[Njagdu] For your review: Dusty's law Press release 2012

[Patricia Ebel]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER26, 2012


CONTACT: 
Vincent Chaney Jr, President
New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 
(732) 251-8650
E-mail:   <mailto:vgc732 at optonline.net> vgc732 at optonline.net


Tara Carty
Chairperson of Public Relations 
(973) 650-4438
E-mail:   <mailto:sugarfreet at gmail.com> sugarfreet at gmail.com


New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users Supports Proposal for Dusty's Law




TRENTON, NEW JERSEY - Did you know that if a blind person and his/her guide
dog are attacked by an aggressive dog that the police can do nothing about
it now? Help us change this! The New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users,
a division of the  <http://www.nfbnj.org/> National Federation of the Blind
of New Jersey (NFBNJ), today announced its support of Assembly A. 2728 and
Senate S. 1907, designated as "Dusty's Law."  The organization is urging
legislators and citizens of New Jersey to support the legislation, which
would allow the police to intervene when a guide dog or guide-dog team is
attacked by an aggressive dog.

Under current law, if a guide dog, guide-dog handler, guide-dog puppy in
training, instructor, or volunteer puppy raiser is attacked or interfered
with by aggressive dogs; the issue is not handled as a police matter but is
turned over to an animal control officer.  Animal control officers may not
be available or on duty during weekends or evenings, leaving the blind
individual and his or her guide dog vulnerable without recourse or
protection. 

Ginger Kutsch, advocacy specialist at the Seeing Eye, said: "Attacks and
interference with guide dog teams grossly interfere with a blind person's
ability to walk freely and safely within the community or anywhere else the
team wishes to go."  She added, "Police response is important because the
imminent danger to a blind individual whose guide dog is being attacked or
subjected to interference is potentially far greater than that of pet owners
who do not require the services of their dogs to travel safely and
independently.  Moreover, people who are blind cannot use vision to avoid
other dogs or to defend themselves or their guide dogs."  

Senator Anthony Bucco, District 25, said: "I have seen firsthand the
tremendous benefit that specially trained guide dogs provide to those who
are visually impaired. Unfortunately there has been an increase in the
number of attacks, by aggressive dogs, on guide dogs and their owners.
Dusty's Law will provide greater protection under the law for guide dogs and
their owners by allowing police to intervene and aid owners in the event of
an attack."

Dusty's Law is named for a nine-month-old German shepherd puppy who was
being raised as a potential Seeing Eye guide dog.  Dusty was attacked by a
pit bull and as a result underwent four hours of surgery, lost four teeth,
required 96 stitches, and underwent trauma that made it impossible for him
to complete the program.  Roger Woodhour, Dusty's volunteer puppy raiser,
who was raising his twenty-sixth puppy, was also attacked and lost the tip
of the middle finger of his right hand.  Details of the story can be found
in The Record:
<http://www.northjersey.com/news/072610_Woodcliff_Lake_seeing_eye_dog_recove
ring_after_pit_bull_attack.html?page=all> Pit bull's attack may knock
Woodcliff Lake puppy out of Seeing Eye program: page all - NorthJersey.com. 

The bill would also allow for restitution for the affected handler and guide
dog and would apply to working guide dogs, guide dogs in training and
puppies in training. 

For further legislative details for the bills, click on
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ and search for "Dusty's Law". 

Vincent Chaney Jr, president of the New Jersey Association of Guide Dog
Users, said: "We whom have chosen to independently travel with our guide-dog
partner teams have needed Dusty's Law for many years to be able to engage
our New Jersey police officers in instances of attack or when subjected to
interference.  We request all New Jersey citizens to advocate for these
bills to become law by contacting their senator and two assembly-persons
today." 

