Politics

San Fran Dog Lovers Launch Political Action Committee to Fight for Their Pets’ Rights

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — There are more dogs than kids in the City by the Bay. So it stands to reason dog owners carry a lot of clout – so much so they believe their endorsement can sway the upcoming mayoral race.

Dog lovers have formed a political action committee to promote the interests of their four-footed friends, namely space to run free in one of the world’s largest urban national parks. And they are calling on mayoral candidates to defend their stands on canine affairs.

“We expect the dog vote to be a game-changer,” said Bruce Wolfe, president of DogPAC, which held a forum attended by several mayoral hopefuls Saturday.

There are an estimated 150,000 dogs in the city, compared with some 108,000 children, according to the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the 2010 U.S. Census. More than 800,000 people are sandwiched into 7-by-7 square miles in the city named for St. Francis, patron saint of animals.

San Francisco Dog Lovers Launch Political Action CommitteeAs more parents seeking new schools and lower housing costs move out of the city, more straight and gay couples, as well as aging baby boomers, are choosing canines over kids. San Francisco is renowned for its dog parks and, like Paris, many of its restaurants and shops welcome pampered pooches in their leopard-print sweaters and bling-ringed dog collars.

City officials typically can be found at animal fairs and forums. Debates over the funding of the city’s Animal Control department and bans on the sale of shark fins and pet-store hamsters can turn into big brouhahas.

“Our four-legged family members and companions are some of the most important partners in life,” said Wolfe, who has a disability and recently lost Charlie, his service dog of 10 years. “San Franciscans take their dogs very seriously.”

Seven of the 16 candidates vying for City Hall’s top job in the Nov. 8 election attended Saturday’s DogPAC forum, where candidates were asked about the cost of dog licenses, trash cans in parks where owners can dispose of dog waste and pet-friendly rental housing for people who want to adopt foster animals.

Candidate Joanna Rees – a venture capitalist with two dogs, Jack and Jill – held her own “Bark in the Park” forum several weeks ago.

“Dogs are an important part of many families and neighborhoods across our community,” said Rees. “Open lines of communication between City Hall and pet owners – as with merchants, educators, parents, working families and other stakeholder groups – are the foundation of good policy.”

Some campaign websites even note where candidates stand on puppy policy.

San Francisco Dog Lovers Launch Political Action Committee“Making San Francisco a family friendly city means recognizing the multitude of ways in which we define families,” City Attorney Dennis Herrera says on his site. “And in the city of St. Francis, that includes dogs and companion animals.”

Herrera made national headlines in 2002 when he sued Petco Animal Supplies Inc. for the alleged mistreatment of animals after lengthy city investigations. The pet supply chain settled the lawsuit, and the rock star Pink sent her thanks in a photo pasted on his website.

Candidate John Avalos, a city supervisor, took the chance to take a swipe at his chief competitor, incumbent Mayor Ed Lee, who was not attending the forum and has been criticized for skirting some public events where he’s thrown impromptu questions.

“As a mayoral candidate, I would ask the current mayor whether his Rose Garden strategy of avoiding debates and forums is keeping him from engaging with a group of real, engaged, and powerful San Francisco voters,” Avalos said.

The big issue that has the city’s dog owners on edge is an investigation by the National Parks Service as to whether it should close down great swaths of parkland in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties where dogs are allowed to run off leash. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, some 75,400 acres of open land and water, is nearly two and a half times the size of the city of San Francisco itself. The Park Service’s proposed dog plan, which will be finalized next year, has elicited about 4,700 public comments on its website.

The Park Service is considering mandating leashes in some open spaces and fencing off some popular dog-walking areas. They and environmentalists want to protect some 1,200 native plant and animal species, including the Snowy Plover, a federally endangered shorebird.

The Golden Gate Audubon Society is working with the Park Service to find the right balance. Measures they’re recommending would mandate that dog walkers be limited to three dogs each and that professional dog walkers be required to carry permits.

