A Little Insight Into The Phone Lines

[Allie No Dots]

DNB update, as they can, on the fundraising, who they are writing too, mps, campaigns etc. But we don’t really update much. Maybe say when a court date is and what the outcome is. On the whole we don’t say much about it. It’s in part because we are busy but also its self-preservation.

 

But it isn’t fair on those who have shown huge amounts of support to us, without that support we could not continue. So walk through the last six months with us and see what you helped us cope with. It may not be brilliantly written but we hope you see what your strength has helped us achieve.

 

 

The events of 1st January started a chain reaction that reached out to many people in many walks of life, around the U.K. Many of us knew something * bad * was about to happen as a result. Thinking it was all about the dogs, we were ready. We had dealt with dogs in large numbers, dealt with some DDA cases too. We were ready!

 

 

Who where we kidding? Dogs we could handle, but each telephone call is a window into the soul of the person speaking to you. You hear and feel every inch of pain and every tear that falls. You learn two tricks very quickly: how to cry silently and how to speak without your voice shaking.

 

Before the amnesty began, the calls started. People with a dog who had to know what breed it was. Many of those sent pictures in the hope we could say they where safe. But we are not breed experts, we can say an opinion but that’s all so owners, needing an answer, never got one from us. You would think that would mean they would stop asking the same question, but it didn’t. They just asked the same questions in different ways. Instead of “is my dog type?†they would ask “don’t you see Stafford/American bulldog/ Collie etc thereâ€

 

I remember one of the first cases that showed how complex everything would be. An owner rang us, a lovely lady. She hadn’t walked her dog since it started because she was too scared to. Her friend had her dog seized not long after taking him to the vets to have his booster jabs. Rumours of police watching vets where rife. Her own dog was now showing signs of illness, vomiting and the runs and she was too scared to take him to the vets, because if she did, he may die instead of be made well. But the dog needed a vet. She didn’t know what to do, he could die if he didn’t see a vet, but die if he did. A few hours later she rang back, crying with relief down the phone.

She had taken her dog to the vet. A different vets the other side of town. She had put her dog in the car, hidden him under a blanket and prayed she didn’t get spotted. She used a false name and address and paid the bill in cash. Her dog had gone to the vets and it hadn’t cost him his life. Hasn’t the world turned upside down for these people? When a simple vet trip scares the hell out of you.

 

Of course we all probably remember the story of the young pup, seized by the police and signed over because the owners didn’t know they had a choice. That pup, with his owner, on the way from training school is now dead. We had other similar stories. One person had signed something when the police took their dogs but they where crying and didn’t know what they had signed. They didn’t give permission to have their dogs killed but did they sign permission? While speaking with one of the owners, the realisation on what may have been signed hit them. The other owner, standing nearby listening in, rushed to the bathroom to be violently sick. In that case it turned out they had indeed signed permission but had refused to accept their dogs where an illegal breed. Their statement consistently stated their believed breed throughout. Maybe that saved the dogs?

 

A telephone call later on, the same owners had been ordered to go out to try and relax. They had and met old friends who asked after the dogs. The phone line goes with a request to help them because one of the owners has become very upset; they are worried he may do something to himself. So you call that owner, try and talk them home. You hear that person, young 20 something male crying his heart out because he just wants his dog back. His dog saved his life, gave him confidence but he doesn’t know if he can save hers. You want to tell him he will defiantly save her. But you cant.

 

Owners believe we are the ones who will understand and who can offer help. Many think we have all the answers and can get their dog back home. For the large majority we can help, but we can’t get their dog home now and that’s the one thing they really want. Almost all are convinced there’s a mistake somewhere because surely this cannot be allowed?

