Monday, October 17, 2011

Court Considers the "Value" of Dogs in Accessing Damages to Owners.

APPEALS COURT CONSIDERS NONECONOMIC DAMAGES OWED TO THE OWNERS OF DOGS POISONED BY NEIGHBORWhat Is a Dog Worth? Oral Argument in Heartbreaking Case Addresses How Our Legal System Values Companion Animals For immediate release:October 17, 2011 Tomorrow morning, the Colorado Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in a case regarding the damages owed to several pet owners whose five beloved dogs were killed in 2006 after eating poisoned meat left near their property in Adams County by a neighbor who said he was attempting to kill coyotes. The national non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in the appeal after the trial court instructed the jury that the dog owners’ economic damages should be measured by the market value “cost” of their dogs, rather than the true “value” of their dogs. As a result of this and other rulings of the trial court, the monetary damages awarded to the plaintiffs at the trial court level did not adequately compensate the plaintiffs for their noneconomic losses that resulted from the terrifying deaths of their unique, irreplaceable animal companions. The plaintiffs include veterinarians, a horse trainer, and a boy who was nine-years-old at the time of the incident; their dogs Boomer, Kirby, Rooster, Tanner, and Doc all ate chicken meat that Daniel Bowen left outside after soaking it for two days in a highly poisonous herbicide—and suffered torturous deaths as a result. Doc died relatively quickly, but the other dogs were in agonizing distress for over a week, while their owners spent thousands of dollars on veterinary care, missed significant time from work, and endured excruciating emotional distress before their beloved companions succumbed. Bowen was charged with criminal cruelty to animals (charges were later dismissed on a technicality), and plaintiffs testified that he did not apologize and expressed no remorse for the deaths of their dogs. In tomorrow’s hearing, the plaintiffs’ attorneys will argue, among other legal issues, and supported by the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s amicus brief, that the law recognizes companion animals as a special kind of property, different than a table or a car, and that they cannot be assigned value in the same way as an inanimate object. Further, they will argue that because the jury in Sullivan et al. v. Bowen was incorrectly instructed on how to attach a value to the lost dogs and all of the injuries the plaintiffs suffered, the plaintiffs were denied the full damages to which they were entitled. “When cherished pets die, the sense of emotional loss is real— and when they are gone, they are irreplaceable. Thus, their actual value far exceeds the sticker price of another animal of the same species,” explains ALDF Executive Director Stephen Wells. “Jurisdictions across the nation are now recognizing that when people lose their companion animals through an act of abuse or negligence, they are entitled to damages that accurately reflect those losses.” Attorney Kate Burke of Durango, representing the plaintiffs along with Denver attorney Rosemary Orsini, said she hopes that the Sullivan case will “encourage Colorado to join those states that apply an ‘actual value’ or ‘special value’ test to measure the losses when companion animals are wrongfully injured or killed.” The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s amicus curiae brief can be viewed on the Court’s website at: http://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/file/Court_Probation/Educational_Resources/2011/Fountain-Fort%20Carson/21_5%20AMICUS%20Sullivan%20v%20Bowen%281%29.pdf. All court briefs in Kathleen Sullivan et al. v. Daniel Bowen can be viewed at: http://www.courts.state.co.us/Courts/Education/Materials.cfm?s=Fall&y=2011. Oral argument is being heard by the Court of Appeals at Fountain-Fort Carson High School as a part of the Courts in the Community program, designed to give high school students a hands-on experience of the Colorado judicial system. ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. For more information, please visit www.aldf.org.

DIE OF / MARINE WILDLIFE / ALASKA, SEAL, WALRUS

***********************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: Fri 14 Oct 2011

From: Per Leines Lausund [edited]





We had problems with increased mortality in grey seals in the North

Sea countries in the late 1980s due to mass migration of Greenland

seal to new areas (reduced number of human and furred predators had

something to do with that; the increasing numbers of Greenland seals

obviously found the fish-rich coast of Norway enticing!) bringing with

them a morbilli (distemper) virus they were adapted to, whereas the

grey seals were not. Might be worth checking.



--

Lt Col Per Leines Lausund DVM MPH



Staff Veterinary Officer

Defence Command Norway





******

[2]

Date: Fri 14 Oct 2011

Source: Alaska Dispatch [edited]







Arctic ringed seals aren't the only marine mammals suffering an

unusual skin-lesion outbreak along Alaska's northern coasts.



Walruses that have hauled out by the thousands at Point Lay in

Northwest Alaska during recent summers -- an event driven by climate

change -- are also turning up with bizarre, festering sores.

Scientists estimate perhaps 600 are infected. Instead of wounds on

their faces and rear flippers, red abscesses pepper the animals'

entire bodies. But apparently only a few have perished.



Still, scientists from a number of agencies are working to answer

several questions, including whether the outbreaks in the 2 species

are related. They also worry the lesions could eventually lead to

deaths among Pacific walrus, an animal more than 100 000 strong that's

being considered for protections under the Endangered Species Act.



"Is it the bubonic plague or just a really bad case of acne?" asked

Tony Fischbach, a federal walrus biologist who first noticed the sores

on some walruses late this summer [2011].



As in the case of the ringed seals, biologists are working with the

North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, pathology

experts, and others. They've sent skin and tissue samples to labs in

the US and Canada, but haven't pinpointed a cause. Everything from

viruses to toxins is being considered.



It doesn't appear that a huge numbers of walruses have the lesions. At

various times, an estimated 20 000 walruses have gathered on the

beach.



Leo Ferreira III, the former mayor in Point Lay, a village of 200

residents west of Barrow, said the sores seem to have contributed to

the deaths of some walruses.



"Most of them that are dying got the lesions on them," said Ferreira,

an Inupiat walrus hunter. He provided a little help last month

[September 2011] as scientists collected flesh samples from the

animals for testing. He's seen 2 dead ones with lesions.



"This is the 1st time this is happening," he said. "But this is also

happening with the ringed seals. We're very concerned. It's because we

think there is a disease spreading through them."



Sprawling walrus herds began hauling out on the beach near the village

in 2007, for the 1st time in memory, as temperatures warmed. Walrus

experts say it's because climate change has melted the sea ice the

animals normally use as a diving platform for bottom foraging.



Fischbach said biologists this summer witnessed new behavior among the

walruses at Point Lay. Previously, they did their diving for clams and

mud-dwelling worms near the beach. But that's not a rich feeding

ground.



So many walruses used the Point Lay beaches as their base camp. They

made long trips to feed at a site about 100 miles [160 km] off the

coast of Wainwright, a village north east of Point Lay. With the ice

gone, the walruses had no place to rest, Fischbach said. Some would

swim for 2 weeks before they returned to the beach, where they'd rest

a few days before leaving on another long trip.



Fischbach first spotted a sick walrus in late August [2011]. He was

there for an unrelated radio-tagging effort. On the edge of a huge

herd of animals, he crawled across the beach, trying to stay low and

out of sight.



One day he came across an abandoned calf that barely moved and

appeared to be dying. He first thought sea gulls had picked at it, but

he later saw other walruses with similar sores. "This little guy had

lesions all over him," Fischbach said. "That caused me concern because

it was near death."



Almost every walrus that swam onto the beach, especially single female

adults, approached the calf. Some tried nudging it toward the herd,

without results. "They seemed to be very interested in it, but they

moved on after a while," Fischbach said.



Fischbach saw other walruses with the lesions, but they appeared to be

healthy despite the open wounds across their body. The sores weren't

from jousting with tusks, something walruses are famous for when

gathered in herds.



