Here are 2 emails that I got from the rescue that I volunteer for. Very disturbing misuse of power and intimidation. Know your rights and don't let this happen to your pooch. (I hate breed-ists!) (like racists but for dog breeds).

Email 1:
Today Paws for Life Rescue experienced a horrific turn of events with the Royal Oak/Berkley Animal Control. All dog owners need to be made aware of this event, but if you live in or around Royal Oak and Berkley, please take extra caution.

Less than 24 hours ago a volunteer was out jogging with our rescue dog Rocky when he broke his collar. There was another dog across the street not on a leash. The two dogs ran at each other, sniffed and a fight ensued. Our dog, being the bigger dog, was taken away by Royal Oak police.

Less than an hour ago they euthanized Rocky against our express outcry not to. I personally made 8 phone calls to Royal Oak this morning, stating Rocky belongs to the rescue and since we have provided proof of his vaccinations, the law states he must be returned to us. Officer Briggs told me "I don't care" and hung up the phone on me, repeatedly. This was a first incident for Rocky and no humans were attacked. It was simply a dog fight - a friend of the other dog owner was bit when he stuck his hands into the dog fight, but there is no evidence as to which dog bit him. Rocky came from a home with other dogs and had frequent play dates with another dog in the volunteer's home. He was a good dog who didn't deserve this.

The other owner wasn't even ticketed for having his dog off leash. Officer Briggs has a personal issue against certain breeds of dogs. She is leading the charge to have pit bulls and other breeds banned from Royal Oak. Because Rocky was a pit bull mix, he was treated this way and his life cut short.

If you own any breed of dog in or around Royal Oak and Berkley, be extra careful. If you own a pit bull or pit bull mix in or around this area, please know that Officer Briggs, whose salary is paid by our tax dollars, is on a personal mission "to get rid of all of them," as she so kindly put it to me today.

Email 2:
Tuesday, October 27, 2009, Officer Briggs confiscated a 1-and-a-half-year-old pit bull mix named Hitch just hours ago from a home in Royal Oak. The family dog bit an intruder in the lip when he entered the home in the pitch black at 2 a.m. He was an out-of-town friend coming to visit, but Hitch didn't know that. He did his job and thought he was protecting his family. The hospital that treated the bite reported the incident and Officer Briggs responded and took the dog. Again, the same story of half-truths, omissions and lies caused the owner's girlfriend to sign over the dog - again, NOT THE OWNER OF THE ANIMAL.

We fear that Hitch is already at Oakland County. The owner is making phone calls now to order them to stop and to demand answers as to where his dog is and what is happening with him.
Continue to update your network. This abuse of power has to stop.

This is NOT right! My skin is crawling.

Ok, so my blood is still boiling ..... I have a LOT of FaceBook friends in that area so I copied/cross-posted on my FaceBook as well as e-mailed the wife of a political Royal Oak individual that I know.

The dog is not the problem ..........IT'S THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH! I'd like to know if Officer Briggs has pets at all?

I cannot find an email contact for the ROPD chief....

has anyone called Fox News? they're sensationalistic enough to do a story on this.

KL

Story was on the main page of the Daily Tribune on Wedensday.

And here's email #3 from Paws For Life (where I got both my dogs from)

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Thank you so much everyone for your support of Paws for Life and for Rocky. I picked up Rocky's ashes yesterday. I can't even explain what a lovable goofball he was. Truly a big teddy bear and this was his first dog fight, ever. He didn't deserve this.

Here's how you can continue to help Rocky and to help prevent other family pets from falling victim to Gail Briggs and her illegal tactics:

The city is not acting yet, so we are asking everyone possible to please attend the Berkley City Council meeting this Monday, Nov. 2nd at 7 p.m. to demand an investigation into Gail Briggs. We need you there, especially if you live in Berkley or you have an experience with Gail Briggs. Your voice has more power than ours does. Berkley has the ability to dismiss Briggs from her job. Royal Oak can only no longer use her in their jurisdiction. Berkley has to be the one to fire her.

Berkley City Council Meeting, Monday, Nov. 2nd at 7 p.m.
3338 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072 (in the court room - same place where residents pay water bill and pet license)

We need everyone there to show support for Rocky and to demand an investigation into the actions of Gail Briggs. On behalf of all our pets, we must speak for them. Such egregious misconduct cannot continue. Rocky's story is just one of many. Speak for all the dogs and their families who have been victims of Gail Briggs and her abuse of power.

If nothing is done, we will then do the same thing and ask everyone to attend the Royal Oak City meeting on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at 211 S. Williams St. Commission Room (room 315), Royal Oak, MI. Please come out and show your support. An hour of your time this Monday could make the difference. And let your voice be heard on the Justice for Rocky web site - www.JusticeforRocky.com.

Thanks again!!!
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Hey,
I'm posting your link on facebook to this page: http://www.facebook.c...
A lot of information on this group is about the moratorium and elections coming up in Royal Oak however Royal Oak is our home and if that site helps get the word out about this sort of abuse...i say we can use the publicity (that and my husband started the group). This just INFURIATES me to no end! Plus being a parent to a possible pit/lab mix (honestly we don't know what she is but some think she may have a little pit in her)... just unacceptable!!!!

I was just checking the time and address of the Berkley meeting and I went to http://justiceforrock...
I have found out that Officer Briggs has taken another dog away from it's owner -and without the owners permission!
http://justiceforrock...

Good Luck at the Berkley meeting tonight.
Please keep us posted. We Care.
East Bay Lodge

here's the latest update: Justice For Rocky

MEETING ROYAL OAK COMMISSIONERS MONDAY 11/9 @ 7:30

I didn't notice there was more on this post or I would have went to the meeting. I plan on going monday, but it sounds as though it is up in the air. Keep me posted and I will be there. I have 2 pits and my x's mother lives in Royal oak and has a Staffy. I am willing to fight for my dogs.