More Than 60 Cats Found In Filth

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- It took animal control officers hours to remove more than 60 cats from a New Haven house covered in filth.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Jessica Schneider watched authorities remove young kittens and cats from the house for transport to the city's animal shelter.

Schneider reported officers removed the animals individually in crates from Karen Lybeck's house in the unit block of Girard Street, which the city has since condemned.


"It's a pretty bad scene," said Stephanie Johnson, a New Haven animal control officer. "The kitties are actually in good condition. They've had plenty of food and water, none of them are malnourished."

Johnson received a call from several neighbors that something at the home just wasn't right.

"I received calls from people in the neighborhood who had been walking by and smelled a very strong smell from this house," said New Haven Alderwoman Arlene DiPino, R-District 18.

Schneider reported that the smell emanated from piles and piles of garbage inside. Authorities took Lybeck who lives in the house to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at Yale-New Haven Hospital.









"There were numerous cats there. We were concerned about animal cruelty, public safety hazard and also for the welfare of the woman who lived here," DiPino said.

People who live on the street said the house has always been somewhat of an eyesore.

"For this street, it's just unbelievable. This quiet, lovely neighborhood," sais Sandra Bellento, a neighbor.

Animal control authorities told Eyewitness News that all of the cats are in good health and they will stay at the animal shelter during court proceedings, after which time, authorities could put the animals up for adoption.





References:wfsb

Zoo Euthanizes Elephant, Plans To Expand

WASHINGTON -- A 40-year-old Asian elephant that was the subject of criticism from an animal rights group was euthanized Wednesday morning at the National Zoo.

Zoo officials said Toni had a long history of arthritis resulting from a leg injury she received before joining the National Zoo in 1989. Officials said the elephant's condition worsened last summer and, based on her recent rapid decline in her condition and quality of life, the decision was made to euthanize her.

An animal rights group demanded last week that Toni be moved to an animal sanctuary, claiming that the National Zoo was mistreating her. Members of the group "Friends of Toni" said the elephant was being crippled in captivity.


Zoo officials said Toni responded well to medical treatment for her arthritis last fall, but she continued to lose weight and muscle mass.

A pathology report may not be completed for several months, according to the zoo.

There is also a 60-year-old elephant living in the elephant house. Ambika the elephant has suffered no ill effects from the rubberized floor in the elephant yard. The asian elephant is a dwindling creature. It could become extinct in our lifetime if it is not saved.




The zoo defends the practice of putting these animals in exhibits to stimulate public interest in their survival. It plans to artificially inseminate another elephant, Shanthi, this spring to add a second baby to the herd.

Officials from the National Zoo admit the elephant house needs improvement. The zoo will unveil a blueprint for a new facility in two to three weeks that will make use of its 3,000 acres in Front Royal as a place for the elephants to roam.


References:nbc4

Man to pay for spraying dog and its owner

A district court has ordered a man to make restitution for attacking a dog and its owner with pepper spray on a beach in Middletown.

51-year-old David Hayes of Middletown pleaded no contest yesterday to misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct. He has also been banned from the beach for a year.






Hayes was ordered to pay $525 to Karl Glaeser of Newport for a coat and gloves he damaged with the pepper spray. Hayes will also pay the court $187.

Glaeser had intervened with his two dogs when he was walking his pets on the beach on December 14th and encountered Hayes threatening another dog owner with his pepper spray.

Hayes had told Barbara Shamblin of Portsmouth, who was walking her two dogs unleashed, to leash her dogs. The town has a leash law for the beach.

When Glaeser intervened, Hayes sprayed him in the face and one of his dogs.


References:abc6

House Bill Considers Pets in Disater Plans

Washington (AP) - A television shot of a little boy losing his dog during Katrina rescue operations was the catalyst for a House vote Monday on legislation requiring pets to be considered in future emergency preparedness plans. "The dog was taken away from this little boy, and to watch his face was a singularly revealing and tragic experience," said Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., sponsor of the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act. "This legislation was born at that moment."




