Feds involved in dog fighting probe

Associated Press - June 7, 2007 7:33 PM ET

SURRY, Va. (AP) - It appears federal officials are taking over the investigation into dogfighting in a home owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.

Federal law enforcement officials descended on the property today armed with a search warrant and went through the house and its surroundings. Officials found dozen of dogs on the site in late April and evidence of dog fighting.

Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexter questioned why the federal authorities were getting involved in an investigation that local official were handling properly.



Surry county officials had secured a search warrant in late May based on an informant's information that as many as 30 dog carcasses were buried on the property. But Poindexter objected to the wording of the warrant and it was never executed.

Reference:wane

June is Adopt A Shelter Cat-Month

During the month of June you will probably be hearing many reasons to adopt a cat or kitten. Who gets the most out of Adopt A Shelter Cat Month? It goes both ways actually. The cat that enter the shelter/rescue is probably scared or confused. Once adopted they get a second chance with people who love, care and play with it. The cat gets a warm, dry and cuddly human. There may even be other fellow cats to keep him or her company while you are gone.


However, you get to save a life. Give a cat or kitten a loving home with food and water. What more can a cat ask for? Besides love from a human family. Being associated with humans for over 9,500 years, cats have become one of the worlds most popular pets. You'll never have trouble finding other people who are willing and can talk about their cats all day.


The lifespan of the cat is typically from 14 to 20 years. Reducing the risk of injury from fights or accidents, and exposure to diseases cats can live longer if they are not permitted outdoors. The cat is intelligent and can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn to manipulate simple mechanisms.



Most breeds of cat have a noted fondness for settling in high places, or perching. Animal behaviorists have posited a number of explanations, the most common being that height gives the cat a better observation point, allowing it to survey its "territory" and become aware of activities of people and other pets in the area. In the wild, a higher place may serve as a concealed site from which to hunt; domestic cats are known to strike prey by pouncing from such a perch as a tree branch, as does a leopard.[17] Height, therefore, can also give cats a sense of security and prestige.

Domestic cats, especially young kittens, are known for their love of string play. Many cats cannot resist a dangling piece of string, or a piece of rope drawn randomly and enticingly across the floor. This well known love of string is often depicted in cartoons and photographs, which show kittens or cats playing with balls of yarn. It is probably related to hunting instincts, including the common practice of kittens hunting their mother's and each other's tails.


If string is ingested, however, it can become caught in the cat’s stomach or intestines, causing illness, or in extreme cases, death. Due to possible complications caused by ingesting a string, string play is sometimes replaced with a laser pointer's dot, which some cats will chase. Some also discourage the use of laser pointers for pet play, however, because of the potential damage to sensitive eyes and/or the possible loss of satisfaction associated with the successful capture of an actual prey object, play or real.


References:wikipedia

Bird Feeding Precautions Urged In Wash.

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- After reports of sick or dead birds at back-yard feeders in Washington, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended that people temporarily discontinue bird feeding or take extra steps to keep their feeders clean.

Veterinarian Dr. Kristin Mansfield advised for people to stop back-yard bird feeding for at least a few weeks, if not for the remainder of the summer, to encourage birds to disperse and forage naturally.

She said laboratory analysis of bird carcasses has confirmed salmonellosis, a common and usually fatal bird disease caused by the salmonella bacteria.

Mansfield said salmonellosis is probably the most common avian disease at feeders in the state, with the disease afflicting species such as finches, grosbeaks and pine siskins that flock together in large numbers at feeders.



She said the birds transmit the disease through droppings.

About four dozen reports of dead birds have been received during the past several weeks involving pine siskins, goldfinches and purple finches in both eastern and western Washington.

Carcasses of purple finches and pine siskins were sent to a Washington State University laboratory for testing that confirmed the disease.

Mansfield said people who handle birds, bird feeders or bird baths should wear gloves and wash their hands thoroughly afterward.

To report a dead bird contact the Department of Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-606-8768, and to report a sick bird contact PAWS at 787-2500 ext. 817.

Reference:kirotv

Giving pets a fighting chance

By Mike Melanson, Enterprise correspondent

WEST BRIDGEWATER — Saving the lives of man's four-legged friends suffering from smoke inhalation or in need of rescue is becoming a Fire Department priority, officials said.