"These lesions are very different from scars and tusk strikes," said

Fischbach. "Those heal up right away. This was different because

across the entire body you had large pock marks, like a really bad

case of acne."



He didn't know how many had been affected, because he was on the edge

of the herd. But he reported the sightings to the US Fish and Wildlife

Service.



Scientists who flew to the scene to assess the problem have estimated

that 6 per cent of the 10 000 to 20 000 animals that have hauled out

near Point Lay have the lesions, said Jason Herreman, a biologist with

the North Slope Borough. That would mean at least 600 had the

lesions.



Several groups are now working to determine the cause of the wounds,

said Teri Rowles, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health and

Stranding Response Program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration.



They're also working on the ringed seal problem. In recent weeks,

North Slope Borough biologists have found close to 50 dead ringed

seals that had lesions and patchy hair loss. Julie Speegle of NOAA

[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] said [that] lesions

have been found in the animals' respiratory system, liver, heart, and

brain as well.



The NOAA office in Alaska is also working with the borough's

department to prepare data to request a finding of an "unusual

mortality event" for the ringed seals, Rowles said.



Such a finding, allowed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, could

free up federal funds and additional experts to determine what's

hurting the seals. Once a request is submitted, an international panel

of experts will determine if the ringed seals qualify for the

finding.



The outbreak among ringed seals is reportedly occurring in Chukotka,

Russia, and in northern Canada, and officials said they are working

with biologists to determine if there's a link with seals in those

countries. Harp seals in Greenland had similar problems earlier this

year [2011].



"We don't know what's going on, but we're looking at infectious

agents," Rowles said. "Is it bacterial, viral, fungal? And we're

looking at biotoxins and other chemical contaminants, as well as

overall metabolism."



Is it possible the animals more prone to illness because they're now

forced to swim long distances that leave them fatigued with weak

immune systems?



"That's one of the concerns," said Rosa Meehan, chief of the Marine

Mammals Management division in the US Fish and Wildlife Service. "As

their environment changes they may become more susceptible to things

like disease."



Back in Point Lay, many of the walruses have left their beach haul-out

and moved on for the winter, some likely to beach haul-outs in Russia,

she said. Ferreira said that a few have stuck around near the village.

If they're still there by the time the lagoon outside the village

freezes, he said he'll head across the ice and kill one for food. But

he'll avoid the sick animals. "I'd rather not," he said. "This is the

1st time I've seen this kind of thing."



[byline: Alex DeMarban]



--

communicated by:

ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts





[Many thanks to Dr Per Lausund for his comments. We are awaiting more

information on this die-off. - Mod.MPP



Mass seal mortality associated with phocine distemper virus (PDV)

infection has been documented several times along the European and

North American coasts. The virus was first documented in 1988, when

harbor seals (_Phoca vitulina_) and gray seals (_Halichoerus grypus_)

died in large numbers off the coast of northern Europe (the episode

referred to above by Dr Per Lausund). A more recent episode in Europe

occurred in 2002, with an estimated 30 000 harbor and gray seal

deaths.



Millions of seals of various species inhabit the waters surrounding

North America; populations of most species are believed to be stable

or increasing, and no epidemics on the scale of those reported in

Europe have been reported. PDV disease in the United States was first

reported in harbor seals on the east coast during the winter of

1991-92, and serologic testing of gray and harbor seals suggested that

a PDV-like strain or strains were circulating enzootically in the

region. The clinical signs associated with PDV infection are tremors,

spasms, respiratory distress, and abortion. Not quite the skin lesions

reported in this episode.



Portions of this comment were extracted from

.



The skin lesions in walruses seem to be quite different from those in

ringed seals. Pictures of the walrus lesions can be seen at



and of the seal lesions at

.



The proximal cause of the disease might be a different one, but there

could be a common origin. A multi-factorial etiology is very likely.

The histopathology results will certainly shed some light.



The interactive HealthMap/ProMED-mail map for the state of Alaska is

available at - Mod.PMB]

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Special Home Needed for a Special Dog

"Babykins" is a Rottie-mix that spent the first year of her life on a ten-foot chain.  When we first rescued her, we bought her into the home where she got along with our two little housedogs. This lasted about three months until one day one of the little house dogs got jealous and snapped at her. Although "Babykins" didnt start the fight, it was clear from her reaction that her intent was not only to defend herself but to also kill the little dog in the process. "Babykins" gabbed the little dog by the neck and began to shake her like a ragdoll and would not heed our commands to let go. This could be due to the fact that "Babykins" has no training and for this reason she will need a special home with no other dogs or young children and with someone who is either experienced in training dogs of this kind or who will pay to have her professionally trained.

Although almost 2 years old  now, "Babykins" is still full of energy and still has the playfulness of a pup. She loves to chase a ball and to play tug-of-war with an old sock. She is highly intelligent, good in the house when left alone, and loves everyone  she meets but yet is still a good watchdog.

We think that "Babykins" will make a great companion if just the right home can be found. Rescue is closing due to ill health of owner and "Baby" will have to be euthanized if just the right home isnt found soon. Call Chris (518) 753-7791 if interested.   

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

INFLUENZA, CANINE - USA: (TEXAS)

********************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: 17 Sep 2011

Source: My San Antonio.com [edited]







20 confirmed cases of canine influenza and 70 suspected cases have

been recorded in San Antonio dogs within the past 30 days, according

to a local veterinarian.



The disease, also known as dog flu, has also been reported in Austin

and Dallas, said Dr. Michele Wright, who helped identify the virus at

a local clinic.



According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas is

one of 38 states where dogs have been exposed to the H3N8 virus.



The 1st San Antonio case originated with 2 dogs that stopped at dog

day care centers and parks, both community sites where dogs could have

contracted the disease, Wright said.



Signs include a fever, runny nose and coughing, but some dogs infected

with the virus do not show symptoms. The virus is not transmitted to

humans, cats or other species. Wright said dogs shed, or transmit, the

virus through secretions that expose it to the environment.



"What's scary for me as a veterinarian is they can act and look

healthy and still be shedding the virus," Wright said.



Two tests can confirm the virus. The vaccine is available at

veterinarian offices.



According to the CDC, the virus was 1st detected in 2004 in

greyhounds. Scientists believe it jumped species from horses to dogs

and adapted to cause sickness and spread among dogs.



Wright said because many local dogs haven't been vaccinated, close to

100 percent would get the virus if exposed. 20 percent would transmit

it but not appear sick. 72 percent would show mild signs of coughing

that could linger for 2 to 3 weeks, and 8 percent could develop

pneumonia that could be life threatening.



Animal Care Services director Gary Hendel said ACS has not confirmed

any cases of canine influenza in the shelter. "It's a situation that

bears watching," Hendel said. "Should that situation change, we will

work with our local veterinary community to identify solutions to

prevent widespread outbreak."



Wright suggested that pet owners vaccinate their dogs; limit visits to

communal areas to prevent exposure, and keep dogs away from

contaminated areas for a month after immunization, to build up

immunity. "I think if we can get people vaccinating, we'll be able to

contain the virus," Wright said. "The hard thing is getting people to

vaccinate in areas that haven't seen it yet."



Dog flu is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a

specific Type A influenza virus known as canine influenza virus. It is

not a human influenza virus, and people cannot get it.



The virus can be spread to other dogs by direct contact with

respiratory secretions from infected dogs, by contact with

contaminated objects, and by people moving between infected and

uninfected dogs. Nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection, but

most will have a mild form of the disease.