The House was to vote late Monday on the bill, which requires that state and local preparedness offices take into account pet owners, household pets and service animals when drawing up evacuation plans. Offices that fail to do so would not qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., with Lantos a co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, said estimates are that some 600,000 animals either died or were left without shelter as a result of Hurricane Katrina. He added that the lack of pet rescue plans also put many pet owners in danger.

"When asked to choose between abandoning their pets or their personal safety, many pet owners chose to risk their lives," he said.

The Humane Society of the United States cited a recent Zogby International poll that found that 49 percent of adults say they would refuse to evacuate if they couldn't take their pets with them.

Passage of the bill, said Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle, would ensure "that Americans will never again be forced to leave their best friends behind to face imminent danger."

In the Senate, Sens. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., have introduced similar legislation that also would give the FEMA (website/news) director authority to grant funds to state and local agencies for animal preparedness projects, including the building of emergency shelters.

Louisiana's Legislature is considering a separate measure requiring that the state come up with plans to transport and house pets in an evacuation. The sponsor, Sen. Heulette "Clo" Fontenot, said the bill was written on the assumption the state would need 10,000 cages for the animals.



References:katv

Two Pit Bulls Stolen From Taunton Animal Shelter

Two pit bulls are missing from the Taunton Animal Shelter. Police believe the animals were taken on Thursday night.

Shelter officials are especially concerned because one of the dogs, "Gerry", needs medication and surgery.

The one-and-a-half year-old has problems with a back leg and needs surgery to repair his knee and hip.

The other pit bull, "Phoenix", is a female, approximately two-years-old with white spots.

The thieves entered the shelter by cutting the lock on the back gate. They then used a shovel to pry open the runs where the dogs were.

Anyone with information on the dogs is urged to call police at 508-824-7522 or the shelter at 508-822-2150.

This isn't the first time animals have been stolen from the Taunton Animal Shelter. Last year, a beagle was taken but later returned.




References:CBS 4 Boston

City may require microchipping dogs

The City of Chicago would require owners to microchip their dogs under a proposal heard today before a City Council committee.

The provision would take effect 90 days after approval of the full City Council, which could occur as early as Wednesday, according to Ald. Eugene Schulter (47th), chairman of the Committee on License and Consumer Protection.

He said micro-chipping would make it easier to reunite lost dogs with their owners. For example, Schulter said many dogs were lost as a result of Hurricane Katrina and never reunited with their owners.

"If they get lost or if there's some type of problem we'll be able to know who the owners are by requiring the micro-chipping," he said.

Animal microchips, manufactured by three companies, are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted in dogs below the scruff of the neck. The chips contain an identification number; an owners registry is maintained by each of the manufacturers.

But he said the proposed ordinance does not include a penalty for owners who fail to comply.

"Our task force felt, let's make the requirement right now and see how much compliance we have," he said. "At a later date, then we can get at the penalty part of it."

Schulter's committee did not vote on the proposal today, but he said he expected the committee to vote Wednesday before the City Council meeting.

The proposal is part of a package of dog-related ordinances that stem from an ad hoc committee Schulter convened about two years ago to address a number of pet-related issues, including irresponsible owners and dog-bite prevention.

Other new provisions include new licensing categories for animal grooming facilities, guard dog services and pet day-care facilities. Also included is a new ordinance that sets guidelines for tethering dogs, including setting a time limit of three hours and mandating access to food, water and appropriate shelter.






References:Chicago Tribune

Zoo welcomes striped newborn

ALBUQUERQUE -- It’s a girl for the Rio Grande Zoo where Zyla the Zebra was born Saturday on a schedule only her parents knew.
“We just checked her first thing in the morning, and there was a baby,” Assistant Curator Lynn Tupa said.

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“She looks like a toddler,” one young visitor said.

That would be an 80-lb. toddler who’s already beginning to draw crowds.

“Everybody wants to see a baby,” Tupa added.

Her proud parents Brownie and Pacer are two of the six zebras at the zoo.

