The Police State - A True Story

[Brad B]

I'm the FTS (club rep) I plan to write a letter to the chamber of commerce. This is not the only trial held in this area, it's a first for my club. The word will be spread...

Good idea, let them know the economic impact they could lose. I would also take a minute and contact the police and arrange a meeting to show them a chassis or trailer. Let them poke around in it and see how they are designed and built. Taking a few minutes to meet with someone and explain "our" side of things and what the events are about and how they operate, could go a long ways to developing an understanding. I would even have a couple of thermometers to be able to prove to them how well our boxes work.

[mjh345]

Good idea, let them know the economic impact they could lose. I would also take a minute and contact the police and arrange a meeting to show them a chassis or trailer. Let them poke around in it and see how they are designed and built. Taking a few minutes to meet with someone and explain "our" side of things and what the events are about and how they operate, could go a long ways to developing an understanding. I would even have a couple of thermometers to be able to prove to them how well our boxes work.

That approach has worked for me. I dealt with a complaint at a place I frequent out in Kansas successfully that way. The cops were called on a very hot day last summer about my dogs being abused. Fortunately, I was made aware that cops were at my vehicle and went out to meet them prior to any crowbars coming out. That gave me the opportunity to get the dogs out and show them their condition. They were cool and didn't even take water when offered. I also asked the cop to stick his hand in the box and check it out. He did, and stated that it was just as comfortable as his patrol car and asked the complaining party to also check it out, which she did to her satisfaction.

Its really not surprising that people make complaints, as these dog boxes kinda resemble a big pizza oven, and look dangerous to an uninformed caring person. Even HPL a dog person & a member of this forum questioned their function in this thread. I was fortunate in this incident that I was notified and had the opportunity to show the boxes function, and in the fact that I got a cop with some common sense

Fortunately the cop had some common sense and has spread the word through his dept about me. Now if they get a call they ask if it is my vehicle and tell them not to worry as they are familiar with it

.

[Don Lietzau]

I agree. Take your tests and your money elsewhere and make sure you let the offender's know why. Start with the Chamber of Commerce, the hotels and eating establishments as well as Vet clinics in the area. May not make any difference but at least you won't have to put up with it. Thank God we have Big Brother looking out for us. Duckdon

[Brad B]

One other suggestion I'll throw out from a LEO's point of view. I would place a small sign on the chassis or trailer that says in "In case of emergency contact ####" It can save lots of time and if there was a true emergency that could save some dogs.

[Tville]

What implication does an ordnance like this have for clubs? There was mention of a 90 deg limit-- so if the temp on a trial day goes over the limit and thus the dogs cant be on the trucks can the trial be forced to shut down?

[Steve Amrein]

Having just passed thru CO on vacation it seems that the state is very dog friendly. Ouray, Silverton Durango a lot of businesses had water bowls outside the in front. Lots of folks were walking dogs or had dogs with them. We stayed in Silverton to ride dirt bikes and our ATV's along with other touristy type stuff. We did get a few "stink eye " looks with the bikes. I would guess IMHO everyone has a boss. I would be sure they know 2 things that the direct and indirect loss of income for the area and that the dogs are not in danger. I think that part is the most important.

[bfarmer]

So they thought one chassis mount was there to save the dogs from a chassis mount? Seems logical. Seems he could have showed them the truck and how safe the dogs are, did the cops ignore that?

/paul

Talked to Tim during the event last night and the animal control lady was not listening to anything rational and basically said the longer he stayed the sooner the sheriff would be there. It took place about 30 minutes after he checked in at motel (between 7-8pm) and the truck/chassis box and dog trailer were parked in the shade. Tim wanted to give everyone the heads up that this is going on in the area of the Pikes Peak Trial.

[Brad B]

Sounds like a ncie sit down with the AC ladies boss is in order too. She should at least be willing to listen. Sounds very unprofessional to me.

[Chris Atkinson]

Talked to Tim during the event last night and the animal control lady was not listening to anything rational and basically said the longer he stayed the sooner the sheriff would be there. It took place about 30 minutes after he checked in at motel (between 7-8pm) and the truck/chassis box and dog trailer were parked in the shade. Tim wanted to give everyone the heads up that this is going on in the area of the Pikes Peak Trial.

I can't blame Tim one bit for just getting out of there and telling the trial folks what happened.

I'm hopeful that had Tim chosen to remain there and intentionally WAIT for the Sherriff to arrive, he'd have been able to reach the same conclusion that MJH found with his example in post #22. Then again, the conclusion the Sherriff would reach is totally beyond Tim's control - and it would have cost Tim time and effort to attempt to talk some sense into somebody wearing a badge.

I'd imagine Tim had already dealt with it enough and chose to just do what he had control over....get down the road.

[dr_dog_guy]

I wonder if there really is an ordinance. I've know local law enforcement to make up a reference to ordinance that doesn't exist. Got that in Polson, MT a month before the National Am a year or two ago.