Clinical signs are cough, runny nose and fever; a small proportion of

dogs can develop severe disease, characterized by the onset of

pneumonia. Testing to confirm flu virus infection is done at

veterinary centers. An approved vaccine is available.



[Byline: Vincent T. Davis ]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts





[Canine influenza is a type A orthomyxovirus. It mimics "kennel cough"

or _Bordetella brochiseptica_/parainfluenza virus complex, which

sounds like a hacking cough that does not seem to stop. The cough with

canine influenza can be either moist or dry, and about 20 percent of

infected dogs may show little or no clinical signs but still be

shedding virus. Canine influenza is contagious by aerosolized droplets

and contaminated fomites (inanimate objects) that the dog can contact.

People can transmit the disease to their pets.



Unfortunately, treatment is non-specific but generally supportive. It

is important to get treatment early to reduce the death rate.



For a brief fact sheet on canine influenza, see the Washington State

University College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington Animal Disease

Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) website at

. There is

also an information sheet available on the University of Florida

College of Veterinary Medicine website at

.

- Mod.TG]



[see also:

2009

----

Influenza, canine - USA (03): (VA) 20091024.3676

Influenza, canine - USA (02): H3N8 20090820.2945

Influenza, canine - USA: (NJ) 20090704.2405

2007

----

Influenza, canine - USA (PA): corr. 20070802.2495

Influenza, canine - USA (PA) 20070801.2482

Influenza, canine - USA (Multistate) 20070208.0502

2006

----

Influenza, canine - USA (FL) 20060620.1703

Influenza, canine - USA (WY) 20060503.1279

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20060325.0921

2005

----

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(03) 20051002.2883

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate)(02) 20050925.2830

Influenza, canine - USA (multistate) 20050923.2811

2004

----

Equine influenza, canines - USA (FL) 20040801.2099]

.................................................sb/tg/msp/dk

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Sunday, July 3, 2011

EXXON MOBILE ruptured pipeline sends oil coursing down Yellowston​e River; ALSO: Montana & Yellowston​e Earthquake​s

Subject: EXXON MOBILE ruptured pipeline sends oil coursing down Yellowstone River; ALSO: Montana & Yellowstone Earthquakes


Statement by ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Regarding Crude Oil Release into Yellowstone River in Montana -- The release originated from a 12" crude pipeline operated by EMPCo that runs from Silver Tip, MT to Billings, MT. The pipeline has been shutdown and the segment where the release occurred has been isolated. All appropriate state and federal authorities have been alerted. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/statement-by-exxonmobil-pipeline-company-regarding-crude-oil-release-into-yellowstone-river-in-montana-2011-07-02

Ruptured pipeline sends oil coursing down the Yellowstone River http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_6a8f2313-4279-542c-95c7-92f04639003f.html

Story/ article here with video; http://www.ktvq.com/news/laurel-residents-evacuate-after-oil-pipeline-break

Here is another link with pictures of Yellowstone oil spill;
http://www.ktvq.com/galleries/yellowstone-river-oil-spill/

Exxon oil spill in Mont. river prompts evacuations http://www.topix.com/business/energy/2011/07/exxon-oil-spill-in-mont-river-prompts-evacuations

An ExxonMobil pipeline that runs under the Yellowstone River near Billings in south-central Montana ruptured and dumped an unknown amount of oil into the waterway, prompting temporary evacuations along the river Saturday morning. Full story: WXIX-TV Cincinnati

http://www.fox19.com/story/15017587/exxon-oil-spill-in-mont-river-prompts-evacuations

 An ExxonMobil pipeline that runs under the Yellowstone River near Billings in south-central Montana ruptured and dumped an unknown amount of oil into the waterway, prompting temporary evacuations along the river Saturday morning.___________________________________________not sure if related -- Map;
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Maps/US10/42.52.-115.-105.php

MAG UTC DATE-TIME


y/m/d h:m:s LAT


deg LON


deg DEPTH


km LOCATION


MAP3.5 2011/07/01 22:03:0648.105-108.3115.419 km ( 11 mi) ENE of Lodge Pole, MT


MAP1.7 2011/07/01 02:11:1847.459-112.73727.026 km ( 16 mi) W of Augusta, MT


MAP1.0 2011/06/30 14:08:0444.815-111.8024.651 km ( 31 mi) NW of Island Park, ID


MAP1.2 2011/06/30 09:49:3544.612-110.3942.154 km ( 33 mi) SSE of Gardiner, MT


MAP1.1 2011/06/30 07:00:1445.180-111.43417.315 km ( 9 mi) SW of Big Sky, MT


MAP2.2 2011/06/29 11:44:0144.015-114.46613.428 km ( 17 mi) S of Clayton, ID


MAP1.0 2011/06/29 04:59:4744.653-110.4291.648 km ( 30 mi) SSE of Gardiner, MT


MAP1.7 2011/06/28 23:01:3346.038-111.4159.315 km ( 9 mi) S of Toston, MT


MAP1.0 2011/06/28 18:09:0546.093-111.8999.423 km ( 15 mi) SE of Boulder, MT


MAP1.4 2011/06/27 18:19:1946.341-111.3705.612 km ( 7 mi) E of Townsend, MT


MAP1.4 2011/06/26 20:32:0344.508-110.1881.460 km ( 37 mi) SSW of Cooke City-Silver Gate, MT


MAP1.1 2011/06/26 17:59:2847.036-112.1953.437 km ( 23 mi) NNW of Helena Valley Northwest, MT


MAP1.0 2011/06/26 13:14:1244.564-110.7512.430 km ( 19 mi) ESE of West Yellowstone, MT


MAP1.0 2011/06/26 11:43:1544.801-111.9685.551 km ( 32 mi) NNE of Spencer, ID


MAP1.9 2011/06/26 11:43:1544.789-111.97112.750 km ( 31 mi) NNE of Spencer, ID


MAP1.5 2011/06/26 10:02:1344.364-110.8195.340 km ( 25 mi) SE of West Yellowstone, MT


MAP1.0 2011/06/26 09:11:1444.616-112.10114.229 km ( 18 mi) NNE of Spencer, ID


MAP1.4 2011/06/26 05:32:0947.709-113.80912.720 km ( 13 mi) ENE of Turtle Lake, MT

tHE cHINA sTUDY: Illustrating for US the DANGERS of an Animal Based Diet

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/the-china-study/f176d08e4961400c125af176d08e4961400c125a-880462201960?q=the%20china%20study

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tazmanian Devil Tumor-Disease UpdATE

DEVIL FACIAL TUMOR, TASMANIAN DEVIL - AUSTRALIA: (TASMANIA) UPDATE


******************************************************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





Date: Mon 27 Jun 2011

Source: New Scientist [edited]







Despite its ferocious nature, the Tasmanian devil is a creature faced

with extinction, the victim of a gruesome facial tumor disease. Now

the 1st genetic sequencing of these carnivorous marsupials has

revealed that we had a hand in their decline: centuries of human

interference left the devils stripped of genetic diversity and

vulnerable to disease.



This meant that when the parasitic face cancer dubbed "devil facial

tumor disease" appeared in 1996 it rapidly spread through the entire

population. As a result, the Tasmanian devil, or _Sarcophilus

harrisii_, population has fallen over 60 per cent since 1996.



The disease is transmitted by physical contact, mostly biting during

sex. It is almost always fatal and has spread across most of

Tasmania.



Due to the species' sharp decline, the International Union for the

Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classed it as endangered. Some

studies estimate the marsupials could be wiped out within decades.