 

After a half dozen calls you get a set “patter†going, as you need the person on the end of the phone to listen to all the facts and understand them. That in itself is hard to do because all they want to do is explain to you that their dog hasn’t ever done anything and its got to be a mistake so they don’t need to hear that, they just need the police to understand it’s a big mistake and give them their dog back. Trying to get them to listen and understand they could get a record or a fine because they can, all the owners can; is very hard. They don’t care about those things. They care about their dog. No amount of money will ever be worth their dog’s life. Only once has the thought of a record made an owner pause. She worked within a local authority with young people and that could have an affect. She went on to fight anyway. Her job could be replaced, her dog couldn’t.

 

Some calls have been very hard to take.

 

An owner, sure his dog would give up in a kennel situation, wanted to know if a suggestion he had would stop them taking his dog. He wondered if he had a vet remove all of his dog’s teeth, would that stop them taking him? Because he couldn’t hurt anyone ever then could he? Maybe if he did that, they would believe him and let him live?

 

Another owner, if she muzzled her dog at all times, unless in a crate in the house, would they let her keep her?

 

Midnight and the phone is ringing. You answer it to hear a sobbing woman on the phone. She’s hiding upstairs under the bed with her dog. Her partner is downstairs with the police. Don’t let them take her away, ring them and explain she’s never hurt anyone, please just make it all go away. They will do anything but don’t let the police take their friend.

 

It doesn’t affect just the adults either. One young child, not even 16, packed a bag and ran away with his dog. His dad was going to call in under the amnesty and fight for the dog. But that would mean that child lost his best friend, his soul mate. He couldn’t let him do that. It took days to convince this scared little boy to bring his dog and himself back home. Would you go home if you thought it would kill your best friend? The fight for his dog to come home for good, still goes on.

 

 

So many people caught up in hell. Someone running from the police van while exercising their dog. They grab a leaflet as they try and escape and ring you the next day. That park was the last safe place to go, what do they do now? They ask if they should let relatives take their dogs. They live in another part of the country and should be safe. They wont ever see their dog again, except for the odd visit each year maybe. But they will be alive and well and while it will hurt to lose them forever, at least they know they will be safe and happy.

 

One owner, to look at and speak too would seem like a stereotypical owner id guess. He threw his dogs to a friend over his back wall to stop them being taken. It didn’t work and the fight to save them goes on.

 

Its not just Merseyside either. London, one responsible owner had taken his dog to the vets only to told it would have to be pts as it looked like an illegal dog and he’s not the only one who has ended up fearful of seeking any help. Another dog, a rescue, was in training for her KC Good Citizen, she is the sweetest of dogs. The big day arrives for the examination and as her owner stands up she is yelled at and told she can’t take the test as the dog looks ‘illegal’ The room goes quiet as everyone looks on, the situation is calmed by the trainer and the little dog (who has attended classes from a puppy) goes on to sail through her examination. Her owner drives home in tears with no certificate on rosette, the only one not to get one. Just last night I had a knock on the door from the owner of a large Stafford, he’s been reluctant to take his dog out anymore which has resulted in an in-house scrap between two pent up dogs who were friends, one who no longer gets to go out. He wants to have her spayed and id chipped and is asking if it would be ‘safe’. He chats away whilst the dog rolls over to have her belly rubbed,. She lives with a family who all love her to bits, yet another problem has been created due to the law itself

 

So many things.

 

The day before court the phone gets busy again. Terrified owners checking and double-checking their documents. Have they missed anything? Made any mistake? Is the one thing that will save their dog in them? Checking times to make sure they wont be late. Crying. Almost all cry the day before court. I think its because its over now isn’t it? There’s nothing else they can do. In 24 hrs someone may tell them their dog will die. That’s a hard pill to swallow.

 

 

Court itself is the most awful experience ever. The day of the first hearing, while waiting in the outside court to be called, we had the luxury of watching a grown woman suddenly sob hysterically and almost collapse because her sister had rushed in with a picture her kids had drawn to add to the bundle of documents. This very smart lady, well-dressed, articulate, middle class lady crying her heart out because her dog, that she still swears blind is not a pit bull, may be killed in a few hours. Small groups of owners huddled together. They show pictures to each other and hear how others lost their dogs. They exchange their greatest fears with complete strangers, hugging, crying and wishing for good news. Not one is scared they will get a fine. Not one worries about jail. They are already in a prison, a hell of their own and hope that soon it will all be all right again.

