Now the city Pit Bull lovers love to hate and economically boycott, Denver, Colorado, will play host to protesters who will descend on City Hall, August 25, and demand the end of the City’s breedban. Denver is considered a worst-case example of the scientifically and statistically baseless, useless breed-specific legislation (BSL) that violates human and animal rights, and breaks taxpayer hearts and public funds.

Opponents of BSL are hoping for national media attention on Denver, and the cast of players and participants promises to command scrutiny.

The playbill includes:
- a Denver Assistant City Attorney who hasn’t confined his hatred of Pit Bulls and murderous campaign to Denver, but has sometimes taken his show on the road to other cities;
- a woman who suffered a 5-second “attack” by a Pit Bull in another state, who now solicits donations for her for-profit effort and holds herself up as an authority on dog bites, all the while quoting suspect “statistics”;
- a scrappy California veterinarian, herself a survivor of a vicious dog attack that might have turned lethal – who instead of blaming a breed, founded anti-breed-specific-legislation efforts, has ranted and raved effectively against BSL, and who is owned by one of the world’s sweetest and most unflappable rescued Pit Bull boys, named “Brad Pitt Bull”;
- a Denver Councilwoman who is working on a compromise to allow Pit Bulls back into Denver. However, some activists are critical of any compromise that includes special requirements or fees for any breed, or “temperament testing” conducted by laypeople – an ill conceived practice that is regularly condemned by the world’s most qualified animal and canine behaviorists.

Will protesters show up with Pit Bulls, or only empty leashes and collars meant to symbolize the almost 2,000 dogs Denver has murdered under its breedban?

Will protesters clean up any dog poo from the lawn of City Hall, or be tempted to throw it at a mayor or city attorney? Will media do a good job reporting on the issue, consult with true experts, and help expose Denver’s ignorance and baffling disregard for the Constitutional rights of its citizens? Will every animal lover urge a total economic boycott of Denver, until the municipal government stops terrorizing humans and persecuting dogs? Will every animal lover who can descend on Denver City Hall, August 25?

And for those who can’t attend, will you take a minute and civilly express yourselves to Denver public officials?

doug.kelley@denvergov.org; milehighmayor@ci.denver.co.us; michael.hancock@denvergov.org; charlie.brown@denvergov.org; linkhartatlarge@ci.denver.co.us; carol.boigon@denvergov.org; paul.lopez@denvergov.org; rick.garcia@denvergov.org; Carla.Madison@denvergov.org; chris.nevitt@denvergov.org; jeanne.robb@ci.denver.co.us; jeanne.faatz@denvergov.org; pegg.lehman@denvergov.org; marcia.johnson@denvergov.org; judymontero@denvergov.org;

Thank you for your participation!

Jim Willis
World Animal Day Ambassador-USA

You’ll find many ideas on the WAD website and you’ll find information about past and present events in other countries. Be sure to tell us how you’ll be observing the day. Please put a link to the WAD website on your site, and tell your e-lists and address books about WAD and direct them to: http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk

Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless and we hope you’ll join us in celebrating World Animal Day!

Jim Willis
World Animal Day Ambassador, USA-EAST
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We Are Their Heroes
Copyright Jim Willis 2001, all rights reserved
If you worry that you have not made a difference, you have,
for only those who do not worry about it have not.
If you feel overwhelmed, if the weight of problems is too heavy to bear,
remember it is a shared burden
and the strength of numbers can accomplish much.

If you think society and government are blind,
it only serves to remind that we need to change
one mind at a time, one law after another.
We effect change by cooperation, not by isolation.

If you consider that we cannot save them all,
and what difference does one make?,
you ought to know the joy of the one who is saved.
Mourn those we cannot save, it is a eulogy to their being.
Do not let their loss be in vain.

Be kind to yourself, remember your needs
and those of your family and friends of every species.
If you give everything, what will you have left for yourself,
or for them?
Strive to be happy and healthy. You are needed.
Achieving balance in life is a lifelong struggle.
We who help those who do not have all that they need
should be among the most grateful for what we have.

Be proud of your accomplishments, not your opinions.
The quality of your efforts is more important than the quantity.
Forgive your own deficiencies – sometimes your caring is sufficient.
Everyone can do something, it is up to you to do the thing you can.
A kind word and a gentle touch can change a life.

If anger wells up within you, because people are the problem,
remember your humanity and that people are also the solution.
Concentrate on specific needs, pay attention to the individual -
they make up the whole.
See beyond the unlovable, the unattractive,
the impure and the wounded -
see that their spirit is as deserving as the rest. Help them heal.
Their eyes are windows to their soul
and the mirror of your sincerity.

All species, all beings, share this Earth in a chain of life.
Care more about what makes us alike than what separates us.
Policies, rules and regulations are not infallible.
Apply them judiciously, interpret them wisely.
No decision based purely on money is ever the right one.

Listen to your heart. Sometimes we have to do that which
we are most afraid of.
Be true to yourself and your beliefs.
Family may abandon you,
friends may disappoint you, strangers will ridicule you.
People shun what they do not understand.
Help them to understand – kindly, softly, gently.

Those who do not respect all life are to be pitied.
Often the wrongdoer is as in need of help as his victims.
Forgive, then teach by example.
Educate yourself or you cannot hope to teach others.
No action based in hatred is ever right
and anger drowns out wisdom.

Yours may be a voice crying in the wilderness,
make it a voice to be respected.
Listen more than you talk, be courteous and reliable.
Learn to ask for help. Never waiver from the truth.
Know that it takes a lot of strength to cry
And with every defeat, we learn.

All Creation celebrates that which is in its own best interest.
The Children are our hope – nurture them.
Nature is our legacy – protect it.
The Animals are our brethren – learn from them.

Your rewards will not be material, but they will be meaningful,
and the courage of your convictions can survive anything.
We are small boats cast adrift on a cruel sea,
but someday the tide will turn toward a safe harbor.
No matter how dark the storm clouds,
or deep the pain of heartbreak – never forget:
We are their heroes.