September 21, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
The riding of dogs is currently being promoted by certain people, most notably on a website: http://www.dogriderssociety.com, owned by Mr. Tim Veldboom of (unknown town to be filled in),Wisconsin, although there are others. This website promotes the riding of dogs by children, by posting photographs, videotape clippings, and written stories about these rides. There are webpages with collections of these, in addition to one about “Teaching a Kid to Ride a Dog.” Despite the recommendation found on the website that a dog can carry only 20% of its own weight, there are videotape clippings and photographs of large, older children appearing to weigh well over 40 lbs. riding small dogs. In particular, the videotapes of the pit bulls and the young Great Dane show children riding dogs when they are far too large for their dogs. Despite the recommendation, the presence of such pictures and videotape clippings on the website can only be taken as approval.
This, if permitted to occur more than once or twice, could conceivably cause serious damage to these dogs or, even worse, the children. The Great Dane, for example, shown in the videotapes, does not even appear to have finished growing; if this is the case, his bones could be severely damaged by the trauma of carrying a girl upon his back. He is also quite nervous and appears to be afraid, a situation in which dogs have been known to bite in self-defense. Even mature dogs should not have a significant amount of weight placed upon them for any length of time, excepting a properly fitted backpack. (http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1661&S=1&SourceID=47)
Such actions may even constitute abuse, in the sense of using something contrary to its intended use, as dogs’ basic structure is unsuitable to bear weight. They differ from animals capable of bearing weight, such as horses, in that their lumbosacral joint is quite flexible and even their backs flex when running, whereas horses have a much less flexible joint that allows far the back to flex far less. [Susan E. Harris, Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement (New York, New York: Howell Book House, 2003): pp. 23-24] Thus, the practice of riding dogs may result in injury to the animal’s spine.
This practice needs to be discouraged and spoken against, particularly by those people who have greater authority in the eyes of pet owners. Veterinarians, in particular, have the obligation to inform their clients of the dangers of such practices. It is my hope that they do, and that neither dogs nor children are injured as a result of this website and similar ones.
Sincerely,
Sofia Arango of Mission, Texas
Please do post it. We'd like as many people to see it as possible; we're also trying to get signatures. You are free to post it to other sites, give it to veterinarians, etc.C'mon BPo people!...There's strength in numbers! :)
If anyone is willing to add their name (and town if possible) to the letter, please pm us.
Thanks.
Sofia
Well I just found out that since I'm a member of this site the Tim is saying I'm a backstabber etc so I know now that his friendship was never true so now I'm not stuck in the middle I will contact the proper authorities here in my hometown about his site it's not revenge at no means I'm going to check into what he has on his site with the local authorities, vets etc to see how much harm these dogs are being dragged thru....I love all animals and will protect them any way shape or form....I'm sorry that happened to you Legends...I truley am. :( Rest assured you are among friends here! ;D
Legends
GYPSY JAZMINE ,Yw legends...It makes me feel very good that you joined us & kept an open mind to the concern we have for the dogs...I really am glad that you are her with us. :)
Thank You so much..Life is never fair but with me I give you one chance and one only Tim blew that chance which is really no loss to me now he's just got to explain to people why he is the way he is and why he still builds that site.....
I know I'm amoung friends here & I'm so happy I became a member.....Lov e you all bunches....... .....
DFTHYFBT&E
Love
Legends
Here is the letter:September 21, 2005
To Whom It May Concern:
The riding of dogs is currently being promoted by certain people, most notably on a website: http://www.dogriderssociety.com, owned by Mr. Tim Veldboom of (unknown town to be filled in),Wisconsin, although there are others. This website promotes the riding of dogs by children, by posting photographs, videotape clippings, and written stories about these rides. There are webpages with collections of these, in addition to one about “Teaching a Kid to Ride a Dog.” Despite the recommendation found on the website that a dog can carry only 20% of its own weight, there are videotape clippings and photographs of large, older children appearing to weigh well over 40 lbs. riding small dogs. In particular, the videotapes of the pit bulls and the young Great Dane show children riding dogs when they are far too large for their dogs. Despite the recommendation, the presence of such pictures and videotape clippings on the website can only be taken as approval.