Like any baby, Zyla spends her day eating and napping.

But, even just watching her sleep kept today’s visitors entertained.

By the end the summer, though, things will liven up in her desert playpen when Zyla will get a playmate. Candie, another zebra, is a mom-to-be due at anytime.

Keepers don't know exactly when zebras will give birth. It's hard to track how far along the mothers are since they try to hide that they are pregnant.

“If they were in the wild, they wouldn't want a predator to know they are getting ready to give birth,” Tupa said.

It could be tomorrow or it could be several weeks until Candie gives birth.

“Once the other zebra is born, they'll start playing and you'll see plenty of good interaction with each other,” Tupa said.

Zyla isn’t the only newcomer become familiar with the Rio Grande Zoo. Right next door another new addition, Bernard the white rhino who moved in last month dong his part to give zoo visitors plenty of new big and small things to admire.


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References:KRQE News 13

Analyzing the issues on wolves

Column by Bryce Lambley/Platte Valley Outdoors

Much has been made of reintroducing timber wolves to their former historical range. Such plans are sentimental favorites with some environmentalists who advocate extermination of non-native species and a return to the biological diversity that existed before man's interference.

On the surface, such plans sound logical but if one truly wants to eradicate non-native animals, getting rid of pheasants (an import from China) may prove less than popular. And trying to wipe out starling and European house sparrow populations is literally impossible.

Still, there is something romantic about the timber wolf. That is, unless you are a rancher in the mountain west or northern prairie regions. Or if you tend to like strong populations of deer, caribou, elk and moose.

Well, now you can add some pet owners to the list of those who may be ambivalent at best concerning the burgeoning wolf populations across the United States. And parents concerned about the safety of their families may soon be part of a group that does not see wolves as the poster-boy of environmental progress.

Last Nov. 8 in northern Saskatchewan, a 22-year man was found dead, the result of an apparent wolf attack according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. While that would be the first documented killing of a human by wolves in North America in modern times, non-lethal attacks are more prevalent. And pets and livestock have long been under siege.




This past spring, two Idaho men who train hunting hounds had an experience that cost them the lives of two of their dogs, and might've cost them their own were it not for the efforts of one brave hound.

In late May, these men released eight dogs from the road where bear sign was fresh. Using radio collars, they ascertained that the pack of eight split into two groups. Three hounds quickly treed a mature sow and a two-year old black bear cub near the road.

The trainers took a few photos and then returned the dogs to the truck to follow the other five that had apparently treed a bear about a mile and a half away, near a campground. When the men pulled up 400 yards away, they could hear their dogs and could tell they still had a bear treed.

For the layman, hound dogs make a variety of sounds and their handlers quickly learn to recognize the language, whether they are on the chase, or have an animal bayed, and even individual dog's voices.

The men decided to cut the distance with their rig in half before departing to get their dogs and determine what they'd accomplished on the training run. When they cut the engine, there was silence. Then they heard barks that were not their own, followed by a bark they recognized followed by a sharp yelp.

They ran down the hill and right into a macabre scene where wolves were killing their dogs. Remarkably, the wolves did not cut off the attack as the men approached, and when Scott Richards of Grangeville swung a big stick at a black wolf and hit a tree, the wolf lunged for him.

"I remember thinking I was going to die,” Richards told the Idaho Press-Tribune.

As the man retreated on the run for his vehicle and a gun, he noted, "I did not see what took place, but what I heard was my dog giving up his life to save me.”

In the end, the two men were able to save three of these dogs, one of which required extraordinary measures by veterinarians. The other two were killed brutally, and then eaten in the time it took the men to take the injured animal to the vet and return the following morning.

Richards' main worry is that wolves may be losing their innate fear and turning to domestic animals as they have decimated the hoofed wild animals in much of their range. This puts livestock and pets in harm's way, as well as those humans in close proximity.