 

In the courtroom, one young lad beings to pale and sways to the side. Passing out because he’s so worried he forgot to breathe properly. That happens a lot. Owners hold their partners hands and look at each other offering a weak nervous smile. On the stand the tears fall as they stop reading from the written statement about their dog and just talk from the heart. Not one of them realises they have stopped reading the statement until afterwards.

 

If they win, there’s no greater moment for them. A group of strangers will scream, cry and hug each other. Older lady or young male they all show the same reaction. Relief, immense joy and they stand proudly again.

 

The almost funny thing is after court. They have to fill in a form for the Index and that form asks them to state what breed their dog is. Every owner rings us and asks what breed is their dog?! They still do not believe it’s a pit bull. Many refuse to write pit bull on the form. I have no idea what the right answer should be, I suggest they put whatever breed they believe their dog to be followed by the words “deemed pit bull typeâ€. I guess that is acceptable, as the Index hasn’t questioned any!

 

After court, once the dogs come home you speak to the owners again. Your hear fear because their dog can take the muzzle off. Upset because people now cross the road when they see their muzzled dog. Laughter because one owner painted her dogs brown baskerville muzzle with sparkly pink nail varnish because she was upset over the looks she got!

 

One call, the worst. Owner had to move. Wasn’t allowed his dog in the new premises, not a banned breed even registered. They search and search and find nowhere. They can’t rehome and they can’t keep. The rules don’t let them. So one day they take the dog they fought for with all their heart and soul, hold them tight and watch while they die in their arms. They cry down the phone like a child. They just lost their best friend and nothing will ever take that pain away. Speaking afterwards one line I will never forget. He said, “None of us will ever truly win will we?†I guess they don’t.

 

So this is our update. We could go on but its better for us not too. With each call we have to switch off from the one before and try and switch off again at night to sleep well. Because of that we don’t post about it too much. Its hard to go over it all again, when all in all, your pretty helpless. You can tell them the law and the punishments for them. But they don’t mind those. The one thing they want you cannot do. You cannot bring their dog home now.

 

So if anyone ever thinks the owners don’t care, or find it easy, or in some strange way finding it a reason to act “hardâ€, well, those people who think that really don’t have any idea. The owners who go through all this do so for one reason only. They truly love their dog. Each time the phone rings, we fill with dread at what we will hear. But when it’s all over, what shines through is Courage, Strength and Love for their dogs. We can’t say what it is like to be in their shoes, but I for one, am awed at the dignity and courage of all the owners.

 

They really do deserve to win.

[Yantan]

That has to be one of the most powerful peices I have ever read. I am in bits now

 

Thank you Allie and everyone in DNB. You are all very special people

 

Marion

[staffymad]

Sadly there are many who don't know there is DNB or a Advise Line, they do not know they have a choice and they do not know that they can at least try and fight the system.

 

I hope one day humans will see the error of their ways

[sanrossscot]

Fighting back tears here 'cos I am sat in the middle of an office

 

My admiration for you guys knows no bounds, you go through an emotional wringer with each call and you keep fighting. Thank DOG for people like you guys who make the effort and travel in the owners shoes.

[Laurel n Hardy]

unbeleivably powerful

 

can this be submitted to a national newspaper and the dog magazines as an article as well

Edited August 1, 2007 by Laurel n Hardy

[BillyMalc]

I know they're only words but I can't begin to tell you how much respect I've got for you doing the phone lines. You need a kind of strength that I know many people, including myself, just don't possess no matter how hard we try. Thank you for being there :flowers:

[Jacobean]

Can this not be sent to the press?