“It‘s hard to show people what’s not there,” said Mark Welther, executive director of the society. “But our people have been doing bird surveys in the Bay Area for 75 years, and time after time our bird-counters will tell us that in the areas opened up to dogs – the birds have disappeared.”

Fort Funston, a former military outpost of sand dunes and eucalyptus groves on cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most beloved dog parks in America. Dogs run free in joyous packs through trails that line the 35 acres of wilderness.

Wolfe and Sally Stephens, president of the dog owners’ association, SF Dog, walked the Fort Funston trails last week and handed out leaflets to the dog walkers, urging them to attend the forum and help them decide which mayoral candidate they should endorse.

“It is miles and miles of smiles out here,” Stephens said, as dog walkers cheered on Fritz, a plucky Dachshund who needs wheels on his hind legs to get around and keep up with his pack. “It’s such a great community out here – and people who don‘t have dogs just don’t get that.”

Comments (49)

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  • Libby Tarian
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:48am

    I really don’t read these articles, but is it about Gays wanting to marry their pets ?

    Report Post » Libby Tarian  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:23am

    I’m trying to get my dog on the presidential ballot.

    Pretty sure she can win in 2012.

    We take paypal! Your contributions are appreciated!

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • Via Dolorosa
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:18am

    But San Fran city council should also be equally concerned about what goes on in their city streets every year during their Folsom Street Fair venue.

    Sick – sick – and just plain sick.
    http://wakeupfromyourslumber.com/node/3972?iact=hc&vpx=459&vpy=142&dur=1645&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=92&ty=78&ei=0viKTvzvJMi2twfpvKisAw&page=1&tbnh=150&tbnw=142&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

    Report Post » Via Dolorosa  
  • Via Dolorosa
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:44am

    Oooooh, I really wish The Blaze (if they truly care about animals) would not give space and time to this news article.

    DogPac is another Akc dog “ownership” brainchild – and may (or may not) be affiliated with the National Animal Interest Alliance, ran out of Portland, Oregon by a woman named Patti Strand.

    SourceWatch says all you need to know about the “Naia” and Strand:

    http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Patti_Strand

    This org claims to be about “animal welfare” but in reality, they are for any type of animal USE – i.e. zoos, circuses, rodeos, animal medical research, tethering, fur farms, etc. They also aggressively support anti tethering laws, stricter breeder laws, and on and on.

    Akc has aligned themselves (support) puppy mills – since they realized they are losing big money to a rescue minded society now.

    Please, Blaze Staff – do some research on this org (DogPac) – IF you have dogs/pets in your family – and don’t want to see them exploited for their use.

    Report Post » Via Dolorosa  
  • hillbillyinny
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:10am

    Cass Sunstein’s “favorite town”! He has written about the “rights” of animals and that animals should have their own lawyers!

    But seriously, dogs running a city? I am a dog professional. I have loved, trained, worked and taken care of thousands of dogs over the last 45 or so years. I have been involved in general training and competing, service dogs, assistance dogs, personal alert dogs, police department dogs, and now, “retired” into moving about 500 sheep with Border Collies and use Livestock Guardian Dogs to keep the coyotes and “human theives” at bay!

    I LOVE my dogs, BUT, they are not my children, they are not in leiu of my family and friends, they are not above any human, they are dogs, a WONDERFUL creation of God, I believe given to man to remind us of His love and to help us in life whether to work with and for us, or to just accompany us.

    Let‘s just wall off this city and let the dog’s rule. It would be a societal set-up, with survival of the fittest and in the end we could probably work with the winners as they would at least understand rules, work and the American way (“societal” way)!

    Report Post »  
    • olddog
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:11am

      Okay specialist please help. We adopted a 10lbs.dog,part jack russell part chi wa wa, we think.
      Very sweet dog but when Igo to take him in my van he runs around the van for 5 to 8 minutes barking and after he get’s in is extremely excited, jumping around and barking.. I love him but he’s driving me crazy. Any suggestions?

