The Miami-Dade Elections Department in Doral went to the dogs Saturday as the Pets’ Voice — an organization promoting the no-kill initiative passed by voters in a 2012 non-binding referendum — bussed voters to the office for early voting from a canine obstacle course event they had at the Miami Airport Convention Center.
“Could have been a first,” said Michael Rosenberg, president of the Pet’s Voice and former the Pet’s Trust, which put the measure on the ballot and is now punishing the commissioners who voted against
it anyway.
Read related story: Good timing — Animal shelter event may benefit incumbent
“I don’t know if dogs have ever gone to vote, but they did Saturday in Miami,” Rosenberg said. “It was wild!”
Rosenberg told Ladra that at least 50 people had been taken to vote by their party bus, but they don’t know how everyone voted. He added that he called the state elections division to inquire as to what they could do and simply shuttled the voters to the voting location, without providing them with any literature.
The Pets’ Voice timed their “Doggie Fun Zone” event — with a fully-enclosed, fast-paced doggie race track — with early voting so that they could entice people to take the time and vote. They advertised it in th
e districts where they are pushing their candidates, Marjorie Figueira against incumbent Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz in District 12 and Daniella Levine Cava against Commissioner Lynda Bell in District 8.
“It is early voting time in Miami Dade County. For those of you who want to vote, the Pets’ Voice Express welcomes you and your dog to take a 10 minute journey, on a sleek 40-passenger, air-conditioned bus to the nearest voting location,” said the press release announcing the event all day Saturday. “You and your pet can take a break from the action and ride in super comfort to go vote together.
“The Pets’ Voice is about saving our animals. Let your pet have a “BARK” in this!!! It is their lives!! Ride the Pets’ Voice Express!!! And go VOTE!!!”
The $5 entry fee was waived if you had a voter’s registration card. Then you went in through a separate line and got to hear a spiel from candidate 
Figueira, who is being wholly supported by the Pets’ Voice in her bid to unseat Diaz.
Read related story: District 12 race heats up with Goliath beating on David
Through his PAC, Diaz already filed a complaint against the Pet’s Voice for using committee in its literature without filing as a political committee.
Diaz supporters say the group is violating all sorts of campaign finance laws by fronting costs for the candidate without the full and required disclosures.
Rosenberg said that they are not required as a 501c4 to disclose until their annual report once a year. And that they have a little more money than the $20,000 given to them, supposedly, by car mogul Norman Braman.
“We have put some of our own money and we got some other contributions from people,” Rosenberg said. “At the end of the day, I don’t think we’ll spend more than $40,000
“If we had more money imagine how much more interesting this could be.”
Pets’ Voice party bus takes voters and dogs to early voting added by Ladra on
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The way Pet’s Voice is using the voiceless pets in this election makes me feel like throwing up. I wouldn’t give Rosenberg a penny even if my life depended on it. We all have disagreements and may not agree on many things, but to try and bring down some of the Commissioners regardless of what they have done for the community is sickening. I hope voters don’t fall for it.
In addition to my prior comment. I agree with Valentina and it is something everyone should understand that most of the money is going to build buildings and administrative cost. People wake up.
OK. Let’s do the math. In 2013, 3872 dogs were euthanized at Animal Services. Let’s say we raise our property taxes by $20million per year as desired by the Pet’s Trust Initiative and save all 3872 dogs (regardless of health status and aggression). With the additional tax increase of $20million the cost per dog saved would be $5,165. There are better ways of saving these animals and that is why commissioners voted for No Kill but against an additional $20million tax increase.
I read the Pet Trust initiative and the majority of the $20million tax increase is “for at least two (2) 20,000 square foot buildings” and “for administrative cost”.
Any additional money needs to be spent on our animals and not government funded facilities and administrative cost.
For those that want to hear it for themselves.
Here is that link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLMLOz8kC8E
To answer your first question…It is because we need to do 100,000 spay/neuter surgeries a year. It is because 30,000 animals a year enter the shelter. And, most important of all, it is because almost 500,000 voted to do so. Neither you nor I have the right to disregard the will of the people.
The Pets’ Trust is not about constructing any new buildings. Get your facts straight.
If you watched the video, you’ll hear Mr. Munoz say they need the extra funding the voters approved. You’ll hear Mr. Diaz say 80% of the people in his District voted for it. You’ll hear Lynda Bell say we must let the people decide.
You’ll hear your heroes say exactly what we have been saying. We need it, and the people voted for it.
I have given you my number numerous times to call. Here it is again…305 439 3571.
Why is the Pet Trust going to such an effort to pass the $20million tax increase per year to fund additional animal care facilities?
Let’s get the facts straight. Let’s save our animals in a fiscally responsible way and stop bashing politicians that are working for our animals!
Pepe Diaz voted in favor of No Kill. In fact, Pepe Diaz sponsored the No Kill legislation. Furthermore, the new 69,900 sq ft animal shelter is being built in Pepe Diaz’s district without tax increases. Today, 84% of dogs entering Miami Dade County Animal Shelter are saved. Sadly, not all pets are adoptable due to illness or aggression. Sorry Pet’s Trust…I watched your video and the # of euthanasias in Miami Dade is not 17,000 nor tens of thousands nor the 20,000 as written on the “Pet Trust” Ballot which I regretfully voted for. Stop the hyperbole. Let’s get the facts straight. Let’s save our animals in a fiscally responsible way and stop bashing politicians that are working for our animals! I agree with Pepe Diaz, We can save our animals without building more facilities at a cost to tax payers of $20million per year! Let’s be smart about this and not let a special interest like the Pet’s Trust sway our vote without knowing the facts.