With 24 new pet oxygen masks, emergency responders will be able to treat cats, dogs, birds, gerbils and ferrets in distress at fire calls, said Firefighter-Paramedic Shawn Morales, who is implementing the program.

According to Morales, the masks represent one more thing the department can do for West Bridgewater residents and their pets.

“It's part of the job,” said Morales, adding he got the idea from the Leominster Fire Department.

The masks come in three sizes — small, medium and large — and pump from one to seven liters of oxygen from tanks connected to the department's ambulances, engines and ladder trucks.

The eight sets of masks West Bridgewater ordered were expected to be deployed Monday, Morales said.

Morales said an emergency responder would hold the mask over the pet's muzzle as it is rushed to an animal hospital.

“We're here to help out in any way we can. Our job is to serve the community,” he said.



Fire Chief Leonard Hunt said the department will also attend an emergency first aid course for animals in the late summer or early fall at the New England Animal Medical Center in West Bridgewater.

The chief said firefighters, EMTs and paramedics are well-trained in dealing with humans and could use some training in dealing with their pet companions.

“We'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” said Hunt, who owns a dog, three cats and gerbils.

“I can't imagine losing a pet in a fire, knowing there's something we could have done to save them,” he said.

Morales contacted the Greater Worcester NEADS (National Education Assistance Dog Service) Lions Club, which has distributed 50 sets of the pet oxygen masks in central Massachusetts since the fall, said Charter President Kathy Haskell.

“It's taken off. It really has,” she said. “This is a great project for us.”

“A lot of people have pets and it means a lot to them,” said L. Doug Sime, an international director for Lions Club International.

The masks, which cost $50 per set of three masks, are sold by Best Friends Pet Care.

“Dogs help us. We need to help them, too,” said Judy Marvelli, assistant manager at the Best Friends branch in Brockton.

In addition to the NEADS Lions Club, West Bridgewater businesses sponsoring the pet oxygen masks are the New England Animal Medical Center, Club Fit, Suburban Insulation and May's Tires & Accessories, Morales said.


Reference:enterprise

Siouxland Humane Society Overrun With Cats and Kittens, Offering Discounts on Adoptions

June is National Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month. The Siouxland Humane Society is highlighting cats and kittens this month. June is usually the busiest month in term of the number of cats and kittens that arrive at shelters.

"Actually we're overrun with cats and kittens right now just like most shelters around the United States. June is a very busy time for cats and kittens due to the fact of people not having their animals spayed or neutered," says Kelly Erie, Assistant Shelter Manager.



The Siouxland Humane society is offering a discount on all cat and kitten adoptions this month and is offering a two for one special for those who adopt two cats or kittens.

Everyone who adopts a cat or kitten this month will also receive free cat or kitten food and a pet taxi.

Reference:kmeg14

Want a dog but just not all the time? Pet Rentals???

Business caters to humans whose schedules put them on short leash. A Delaware-based company called Flexpetz has introduced a Flexible Dog Ownership program in Los Angeles and San Diego, employing recycled tail-waggers of every description. Now busy people can time-share a pooch — perhaps a small dog for a pocketbook shopping trip or a luxurious Afghan hound for an afternoon at the park.




“Our members realize that their busy work, family or travel schedules make full-time ownership unfair to a dog,” said Marlena Cervantes, company president and innovator. Here’s her pitch: “A Flexpetz membership enables them to become part of each Flexpetz dog’s extended family by providing a level of dog ownership on an occasional basis, while imparting each dog with the love of multiple human friends.”

The dogs are all AKC Canine Good Citizens — some are certified therapy pets — and chosen for their stellar personalities. Members can borrow them for hours or days for a monthly membership fee of $39.95, plus a daily fee.

What is your opinion on this? Should dogs be rentals or should they have forever homes?

Reference:Kansascity

Bees sting Hereford man 250 times

Sandy Rathbun Reports

A Southern Arizona man survives being attacked by hundreds of bees. Thom Housley, 65, was attacked in his neighbor's yard Saturday in Hereford. Housley says, "I was beating them with my hat and they were mostly on my head and hands and then some down my back." Housley says doctors pulled 250 stingers out of him. Africanized bee stingers.

He says, "I was in dire trouble." Housley was driving his tractor and mowing his neighbor's yard when he thought he drove into a swarm of moths, then realized they were bees. Terrified, he jumped off the moving tractor. Since he was a boy he was told he was deathly allergic to bees.