Marsupial sequencing

--------------------

To find out why they cannot fight the cancer, Stephan Schuster of

Pennsylvania State University in University Park and colleagues

sequenced the genomes of 2 Tasmanian devils, the 1st Australian

marsupials to be sequenced.



Schuster chose animals from opposite ends of the island, which should

have been as genetically distinct as devils get. But he found they

were pretty similar: their genomes only differed at 915 000 sites. A

similar comparison showed that 2 humans from China and Japan differ at

3 257 000 sites, says Schuster.



Genetic analysis of a further 175 wild animals and 7 museum specimens

showed that devils have had a low genetic diversity for over 100

years.



Humans had a heavy hand in this. First the devils were wiped out in

mainland Australia by dingoes brought in by settlers, then those that

remained in Tasmania were hunted as pests, causing several population

crashes. As their genetic diversity was slashed, the devils were left

vulnerable to disease.



This is clearly at the root of their problems, says Katherine Belov

of the University of Sydney, Australia. "Devils are essentially

immunological clones, so tumors pass between them without triggering

an immune response," she says.



The Australian and Tasmanian governments have set up a conservation

programme, capturing disease-free devils to establish an "insurance

population". Housed at sites like the Devil Ark in Somersby, New South

Wales, these devils could re-populate Tasmania if the wild population

is wiped out.



Missing diversity

-----------------

But Schuster says the captive population is missing some of the wild

population's diversity, such as it is. He found 7 subtly distinct

populations on the island and says individuals from each must be

included. But as nobody has genotyped the captive population we don't

know what is missing. Based on partial information on where the

individuals were collected, Schuster suspects the captive genotype is

not as diverse as it could be.



Having a large genetic diversity is essential for any captive

breeding programme, agrees Craig Hilton-Taylor of the IUCN, based in

Cambridge, UK. Schuster says conservationists need to look at genetic

diversity when they assess a species' wellbeing. He points out that

before the facial tumour disease appeared, the IUCN considered devils

to be of "least concern" because their population and habitat were

reasonably large. In fact they were genetic sitting ducks, says

Schuster.



The IUCN doesn't require its scientists to do genetic testing on

species they are assessing, although the information is used if they

do. Hilton-Taylor agrees the information can be invaluable, but says

systematic testing would be difficult and expensive.



Journal reference: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102838108 [abstract available at

].



[Byline: Michael Marshall]



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail





[This article does not mention if there were any sequences of

Tasmanian devils in some other zoo in the world that might lend

genetic diversity or be a tumor free source of genetic material. But I

cannot remember if the Tasmanian devil has ever been sent to other

zoos - Mod.TG]



[Photos of Tasmanian devils can be seen at

.

Facial tumor at:





Tasmania can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map

of Australia at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]



[see also:

2010

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TS) 20100102.0019

2008

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia: (TAS) 20080718.2174

2007

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) (02) 20071004.3289

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) 20070218.0616

2006

----

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) (02) 20061024.3051

Devil facial tumor disease - Australia (TAS) 20060201.0328]

.................................................sb/tg/mj/jw

*##########################################################*

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ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that

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Friday, April 29, 2011

DESPERATE for RESCUE transport help in Knoxville,Tn.

From: quincey simmons [mailto: qzsimmons@hotmail.com ]


Subject: DESPERATE for transport help in Knoxville



Hi All

I have really had a TERRIBLE time filling transports recently. The problem is always the same: no one to drive or overnight through Knoxville. I am on the verge of cancelling yet another NC-IN transport. I am also thinking that I am going to have to quit pulling from NC. I hate to do this as I have long pulled from NC but the cancelled transports mean that I end up spending a FORTUNE in boarding fees and I just can't afford to do that anyone.



Here is my current run. If ANYONE knows ANYONE in and around the unfilled legs (Charlotte NC, Knoxville TN, Indy, IN) please let them know about this run.



Please please please!!!!!



********************************************************************************************



PLEASE CROSSPOST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



C'mon KNOXVILLE!!!! We need 2 legs and and overnight in your area!!!!



I have not has a lot of luck filling transports recently. As you all know, this makes it very hard to do rescue work. It is such a shame when you have a great rescue offer and no way to get the very deserving dog there. Please help me break my streak of unfilled transports!!! This one is for 2 lovely labbies. These sweet dogs were both pulled from the shelter only moments before their time was up. If we can get them to Adopt A Lab then they will be in forever homes before they know it! I would love to see these 2 running after balls in their own backyards and enjoying the summer swimming and sunning in homes of their own. Please help make a doggie dream come true!!





Sending Rescuer (Coal):

Volunteer contact: Mary Thomas rescueworker11@yahoo.com

Sending rescuer (Laurie):

Volunteer contact: Dorsey Patrick dcpphoto@aol.com

Receiving Rescue

Adopt A Lab

http://www.adoptalab.org/

Rescue contact: Quincey Simmons or Patty Strayer qzsimmons@hotmail.com


TRANSPORT COORDINATOR: Quincey Simmons

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE drive a leg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Passenger# 1

NAME: Laurie

BREED: 1-2 yr old yellowlab

SEX: female

SIZE/WEIGHT: Approx. 55lbs

SPAY/NEUTERED: to be done in rescue

SHOT UTD: Yes

RABIES VACCINE & TAG: yes

OK WITH DOGS: Yes

OK WITH KIDS: Yes

HOUSE TRAINED: Yes

CRATE TRAINED: Yes

SPECIAL NEEDS: None

DOES THE DOG RIDE WELL IN A CAR: Yes

ITEMS PROVIDED: collar, vet records

ITEMS NEEDED: None



Passenger# 2

NAME: Coal

BREED: 1-2 yr old black lab

SEX: male

SIZE/WEIGHT: Approx. 55lbs

SPAY/NEUTERED: to be done in rescue

SHOT UTD: Yes

RABIES VACCINE & TAG: yes

OK WITH DOGS: Yes

OK WITH KIDS: Yes

HOUSE TRAINED: Yes

CRATE TRAINED: Yes

SPECIAL NEEDS: None

DOES THE DOG RIDE WELL IN A CAR: Yes

ITEMS PROVIDED: collar, vet records

ITEMS NEEDED: None



The Run:



Saturday 4/30



Leg 1

Fairmont NC to Laurinsburg NC

40 miles 1hr

8:00-9:00AM.................Filled! Thanks Thanks Lou!!



Leg 2

Laurinsburg NC to Wadesboro NC

50 miles 1 hr

9:15-10:15AM......................NEEDED! Filled!! Thanks Chris!



Leg 3

Wadesboro NC to Charlotte NC

52 miles 1hr 15 mins

10:30-11:45......................NEEDED!!



Leg 4

Charlotte NC to Spartanburg SC

70 miles 1 hr

12:00 NOON-1:00PM................Filled!! Thanks Sharon!!



Leg 5

Spartanburg SC-Asheville NC

60 miles 1hr

1:15PM-2:15PM.................Filled!! Thanks Sharon!!



Leg 6

Ashveille NC-Newport TN

70 miles 1hr 15 mins

2:30-3:45PM.........Filled! Thanks Herb!!!



Leg 7

Newport TN-Knoxville TN

55 miles 1 hour

4:00-5:00PM.....................NEEDED!!



OVERNIGHT in KNOXVILLE...........................NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Sunday May 1



Leg 8

Knoxville to Williamsburg KY

70 miles 1 hour 10 mins

8:00AM-9:10AM.....................NEEDED!!



Leg 9

Williamsburg KY to Richmond KY

75 miles 1 hour 20 mins

9:25AM-10:45 AM.......FIlled! Thanks Jamie!