 

 

 

About the New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users

The New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users (NJAGDU), a division of the
<http://www.nfbnj.org/> NFBNJ, is an organization for blind people who
currently use guide dogs as mobility tools, those considering getting a
guide dog, or those who want to learn more about the use of such dogs.  We
provide a forum for those interested in the guide dog movement to discuss
common issues and to increase opportunities for those who have chosen to use
a guide dog for independent travel.### 

 

 

From: Patricia Ebel [mailto:patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net] 
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 10:39 PM
To: Joseph Braz; Lester Cameron; Tara M. Carty; msc732 at optonline.net;
Vincent Chaney Jr.; annades at optonline.net; Alice Eaddy; danfb at verizon.net;
Rick Fox (Membership); michael hamm; jdhiggins3 at verizon.net;
lydiakeller at comcast.net; Ginger Kutsch; Classemt at aol.com;
karmedtrans at aol.com; Lynn Reynolds (Legislation); suetillett at verizon.net;
jtruehaft at verizon.net; Ryan Stevens; joe ruffalo
Cc: Charles McKenna; Jo Luland; jluland at verizon.net; pslwebber at aol.com;
Daniel Romero; Dan Romero; patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net;
jessc1002 at hotmail.com; stever1215 at gmail.com; Jonathan Goodman; New Jersey
Association of Guide Dog Users; Dsykora29 at gmail.com
Subject: Reminder: NFB NJAGDU March Meeting Agenda and February Minutes

 

Hello Everyone!

I am writing to remind you all of our next NJAGDU meeting.  Please be sure
to read over the minutes before Monday's meeting, I would appreciate it.

Here is the info for the meeting.

 

Date: Monday, March 23, 2015

Time: 7:00 PM

Call: 1 712 432 0180

Code: 460994

 

 

If you have not already please rsvp to me so I know if you will be making
the call or not.

I look forward to Monday night, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

Cordially yours,

Trisha Ebel

 

From: Patricia Ebel [mailto:patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 11:00 PM
To: Joseph Braz (jbraz7 at gmail.com); Lester Cameron (underdogmj at comcast.net);
Tara M. Carty (sugarfreet at gmail.com); msc732 at optonline.net; Vincent Chaney
Jr. (vgc732 at optonline.net); annades at optonline.net; Alice Eaddy
(cherio_alice at icloud.com); danfb at verizon.net; Rick Fox (Membership)
(richardfox1 at comcast.net); michael hamm (mbhrr15 at gmail.com);
jdhiggins3 at verizon.net; lydiakeller at comcast.net; Ginger Kutsch
(Ginger at ky2d.com); Classemt at aol.com; karmedtrans at aol.com; Lynn Reynolds
(Legislation) (lhr1827 at optonline.net); suetillett at verizon.net;
jtruehaft at verizon.net; Ryan Stevens (RYSteve at comcast.net); joe ruffalo
(nfbnj1 at verizon.net)
Cc: Charles McKenna (cpatmckenna at gmail.com); Jo Luland
(joluland at verizon.net); jluland at verizon.net; pslwebber at aol.com; Daniel
Romero (djdan567 at gmail.com); Dan Romero (djdan5678 at gmail.com);
'jessc1002 at hotmail.com'; stever1215 at gmail.com; Jonathan Goodman
(j.goodman82 at comcast.net); patriciaebel0302 at comcast.net; New Jersey
Association of Guide Dog Users (njagdu at nfbnet.org); 'Dsykora29 at gmail.com'
Subject: NFB NJAGDU March Meeting Agenda and February Minutes

 

 

 

Hello to all division Members,

Below are the minutes from our last division meeting?  Please be sure to
read them over before our next meeting on March 23rd.  After the minutes you
will find the Agenda for our call.

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey New Jersey Association of
Guide Dog Users

Next Step Conference Call

February 23, 2015

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM.

