6
6 The Independent
April 4, 2013
‘Dog Protection Act’ would guide police Deaths of pets get legislative attention
‘I hope this bill can prevent just one person’s dog from being killed.’
By Vic Vela
Jeff Fisher, whose dog was killed by a sheriff ’s deputy
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com It’s been more than two months since Ziggy’s life was taken from Jeff Fisher, but the pain of losing his four-legged best friend has yet to subside for the Westminster man. “I miss him every day,” Fisher said in a recent interview. “I miss him being there in the morning and coming home to him. He was awesome. He was like a son.” Ziggy, an 8-year-old border collie mix, was shot to death by an Adams County sheriff’s deputy on Jan. 14, in an incident that resulted in two very different versions of events. But Ziggy’s death — as well as several other cases of officer-involved dog shootings around the state — could end up leading to a new law aimed at saving dogs’ lives when police are called out to residences. State Senate Bill 226, which has been dubbed the “Dog Protection Act,” would require local law enforcement agencies to put in place training, and to adopt policies and procedures officers would be required to adhere to whenever they encounter dogs. Republican Sen. David Balmer of Centennial, a sponsor of the bill, said in a recent
Ziggy stands in an undated photo taken by his owner, Jeff Fisher. Ziggy was shot to death by an Adams County sheriff’s deputy on Jan. 15. The incident is among many that have spurred a bill to formalize policies for police when they encounter dogs. Courtesy photo by Jeff Fisher interview that the idea would be for police to properly announce their presence whenever they are responding to house calls, in order to give owners some time to put their dogs outside, or into another room. “We in this bill are creating a duty for law enforcement officers in non-violent situa-
tions to give the owner of a dog an opportunity to save their dog,” Balmer said. The bill states that there have been more than 30 officer-involved dog shootings around the state in the last five years alone. Balmer also said that in cases where dogs are shot by police, the officer had been responding to a non-violent situation. “Every time it gets covered by any news outlet, we find out about more dog shootings,” Balmer said. “It’s a bigger problem than any of us knew it was when we first started (working on the bill).” Under the bill, a volunteer task force would be organized to develop training guidelines for law enforcement agencies. Balmer did acknowledge that there is a “giant exception” area of the bill that lays out several instances where police would not be required to adhere to the training. They include cases where police are responding to suspected drug houses, or if the house is included in a “dangerous dog” registry. Jennifer Reba Edwards of the Wheat
South Metro Denver SBDC Hosts Intensive 10-week Business Planning Course
This spring the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will again offer an intensive business planning course for entrepreneurs. The Colorado Leading Edge will present the NxLeveL® Entrepreneurial Training Program; a course designed for entrepreneurs who are currently in business seeking both knowledge and skills to grow their businesses. Participants graduate with a fully executed business plan, which might be a feasibility study, growth plan, or start-up plan. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best plans from generous grant matching sponsor, Colorado Business Bank. Both facilitators and participants rave about the course and its ability to help entrepreneurs get their new growth plans off the ground successfully. Jeannie Pershin, a partner at Romancing the Bean coffee shop in Littleton, was impressed with the course. “I’ve always concentrated on the operations side of the business and completing this program with my partner gave me new insight as to the total picture of our operation. They uncovered areas of our business practices that we hadn’t taken into account.” “The NxLeveL business planning course is a one-of-a-kind program for business owners who need to write or enhance their business plan in order to expand their business.
This 10-week course offers a safe place for entrepreneurs to learn and support each other on the path to completing a business plan. I have found this course adds to the success of the business by assisting entrepreneurs in getting capital, planning growth, or starting a new venture,” said Marcia McGilley, Executive Director of the South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center. Over 10 weeks the course will cover: • Planning & Research: Entrepreneurial Essentials • Organizational Matters: Management & Legal Structure • Marketing: Market Research, Analysis & Understanding • Advertising: Strategies, Tactics & Implementation • Financial Overview: Books, Records & Controls, Financial Planning • Managing Your Money: Cash Flow Projections, Budgets & Assumptions The course also features: • Guest speakers including accountants, attorneys and bankers • Networking opportunities • A comprehensive textbook, workbook and resource guide • Five hours of one-on-one business consulting from the South Metro Denver SBDC at no charge • Interaction with business loan officers at the Lender’s Panel • Special bonus sessions: Web site review, IBIS World Industry Research report, and Brandify Report The SBDC will be holding an informational seminar on the program on Thursday, April 4th and again on April 11th from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the South Metro Denver Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 324 in the
Streets at SouthGlenn Complex in Centennial. You’ll be able to meet and ask questions of the instructors and learn how this opportunity can benefit your business. The actual 10-week course will run from 6:00 to 9:30 pm on Wednesday evenings beginning April 17th through June 19th at the Chamber Center. Cost for the 10week course is $495 per person, $445 for South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce members and Colorado Business Bank customers with additional members of a registered organization able to take the course for an additional $250. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to business owners in need of financial assistance. NxLeveL™ is funded by Colorado Business Bank, the State of Colorado, and the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. Register for the course by email at info@ smallbusinessdenver.com or call 303-795-0142 for more information. The South Metro Denver Small Business Development Center is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors’ or participants’ opinions products or services. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership between the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the U.S. Small Business Administration, Colorado’s institutions of higher education, and local development organizations.
Ridge-based Animal Law Center said those exceptions are reasonable, but that the ultimate goal of the legislation is to create an environment where police are better trained to deal with animals who are near and dear to the lives of many people in any community. “Most people don’t see their dog as some piece of property,” she said. “Most people see them as their short, hairy family members.” For Fisher, that was the case with Ziggy. His dog’s death was made even more tragic after it turned out that deputies were responding to the wrong address that night. Adams County District Attorney Dave Young has decided not to file charges against the deputy, citing “significant discrepancies” between Fisher’s and the deputies’ versions of events from that evening. Still, Fisher hopes that something good can come from this tragedy. “It was unreal what happened,” Fisher said. “But I hope this bill can prevent just one person’s dog from being killed.”
Calendar of Events For a complete calendar of South Metro Denver Chamber events or more information, visit our web site at www.bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142. Thursday, April 4th Healthcare Policy Taskforce The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial FastTracks New Investor Orientation The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Celebrating the Success of Littleton Modern Dentistry 7456 S. Simms St., Unit A-1, Littleton Friday, April 5th Retirement Celebration for Mary Kay McCarty The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Tuesday, April 9th Columbine High School Social Enterprise Presentation The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Business Bible Study The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Business After Hours hosted by PROformance Apparel 6905 S. Broadway, Suite 181, Littleton Wednesday, April 10th HYPE Board of Advisors Meeting The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Nonprofit & Business Partnership Advisory Board Meeting The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Celebrating Funky Business’ New ConneXions Store Southwest Plaza Mall, 8501 West Bowles Ave., Littleton Thursday, April 11th Technology Advocates Group The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Littleton Business Coalition with Brett Spenst, CEO, Littleton Adventist Hospital South Denver Cardiology Associates, 1000 Southpark Drive, Littleton Women in Leadership Meeting The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial Colorado Center for the Blind Annual Business Networking Event 2233 W. Shepperd Ave., Littleton Friday, April 12th Economic Development Group Breakfast The Chamber Center, 2154 E. Commons Ave., Suite 342, Centennial