Leg 10

Richmond KY to Frankfort KY

55 miles 1 hour

11:00AM-NOON....................Filled!! Thanks Kay!!



Leg 11

Frankfort KY to Louisville KY

55 miles 1 hour

12:15PM-1:15PM........Filled! Thanks Kay!!



Leg 12

Louisville KY to Seymour IN

55 miles 1 hour

1:30PM-2:30PM......Filled! Thanks Joanne!



Leg 13

Seymour IN to Indianapolis IN

60 miles 1hr

2:45PM-3:45PM.......Filled! Thanks Joanne!



Leg 14

Indy IN to Muncie IN

60 miles 1hr

4:00-5:00PM......................NEEDED!!



Rescue to pick up in Muncie

Friday, April 22, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Hidden View Farm - Animal Cruelty - Seward, NY

Subject: ABANDONED FARM - DYING ANIMALS IN YOUR TOWN!

Dear Mayor Borst, Supervisor Barbic, and DA Sacket,

I am writing to make you aware of an atrocious situation occurring in the town of Seward. As I write this, animals on an abandoned farm are suffering and dying.



A local woman has been trying to help them to no avail. It seems that no one will step up and help these dying animals even though this is in clear violation of the Agricultural and Marketing laws.



I do not currently have an address, but the name of the farm is HIDDEN VIEW FARM in Seward. The woman who is trying to help, Joyce Urban, may be reached at: Yodelingyogi@aol.com. Here is an excerpt from the e-mail I received desperately seeking help for the animals:

"The owners have only been told to "clean up the bodies within three days." There are still animals there, starving, pregnant, malnourished, likely unvetted and DYING! This includes pigs, cows, sheep, birds, horses, cats and dogs! PLEASE HELP! Before it's too late for the ones still alive"



I would appreciate a response and look forward to hearing that you have immediately intervened on behalf of these innocent animals in order to obtain the necessary veterinary and rescue help needed to assist those still living, and that you will be prosecuting the parties responsible for the abuse and neglect of these sentient beings.

Sincerely,

Teresa Vecere

Saturday, April 16, 2011

More States Create Anti-Whistleblower Bills

Here we go again! If you thought the recent legislation to criminalize those who film or photograph farm activity in states like Florida and Iowa is coincidental, it’s not. Similar bills are in process in Idaho and Minnesota, and other states are considering legislative action as well. Giant corporations like Monsanto are throwing money behind the Iowa version and possibly more in order further secure their “crop operations.” Minnesota is at least the fourth state to introduce anti-whistleblower legislation. They got it from Iowa who got it from Florida. In the Minnesota bill, even just possessing undercover documentation of farm operations would be illegal. How they can enforce a law like that without invading people’s privacy, I do not know. These bills threaten to punish anyone who dares to highlight questionable behavior towards animals, seed and produce, sanitation and employees. “We think it would be an important deterrent tool in our toolbox against trespassers,” says Daryn McBeth, president of the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council. People, there are already strict trespassing and theft laws. Big Ag has all the legal recourse needed to sue or punish those who obtain footage of their operations, so why don’t they? Can you imagine dragging an activist into court and saying to the judge, “Look, he found out we were throwing live chickens into a grinder and put it on the internet. This violates my intellectual property rights!” No, their solution to the bad PR is slapping the whistleblowers with a major felony and throwing them in a cage with rapists, murders, and armed robbers. So they make the act of discovery into a crime to preclude such discoveries instead of accounting for their crimes, which, by the way, they believe to be perfectly acceptable industry standards. Since when is crying foul on criminal behavior like animal abuse and breaking regulations considered a crime? Any law that imprisons you by superceding your constitutional rights is null and void. But that isn’t going to touch Mr. Policeman when you explain as he hauls you away. Laws are laws, intentions are irrelevant to a judge. That’s what makes them so dangerous to your rights. You may think it only applies to those overzealous “tree hugger” types, but no, it means you too! Ironically, citizens are considered heroic when they turn in their neighbor or call in an anonymous tip to stop criminal behavior and abuse. Yes, even animal abuse! But boy, if you actually gather substantial evidence in a Big Ag operation and show the public when officials won’t listen – you go to prison for a long, long time. These bills remove the pea from the whistle should you witness something vile, whereas before you at least had the recourse of sharing with others. This encourages more abominable behavior; with more cover up, such actions are sanctioned, and the perpetrators can rest easy knowing the whistleblowers are silenced in prison. When USDA backed Big Ag operations are in violation of current standards, how do we know? Who cares – the USDA? Whistleblowers are often the only window for the public, and when embarrassing information is released, it often leads to raised standards. On a smaller scale, it works with the restaurant industry. Get an embarrassing (public) write up about cockroach infestations and suddenly the kitchen is overhauled, no expense is spared, and sanitation thrives in order to reassure those paying customers who like a fresh clean salad, hold the mouse poop. When these bills first arrived on the scene there was a lot of backlash, but our concern is that with more and more cropping up and some scaling back punishment, they will be more readily accepted by the public. Some reporters called the scale backs, “more reasonable.” Why? First amendment rights are still going in the grinder, citizens will still go to prison. The running theme here is force, force, force even if it’s currently undetectable. Forceful legislation from senators, funds from Big Ag and Monsanto to strengthen the force, the force of multiple states following suit, force from the ensuing law enforcement – force of slamming the door on the face of public scrutiny. It’s going to be increasingly difficult to catch these viral bills, inform others, and take action when they keep rearing their ugly heads like a nationwide game of whack-a-mole. But with such replicated force, much like a virus, you can see it is more important than ever to do something. http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/04/14/more-states-create-anti-whistleblower-bills/ States & Bill Numbers: Florida, SB1246 (Health Freedoms petition coming soon) Iowa HF431 Minnesota, S.F. No. 1118 Idaho HB166 *Part of their Right To Farm laws, this one would preclude “nuisance” suits from the public. ~Health Freedoms Related Articles: http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/04/11/monsanto-cash-helped-fund-bill-to-stifle-whistleblowers-in-iowa/ http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/03/28/your-guide-to-the-illegal-farm-photos-bill/ http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/03/24/big-ag-lobbies-to-make-it-illegal-to-secretly-film-animal-abuse-iowa/ http://healthfreedoms.org/2011/03/17/florida-lawmaker-wants-to-make-farm-photos-illegal-2/ Other Sources Cited: http://www.agweek.com/event/article/id/18230/ http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/04/12/1602672/bill-would-ban-video-of-minn-farming.html http://www.startribune.com/local/119690504.html http://www.startribune.com/politics/119690504.html ### www.AFSConference.org www.antifursociety.org "All beings tremble before violence. All fear death. All love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do? ~Buddha"

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Missouri: Tell Governor Nixon: VETO SB113 / Protecting Puppy Mills