While wolves do not have a history of human attacks like grizzly bears and mountain lions, they do have a documented penchant for killing animals they do not eat. In one incident, five wolves in the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska killed all 20 Dall sheep rams that were caught on a snow-covered plateau. The wolves only partially ate six. A conservation officer once followed the trail of two wolves that killed 21 deer in just two days, consuming only parts of two. Counting pregnant females, the loss was 36 deer.

Bears and cougars, as solitary animals, do not have the pack attack mentality nor the thrill killing mechanism that wolves do.

Thus, the reintroduction to wild areas (such as Yellowstone for the grizzly) has not had a deleterious effect on ungulate populations like caribou, elk and moose. Wolves on the other hand, have the potential to wipe out what has taken sound game conservation decades to achieve: strong populations of the deer species in the wilderness areas.

It may be time to rethink whether we want the wolf to be a part of our wilderness. A great deal of information on the topic is available from the at the Abundant Wildlife Society of North America


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References:.ftrib

Commissioner lays out restrictions on moose rescue money

ANCHORAGE (AP) - The state has approved $50,000 to rescue orphan moose calves but a rescue group will not see the money until it comes up with a solid plan for spending it, according to Fish and Game Commissioner McKie Campbell.


Gary Olson of the Alaska Moose Federation wants to rescue orphaned moose calves and relocate them from the Anchorage area to parts of rural Alaska deemed short of moose.

The federation won a $50,000 state grant to do that when the governor signed the capital budget.

Gov. Frank Murkowski knew some of his staff had concerns about such an appropriation but decided against a veto, said spokesman John Manly.

"The governor felt like there was a public purpose to be served," said Manly.

Murkowski directed the money only be spent to relocate motherless moose and not for administrative expenses.

Moose have been successfully relocated but some state officials say there are major glitches this time. Campbell, the Fish and Game commissioner, laid out his concerns in a letter to Olson.

Lone young calves are rare, Campbell said. Moving a few calves to an area with a moose population depressed by winters, bad browse or predators will not result in significant increases, he and other department leaders said.

Also, the moose federation has not proven it can move calves, feed them without allowing them to bond to humans, and release them, Campbell said. The federation has to come up with a solid plan before it gets permission to move calves and use state money, he said.

Olson, 35, founded the moose federation and has been working as its nonpaid director for nearly three years, he said. It has raised less than $25,000 annually for each of the past three years, he said.

His goal is to more actively manage Anchorage moose through programs that would cut down on moose-vehicle collisions and relocate orphans and "nuisance" moose, he said.

None of these programs is established. But in 2004, Olson persuaded the Legislature to pass a law authorizing state-approved groups to tranquilize and remove "nuisance" moose from urban areas to the Bush. None have been moved to date.

Moose orphans are worth rescuing, he said.

"This resource is too precious of a renewable resource to waste," said Olson. "I don't think it's wise to point fingers and say this doesn't happen. We've probably turned down a good 20-plus calves because the program isn't ready yet."

Fish and Game officials say two to 12 calves are orphaned from vehicle accidents that kill their mothers in Anchorage every summer.

Anchorage moose are born between the last two weeks of May and the first week of June.

A state Department of Transportation report that covers the 10 years ending in 2003 shows that a little more than seven moose were killed each year during June, the time when calves would need to be rescued.

The idea of moving moose has won approval in the past.

Transplants took place from 1949 to 1959. Captured calves were moved from the Kenai Peninsula, Susitna River area, Matanuska Valley and the Anchorage area to the Copper River Delta.

Bud Burris, a retired biologist living in Fairbanks, co-wrote a Fish and Game report on transplanting animals. He said that biologists and veterinarians know much more about good care and handling of infant moose now than they did in the 1950s, such as how to avoid terminal diarrhea.

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References:adn

Four animals test positive for rabies in Reno County

Four animals - three skunks and one cat - have tested positive for rabies in Reno County since May, the Reno County Health Department announced.

That prompted the department to issue a news release with tips for reducing the potential for exposure to rabies:

* Vaccinate pets and animals. A vaccine is available for dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle and sheep.