      Report Post » olddog  
  • jedi.kep
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:03am

    Only in California. What a bunch of idiots.

    Report Post » jedi.kep  
  • stop2think
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 6:59am

    I said it once I’ll say it again: animal lovers are typically cuckoo for cocoa puffs. You want to make a killing in this world? Start a business targeting animals. It doesnt matter what it is: psychiatrist for dogs? You’ll make a million. Day care for pets with prices rivaling a stay at a Holiday Inn? You’ll be farting through silk. Puppy Pedicures? Pick the color of your new 2012 Mercedes now! Like taking money from the village idiot. Only this village idiot has a pet and is willing to do anything to keep it happy. The day my dog says to me, “Hey, big guy, why don’t you spend the day in bed while I go to work, pay the taxes, and I’ll get some Chinese take out on the way home” is the day I will give it rights. Until then, while it takes more enjoyment out of chasing a tail or cleaning itself with its tongue, the little bugger will get no legislative rights.

    Report Post »  
  • ARMED AND READY
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 5:50am

    I want to start cornpac for rights of corn kernels being held captive by poo while being dragged to their demise down the toilet…..

    Report Post » ARMED AND READY  
  • louise
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:35am

    A little perspective here.

    Nationally there are about 3500 animal shelters.
    Nationally there are about 1500 shelters for battered women

    Report Post » louise  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 6:53am

      Comparing apples to oranges. Wwomen…I can say this with experience in trying to help…will REFUSE to go to a shelter to get away from their abuser…They will stay with the dirtbag becuse they think they love him. Animals don’t get that choice, they get to go to be put to death…

      Report Post »  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 6:58am

      I love my dog like many other Dogs I have had in my life.but the first time I put that dog over my wife
      would probably be the last night I’d spend in the house…

      but seriously
      There is also the ( have to put the dog down thing ) hard to do but ,somtimes no choice.

      I realize the rare situations,where a person is actualy dead ..But because of modern medicine ,we can keep them alive for a very long time…My brother had to make that choice..with his wife..It was hell and ..not easy ..no brain activity..kept alive by a machine only..hoping and praying…he finaly had dot put it gods hands..I’m not sure if he will ever get over it..
      But
      with all the ( were civilized people now ) you woud think.. we would respect life… But to the contrary
      our society holds to a lack of respect …..of human life….from womb to grave….men and women
      And In the direction our world is going ,…
      putting down a person.for cost benifit sake…and inconvienance
      I believe is here. and will have dire cosequences in the end…

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:13am

      @dustylov
      thats not “always the case with the court system we have in place and the fact police …
      Are aways there five minuts after the fact …I can tell you from personal exsperience,restraining orders..protective services. Is the match to the fire where the woman damn near gets beat to death….more so if there are kids involved..that being said ….
      . have also seen woman poison their children mind about their father..
      And this sometime is the trigger,none of wich I condone….
      we live in a crazy fricken world….

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
  • the hawk
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:41am

    Could we just put some nukes far into the fault lines on the west coast already !

    Report Post »  
  • momsense
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:30am

    Absolute love and devotion is found in the heart of a dog.

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 5:08am

      I have a cat that adopted me. She has the heart of jeffrey dahmer, ask any of the little critters around here.

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Liberalismsamentaldisorder
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:29am

    is there something in the water there?

    Report Post »  
  • thewoodsfamily
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:02am

    “Dog Lovers Launch Political Action Committee to Fight for Their Pets’ Rights” Why don’t you expend your efforts on something more important than dogs? Like the lack of a quality education our children get or the level of poverty in the USA! Dogs I love them especially barbecued. Oh relax I was just kidding but it’s less ridiculous than putting dogs before children or poverty!

    Report Post »  
    • stanw909
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:52am

      I seem to remember a possible law to end pet sales in San Fran so pet owners may have to flex some political muscle.

      Report Post »  
    • Californiasodbuster
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 10:11am

      I would put my dog before you anyday jerkwad.