Last November Missouri voters said “YES” on Prop B. Wednesday Missouri legislators said “NO” to that majority vote. The Missouri House of Representatives passed SB 113 on Wednesday – gutting all significant protections for dogs suffering in substandard puppy mills and sending the repeal of Proposition B to the desk of Governor Jay Nixon. Now is the time to contact Governor Nixon and let him know he should respect the will of the majority of Missouri voters. Please contact his office right now at (573) 751-3222. Let him know the democratic process and the well-being of dogs used for commercial breeding are important to you and he should veto SB 113. First the Senate and now the House have defied the will of the people and dismantled Proposition B piece by piece, dealing a blow to dogs suffering in substandard facilities and also to the democratic process in Missouri. Not only did some lawmakers choose to overturn a statewide vote, but some of them even voted against the majority in their own districts. Many legislators showed a profound disdain for the will of Missouri voters under the guise that Missourians weren’t smart enough to understand Proposition B. This is an insult to all of us who clearly knew we were voting to improve the barbaric and inhumane conditions in Missouri’s substandard breeding facilities. If Governor Nixon signs this legislation -- defying the will of the people and turning the clock back on the humane treatment of Missouri puppies and dogs -- we will not back down. We are prepared to immediately begin gathering signatures for a referendum to bring this issue back to Missouri voters and allow the people to have the final say. But RIGHT NOW, contact Governor Nixon. Tell him he should: -- stand with Missourians -- not career politicians; -- protect Prop B and Missouri's dogs, and -- VETO SB113. Call (573) 751-3222 or click here to contact Governor Nixon now. With kindest regards, Kathryn W. Warnick President Humane Society of Missouri

Thursday, March 24, 2011

INFLUENZA A (H1N1) 2009, ZOO ANIMALS - USA: (CALIFORNIA)

********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: Tue 22 Mar 2011
Source: CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy) News
[edited]



The [influenza A (H1N1) 2009] virus was detected in 3 animals of
diverse species at the San Diego Zoo in the fall of 2009, further
broadening the virus's range of animal hosts, according to a letter
published by Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) [available at
. - Mod.TG]

The virus was found in a 12-year-old American badger, a 19-year-old
Bornean binturong, and a 7-year-old black-footed ferret. The badger
and binturong got severely sick with pneumonia and had to be
euthanized, but the ferret had a mild illness and recovered with
antibiotic and fluid treatment.

The source of the infections was not determined but was probably a
human. Ferrets are known to be susceptible to influenza A viruses, but
such cases have not been previously reported in badgers or binturongs,
the report says.

Other species that have been naturally infected with flu viruses
include swine, a dog, cats, turkeys, skunks, cheetahs, and giant
anteaters, and experimental infections have been reported in mice and
cynomolgous macaques.

"The ubiquity of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and its ability to infect a
diverse range of hosts is worrisome for the health of wildlife and for
the possibility of creating additional reservoirs that could alter the
evolution of subtype H1N1 viruses by applying varied selection
pressures and establishing new ways of generating unique reassortant
strains," the authors say.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

[Indeed the number of animals this virus touched, that we are aware
of, is quite frightening in terms of viral reassortment.

But if the ferret had less trouble with this virus than some other
animals, it is perhaps an animal we should be studying to learn why,
not just realize that it is more resistant to influenza type A, but
also really learn what the mechanism is that makes it more resistant
to that type of virus.

Photos
American badger (_Taxidea taxus_):

and

Bornean binturong (_Arctictis binturong penicillata_):
and

Black-footed ferret (_Mustela nigripes_):

and
.
- Mod.TG]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of California can be seen
at . - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

[see also:
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, animal (02): USA (WI) feline 20110215.0500
Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, animal: UK, turkey 20110113.0150
2010
----
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (64): WHO, pandemic over 20100811.2753
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) (63): WHO update 112 20100807.2680
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (07): Finland, swine, OIE
20100901.3114
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (06): Korea, swine 20100422.1296
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (05): turkeys, insemination
20100205.0393
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (04): global, update 20100131.0337
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (03): Denmark, porcine
20100111.0128
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (02): USA, turkey 20100108.0087
Influenza pandemic (H1N1), animal (01): China, porcine, canine
20100101.0014
2009
----
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (42): USA (NC) swine
20091228.4372
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (41): Russia (CV) swine, OIE
20091226.4353
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (40): USA (NY) canine
20091222.4305
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (39): Germany, swine, OIE
20091211.4220
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (38): Mexico, swine, OIE
20091211.4214
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (37): USA (OR, CA) feline
20091211.4213
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (36): USA (CO) 20091209.419
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (35): Italy, swine, OIE
20091205.4144
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (34): UK (England)
20091204.4141
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal (33): USA (VA, CA)
20091204.4139
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (31): Finland,
swine,OIE 20091201.4106
Influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009, animal health (29): Indonesia,
swine20091127.4071]
.................................................tg/mj/dk
*##########################################################*
************************************************************
ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that
are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the
information, and of any statements or opinions based
thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in
using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID
and its associated service providers shall not be held
responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any
damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted
or archived material.
************************************************************
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************************************************************
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Monday, March 21, 2011

NJ resident charged in animal sacrifices

Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:25 am (PDT)

Forwarded message - for info, please visit
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110319/NJNEWS14/110319012/NJ-resident-charged-in-animal-sacrifices

NJ resident charged in animal sacrifices

3/20/11

FREEHOLD - A borough resident was charged with eight counts of animal
cruelty after the remains of numerous animals, including chickens, guinea
hens and a slider turtle, were found in his yard last week, authorities
said.

Jorge Badillo, 47, of 100 Center St., admitted he killed the animals in a
Santeria sacrifice ritual, said Victor "Buddy'' Amato, chief of the Monmouth
County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Santeria is a
religion practiced in some parts of the Caribbean.

Amato said borough police Officer Thomas Duda and his K-9 partner, Rocky,
noticed the remains while responding to an unrelated call on Thursday. Duda
contacted the SPCA.

Duda and Amato went to the residence at 100 Center St. on Friday afternoon,
and received permission from Badillo to search the yard, Amato said. They
found numerous dead animals in various states of decomposition, as well as
some live animals ready for slaughter and several Santeria altars, he said.

Amato said Badillo admitted sacrificing the animals.

Each count of animal cruelty carries a possible six-month jail term and fine
of $1,000. The charges are to be heard in municipal court on April 19.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Senior Blind Dog Tortured! Rio Rancho, NM

- Please take a minute for JUSTICE for Charlie, the Rio Rancho, NM Senior, Blind Dog that was brutally tortured!!

PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL REPRESENTATIVES LISTED IN THE BODY OF THIS EMAIL BELOW TO COMPLAIN AGAINST THE HEARTLESS CRUELTY AGAINST THIS POOR BLIND DOG WHOSE TESTICLES WERE BURNT BY THE MAN IN THE PHOTO BELOW.

HE STILL HAS OTHER ANIMALS IN HIS CARE WHO NEED TO BE RESCUED FROM HIM ASAP!!!

PLEASE CIRCULATE FAR & WIDE!! The petition is UP & all of the local contacts are listed! CALL! EMAIL! SIGN! SHARE! See below contacts...

This email is about a man in New Mexico who is accused by police of burning his blind dog's testicles and drop-kicking him, - still has other animals living in his home. It's been determined by the vet who saw Charlie that he had endured earlier torture and abuse. What this man did to this poor dog is criminal! Please take a moment to read more about Charlie and what he has endured. There is a petition to sign and also addresses for letters asking for punishment to the fullest extent of the law for this guy. I just can't get my head around people being so cruel.

Thanks so much for your time and for caring.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/nm-man-accused-of-extreme-animal-abuse-and-torture/

Please click on the Care 2 Petition Site and sign to send the coward that brutally tortured this senior and blind dog, to jail. Thanks.

PLEASE FORWARD ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! YOUR SIGNATURES ARE POWERFUL!

More info below.

(Dakota's House Rescue)

dakotashouserescue@yahoo.com

http://homebusinessformydogs.weebly.com/


--------------------------------------------------------

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The man who Rio Rancho police accused of burning his blind dog's testicles and drop-kicking him still has other animals living in his home. Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

Many of you have been following the story of Charlie, a 10 year old dog that was brutally dropkicked, SET ON FIRE & thrown into a Yucca & the POS that inflicted this suffering on him, James Dickie of Rio Rancho, NM.

