Law Prevention

INFO TO PREVENT LAW ENFORCEMENT, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC FROM CONTINUING ABUSE AGAINST ANIMALS.

Two additional articles that provide incredible background and supporting information to these thoughts can be viewed by visiting www.21stcenturycares.org/whyvote.htm and www.21stcenturycares.org/whyorganize.htm

EVERY ONE CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS INFORMATION.

First, what are the laws re animal neglect and abuse in whatever state this is in? One has to know in order to accuse the authorities of not doing their job. Next, once it is known there is a law against this neglect and abuse, then it's time for a news release and/or news conference. This has to be brought to the attention of the public because ONLY public pressure will cause the authorities to act. The authorities are elected officials and if there are too many black marks or accusations of inaptness or irresponsibility or refusing to enforce the law, they can be defeated in a coming election. The news release should graphically portray what the dog went thru, the callousness of the owner, and the fact the authorities refuse to act -- refuse to enforce the law of the state or county. Then ask if they are "picking and choosing" what laws to enforce, one has to wonder what OTHER laws have they been refusing to enforce that no one knows about. It has to be an attention-getting hard hitting accusatory release to get the attention of the media. Mention the owner whines he is the victim of a witch hunt -- and note that from the way he treated his dog, he would make a good witch so what's the problem. besides, witch hunt or not -- there is ample evidence he is an unfit animal owner and that should be enough for the police to investigate -- if his kid showed up at school all black and blue do you think the authorities would refuse to investigate because the moron cried "witch hunt"? Pose THAT question in your releases.

Send it to EVERY media -- TV, radio, paper -- and in all the surrounding towns in the county and the bigger ones outside the county -- go all out. Remember, many of these jobs the authorities hold and county wide jobs and they are elected by county people -- so ALL County citizens need to know just what kind of person they have elected.

Many make the mistake of spending time on a petition. If you are not in the jurisdiction of the person you are petitioning, it will have no effect at all. Most are just a group of people signing something to make themselves feel better and don't know better. Take the advise of this page and you will see success.

I am a lobbyist here in IL and we do the media thing all the time. The LAST thing elected officials want is public exposure of their irresponsibility because they have to stand for reelection and one never knows when someone might decide to run against them and use all the negativity to defeat them. Also, if there are a dozen or so people who really want to get this guy punished for his crime (you could call PETA, FUND for Animals or ASPCA to see if they have activists in your area -- they'll help) you could demo this guys house and job place. The company won't want the bad publicity and could fire him -- plus they may not know what he has done and will find out. Demos also bring out the media. PETA is at 757 622 7382. The other two are listed on the Internet.

HERE ARE TIPS AS TO WHY, WHEN AND HOW TO DO A SUCCESSFUL AND PROFESSIONAL PRESS RELEASE.

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NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Smith 233 555 1212

BEGIN YOUR NEWS RELEASE WITH AN ATTENTION-GETTING HEADLINE. KEEP IT TO ONE OR TWO LINES AND WRITE IN CAPS.

This is the format for a news release (sometimes refereed to as a press release.) Note the short paragraphs and simple words. Here are some tips for writing great releases.

1. Keep the release to one page. Media people get dozens of news releases every day. Make yours easy to read with short graphic paragraphs. Use a #12 font.

2. In your first paragraph, give the main details. Remember the journalistic “What, who, where, when, how.” However, use a tabloid technique to get their attention.

3. In writing your text, remember to use text designed to ignite, penetrate, and get attention. For instance, instead of writing, “Jones has beaten his child before, but the judge still said the child had to be returned to him.” Write, “Judge Kelly, unconcerned with the child’s welfare, ignored previous beatings and ordered her returned to her abusive father.” Notice how the second example is much harder hitting and paints the judge as uncaring and unprofessional.

If you would like to make a comment but don’t know how to work it in, consider quoting someone. In some cases, writers design a statement and then ask someone they know if it would be o’k to use their name in quoting. For example, let’s say you wanted to blast the judge in the above statement. You could “quote” someone. E.g., A neighbor, Mary Wilson, as being afraid for the child’s life. Write: “That man has beaten that poor girl time and again. It’s just a matter of time before he kills her. What kind of a screwball judge is this?” remarked Wilson after the hearing.

You see how this allows you to make powerful statements and do so in a way that is stronger and often more credible than a simple text paragraph.

Send your news release via fax to the assignment editor when sending to radio or television and to the news room editor when sending to newspapers. You do not have to know the editor’s name. Send as soon as you feel the media should be informed. If possible, send Sunday evening so they are waiting when staff arrives Monday morning. In general, it’s best to send your releases late at night for recovery early the next morning (and the lines are less busy late at night.)

Send your release on letterhead stationary if you are sending on behalf of a group. If you do not have a group use plain stationary. If you belong to a small group and have no letterhead stationary, you can devise one using your word processor.