[Purrpuss]

unbeleivably powerful

 

can this be submitted to a national newspaper and the dog magazines as an article as well

 

Absolutely. Allie that is one incredibly powerful piece of writing, it seriously needs to reach a much wider audience.

 

Am sat here in floods, but also incredibly angry. Angry that the dogs, the owners and yourselves are having to go through this, that the system is such a complete and utter ass, that the so called respectible world of dogs apparently considers these owners and their dogs criminals and getting what they deserve (another post).

 

Thank you for being there.

 

[kathy40uk]

Allie what an amazing piece of writing, I sobbed at work when I saw it this afternoon, am again now.

 

 

Sadly there are many who don't know there is DNB or a Advise Line, they do not know they have a choice and they do not know that they can at least try and fight the system.

 

 

This is why I'm so greatful for this board and for DNB.

 

I knew BSL existed in America as I got involved in a lot of forums over there trying to help people find pets 'lost in the system' all over the country after Hurricaine Katrina, many of which were Pit Bulls that rescues were really struggling to get placed and cared for due to restrictions in many states. I had heard of the dangerous dogs act here but thought that was what it meant DANGEROUS dogs, not 'types' of dogs. I remember in my naievety thinking how lucky we were over here that loving pets weren't banned like they were in Canada..........how misguided was I eh!

 

I have dogs, I have one very badly behaved dog as he was never properly socialised as a puppy (we're learning together, again thanks Refuge peeps) but thank God none of them are classed as 'type' (...........................yet!!) and an oldie who is getting incontinent and at first destroyed my curtains, door frames and even shredded the lino due to seperation anxiety but I love them warts and all and do not even want to contemplate how devastated I would be if anyone ever tried to take them away or hurt them. And God alone knows how I would feel if I had no one to turn to and didn't have a clue what to do if that ever happened or even worse, not knowing that there were people that did but I didnt know they were there or how to contact them.

 

Thank God for people like you who are there for people. Thank God too that DNB are letting people know that people like you are there,

 

(QUOTE)

Am sat here in floods, but also incredibly angry. Angry that the dogs, the owners and yourselves are having to go through this, that the system is such a complete and utter ass, that the so called respectible world of dogs apparently considers these owners and their dogs criminals and getting what they deserve (another post).

 

(QUOTE)

 

me too.

 

You people were there for someone I didn't know but put in touch with you cos he had put a note on the echo site devastated as he had been told dogs had died in the kennels his dog was at, all he could say was '**** has never been sick in her life' He had never heard of you but you were there for him and his partner, you got them through. THANK YOU ALL

 

You answered in seconds when a friend of a friend had her dog taken and gave me your phone numbers to give her, despite the heartache you hear every day you were all willing to go that extra mile for people neither of us knew, I wouldn't have known who to ask before this year, I wouldn't have been looking at the echo site; my friend wouldn't have thought to tell me her mates dog had been taken if I hadn't been sending her all the DNB stuff cos I knew she knew people in Liverpool and I knew she was too scared to take her dog there to see her boyfriend when this all first kicked off.

 

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

 

 

(This is probably in the wrong thread and should probably be in the perceptions thread but emotions all got the better of me after reading your post)

[ReikiAnge]

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

 

That sums it up for me I have bawled my way through this. Thank you for being there for these owners, for giving them the hope and support they need to fight for their dogs' lives. I can't imagine how they must feel or how difficult it must be for you phone line peeps to speak to them, but thank you for caring so much.

 

The dogs you are helping are someone's best friend, a family pet, a companion a child has grown up with - what you are doing for them is incredible This shouldn't be happening in this country, but it is, and boy is it a good job you are there

[Allie No Dots]

The phone lines only do anything because the owners fight. If they sign their dogs over they get slagged off, if they fight, they still get grief. They cant win as far as the attitude of many people is concerned and they cant win as far as the law is concerned.

 

?How would any of us feel in their shoes? Yet they keep on fighting...