* Don't handle or feed wild animals.

* Teach children to avoid touching unfamiliar animals, even if the animals appear friendly.

* Seek medical attention immediately if bitten or scratched by an animal.

* Report any animal bite or scratch to the Health Department, (620) 694-2900, or to animal control. Hutchinson's animal control can be reached at (620) 694-2636.

To discourage skunks, the release advised against leaving pets or pet food or water outside at night, and urged people to harvest garden vegetables when they are ripe.

Subsoil insects can attract skunks, the release advised.

People who encounter a skunk, especially during the day, should not approach the animal, but call animal control or the Health Department for assistance.

The city of Hutchinson has traps available for city residents that can trap skunks, opossum, raccoons and feral cats. People can fill out an application for a trap at the animal shelter, 1501 South Severance. A $60 refundable deposit is required, and animal control officers will pick up animals caught in the traps.

Enroll now for Red Cross swim lessons


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References:Hutch News

Murray man charged with animal cruelty for putting dog in an oven

Murray man charged with animal cruelty for putting dog in an oven
Video

EXCLUSIVE:Murray man accused of putting dog in oven speaks to ABC 4 News
Update:EXCLUSIVE Video









Reference:ABC 4

July Fourth a good day to keep pets inside, experts say

Pets make great companions on any holiday outing. People love to take their feline and canine friends camping, to the lake and to most family gatherings. But according to Jill Hatfield, director of the Fayetteville Animal Shelter, the best place to keep your pet this Independence Day is at home.





Even though people enjoy the booms and bangs of fireworks, Hatfield said pets don’t understand the concept of the holiday and are very easily frightened by the loud noises.
“ Their hearing is very sensitive, ” Hatfield said. “ And we need to be sensitive to their needs. ”
Hatfield said the shelter sees a large influx in the number of runaways picked up and turned in around the Fourth of July. On an average day the shelter receives 10-14 animals, but around the Fourth, the shelter sees 10-20 more animals than average. These animals, mostly dogs, are running away from the sounds of the fireworks.
“ On July 5 we get a lot of calls saying. ‘ I’ve lost my dog’ or ‘ I’ve lost my cat’, ” Hatfield said.
Hatfield said people should consider keeping pets inside, in a cool area with some nice music or the television on to drown out the sounds of fireworks.
“ Don’t leave them in a garage, in a car or in the back of a truck, ” Hatfield said, “ because that’s just cruel, and they will try to run away when the fireworks start going. ”
Pet owners should also make sure their animals have proper identification and vaccination tags.
“ I can’t stress that enough, ” Hatfield said. “ Make sure animals have rabies and vaccination tags on, that way if they do run away, returning them will be an easier process. ”
She recommends people look into micro-chipping their pets.
“ It’s a very simple process. We do it at the shelter for $ 20, ” Hatfield said. “ We just shoot a computer chip into the pet’s skin with all the information a tag would have, and then if it ever gets lost and a shelter picks it up, they can just scan it and call the owner. ”
Hatfield says there’s also an influx of pets and wildlife hit by vehicles around the holiday. The usual number of animals hit by vehicles is one or two a day. On July 4, Hatfield said it’s not unusual to see five or more hit. She advised drivers to be wary of any kind of animal that is running away from the noises, as they might run into the road.
Hatfield also advised adults to watch children around pets, as there are always reports of pets biting children out of fear of the fireworks.
“ They get scared, and somebody tries to console it, and they get bitten out of fear, ” she said.
Hatfield said children also have the tendency to shoot fireworks at animals, and can be another cause of injuries to pets on the Fourth.
Dr. Jack Herring, a veterinarian at Wedington Animal Hospital, said he sees a lot of mouth injuries to pets around the holiday.
“ Occasionally you’ll see a few who look like they’ve attacked a bottle rocket, ” the veterinarian said.
Herring added that the most common things veterinarians see around the Fourth is people purchasing a lot of pet sedatives.
“ We sell more sedatives this month than any other month to owners who know their pets are afraid of loud noises, ” he said.

