Dog Lobbyist?

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<>Bill Hemby
Legislative Advocate
530-272-7606

I have been speaking with a number of dog fanciers, working dog breeders and such.  I have been involved in Borzoi for 30 years and before that I have shown German Shephards.

My day job of course is the Director of Legislative Affairs for the California Organiation of Police and Sheriffs, COPS.  I am what is known as a Contract Lobbyist.  I have been a lobbyist for about 25 years.  In my time I have sponsord, written and shepherded at least 200 bills through the legislature.  I have participated in at least 1000 bills dealing with crime, workers compensation, insurance, retirement, public safety, taxes, traffic, film industry, elections, health insurance, animals and a host of other issues.

I was involved in rewriting the first breed specific bill into a more sane vicious dog law that protected breeders.  I fought against several other anti-dog bills after that.  I was involved in the running of the Responsible Dog Owners of the Golden State (RDOGS) which, by the way,  is still a viable non profit California Corporation.  I am the only remaining officer of that Corporation.  I am in the process of resurrecting this organization.

My experience in the last 30 years has abeen with non profit associations, I run two non-profit 501(c)3 corporations which I created in the years 2000 and 2002.  I have been closely involved in at least three gubernatorial campaigns and half a dozen state-wide initiatives, the last being Jessica’s Law.  I know how to set up and run a political action committee.  I know how to run a state wide campaign, I know how to get someone elected and how to get someone unelected.  In short, for the past 30 years I have been steeped in politics both in California and nationally.  I have close contact with professionals who run political campaigns, set up PACs, put together grass roots political campaigns and raise large amounts of funding.

Why all this background stuff?  Because, I am truly convinced dog owners, not just the fancy, need a political action committee to protect their interests.  I know the only thing that will save dog owner’s rights to own, show and love their dogs is joining the political action fight.  I am convinced with the millions of dog owners in California, the internet and with enough volunteers from outraged dog owners we can develop one of the most powerful lobbies in this state.  However, I also know if we break up into factions who have separate agendas, as has happened in the past, we are doomed to fail.

I am suggesting that we set up a meeting in the very near future and invite anyone who wants to show up to discuss whether there is enough support to move ahead with this idea.  I ask that you and others on dog lists please circulate this email and see if there is interest.

Thanks for your help!

Bill Hemby

Director of Legislative Affairs, COPS

Picking up pieces, grass roots gathering

This day, after dog and cat ownership by the citizens of California suffered the greatest loss ever, has turned into a regrouping of resources by the fancies for those animals. AB1634 now goes to the appropriations committee of the Assembly, to see if Californians can afford the cost. Trouble is, the cost will only be measured in dollars and cents. It may actually cost millions of dollars to enforce and there is actually no sense involved. It will actually be a de-stabilizing factor in the government of California, building mistrust, suspicion, and even hatred. It has been said that hatred is a form of fear. If that is the case, 67% of California homes may come to fear their state government.

That may be the goal of this bill.

We have many forces at work in our world. Some work in the background in a totally different manner than their avowed public purpose. Even when called to task about public utterances stating what does seem to be their hidden agenda, these glib organizations with educated Svengalis deny any maliscious intent. And go on to perpetuate some hideous comparisons to get their point across.

It is known that PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is against pet ownership. Pet ownership is the same as enslaving the animal for human gratification. But they had the gall to come out with a campaign called “Holocaust on your Plate”, comparing eating chicken to be as bad as the actual Holocaust perpetuated during WWII. And , recently two of their employees were convicted of killing and dumping bodies of pets obtained from people under questionable pretenses, giving the owners the impression they would be cared for and found homes. This came to light after many bodies of killed pets were dumped on more than one occasion in dumpsters not owned or leased to PETA. During the investigation it was published that these workers seemed to be in possession of drugs only authorized to veterinarians, which were used to kill the animals. The ultimate crime for which they were convicted-”Littering.” Lawyers! Lawyers paid with tax free donations from well wishing citizens got that lesser conviction for those PETA employees.

PETA takes in over $100 million of those tax free dolars a year. Their classification is the same as your church and the American Red Cross. Should that Classification be changed?

Another group that deserves scrutiny now is the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). This organization does not operate a shelter anywhere. But they gladly solicit and accept your tax free dollars, which they use to influence elections. Last general election in the US, they spent more money than the National Rifle Association. At least the NRA has the second amendment, which the makers of the constitution thought important enough to include, and which they fervently support. HSUS has no traditional legal stance, other than emotion filled presentations used to pry money from the pockets of people. Lately HSUS has shown all of the attribute of corporate empire builders by absorbing the organizations of The Fund for Animals, when Cleveland Amory passed on, and more recently swallowing the Doris Day Animal league. The combined charitable, non taxable contributions to HSUS now near $300 million. And they have formed a political wing to influence our government in their direction. It is all legal, but is it moral?

It is unknown at this time to this author, if Assemblymember Levine has received any money from HSUS or PETA in this campaign to force AB1634 upon the people of California. But this Bill has all the attributes they would like to see enforced.

Meanwhile, both sides are gearing up to face the next challenges in this fight to retain traditional rights of animal ownership and joys of life.

Stay tuned for updates and opinions. Be sure to leave yours in the remarks section available to you.