fighting
Click here for Excellent Article about Georgia Counties banning chaining
More excellent legislative news: Live Oak, Texas; New Hanover County, South Carolina; Deerfield Beach, Florida; Fayetteville, Arkansas
have all passed anti-tethering legislation in the past month!
Gainesville, Georgia; Central, South Carolina; are all considering
anti-tethering legislation as we write as well.
State Legislative Effort Page
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Still seeking Funding Help for New Brochures, Only $1000 collected so far...
We need $5000! Can you help?
 We had to reorder 15,000 of the old ones to tide us over while we continue to fundraise to get the news ones printed!
We use our brochures extensively: they
are sent out with each Valentine, in letters which are mailed to homes
with chained and penned dogs daily all year long, provided to area reps
for their work, and provided free to those who want to help the cause
but cannot afford to buy them, as well as sold at low cost on the site.
Donate to Fund Brochure Printing
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Keep Those Successes Coming!
You've already heard about Pepper, pictured below, don't miss the other successes on our mailbag page!
 I
didn't know that your organization existed. What a blessing that it
does! I learned about you from an article in The Chicago Tribune. I
have since emailed all of my contacts letting them know about Dogs
DeserveBetter.org. My intention is to start by ordering
brochures and dispersing them throughout my community. Thank you for
your efforts and for loving and advocating for our "best friends." You
must feel so fulfilled by your work and life purpose.
- Nicole Sammartino
*****
I
got an e-mail from you around Valentine's day asking for any dog that
might need a valentine. I had a special certain dog in mind and
gave you the address...you contacted me back and let me know that the
dog would be receiving a valentine and the owners some information.
Well..in my heart I have wondered a lot if they even received the
package and what they thought of it if they did. I have visited
the dog a few times since then on my nightly walks. Up until
today I hadn't seen any changes for him though. THEN....today
I saw a dog being walked that looked a lot like this very dog!! I
couldn't believe my eyes and when they passed my house I still wasn't
sure. I hopped in my car and drove by his house and sure
enough he was gone!! His owner was actually walking him!!
My husband told me that was the second time he had seen the dog
being walked. While I know it is only a small thing...I got very
teary eyed. I am so happy this dog is being given the chance to
see a little bit of the world. I am not sure if this is happening
because of what was sent to his owners or not but nonetheless I am
extremely happy and wanted to share this news with you. - Thank you so
much, Jennifer
Read More Stories from the Mailbag
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Breaking the Chain Writing Contest
Runs in 15 Arizona Schools this Year! Let's Try for Nationwide Next Year�
Debra White's Contest is Taking Flight
 Breaking the Chain,
an art/storytelling contest for third-grade children, recently
celebrated another successful contest in the Maricopa County
(Arizona) public schools. Started in 2005 with a mere two schools,
this year's contest grew to fifteen. Several schools entered multiple
classes.
The contest inspires them to find a creative solution
for Joey, a chained dog, and a neighbor's cat, the great Harriet, who
rescues him.�..
Read all about it at this link
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Motion to Dismiss Hearing Fails for Grimes: Move Again to Jury Trial
Our Supporters Rocked! 36 of you made it to the Rally, and we had an AMAZING time together.
We
lost the motion to dismiss hearing, and so now move forward-again-to a
jury trial. Grimes is slated for a trial list review May 7, and jury
selection May 21st.
We had 36 people come out to the
rally, despite bad weather and a mid-week workday! We were thrilled
with the turnout (although of course would love to see ALL of you next
time!), and people came from as far away as Ohio, New Jersey, New York,
West Virginia, and the far reaches of Pennsylvania to support Tammy and
what she did for Doogie.
Read
all about it, see pictures, and watch some great videos of Kim Eicher
(Doogie's neighbor) telling her story, and Tammy and others speaking.
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Changes on the Front Lines
of Dogs Deserve Better
We've expanding to better
accomplish our mission!
 Meet Dawn Ashby, who as of next Monday will be taking over a lot of what Tammy does here at Dogs Deserve Better.
"Dawn is one of our most successful reps ever. At last count just this year she's already rescued over 50 dogs in Illinois! She will be employed part-time as our Rescue and Public Service Coordinator.
