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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=723530416-20012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial>All,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=723530416-20012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=723530416-20012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial>Below is a copy of the letter I sent to both chairs of the
committees. Please take a few minutes and call them or write your own note. It
doesn't have to be perfect, your voice just needs to be heard. If anyone wants
help, just send me a note.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=723530416-20012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=723530416-20012011><FONT size=2 face=Arial>
<DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> Ginger Kutsch
[mailto:gingerKutsch@yahoo.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, January 19, 2011
6:53 AM<BR><B>To:</B> 'AsmAlbano@njleg.org'<BR><B>Subject:</B> Assembly Bill
832<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN class=718454811-19012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial>Dear Chairman Albano: </FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=718454811-19012011></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN class=718454811-19012011> </SPAN>My name is
Ginger Kutsch and I am blind. I am partnered with a German shepherd Seeing Eye
dog named Pixie. I am writing to ask you to schedule A832 for a hearing in your
committee. The bill makes it a crime for a person to intentionally injure or
interfere with a guide dog.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Sadly <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:State></st1:place> is one of a few states that has yet
to pass criminal legislation for this purpose. Many states also include criminal
sanctions for those who intentionally and/or recklessly allow their dogs to
attack or interfere with a guide dog team.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">My dog(s) and I have never been harmed by another person
but we have been attacked by an aggressive dog. The incident occurred in 2001
when I was walking to the college campus after just getting off the city bus.
When my German shepherd Mollie and I walked down the sidewalk, another dog
suddenly began barking and charging toward us. I froze in fear as I heard the
barking noise get closer and closer. I heard no one yell for the dog to
stop.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I dropped my dog's
harness and leash and helplessly stood by without any way to protect my dog or
myself. We were completely vulnerable – just like sitting ducks. Despite being
freed, however, <SPAN class=718454811-19012011><FONT size=2
face=Arial> Mollie </FONT></SPAN>refused to leave my side and simply
stood and waited for the attacking dog. The dog rushed by me and lunged at my
dog's neck. I screamed as I heard <SPAN class=718454811-19012011><FONT
size=2 face=Arial> Mollie </FONT></SPAN>cry out. The owner of the dog
came running up, pulled her dog off of mine and walked off without a word to me.
She did not identify herself or offer to help or pay vet expenses despite the
fact that my dog was clearly injured. I could not see the extent of Mollie's
injuries but when I reached down to feel for her, the back of her neck and
shoulders were wet with blood and saliva.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Mollie's physical injuries were not severe and healed
quickly. But she never did overcome the trauma of the attack and eventually she
was retired from service. The trauma of the attack also took its toll on me. For
months I was afraid every time I heard a barking dog. Even to this day I feel a
quick rush of panic when I come across barking dogs.</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Please help to provide us with the protection we
need<SPAN class=718454811-19012011><FONT size=2 face=Arial> against both
people and other dogs</FONT></SPAN>. By criminalizing these acts, you will give
us round-the-clock protection by the police, something that animal control
cannot offer. </FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">Thank you for your consideration,</FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal></FONT></SPAN>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> njagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org
[mailto:njagdu-bounces@nfbnet.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Vincent
Chaney<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, January 19, 2011 8:56 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Joe
Ruffalo<BR><B>Cc:</B> New Jersey Association of Guide Dog
Users<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Njagdu] Fw: Legislative alert - please act
now<BR></FONT><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Joe,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Would you please have Bea forward this to all
lists...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Vinny<BR>Vincent Chaney Jr<BR>NFB Diabetes Action Network (DAN) Board of
Directors<BR>NFBNJ Diabetes Division President <BR>NJAGDU (NFBNJ Association of
Guide Dog Users) Division President<BR>NFBNJ Technology Division Vice
President<BR>NFBNJ Resolutions Committee Member<BR>NFBNJ.ORG Webmaster<BR>Mail:
<A href="mailto:vgc732@optonline.net">vgc732@optonline.net</A><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=gingerKutsch@yahoo.com href="mailto:gingerKutsch@yahoo.com">Ginger
Kutsch</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=njagdu@nfbnet.org href="mailto:njagdu@nfbnet.org">'New
Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users'</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, January 19, 2011 3:26 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Njagdu] Legislative alert - please act now</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=843052220-19012011><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Hello all! Please
act quickly -- we all need to do our part to get legislation passed that will
protect our guide dogs from attacks and interference. Please see below for more