Housley says, "I was thinking I was going to die, because pretty soon I'm not going to be able to breathe." Neighbor Tommy Cosby helped Housley into his home, then called paramedics. Cosby, who also got stung, says, "I knew he was hurt from the way he was hollering." After the attack, Reed Booth, who calls his business "The Killer Bee Guy," removed the bees.



Booth says, "I am personally surprised that no one died." He says, "It was insane. It turned out that there were two large hives underneath this trailer." Booth says, "These two hives combined had over a quarter of a million bees in it. It only takes 500 stings to equal a rattlesnake bite." Booth figures the bees had been there a long time. Why did Housley's tractor set them off?

Booth says, "They hate whirring sounds, motors and engines." He says, "All of the bee hives in Arizona now are Africanized. They're all bombs waiting to go off." Housley says from now on doctors have told him to carry a vial of drugs with him everywhere he goes in case he gets stung again. He says, "You pull the top off and jab it into your leg." Housley believes his story has there's a lesson for all of us. He says, "just respect them bees."

Reference:KVOA

Tucson ranked in Top 5 of most "dog friendly" cities

Dara Demi Reports

Tails are waggin' in the city of Tucson!

Men's Health Magazine has rated the Old Pueblo one of the most "dog friendly" places in the U.S. Out of 50 cities, Tucson ranked #4 behind Albuquerque (#3), Colorado Springs (#2) and Portland (#1).

Rebecca Weissman is one of many dog owners in Tucson who loves playing with her pups at the Reid Park dog park. And man's best friends don't mind much, either. "They get excited," says Rebecca. "I mean, every morning, when they wake me up, they're like, 'let's go, mom! let's go, let's go, let's go!'"

"They love it here," says dog owner Eric Frias. "They like to socialize with the other dogs. It's great." "It's great to have a place like a dog park," says dog owner Rebecca Lipson, "where they can go off leash, because they just don't get enough exercise just with me!" Men's Health Magazine thinks that kind of freedom makes dogs happy. That's why it factored the number of dog parks per city into its rankings.



Tucson has six, and that helped us "claw" our way to the top.Another reason Tucson is top dog: the abundance of animal health care. Men's Health Magazine found Tucson has more veterinarians than any other city it surveyed."

"There's easy access to a veterinarian," says Eric, "and I feel good about that. They get the proper care that they need." Men's Health believes healthy dogs are happy dogs. And that includes strays. Cities like Tucson with shelters to care for homeless dogs rated higher than the rest.

Reference:KVOA

Eating live frogs, rats "cures tummy upsets"

BEIJING (Reuters) - A man in southeast China says 40 years of swallowing tree frogs and rats live has helped him avoid intestinal complaints and made him strong.

Reuters Photo:Jiang Musheng, a 66-year-old resident, eats a live tree frog at a village in Shangrao,...

Jiang Musheng, a 66-year-old resident of Jiangxi province, suffered from frequent abdominal pains and coughing from the age of 26, until an old man called Yang Dingcai suggested tree frogs as a remedy, the Beijing News said on Tuesday.

"At first, Jiang Musheng did not dare to eat a live, wriggling frog, but after seeing Yang Dingcai swallow one, he ate ... two without a thought," the paper said.

"After a month of eating live frogs, his stomach pains and coughing were completely gone." Over the years Jiang had added live mice, baby rats and green frogs to his diet, and had once eaten 20 mice in a single day, the paper said.


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Pet lion, tiger kill man at feeding time

Article from: Reuters

A LION and a tiger kept as exotic pets on the roof of a Mexican meat processing plant have killed a man feeding them, Mexican media have said.

Caretaker Angel Aguilar, 56, was taking pieces of chicken to feed the two big cats when the lion swiped at him through the bars of its cage and pulled him inside, Reforma daily said.



The tiger then joined in the attack.

Paramedics arrived at the plant in the Mexico City suburb of Iztapalapa while the man was still alive but they could not get past the animals to treat him.

The two big cats, which had separate quarters of a big cage but came together to eat, were kept by the plant's owner as pets and in good condition, according to reports.

After the attack, which left scraps of bloodstained clothing on the floor of the cage, the animals were sedated and the tiger's jaws tied around a chunk of wood.

The tiger later died, apparently of suffocation, after being transported by animal protection authorities to a nearby zoo in a small container.

The lion survived the journey.

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