I've
recently returned from a Media and Publicity Seminar, where I learned
how much MORE effort had to be put into forming relationships with the
media than I am currently doing. Unfortunately, this has been impossible for me to do, as I spend 3 hours a day just answering e-mails! I
realized we had to take a step in the direction of progress, and so
most of my time will now be spent on marketing materials, media
efforts, and publicity efforts, as well as actively seeking out
speaking engagements, etc.
Dawn will be answering most of your e-mails beginning in the next month. I
will miss you all on a one to one basis, but remember I'm out there
working for the cause the same as ever, and hopefully pushing us
forward even more as a result of these changes!
In addition, Area Rep Coordinator Kris Taylor has taken over Special Projects, and Maine Rep Susanna Richer has taken on web responsibilities.
Our Area Reps are fabulous people, and we're thrilled to start bringing
them with us as we grow!" -Tammy S. Grimes, founder, Dogs Deserve Better
Download our 2006 Annual Report in .pdf format, a Special Project just completed by Kris Taylor |
Tell the AKC to Support Anti-Tethering Legislation
Every breed lives on a chain. Every one. Tell the AKC they need to stand up for the dogs!
 We
can guarantee you this...no matter WHAT your favorite breed is, they
are living on chains. Lab, shepherds, pits, retrievers, boston
terriers, poodles, airedales... EVERY BREED. Even the small ones. In fact, Marilyn
Faughner, of Save a Yorkie rescue, was an area rep for us because she
knew a yorkie who died on the end of a chain. A YORKIE! If they will chain a yorkie, they will chain ANY breed of dog.
The current laws in their states or local communities did NOTHING to help them!�
Read more and get AKC contact info
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Speaking of Area Reps - Tamar Sherman, San Francisco, CA
Area Rep has been Chosen Remarkable Rep for the year 2007!
Tamar has been with us since 2003, and did a fabulous job as an area rep. She led our efforts as part of the California Coalition that worked so hard to get a 3 hours anti-tethering law. She did her share of rescue work, and was the first area rep to make national news...for petting a dog!
Tamar
had to step down as area rep in January due to very poor health, but we
couldn't let her go without showing how much we appreciate her hard
work.
If you can, please send
her a thank you/get well card, so that she knows we are all grateful
for her help...we think it would mean so much to her to know she is
appreciated by our supporters!
Send them to: Tamar Sherman, 1158 Glen Road
Lafayette, CA 94549
Thank you!
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Buddy Unchained Wins Two Prestigious Awards!
 Great News...
BUDDY
UNCHAINED is the Award Winner of this year's ASPCA's Henry Bergh Award
in the Companion Animal Category, AND HSUS 2007 KIND Children's Book
Award Winner
What
is life like, day after day, for a dog kept outdoors in all weather on
a chain or a rope, alone all day-a dog whose caretakers, for the most
part, forget that he's alive? Buddy, a lovable mixed-breed dog, has had
such an existence.
To order:� http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/buddyunchained.html
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New Doogie DDB Merchandise, including Black T-shirts!
 From books, videos, dvds, and doorhangers to shirts, sweatshirts, buttons, and more...visit the Dogs Deserve Better store today.
We won't forget about the chained/penned dogs, and we're not going away
until they get better lives. Stand with us as we continue to forge
ahead. Let's work this issue!
DDB Store on the site: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/store.html
DDB Cafepress store for all your attire and other needs:
http://www.cafepress.com/dogsdeserve
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New Books, by Long Time DDB Supporter Deborah Eades,
Every Rescued Dog Has a Tale
 Deborah
Eades, a long time supporter of Dogs Deserve Better and the work we do,
has donated 15 books for us to sell, so the entire amount of the first
15 will go to DDB! She is also donating a portion of ALL her sales to
DDB.
The perfect gift for any dog lover for Mothers Day
or Fathers Day! Not just another book about dogs, but an inspiring (and
funny!) book that follows several dogs from death row in a county dog
pound to a new life with a loving family. This is all the work of the
Dog Rescue Railroad - volunteer drivers who spend their weekends
driving a shelter dog about 100 miles toward a better life in another
state. These stories will make you cry at what these helpless animals
have endured and then inspire you to want to help them in this small
way to work toward the day when there will be no more homeless pets. In
addition to these heartwarming and sometimes very funny stories, there
are dozens of adorable photos of many rescued dogs. Most of the
proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to animal rescue,
so your purchase will help save even more lives.�
To read more or order your books today, visit the site at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/everyrescueddog.html
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