VIRGINIA CITY - Bringing goats to Virginia City was one of Allyson Adams' first acts as the new mayor of this old gold mining town.
Nearly 200 of the animals are on Boot Hill, eating knapweed.
"We need more goats," Adams, who became mayor this spring, recently told some people at Virginia City's Metropolitan Market. "Next year, we'll probably need 1,000."
Goats were brought from Conrad to eat weeds that threaten Virginia City's native plants. Adams sees the animals as an alternative to spraying chemicals, but said chemical use along some roadways here will continue.
The mayor believes goats remind Virginia City's tourists and residents that Montana is an agricultural state, where animals serve a purpose.
"With all the development happening and people moving in, it's important to keep animals in front of people's eyes," she said.
The use of goats is being termed an experiment, for now.
"Anytime you try something new, people are skeptical, and they should be," Adams said. "That's why we called it an experiment _ the goat experiment."
Several participating landowners are likely to keep the goats busy all summer, said Kim Harris, who owns the animals. He charges $13 for every acre they cover.
Between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon, they chewed their way across 10 acres of city property.
"They've really demolished that," Harris said approvingly as he surveyed a patch of land that used to have a lot of knapweed.
Harris hopes that by summer's end the goats will have made two sweeps on the 650 acres or so where he has been asked to reduce weeds. Of that total, only about 30 acres belong to the city.
Harris said that since his arrival in Virginia City on Thursday, several people asked to have goats on their land.
Reference:Missoulian
Friday, June 30, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
115 dogs and 25 cats are found in home
6/24/2006
BRISTOL - Complaints from neighbors helped lead police to the largest puppy mill ever found in Washington County, authorities said yesterday.
The stench of feces and urine from 115 dogs and 25 cats wafted out of the house on Nininger Road as officers in biohazard suits carried animals from the home.
"It's unbearable, the smell of feces and the ammonia from the urine," Washington County sheriff's deputy Daryll Thacker said. "You can't hardly open your eyes."
Janis Carpenteri, 76, could face 140 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect, one for each dog and cat seized from the home, Sheriff Fred Newman said.
The raid marked the region's fourth major case of animal-cruelty allegations this year.
"This is the worst one we've had," Thacker said.
The number of animals could swamp the county shelter, already crowded after deputies seized 16 dachshunds last month.
The sheriff said he would ask for an emergency trial date to speed up the process.
Carpenteri raised and sold poodles, Pomerarians, Malteses, Chihuahuas and Siamese cats. She said the income supplemented her Social Security checks.
"Without these dogs, I can't pay my insurance, I can't pay my bills," Carpenteri said. "They're my life."
Officers found about a third of the dogs and three-fourths of the cats in cages, with the rest of the animals running loose throughout the house, the sheriff said.
Authorities plan to call in the local health department to decide whether the house can be occupied again or should be condemned.
"In all honesty, I don't see how she was able to stay in the house herself," the sheriff said.
Veterinarians at Highlands Animal Hospital will look over the dogs and cats before sending them to the Washington County Animal Shelter.
Carpenteri said she has raised dogs for the past 50 years. She said she knew she had too many but doesn't know what she'll do without them.
"It's going to kill me - literally maybe," Carpenteri said. "I make a living with them, but they're my pets as well."
Her kennel license, issued this year, allows her to keep 20 dogs.
The American Kennel Club suspended her license to participate in dog shows in 1998 and fined her $500. The suspension was for poor record-keeping and refusing to let inspectors into her house, said Lisa Peterson, a spokeswoman for the club.
Dr. Basil Jones, a veterinarian, said he visited the house six months ago and didn't see a problem with the dogs.
"There's no fault to be had in what she's doing for the dogs," he said. "She's giving them what they need and when they need it, in defense of the poor woman."
But local animal lovers said Carpenteri fits the profile of an animal hoarder - someone who collects animals to satisfy a psychological need, often becoming unable to care for them.
"These people think that they can take better care of these animals than anyone else, and even though they're not taking care of them, they believe they are," said Lisa Johnson, president of the Bristol Humane Society. "Really, it's a psychological problem; it's an illness."
Authorities said they had gotten repeated complaints about Carpenteri's house, stretching back more than a month. They made yesterday's raid after getting a written anonymous complaint.
Carpenteri remained free from jail last night. She could face a court hearing next week.
A judge will decide what happens to the animals once the case wraps up.
Zach Fox is a staff writer for the Bristol Herald Courier.
Referencess:Richmond Times Dispatch
BRISTOL - Complaints from neighbors helped lead police to the largest puppy mill ever found in Washington County, authorities said yesterday.
The stench of feces and urine from 115 dogs and 25 cats wafted out of the house on Nininger Road as officers in biohazard suits carried animals from the home.
