I saw this posting on the Search and Rescue digest and, since the pyr is particularly well suited to rescue work, I thought that it may be of interest to someone on this list.
Most Search and Rescue dog teams are volunteers. It would be sad to see people left unrescued because a dog team wasn't officially recognized. Would this include any pyrs out there? =20
Sender: Search and Rescue dogs discussion list
<SAR-DOGS_at_MAIL.EWORLD.COM>
=46rom: Barry and Linda King <k9-linda_at_worldnet.att.net>
Organization: K-9 Search and Rescue
Subject: [SAR-DOGS] volunteers in trouble
To: SAR-DOGS_at_MAIL.EWORLD.COM
Hi everyone,
K-9 Search and Rescue teams in Florida are in trouble that could effect the entire USA if we don't put a stop to it. Bill 232 is going to the floor to be passed that gives a definition of a SAR dog. The definition they give to a SAR dogs is;
" "SAR dog" means any dog that is owned, or the service of which is
employed, by a fire department, a special fire district, or the State
=46ire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of
missing persons, including, but not limited to, persons who are lost,
who are trapped under debris as the result of a natural or manmade
disaster, or who are drowning victims."
This would eliminate all volunteer search and rescue dogs in the state of Florida. If this passes, it could easily start spreading from state to state. This will also eliminate law enforcement dogs for any type of search and rescue work.
We need all search and rescue groups is Florida to write their Senators and Representatives against the definition in this bill to include volunteers. Outside of Florida groups if you know a Florida team to contact them and urge them to contact their representatives. Have them go to the news media and bring it to their attention. This Bill would effect victims and tax payers due to the low amount of fire department dogs as most fire departments don't have the budget to support a K-9 service division. This will result in tax payers having to pay the cost of the K-9 maintenance and training, along with the expense for their deployment. Plus most area departments want their members to stay close to home to take care of the residents in their own towns. Because they are a Firefighter first and a K-9 handler second.
Please help us in this matter and do what you can so this Bill won't go overlooked and help get the definition changed. The victim should be thought of and not the Politics.
Barry King
Sarasota K-9 Search and Rescue
p.s. I am a Paid Firefighter/Paramedic Lieutenant and do not agree with this Bills definition because volunteers are a needed service and are professionals.
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