1. Roll Call:

Trisha Ebel, NFBNJ NJAGDU President

Alice Eaddy, Secretary

Lynn Reynolds, Treasurer

Joe Ruffalo, NFBNJ President

Ginger Kutsch

Angela Perone

Lydia Keller

Jack Truehaft

Jo Luland

John Luland

Jerilyn Higgins

Les Cameron

Kathy Rawa

Michael Halm

Joe Braz

Dan Fachini

Steve Rutch

Ryan Stevens, NFBNJ Parliamentarian

 

2. Call to order by President Trisha Ebel at 7:04 PM

3. The Minutes were sent out by Alice, did everyone receive them? Jerilyn
moved to accept the minutes as sent Kathy seconded. All in favor motion
carried unanimously. Ryan stated the correct way to proceed was to make the
motion, then say all in favor any opposed. Joe stated that we will make
every effort to get the minutes ten days prior and again two days before the
next call.

4. Lynn provided the Treasures report: the ending balance as of January 31st
$580. There was a deposit of $20 for dues giving a total of $600.  Jerilyn
moved to accept the treasurer's report Kathy seconded, all in favor any
opposed. OK

a. Trisha explained that membership is based on $5 dues which if not
collected at Convention it should be mailed to Lynn Reynolds at:

3504 Cricket Circle

Edison, NJ 08820

Payable to NJAGDU and in the memo write dues 2015. 

b. Dues policy in November any dues collected is for the following year. Joe
asked what our dues allow. Trisha the dues allows 

 A member to have a say in the proceedings, vote, hold an office or be on a
committee.

5. Guide dog relief area Ginger related that the recommendation letter was
drafted to aid the planning committee for the state convention to assure
that certain concerns were addressed during the hotel staff training and or
walk through phase so that any problems could be considered up front. It is
most important that these considerations are adhered too!  Trisha is chair
and she named Michael Halm to assist him and Lukas Frank in this matter. In
order to be discrete both (Trisha and Michael) will have cell phones at the
ready for any concerns that come up during convention. Ginger asked that we
pursue volunteers from the community to help man the relief area so that we
do not feel inadequate or confused nor have to worry about giving ourselves
a bad name either. We would train them to help us with this area a schedule
could be developed. Joe said that we could send out notices throughout the
membership but that our Division would do this on our own. We want to be
proactive and develop guidelines, more importantly we (NJAGDU) want a
commitment to look at this draft and work for the division to this end. Mr.
Ruffalo asked that it be resent to him as there will be a board meeting in
March where this can be presented and adopted as a good procedure. Any
suggestions related to this topic should be sent to Michael at:
<mailto:bhrr15 at gmail.com> bhrr15 at gmail.com 

Michael's cell number is 908 278 8425

And it was further stated that while at convention each member is on the
committee as well.   Call Trisha (201) 456-0091, or Michael regarding any
changes, we can partner with new members. Trisha this sounds good we are all
going to               work on it. Trisha will research if there is a way to
have a sound near the trash can; having it near the entry door would be
best.  Joe: Mike and Trisha will check in regularly to see that it stays
where it should be from day to day or AM to PM. Joe suggested that Michael
and Trisha be on a call with the hotel staff so that they would know who you
'all are.

6. Dusty's law flyer:   it is important to put them where they can be seen
by the public. ** note Ginger and the Seeing Eye are creating a more generic
flyer without their branding that could be used by other Guide schools as
well** The flyer should be sent to the membership and given to newbie's in
both the print and the descriptive version. They could be posted in pet
stores, veterinarian clinics, law officials and animal control, the town
clerk's office and the like. Go in person. This is a social awareness
campaign to educate others that our dogs are our eyes. Our goal is to change
public behavior. Joe Tara could develop a press release. Dan said that we
might have to go to corporate headquarters or to district managers with
places like Pet Smart. More detailed discussion followed.

Send contact information to Trisha: i.e. name, address, phone, email, guide
dog school, guides name. To recap the Seeing Eye flyer is too long; it will
not be specific to New Jersey regarding Dusty's Law. It is not about the
law; the message is to keep your dog away from our Guide Dogs because they
are working period. Dan, this may become two different campaigns one to tell
people to stay away and another to stress New Jerseys new legal penalties.
**maybe we could have a sighted person describe the flyer on a call? **A
possible target date for a New Jersey flyer might be October to coincide
with meet the blind month.

