The fight for cattle dog Bundy to continue her motorcycle rides for charity isn't over yet.
An online petition has been set up by her owner Tex O'Grady and his partner Jenny Patten, after new RTA laws banned Bundy to ride on the petrol tank of Mr O'Grady's motorbike to help raise vital fund for charity.
Ms Patten said that she has been inundated with local calls of support since Bundy story's in Tuesday's Star.
The online petition was set up on Tuesday and has almost 450 signatures and messages of support from all over Australia within 48 hours.
Go to www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/l et-tex-bundy-ride.html if you wish to sign the petition.
See below for the full story.
The Star will keep you posted about Bundy's fight to ride.
BUNDY has a right to be barking mad.
You may recall the Minchinbury cattle dog from when she appeared in the Star six months ago, after new RTA laws banned her from riding on the front of a motorcycle.
Decked out in her leather jacket, goggles and a dog harness, three-year-old Bundy has joined owner Tex O'Grady on his charity rides across Australia since she was a pup.
The pair have raised thousands of dollars for causes such as CanTeen, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The Variety Club and cancer research.
That was until last July 1 with introduction of rule 297, which prevents an animal from being carried between the rider and the handlebars.
NSW is the only state that has this rule.
But Bundy can still ride on the back of a bike in NSW, which is more dangerous than riding up front, says Mr O'Grady and his partner, dog behaviour specialist Jenny Patten.
She is just as close as Bundy as her partner is, particularly after she watched in horror as her dogs were deliberately run over and killed by hoons in June last year.
Ms Patten has been on the phone to the RTA and Roads Minister Michael Daley every week for the past six months, trying get an exemption for Bundy.
She had no reply until she finally received a letter last week from Parliamentary Secretary for Roads Sonia Hornery on behalf of Mr Daley, who refused the exemption.
``While the minister understands Ms Patten's request, the Government is committed to improving road safety and there are a number of reasons for the introduction of rule 297,'' Mr Daley's spokeswoman said.
Safety reasons were cited for the new law, with fears that an animal riding up front would impair the rider's vision and interfere with their view of the speedometer.
The RTA did not respond before the Star went to press.
While Bundy can't take part in NSW rides, she still does her bit for charity at interstate rides but travels by car within NSW.
Mr O'Grady and Ms Patten have refused to risk Bundy's life on the back of the bike.
``You don't have control of the animal if it shifts its weight or moves around,'' Ms Patten said.
'`Most accidents are from behind or side on, where the animal can feel the full brunt of the impact.''
She said that Bundy's size didn't impair Mr O'Grady's vision or ability to control the bike.
``Bundy has ridden with every police force motorcycle squad in every state and there's never been a problem,'' she said.
``Tex has clocked up a million kilometres riding with a dog on the front. I can't believe the RTA and Roads Minister made their decision without meeting Bundy.''
Mr O'Grady said that Bundy has missed out six fund-raising rides in NSW under the new law, which he said needs rewording.
``She's not happy,'' he said.
``She jumps up onto the petrol tank every time I grab the keys but I've got to tell her to get off. The charities are also disappointed as Bundy is a big drawcard for these events.
``It's wiped off the smiles of a lot of sick kids in hospital because they can't see her.''
The couple plan to meet with state Labor Mt Druitt MP Richard Amery next month.
``Bundy has done more good in NSW than some of the politicians have,'' Mr O'Grady said.
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