Free Rabies Clinics Announced for 2006

Erie County Health Commissioner Anthony J. Billittier announced that the county will once again be offering free rabies vaccination clinics.




The Erie County Department of Health will be joined by Niagara Frontier Veterinarian Society, and the Erie County SPCA, to provide free rabies vaccines.

Dr. Billittier noted that citizens throughout the county would have the opportunity to bring their pets for the free vaccination at any one of the remaining seven scheduled locations.

The first of this year's remaining clinics will be held in Buffalo, on Wednesday May 24th, at the American Legion Post #1041 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

The following is the complete clinic schedule:

Clinic Date and Time/Clinic Location

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 5-7 p.m.

American Legion Post #1041 533 Amherst Street, Buffalo

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 5-7 p.m.

Clarence Highway Garage 6185 Goodrich Road, Clarence

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 5-7 p.m.

Lakeshore Fire Company S-4591 Lakeshore Road, Lake Shore

Wednesday, August 30, 2006 2-4 p.m.

SPCA 205 Ensminger Road, Tonawanda

Wednesday, September 6, 2006 5-7 p.m.

Brant Fire Company 1231 Brant-Farnham Road (Rt. 249)

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 5-7 p.m.

Buffalo Zoo Parking Lot 300 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 5-7 p.m.

West Seneca Highway Garage 39 South Ave. (off Union Road near NYS 400)

West Seneca According to the Erie County Health Department, a large number of rabies cases in wild animals are expected again this year.

The Department anticipates vaccinating over 5,000 pets again this year. Dr. Billittier added, "We must protect families and their pets from rabies. I applaud the efforts of the Health Department, the SPCA, and the Niagara Frontier Veterinarian Society for working together to keep our community safe from rabies. These free clinics are the best way to fight rabies disease, I urge everyone to take advantage of these free clinics."

"Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem, and with the coming of warm weather, the increased chance of contact between wildlife, humans and their pets could pose a problem. Should this occur, the Erie County Department of Health is prepared to assist anyone with possible exposure to rabies."

Dr. Billittier noted any exposure to a wild animal, or bites from dogs or cats should be reported immediately to the Health Department at 858-7690 during the day and 898-4225 during evenings and weekends.

Always remember to have your pet leashed or crated when attending these clinics, and if possible, bring a copy of your pet's most recent vaccination record.

Reference:WIVB

Animal control officers try to rescue dogs from hot cars

7/4/2006


video

It happened right in the parking lot of the DMV.

An alert observer saw two dogs inside two cars, and reported it. Police in South Salt Lake came immediately. They opened the car doors and tried rescuing the dogs; unfortunately, they were not in time of one of them.

A chihuahua had become so overheated that it suffered damage; and its back legs are now paralyzed. The tiny pooch was taken from its owner. Another small dog, a Maltese, fared better. Although overheated, its condition had not yet reached the life threatening stage, and the dog was returned to its owner

It was not the only dog rescue from an overheated car Thursday. Police also had to rescue a third dog. The owners of all three pooches were given a ticket for animal cruelty.

While warnings against leaving children in cars are familiar to most people, there are few warnings about the danger to animals. The temperature in a car, even with the windows cracked, can reach 120 degrees or more during an ordinary sunny summer day. During a heat wave with temps in the 90's, as they have been this week, a car can get cooking hot within a few minutes, even with the windows cracked.

A dog's system can not eliminate heat by sweating, as humans do, and they are very susceptible to warm temperatures. They can only get rid of heat by panting, which is a slow process. If a dog's body temperature reaches a certain point, usually between 105 and 107 degrees, paralysis or death can occur. Even if the dog is alive when rescued and immediately cooled off, the physical processes already going on inside the animal's body can not be stopped or reversed.

Coming back to a car to find a beloved dog dead, and getting a ticket for allowing it to happen, is a high price to pay for leaving it inside a car, even momentarily.

Reference:ABC 4