      Report Post »  
  • Thevoice
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:54am

    What‘s the difference Didn’t S.F go to the dogs years ago ….

    Report Post » Thevoice  
  • Californiasodbuster
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:37am

    Hell, lets replace the degenerates with dogs, i will buy a pooper scooper and head on up there, dogs are innocent, these cretons are not.
    I feel for the good people still living in san fransicko.

    Report Post »  
    • the hawk
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:00am

      “Dogs are as much an issue as children.”
      This is a perfect example of how government’s good intensions really Funk the whole thing up !
      Massive watering down of Common sence………………….
      If my Dog has pups and each time one starts to come out and I hit it in the head with a hammer is that legal ? WATE ! ! ! I DONT HAVE A DOG ! AND WOULD NEVER DO THAT ! JUST MAKIN A PIONT……………………………………………………………………………………………………

      Report Post »  
  • molleighsgm
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:04am

    I am an animal lover. I can’t speak to the political group but I do understand frustrations. The national park has let the dogs run through the designated areas for a long time. Why is it all of a sudden they are wanting to change and shrink the areas? I say leave it the way it is and let man and his best friend be and non animal people can enjoy the area and maybe they come to a mutual respect for each other so that the dogs have free space to run(which is at a premium in SF) and also allow other parkgoers the chance to enjoy the area without the dogs running to them. Basically learn to coexsist in those areas. Yes I have a dog and I also have 2 cats. The dog owners in S.F. are just exercising their right to be heard and to voice dissent to things that they find wrong. I love my Shih Tzu. He is my baby. I am disabled with a chronic pain illness and a few other illnesses. I can’t have children so my shih tzu is my child. They are companions that don’t judge you. their love is unconditional. When I have a bad pain day where i am in bed (basically confined to bed because it is the only relief I can get) he will come lay next to me and smile or lick my arm and some days he puts his little paw on my arm. to me it is his way of saying i love you and i’m here for you mommy. if you are not a dog lover then you won’t understand but to the millions that do. I’m sure u understand my feelings perfectly.For all the joy and love they give us the least we can do is give them space

    Report Post » molleighsgm  
  • ThankBabyJesus
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:46am

    This reminds me of the scene in Napoleon Dynamite where the old Farmer puts down the sick cow in front of the school bus stop. And how politically incorrect it would be for the liberals. Look, I don’t hate people, but dogs before human needs. What the heck if wrong with San Fran. The difference between man and beast is man has intolerance and tolerance, beast has tolerance only. This is what happens when you don’t get your ass kicked one way or another, you DO NOT LEARN. You turn into a sissy la-la and rely on everyone else to do the necessities for living. So what happens if the whole world turns gay – invent the baby making machine that chose what it should be when it grows up? Sad thing people out there actually believe so. Nothing against the 4% of the population at the present time. I love dogs by the way. A Golden Reviver is my avy, that ladies and gentlemen is a dog :)

    Report Post » ThankBabyJesus  
  • Del Scorcho
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:37am

    I’ve been saying for 10 years now that I will not get a dog until I get a house. Said house will have a large yard, and be VERY far from San Fran.

    Report Post »  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:49am

      “Dogs are as much an issue as children.”
      ==============================
      This statement is a tribute to how low we have sunk on the path of societal evolution. If I was God, I would be really po’ed at us.

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • macthemoo
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:19am

      really we have to spend our money and time on the very important fact that we should train our political dogs with a heavy hand and a good pair of boots.

      Report Post »  
  • RLTW
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:16am

    Look, I actually lived in this city, back when it was a city and for the most part respected the military (it was once a military town) NOW it is obviously being taken over by dogs of all shapes an sizes.
    I for one love my dogs, but at the end of the day I’d kill them to live.

    Report Post »  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:35am

      If my dogs lose their ability to hunt, it’s time to put em in a separate pen and let them go the way of natural death.