"It's unbearable, the smell of feces and the ammonia from the urine," Washington County sheriff's deputy Daryll Thacker said. "You can't hardly open your eyes."
Janis Carpenteri, 76, could face 140 misdemeanor counts of animal neglect, one for each dog and cat seized from the home, Sheriff Fred Newman said.
The raid marked the region's fourth major case of animal-cruelty allegations this year.
"This is the worst one we've had," Thacker said.
The number of animals could swamp the county shelter, already crowded after deputies seized 16 dachshunds last month.
The sheriff said he would ask for an emergency trial date to speed up the process.
Carpenteri raised and sold poodles, Pomerarians, Malteses, Chihuahuas and Siamese cats. She said the income supplemented her Social Security checks.
"Without these dogs, I can't pay my insurance, I can't pay my bills," Carpenteri said. "They're my life."
Officers found about a third of the dogs and three-fourths of the cats in cages, with the rest of the animals running loose throughout the house, the sheriff said.
Authorities plan to call in the local health department to decide whether the house can be occupied again or should be condemned.
"In all honesty, I don't see how she was able to stay in the house herself," the sheriff said.
Veterinarians at Highlands Animal Hospital will look over the dogs and cats before sending them to the Washington County Animal Shelter.
Carpenteri said she has raised dogs for the past 50 years. She said she knew she had too many but doesn't know what she'll do without them.
"It's going to kill me - literally maybe," Carpenteri said. "I make a living with them, but they're my pets as well."
Her kennel license, issued this year, allows her to keep 20 dogs.
The American Kennel Club suspended her license to participate in dog shows in 1998 and fined her $500. The suspension was for poor record-keeping and refusing to let inspectors into her house, said Lisa Peterson, a spokeswoman for the club.
Dr. Basil Jones, a veterinarian, said he visited the house six months ago and didn't see a problem with the dogs.
"There's no fault to be had in what she's doing for the dogs," he said. "She's giving them what they need and when they need it, in defense of the poor woman."
But local animal lovers said Carpenteri fits the profile of an animal hoarder - someone who collects animals to satisfy a psychological need, often becoming unable to care for them.
"These people think that they can take better care of these animals than anyone else, and even though they're not taking care of them, they believe they are," said Lisa Johnson, president of the Bristol Humane Society. "Really, it's a psychological problem; it's an illness."
Authorities said they had gotten repeated complaints about Carpenteri's house, stretching back more than a month. They made yesterday's raid after getting a written anonymous complaint.
Carpenteri remained free from jail last night. She could face a court hearing next week.
A judge will decide what happens to the animals once the case wraps up.
Zach Fox is a staff writer for the Bristol Herald Courier.
Referencess:Richmond Times Dispatch
Plastered Pelican in Detox After Flying Through Windshield
6/24/2006
Four pelicans were being detained in an animal drunk tank Friday on suspicion of public intoxication, authorities said.
One of the birds was in guarded condition after allegedly flying under the influence Thursday and crashing through the windshield of a car on Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.
The driver was rattled but uninjured.
The other California brown pelicans were nabbed in backyards or wandering local streets in a daze.
Although toxicology tests aren't complete (there are no bird breathalyzers), such behavior usually signals domoic acid poisoning from eating algae, said Lisa Birkle, assistant wildlife director at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, which is caring for the pelicans.
Domoic acid was also the likely culprit behind a 1961 seabird invasion that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film "The Birds."
According to news reports, thousands of befuddled birds rained down on Northern California towns in August 1961, slamming into buildings and even pecking eight humans.
Nobody is predicting a Hitchcockian invasion here, but Birkle urged Southern California residents to be on the lookout for pelicans acting disoriented or turning up in unusual locations.
In the last week, the wildlife center fielded 16 calls of suspicious bird behavior. And more incidents are likely because ocean waters south of Los Angeles Harbor have tested positive for the poisonous algae, Birkle said.
The pelican that collided with the car is recovering from surgery for a broken foot and a 4-inch gash in its pouch.
"She's hanging in there," Birkle said. On Friday, the heavily sedated bird began eating on her own, a good sign for full recovery.
Blood tests for domoic acid will take about three weeks, but Birkle said she's never heard of a sober pelican crashing into a car.
The birds have phenomenal eyesight, she explained, noting that from high above the ocean, they are able to spot fish.
After the pelicans being held in Huntington Beach have sobered up, they will be released on their own recognizance.
References: LA Times
Four pelicans were being detained in an animal drunk tank Friday on suspicion of public intoxication, authorities said.
One of the birds was in guarded condition after allegedly flying under the influence Thursday and crashing through the windshield of a car on Coast Highway in Laguna Beach.
The driver was rattled but uninjured.
The other California brown pelicans were nabbed in backyards or wandering local streets in a daze.