details and feel free to share this message with friends, family and anyone else
who lives in New Jersey!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=843052220-19012011><SPAN lang=EN>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=843052220-19012011>------ </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=843052220-19012011> </SPAN>Dear Seeing Eye Family, </FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>If you live in New Jersey, we need your help keeping
Seeing Eye dogs and puppies safe from attacks and interference.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>New Jersey Assembly Bill 832 and its companion,
Senate Bill 1154, would make it a criminal offense for a person to harm a guide
dog, and increase the penalties for harming police dogs and search and rescue
dogs. These bills have stalled in committee and are in danger of not being heard
or signed into law. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Please call or email the chairs of the Assembly and
Senate committees that are charged with hearing these bills and make your voices
heard. It is important to urge them to add the bills to the schedule for the
next possible hearing date, and to amend the bill by adding penalties for dog
owners who allow their dogs to attack guide dogs and puppies.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Be sure to mention the bill number (A832 or S1154),
your name and address, and one or two short paragraphs about who you are and why
keeping Seeing Eye dogs & puppies safe is important to you. If you or
someone you know has a guide dog or has raised a Seeing Eye puppy or experienced
interference or attacks, include your experiences when you write your letter.
It's crucial that our state officials understand the importance of Seeing Eye
dogs and puppies.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial> </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>For Assembly Bill A832 , contact: </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The Honorable Nelson T. Albano</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Chairman, Assembly Agricultural and Natural Resources
Committee</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>21 North Main Street</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Cape May Court House, NJ 08210</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Phone: (908) 624-0880</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Email: AsmAlbano@njleg.org </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>For Senate Bill S1154, contact: </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The Honorable Raymond J. Lesniak</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Chairman, Senate Economic Growth Committee</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>985 Stuyvesant Ave. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Union, NJ 07083</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Phone: (908) 624-0880</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Email: SenLesniak@njleg.org </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial> </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial> </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Another way to help is to forward this request to as
many New Jersey residents as possible.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Please visit </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A1000/832_I1.HTM"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A1000/832_I1.HTM</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><SPAN
lang=EN>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial><</FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=A9E96&e=9A031&c=FBD7&t=0&email=RnJX"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=A9E96&e=9A031&c=FBD7&t=0&email=RnJX</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><SPAN
lang=EN>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>GlEN9QAVNgzdJS%2F2qdelug7Ahz6CNyIeD9VsXLU%3D> to
read the language for A832 and visit </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S1500/1154_I1.HTM"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/S1500/1154_I1.HTM</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><SPAN
lang=EN>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial><</FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=A9E97&e=9A031&c=FBD7&t=0&email=RnJX"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=A9E97&e=9A031&c=FBD7&t=0&email=RnJX</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><SPAN
lang=EN>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>GlEN9QAVNgzdJS%2F2qdelug7Ahz6CNyIeD9VsXLU%3D> to
read the language for S1154. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>For more information about attacks on Seeing Eye
dogs, please visit:</FONT></P>
<P></SPAN><A href="http://www.seeingeye.org/protect"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>http://www.SeeingEye.org/protect</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><SPAN
lang=EN>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial><</FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=A9E98&e=9A031&c=FBD7&t=0&email=RnJX"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>http://visitor.benchmarkemail.com/c/l?u=A9E98&e=9A031&c=FBD7&t=0&email=RnJX</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><SPAN
lang=EN>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>GlEN9QAVNgzdJS%2F2qdelug7Ahz6CNyIeD9VsXLU%3D> or
email us at advocacy@seeingeye.org </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial> </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sincerely, </FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Jim Kutsch</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The Seeing Eye, Inc.</FONT></P>
<P></SPAN><A href="outbind://71/www.SeeingEye.org"><U><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN lang=EN><FONT size=2
face=Arial>www.SeeingEye.org</FONT></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A></P><FONT size=2
face=Arial> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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