AFTER READING THE FOLLOWING LETTER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE
INCLUDED AS A SIGNATORY, PLEASE ADD YOUR NAME BY SIGNING THIS PETITION. Additionally, Include any professional designations you would like to be displayed (for example: DVM, DACVB, PhD, CAAB, CDBC, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTC, etc.
 
June 21, 2021
 
I am writing to inform you of an upcoming event in Elkhart County that I believe will be detrimental to our community and possibly in violation of Indiana law. This event is scheduled for August 21 st and 22 nd and will take place in Osolo Township at the Indiana K9 Learning Center. The event is called “Jeff Gellman’s Problem Solving 2 Day Dog Training Seminar”. 

Jeff Gellman is the owner of Solid K9 Training in Providence, RI. Gellman uses extreme pain and abusive methods such as hitting, throwing objects at the dog, bonking, and excessive use of shock collars for his “training”. So far, thanks to people speaking out, he has been banned in Scotland, the UK, and Perth Australia. Events have also been banned in other states and towns in the US, such as Illinois. Additionally, many of his methods have been banned in other countries, such as shock collars (banned in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany, and others) and choke collars (banned in New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Switzerland, and others). You can see examples of his abusive techniques here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWVIngWPAqU. You can also see the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s statement on the use of aversive
training methods here https://www.sfanimalcare.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Why-We-Dont-Punish.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1c4Hl-sgDAVZ3yrZWVeSdrYirx7fJxFD_z0mel2PCgcF-kHNNWPNlJu1E 

Unfortunately, people don’t do their research and sign up for his seminars, not knowing what a nightmare it will be, and the traumatizing effects it will have on their dog. Many people walk out. In the expert opinion of many dog behaviorist, trainers, veterinarians, and other professionals, Gellman’s aversive training techniques cause pain, discomfort and only suppress the dog’s negative behavior when the aversive is present. The use of aversive training methods can create very strong negative associations in a dog’s mind, and it’s not always the association the owner wants to create. These kinds of associations increase a dog’s anxiety and fear of certain stimuli, which can result in fear reactivity and aggression. So, overall, when people sign up for Gellman’s training, it might actually increase the negative behaviors that they are looking to correct.

Critically, we believe that the training methods Gellman teaches may in fact break state
and local laws.  Indiana state law prohibits cruelty, abandonment, and neglect of animals. Also see; acts of torture and physical abuse of an animal are a crime in Indiana. IC 35-46-3-12. Neglect or abandonment of an animal is a crime in Indiana. IC 35-46-3-7.

As such, we respectfully request that you investigate the lawfulness of the planned seminar, whether with respect to the Elkhart County Animal Ordinance, or any other Indiana law or county or village ordinance relating to business licensure, permits or practices in general.

Finally, we believe that this event should not take place in any city, but particularly not in Elkhart County. Elkhart has a reputation for being innovative, community-minded, respectful, and generous—and the training event hosted by Gellman is in direct conflict with those ideals. Anyone who would travel to this area for the training may leave thinking that Elkhart County advocates or allows animal abuse. Anyone who lives locally should not be trained in how to abuse their pets. We believe that Elkhart citizens deserve better. And we would ask you to help us spread that message.

See for yourself video evidence. 
https://www.golocalprov.com/news/Animal-Rights-Activists-Force-Cancellation-of-Controversial-RI-Dog-Trainer
 
See Event details here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elkhart-in-jeff-gellmans-problem-solving-2-day-dog-training-seminar-tickets-117001983081?aff=ebdssbdestsearch