I was APPAULED when I got an anonymous call informing me that he has 3 more animals in his home, & told that RR police & animal control were doing nothing to remove them.

I have compiled a list of Rio Rancho city contacts below - PLEASE take a few minutes to write a letter, send an email or make a phone call protesting the complete LACK of accountabllity & concern for the other animals that has been shown by our paid & elected city officials. New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better is based out of Rio Rancho, NM & we work regularly with RRAC. THIS IS NOT OK!! You will probably receive some LAME form letter in response, as I have....but YOUR CALLS/EMAILS ARE VERY IMPORTANT in this case! We are currently working on a petition which be presented to the judge at the time of Dickie's hearing. But for now, it is VERY important that the folks handling this case KNOW that the citizens of Rio Rancho, the state of New Mexico & the nation are OUTRAGED with their complete lack of accoutability & concern fofr the welfare of these 3 animals currently living under the same roof as James Dickie, who was arrested for FELONY EXTREME ANIMAL CRUELTY! Let them know that we will NOT stand for it & that we DEMAND these animals be removed immediately! Let them know that James Dickie is a threat to our community & society - as we ALL know, this type of behavior with animals is only a precursor to violet behavior agianst people. I thank you! New Mexico Dogs Deserve Better thanks you! Charlie thanks you! The animals AT RISK in the home thank you!

Rio Rancho Mayor, Tom Swisstack
3200 Civic Center Circle NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-5001
505-891-7274 FAX
tswisstack@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us


Rio Rancho City Manager, James C. Jimenez

3200 Civic Center Circle NE

Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-5001
505-891-7274
jjimenez@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us


Rio Rancho Assistant City Manager, Laura A. Fitzpatrick

3200 Civic Center Circle NE

Rio Rancho, NM 87144
505-891-5002
LFITZPATRICK@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Rio Rancho City Council Members:
Michael J. Williams mwilliams@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Patricia Thomas pthomas@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Tamara L. Gutierrez tgutierrez@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Steven L. Shaw sshaw@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Timothy C. Crum tcrum@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us
Kathleen Colley kcolley@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us

Rio Rancho Animal Control
Vickie Beazley, Animal Control Supervisor
Direct line: 505-891-5088
Cheryll Johns, Facilities Manager
3441 Northern Blvd.
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-891-5075
505-891-7207 FAX

Rio Rancho Chief of Police, Robert Boone
500 Quantum Road
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-891-59

Animal Protection of New Mexico
www.apnm.org
Lisa Boegel Cruelty Case Manager (505)821-9142
Animal Cruetly Taskforce Hotline (888)250-2178
This entity is out of the State Attorney Generals office & has been put in place to PROTECT our animals


James Dickie of Rio Rancho - arrested for felony extreme animal cruetly


for the LOVE of DOG...

Angela

NACA certified www.nacanet.org www.newmexicodogsdeservebetter.org

www.dogsdeservebetter.org
Dogs Deserve Better ~ NM a 501(c)3 non profit www.luvinlabs.com
New Mexico State Representative (505)974-4733 www.nmsiberianrescue.com
www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=NM129

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Droves of bald eagles dropping from skies in Canada

Droves of bald eagles dropping from skies in Canada

Fla. Seeks New Law to Stop Under-Cover Video-Taping of Animal Cruelty

Florida Senate - 2011 SB 1246



By Senator Norman




12-01071A-11 20111246__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to farms; prohibiting a person from
3 entering onto a farm or photographing or video
4 recording a farm without the owner’s written consent;
5 providing a definition; providing penalties; providing
6 an effective date.
7
8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9
10 Section 1. (1) A person who enters onto a farm or other
11 property where legitimate agriculture operations are being
12 conducted without the written consent of the owner, or an
13 authorized representative of the owner, commits a felony of the
14 first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
15 or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.
16 (2) A person who photographs, video records, or otherwise
17 produces images or pictorial records, digital or otherwise, at
18 or of a farm or other property where legitimate agriculture
19 operations are being conducted without the written consent of
20 the owner, or an authorized representative of the owner, commits
21 a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s.
22 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, Florida Statutes.
23 (3) As used in this section, the term “farm” includes any
24 tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural
25 production, the raising and breeding of domestic animals, or the
26 storage of a commodity.
27 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Chamberlain's Story

Abandoned by his owners when they moved away, left out in the back yard chained to a tree, for at least two months with out food, shelter or water. No one knew he was there until one day someone decided to mow the lawn;

First days; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuPtQaoLf18

Therapy; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHbl4i7Jm7k&feature=related

Warning, vids not easy too watch. Chamberlain lay starving, a mass of skin and bones, helpless and immobile for so long he lost the use of his legs.

Several weeks into recovery, Chamberlain has gained some weight and gets his new chair;



However, he still receives therapy to hopefully get those legs working again someday, all four of them.

Good luck Chamberlain. We love you!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Did You Get Rid of Your Dog Because of this Article?

There was an article in the January 24th edition of USA Today about The Danger of Dogs Sleeping in Bed.

Before you knew it, this story was being reported in news across the nation with the media playing to the terrible dangers of pets.

This story really upset me so I wanted to have a vet or two respond with an honest and irreverent opinion. So, once again I turned to the Irreverent Veterinarian for opinions on this topic.

To read the response from the Irreverent Vet, go to: http://www.petplace.com/irreverent-vet-speaks-out-on-the-danger-of-dogs-sleeping-in-bed

Was this article just irresponsible reporting or are there really significant dangers from letting pets sleep in your bed? Find out. And PLEASE don't make any decisions about allowing your dog in bed or getting rid of your dog before reading this article.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

P.S. On a lighter note - I'd love to share some adorable photos of dogs sleeping (many in bed). These are adorable. Take a minute to check these out because they are sure to make you smile. Go to: http://www.petplace.com/Sleepingdogs

Friday, February 25, 2011

Saturday, February 19, 2011

ALDF's 3rd Annual National Justice for Animals Week

February 21-25 marks the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s third annual National Justice for Animals Week. Please invite your readers to join us for a week-long campaign to fight animal abuse and honor animal victims!

Each day during National Justice for Animals Week, ALDF will post an action that your readers can take part in to bring us closer to real justice for animal victims. Check us out on Facebook and ALDF’s blog to find out how your readers can participate in quick and effective actions each day this week! For example, we’ll kick off the week on Monday by asking our supporters to write an Letter to the Editor (LTE) to their local paper—those who get an LTE published win an ALDF prize pack!

We’ll also be announcing America’s Top Ten Animal Defenders. Here’s a sneak peek of the defenders being recognized this year by the Animal Legal Defense Fund:·

*Suffolk County, New York Legislator Jon Cooper, who sponsored the historic “Justin’s Law,” passed by a unanimous vote last October, which creates the nation’s first mandatory public registry for criminals convicted of animal abuse.

* Joshua Crain, who sought felony charges in a jury trial in Tennessee against a man who, after his 2-year-old Siberian Husky chewed on some wiring in his home, beat him and then used a metal file to grind down the dog’s teeth.

National Justice for Animals Week is also a great opportunity to ask your readers to sign on to demand that their state require animal abusers to register in their communities. Check out the petition here: www.exposeanimalabusers.org.

Thanks to supporters’ signatures 20 new animal abuser registry bills have already been introduced in various states in 2011!

More information about National Justice for Animals Week will be available on our website starting Monday, please visit: www.aldf.org

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Puppy Mill Pups on eBay? Say NO!