Although toxicology tests aren't complete (there are no bird breathalyzers), such behavior usually signals domoic acid poisoning from eating algae, said Lisa Birkle, assistant wildlife director at the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, which is caring for the pelicans.
Domoic acid was also the likely culprit behind a 1961 seabird invasion that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror film "The Birds."
According to news reports, thousands of befuddled birds rained down on Northern California towns in August 1961, slamming into buildings and even pecking eight humans.
Nobody is predicting a Hitchcockian invasion here, but Birkle urged Southern California residents to be on the lookout for pelicans acting disoriented or turning up in unusual locations.
In the last week, the wildlife center fielded 16 calls of suspicious bird behavior. And more incidents are likely because ocean waters south of Los Angeles Harbor have tested positive for the poisonous algae, Birkle said.
The pelican that collided with the car is recovering from surgery for a broken foot and a 4-inch gash in its pouch.
"She's hanging in there," Birkle said. On Friday, the heavily sedated bird began eating on her own, a good sign for full recovery.
Blood tests for domoic acid will take about three weeks, but Birkle said she's never heard of a sober pelican crashing into a car.
The birds have phenomenal eyesight, she explained, noting that from high above the ocean, they are able to spot fish.
After the pelicans being held in Huntington Beach have sobered up, they will be released on their own recognizance.
References: LA Times
Pit bulls having trouble adjusting to new life
6/24/2006
DENVER- The 38 pit bulls confiscated from a home in May are having trouble adapting to their new life.
They are still in the care of Denver Animal Control.
The dogs are not very social and some of them are pretty aggressive. Most can't even be walked by shelter employees.
Some of the dogs have also been put on medication for upper respiratory infections.
The dogs were confiscated after their owner locked them in a garage in Denver, violating the city's pit bull ban.
View:Live Video
References:9 News
Iguanas invading Marco Island
COLLIER COUNTY: Iguanas are native to South America and Mexico but they are now invading Marco Island. Residents say they’re concerned the unwelcome visitors may soon take over the island but city officials say there is not much they can do.
Residents say the iguanas lurk on the docks, seawalls, in the grass, and in the bushes.
"They don't belong here," said Collier resident Patty Stamatis.
Not only do the scaly-skinned iguanas bite, scratch and slap with their tails, Stamatis says they are eating her hibiscus flowers.
City manager Bill Moss encourages anyone with a problem to trap the iguana or hire someone to dispose of the animal. Because iguanas are exotic species, they can't be re-released.
"We’ve decided we're not going to do anything about it just because there are mixed opinions. People probably brought them in as pets, and then released them as they got bigger," said Moss.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida on Keewaydin Island is only a few miles from Marco Island. Conservancy officials say it’s possible iguanas are swimming from Keewaydin and ending up on Marco.
Steve Carbol, of the Conservancy, says Hurricane Wilma also explains the population increase.
"A lot of people have animals in outdoor enclosures here in Florida. When a hurricane blows through, it obliterates the enclosures, but not the creatures within, and they make their escape," said Carbol.
The iguana population is taking off and Stamatis says Marco Island officials need to take some action before the iguanas take over.
"Iguanas left unattended are going to multiply tremendously. You figure 75 eggs for every iguana every year, that's a lot of iguanas," said Stamatis.
Environmental officials emphasize if you have an iguana for a pet, do not release it into the wild.
The City of Marco Island says while many people consider iguanas a nuisance, others feel they're beautiful animals that should not be killed.
References:
NBC 2
Residents say the iguanas lurk on the docks, seawalls, in the grass, and in the bushes.
"They don't belong here," said Collier resident Patty Stamatis.
Not only do the scaly-skinned iguanas bite, scratch and slap with their tails, Stamatis says they are eating her hibiscus flowers.
City manager Bill Moss encourages anyone with a problem to trap the iguana or hire someone to dispose of the animal. Because iguanas are exotic species, they can't be re-released.
"We’ve decided we're not going to do anything about it just because there are mixed opinions. People probably brought them in as pets, and then released them as they got bigger," said Moss.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida on Keewaydin Island is only a few miles from Marco Island. Conservancy officials say it’s possible iguanas are swimming from Keewaydin and ending up on Marco.
Steve Carbol, of the Conservancy, says Hurricane Wilma also explains the population increase.
"A lot of people have animals in outdoor enclosures here in Florida. When a hurricane blows through, it obliterates the enclosures, but not the creatures within, and they make their escape," said Carbol.
The iguana population is taking off and Stamatis says Marco Island officials need to take some action before the iguanas take over.
"Iguanas left unattended are going to multiply tremendously. You figure 75 eggs for every iguana every year, that's a lot of iguanas," said Stamatis.
Environmental officials emphasize if you have an iguana for a pet, do not release it into the wild.
The City of Marco Island says while many people consider iguanas a nuisance, others feel they're beautiful animals that should not be killed.
References:
NBC 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)