      No lap dogs in my house, but I love my beasts and care for them better than most. They have a purpose, and when they finish their purpose they can lay down with dignity next to the next generation of pups to step up and be my best friend. They can learn the trade of shaking pheasant loose from their hides, and chase the deer to my rifle.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
    • the hawk
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:11am

      I used to take care of my uncles Dog kennal ,He was a coon Dog hunter and trainer.
      Once he had 21 Dogs and only 19 dog houses, so two of them had to be chained up in the barn,
      in the dark, felt bad for them so every two days I rotated them so that every dog had to do two days in the barn( It was winter) actually I think all the dogs should of been in the barn! was’nt my call !
      But Dogs are animals and people are people thou some are beast !

      Report Post »  
  • Marnin
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:15am

    Maybe the dogs could go after the goldfish that it is too cruel to sell just after they bite the toys from the happy meals that are no longer alowed to be sold….As if I wasn’t embarassed to be stuck in the bay area before, It keeps getting more and more unbelievable with the loons that live in this area

    Report Post »  
  • Alucard
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:02am

    Votes for dogs? This is a joke or a solid case to have them commited. What a bunch of idiots. I’m all for protecting animals from cruel deeds, but to say they are as important as our children? Sorry, but if a dog bites a child its going out old yeller style. If a child bites another child a slap across the back of the head and a scolding should do. I know the liberals will be outraged by that but I really don’t care.

    Report Post »  
    • The10thAmendment
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:02am

      @ Alucard
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:02am

      Votes for dogs? This is a joke or a solid case to have them commited. What a bunch of idiots. I’m all for protecting animals from cruel deeds, but to say they are as important as our children? Sorry, but if a dog bites a child its going out old yeller style. If a child bites another child a slap across the back of the head and a scolding should do. I know the liberals will be outraged by that but I really don’t care.
      ——————————————————————————————————————————————–
      Liberals can say all they want, and you can believe they will, and do. I remember eating dinner one night at the supper table and suddenly woke up in a corner on the floor next to the dog dish. My dad looked at me with his huge index finger shaking up and down, and he told me that if he ever heard me sounding like a dog eating again I’d not only get knocked into next Tuesday, but I’d be eating with the damned dogs.

      I’ve never smacked my food, or even thought about speaking with food in my mouth since that day. Darned if dad still to this day doesn’t treat me better than his dogs.

      A good smack in the teeth would do a lot of folks in this Country good.

      Report Post » The10thAmendment  
  • Jenn of the Jungle
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:00am

    Companion animals bring joy to people. They serve people, be they the blind, disabled (included VETS) AND they were instrumental on 9/11 to search and rescue. They bring stress relief, happiness and smiles to many. Dogs truly are, in general, humans best friend. WE made them that. WE asked that they become a part of our lives. So it is NOT too much to ask that we give them a place run free and enjoy.

    People like me are actually WILLING to pay a fee for a private park, to build our own fences, to clean them ourselves.

    But a Political action committee? LOL…. that being said.. MY dog goes to the voting booth with me every time and is NOT a fan of SF ********. She hates my brother. :P

    Report Post » Jenn of the Jungle  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:50pm

    This from the city that dictates to the rest of the Nation regarding our salt and trans-fat consumption. Oh, don’t forget banning toys in Happy Meals. Now, if they offered a doggie bone maybe they‘d let McD’s slide lol

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:44pm

    yeah, let’s let dogs run wherever they want. right where all the horrific maulings by packs of huge loose dogs have taken place. .

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • CatB
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 12:37am

      My thoughts also .. and what about the “little” dogs .. who are on leash or being carried … it is dangerous for them and we always hear from pit owners how sweet they are … right up until they maul a child or another animal.

      Just search “child mauled pit bull” … I got over 12,000 hits in 0.15 seconds.

      Report Post »  
  • ICANHANDLETHETRUTH
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 11:40pm

    I have an idea……. maybe erkell [obama] could set aside a trillion $$$$$ stimulas for our 4 legged buddies !!!!!!!!LMFAO Is this story a joke or am I not getting the story ???????

    Report Post »  
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