[BillyMalc]

The phone lines only do anything because the owners fight. If they sign their dogs over they get slagged off, if they fight, they still get grief. They cant win as far as the attitude of many people is concerned and they cant win as far as the law is concerned.

 

?How would any of us feel in their shoes? Yet they keep on fighting...

 

I do dare to suggest though, that some of them might not have had the courage to fight a system that is so powerful, and in this case so evil, if they hadn't had your knowledgeable backup and support.

I couldn't read it again coz I know this piece will make me cry no matter how many times I read it, but it really should reach a wider audience, and hopefully including those who've got the wrong end of the stick where the attitude of the owners is concerned.

[kathy40uk]

I do dare to suggest though, that some of them might not have had the courage to fight a system that is so powerful, and in this case so evil, if they hadn't had your knowledgeable backup and support.

 

You said that so much better than I could

[Rumpole]

its the courage and sheer desperation of these owners that keep us going how could anyone not give their all to help when you are listening to the stories above (and they are just a few of the harrowing tales you here. you try to be detached and professionanal you really do, but people and more importantly their dogs creep under your skin, have you thinking about them when you shouldnt be, and stick in your mind even now and maybe forever

 

Michael from the first court date how lost he was no paperwork didnt need a solicitor the police told him angry at himself for believing them hoping it did not cost his dog his life the sheer joy when his dog was allowed to be placed on the register and then the devastation when his dog was so badly traumatised by his experience in kennels that he didnt even recognise him he had to make the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep before he got to see his family again.

 

The dog whose picture i cannot delete from my computer but cannot look at him either, his owner telephoned for advice could she keep him if the police came, yes she wanted to fight, yes she would send a pic, the pic arrived he was clearly type but she wanted to fight so i saved him in my computer. then came the call from her husband, more questions could he be fined how much could he be jailed, i told him he could fight his wife wanted to, his answer was she wouldnt be the one paying any fine and getting a record i wont risk it im handing in, his owner deleted him how can i.

 

Scott and his dog Rio his application opposed by the police, he refused to sign her over even on advice saying if his dog had to die it would not be his signature on her death warrant he would fight until he had no other option her blood would not be on his hands. he didnt have the benefit of Trevor cooper on his day in court as the date he had originally overran and trevor was unable to attend the second day, he had little ol me but luckily he also had the support of fran at animals in need who was just as determined as scott that rio should not die she bullied the police to allow a behaviourist in to see rio before court and they relented Guy richardson was that man he pulled out all the stops to get to the kennels to see rio in time, he gave up his time to attend court because he needed to see the outcome he was a star. his report and scotts sobbing throughout saved Rios life the joy everyone felt in court that day was immeasurable, rio is now home walked in as if nothing had happened, smothered her daddy in kisses he deserved them he didnt give up on his baby girl.

 

its been a rollercoaster of emotions this last few months but as allie said the courage and love of the owners has shone through, this should not be happening any where but if it had to happen anywhere im sort of glad it was in liverpool the people there have stuck together, helped each other (even after they were allowed their dogs home returning to court to support others who they had never even met), and helped us (memories of joe azzopardis daughter handing out leaflets with her dad at the last meet) someone who shall remain nameless as his dog is still in hiding who toured the parks handing out info, still does, he found us a vet that would treat the sickies who did not agree with what was happening and would never refuse treatment or breach confidentiality. he rings regularly and seeks updates and will do anything we ask at the drop of a hat because he believes that if we band together we can make a difference, and hes right WE CAN

 

i feel privileged to have been allowed into the lives of these people and to have played a very small part in helping them to bring their dogs home but it they who desrve the praise for their unerring determination to save the life of their best friend i salute each and every one of them

[greys mum]

I have sobbed my way though this. Thank God that you are there for the owners. Thank you for being very special people. I would be a wreck and no use at all.

 

That was one of the most powerful posts I have ever read. I agree that it should be published far and wide for all to see.