This, if permitted to occur more than once or twice, could conceivably cause serious damage to these dogs or, even worse, the children. The Great Dane, for example, shown in the videotapes, does not even appear to have finished growing; if this is the case, his bones could be severely damaged by the trauma of carrying a girl upon his back. He is also quite nervous and appears to be afraid, a situation in which dogs have been known to bite in self-defense. Even mature dogs should not have a significant amount of weight placed upon them for any length of time, excepting a properly fitted backpack. (http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1661&S=1&SourceID=47)
Such actions may even constitute abuse, in the sense of using something contrary to its intended use, as dogs’ basic structure is unsuitable to bear weight. They differ from animals capable of bearing weight, such as horses, in that their lumbosacral joint is quite flexible and even their backs flex when running, whereas horses have a much less flexible joint that allows far the back to flex far less. [Susan E. Harris, Horse Gaits, Balance and Movement (New York, New York: Howell Book House, 2003): pp. 23-24] Thus, the practice of riding dogs may result in injury to the animal’s spine.
This practice needs to be discouraged and spoken against, particularly by those people who have greater authority in the eyes of pet owners. Veterinarians, in particular, have the obligation to inform their clients of the dangers of such practices. It is my hope that they do, and that neither dogs nor children are injured as a result of this website and similar ones.
Sincerely,
Sofia Arango of Mission, Texas
Any suggestions to improve the content or polish the expression of this letter would be appreciated. If you would like to add your name to this letter or copy it to give to vets or trainers, that would also be appreciated.
Sofia
(Edited to change one word in the letter.)
Well I just found out that since I'm a member of this site the Tim is saying I'm a backstabber etc so I know now that his friendship was never true so now I'm not stuck in the middle I will contact the proper authorities here in my hometown about his site it's not revenge at no means I'm going to check into what he has on his site with the local authorities, vets etc to see how much harm these dogs are being dragged thru....I love all animals and will protect them any way shape or form....
Legends
What I see is a person that cared enough for dogs to try & come & see the "other side" of the story & was open minded enough to become educated on the problem we had with dog riding...I also see someone who no longer wanted any part of the abuse so she quit Tim's site but still tried to defend him as a nice person...When she was no longer in between because of Tim's own choices she was then free of feeling obligated to him & was able to get fully on board with trying to do something about stopping the abuse...Legend s has posted her often & seems to be fitting in nicely...We welcome her as a fellow dog lover.Well I just found out that since I'm a member of this site the Tim is saying I'm a backstabber etc so I know now that his friendship was never true so now I'm not stuck in the middle I will contact the proper authorities here in my hometown about his site it's not revenge at no means I'm going to check into what he has on his site with the local authorities, vets etc to see how much harm these dogs are being dragged thru....I love all animals and will protect them any way shape or form....
Legends
I don't mean to provoke an argument here, and rarely post although I do read many of the things written and this thread has really bothered me becasue I wonder how true of a friend you are if you can turn from defending this Tim fellow to turning him in when the going gets rough? It seems to me that it is indeed revenge for your hurt feelings and nothing more. I would caution all BPO members to refrain from embracing you until your motives are fully seen. BPO members are kind, loving and faithful people who truly care about one another and will stand next to them when the going get tough. I am not sure you are made of that kind of material Legends.
Hey Everybody,Very good Deena!! :)
Listen, we're all here because we love our BPO's and our little paws too. Sometimes we may not like or agree with what someone says. Do we always like or agree with what our husbands, children, or relatives say or do? I think not. Just remember a true friend is someone who is not afraid to tell the truth, and even if you do not listen will still love you and continue to remind you it isn't right. We all have more aquintances in life than we can count, many many fair weather friends, but we are very lucky to have even one TRUE friend. Tim and Legend have their friendship or lack there of to work out. Let's let them do it on their own and stick to our friendships with each other.......an d ofcourse the purpose of this thread. ;)
Hope we all make lots of true friends from this site and gets lots of signatures!
Thanks,
Deena