7. Washington Seminar Ryan: The Washington Seminar Team conducted
presentations to our Congressional representatives on Tuesday, January 27.

The team has written and emailed letters to all they made presentations to
and all emailed our two Senators to encourage sponsorship and support to the
issues presented.

When all of the NJAGDU members send your letters, please use the template
that will be provided and share the issues and templates with others. 

We can make a difference with your help with emailing your Congressman or
Congresswoman and our two United States Senators.

With this said, we are asking each member to email and perhaps in the future
"make calls to your representative and to Senators Menendez and Booker.  

The opening sentence should provide your name, your involvement and
positions held in the NFB, etc.

Make sure you provide your phone number and email address as it appears in
the last paragraph.

Make sure when you write and email your letters; please copy to Rose Sloan
at  <mailto:rsloan at nfb.org%20and> mailto:rsloan at nfb.org%20and Lauren
Mclarney at <mailto:lmclarney at nfb.org> lmclarney at nfb.org, Lynn Reynolds at
<mailto:lhr1827 at optonline.net> lhr1827 at optonline.net, and Anthony Lanzilotti
at  <mailto:tti777 at gmail.com> tti777 at gmail.com

 

To search for your Congressional representative, do one of the following:

1.     Contact your local library, give your address, and ask for the
contact information for your Congressional representative

2.     Visit  <http://www.house.gov/representatives/>
http://www.house.gov/representatives/ and search for your Congressional
representative by entering your zip code. If you have more than one
representative in your town, enter your full zip code.

8. NAGDU Leadership call update

The NAGDU Hotline needs your help in 2014 there were 1,642 callers, the
NAGDU app has had 1,036 downloads. There will be a new Guide Dog school in
Florida by 2016 specializing in providing dogs fluent with English/Spanish
commands. Lydia pointed out that the Seeing Eye currently trains such dogs
already.

9. New Business

a. Guide Dog Update in Arizona: please see email

b. Fundraising ideas -Suggestions needed by next month's meeting

c. Reminder calls do we need them? No.

10. Old Business

Dan said, we need to get back to a NJAGDU past effort regarding
accessibility issues (2008 or 2010 resolution); maybe we need to try for a
New Jersey law against guide dog or hearing ear misrepresentation

11. Round the Phone

Multiple venues were discussed where membership could potentially hand out
flyers and be seen.

 

12. Kathy moved to adjourn, seconded by Dan. It passed unanimously. The
meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Alice Eaddy, Secretary

 

*Agenda*

 

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

New jersey Association of Guide Dog Users 

Conference Call

Date: Monday, March 23, 2015

Time: 7:00 PM

Call: 1 712 432 0180

Code: 460994

 

Please rsvp to me by 3/22 with your availability.  Please try to call in by
6:55 this way we can hopefully start on time.  Below is the agenda, it is a
bit long but I can promise you several of the Agenda items will be kept very
short!

 

 

Agenda

1.      Roll Call

2.       Minutes

3.       Treasury report

4.       Quick update of convention Relief area       

 a. Audible de        vice  

 B. update regarding call with hotel

5.       Accessibility Resolution

6.     Update on Dusty's Flyer/ Awareness     

7.        Set up committee for gathering and making list of places to send
and distribute flyers.      

8.       Upcoming events to participate in for spreading awareness

9.       Bring your  Fundraising Ideas

10.    Quick update on Washington Seminar 

11.    First Time scholarships 

12.    Guidelines and respecting family time. 

13.    November Elections 

14.     New business

 

A.     National convention

B. State convention (I wonder who the host division will be this year,
hmmmm) Old Business

15.    Adjournment 

16.   Round the phone             

 

 

 

Thank you to each and every one of you, keep up the fabulous work as we move
forward together!

 

Cordially yours, 

Trisha Ebel

 

 

 

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