Puppy mills" are large-scale commercial operations where dozens of dogs are kept in small cages for their entire lives, forced to give birth to litter after litter until they're no longer fertile, at which point they're usually killed. Puppy mills are unsafe, inhumane, and produce thousands of puppies with serious health problems every year.

Now, puppy mills have found a national vendor: eBay.

A few years ago, eBay had plans to sell animals via online auction. Responsible breeders would never sell dogs via online auction, so this would have resulted in the site becoming a haven for puppy mills. eBay users and anti-cruelty activists spearheaded -- and won -- the fight to prevent eBay from selling live animals.

But now all that's changed.

Despite eBay's claims that it "do[es] not condone unethical treatment of animals," eBay now allows puppy mills to sell dogs in its classified section.

This practice enables flagrant cruelty to dogs, and it has to stop. Tell eBay to shut down its sales of cruelly treated puppies and all live animals.

Puppy mill dogs spend their entire lives in small wire cages, without companionship, and often without vet care, exercise or shelter from the elements. As far as puppy mill owners are concerned, the dogs have one purpose: to supply the pet trade.

The USDA recently admitted that they’ve failed to effectively monitor commercial breeders and puppy mills. When it comes to sites like eBay Classifieds, it’s even worse: Breeders who sell directly to customers online aren’t subject to any USDA regulations.

The best chance we have to shut down puppy mills is to hold vendors accountable.
Click here to tell eBay to shut down all live animal sales immediately:
http://www.change.org/petitions/ebay-classifieds-stop-selling-live-animals?alert_id=JhDDcGIQNR_KjsPUDxOJd&me=aa

Thanks for taking action,
Judith and the Change.org Team

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Hi-Kill Shelters Wanted for HBO Doc

Permission to Crosspost
Granted & Appreciated

HBO is looking to film a documentary series about high kill shelters this March. The producer is looking to use this film as an opportunity to shed light on both the the staggering numbers of adoptable dogs that are euthanized for space restraints and some of the methods of euthanasia (such as the gas chamber and heartsticks) that the public probably doesn't know about.

We are looking for a shelter that uses either the gas chamber or heartsticks that would be willing to be filmed to participate in this film. The filming would take place over 1-2 days and the camera crew would need unrestricted access to the day to day activities of the pound. It would be hard to overstate what an incredible opportunity this would be for any shelter that was featured. Not only would it greatly increase the profile of a potentially small, rural pound and help increase adoptions and donations- but at least one dog from this shelter would be pulled by PAWS New England (http://www.pawsnewengland.com/) and may be featured in this film.

As HBO reaches a large national audience, this series has the potential to be ground breaking for shelter dogs around the country. Thank you, in advance, for helping make this a success!

If you are interested in participating, please email Kelly Parker immediately at kesalerno@gmail.com.

Many thanks!
Kelly Parker
Cofounder PAWS New England



-----------------

I am going to suggest our own local Hi-Kill shelter, the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society in Menands, NY,...who wont even divuldge their kill-rate; http://www.mohawkhumanesociety.org/

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Reward Offered for Info on Sled Dog Culling

Please ask your readers to help the Animal Legal Defense Fund speak out for sled dogs. Sponsorship is the biggest source of revenue for the race; have them contact the Iditarod’s corporate sponsors and request that they no longer fund this deadly and horrific event. Here’s the link: http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=5388


*MEDIA ALERT*
$1K REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ABOUT ILLEGAL “CULLS” OF SLED DOGS

This week, a shocking report from the British Columbia Worker's Compensation Board has sparked outrage across North America--the general manager of a dog tour company filed an application for post-traumatic stress disorder after having killed 100 sled dogs on April 21 and 23, 2010, as allegedly ordered to by his employer. The execution-style cull is now the subject of an animal cruelty investigation. Many aspects of the Howling Dog Tours case suggest the possibility of culls occurring in similar sled dog operations elsewhere, driven by the poor economy and the high cost of maintaining the dogs. That is why the Animal Legal Defense Fund (www.aldf.org) is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone engaged in the illegal killing of sled dogs in the U.S. or Canada.

According to the British Columbia SPCA, the slaughter of unwanted dogs is “a problem with the sled dog industry in general,” and one of the companies involved in the incident says they expected a cull to take place. The British Columbia government announced today that it will consider changes for the dogsledding industry generally. In the U.S. the industry goes largely unregulated, and mushing is actually exempt from state cruelty laws in Alaska (Alaska Stat. § 11.61.140(e)). If there is an economic incentive for dog sled operators to engage in culls and little oversight of the practice, similar culls may be happening in the U.S. and elsewhere in Canada.

Media reports suggest that the killing of unwanted dogs is standard practice in the mushing industry:

· Iditarod musher John Cooper wrote a story for the Anchorage Daily News about getting rid of unwanted puppies by tossing them in a creek;
· Iditarod musher Frank Winkler was charged with animal cruelty for bludgeoning 14 sled dog puppies with an ax handle;
· Dan MacEachen, owner of a sled dog center at Colorado’s Snowmass Village, allegedly shot old, injured, and unwanted huskies with a rifle and buried them in a pit;
· Musher Charlie Campbell said to the Anchorage Daily News, "I’m definitely going to have to cull some dogs,” and “we're going to have to be ruthless about who we keep;"
· Musher Frank Turner told the CBC, “Competitive kennels, or even kennels that may not be competitive but aspire to be, often breed more dogs than they're actually going to be able to keep, afford to keep and pay for the vet bills, the food and all the other associated costs.”
Law enforcement and the American people need to know about the abuse behind the dogsledding industry. If you have information relating to the practice of behind-the-scenes dog culls at sledding operations, please contact the Animal Legal Defense Fund at 707-795-2533 x1035.

More: ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. For more information, please visit www.aldf.org.

Media Contact: Lisa Franzetta (ALDF)--707-795-2533 x1015; lfranzetta@aldf.org

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Kaparot: Absolving Sins Through Animal Torture & Abuse

Background: 1692



Many Jews believe that a chicken can bear the sins of a Jew, and then be killed to serve as the atonement for those sins. It is done in a ritual called Kaparot that is hundreds of years old. The ritual is done in assemblies, during the ten days of Rosh Hashanah leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year Yom Kippur will begin at sundown on October 8th.


How it works:

In the ninth century Jew scholars decided that since the Hebrew word gever meant both “rooster” and “man,” it followed that a chicken sacrifice could serve as the atonement for a Jew’s sins.

A white chicken is preferred. A rooster for a man, and a hen for a woman. First a selected Old Testament verse is read aloud, generally from Psalms 107:17-20 or Job 33:23-24. The chicken is then held by the legs, or by pinning the wings back and gripping it under the shoulder blades. The Jew then swings the chicken in a circle above their head three times, while reciting this chant: “This is my exchange, my substitute, my atonement; this rooster (or hen) shall go to its death, but I shall go to a good, long life, and to peace.” That’s it, and the ritual atones for an entire years worth of sins! The chicken is then handed to a Jew butcher who cuts its throat and vocal cords, for kosher reasons and so that the chicken can not squawk in pain. At this point the chicken is sometimes shoved into an inverted traffic cone to drain it of its blood. Finally it is thrown into a trash bag with other sacrificed chickens. The chicken’s death from loss of blood releases the sins, and the Jew is then cleansed of their sins.

Animal rights activist and others, including some Jews, think that the ritual is cruel to chickens. It is legally practiced in America under the right to freedom of religion.







More info and some videos;
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Kaparot%2BOR%2BKapparot%2BOR%2BKaparrot%2BOR%2BKapparot%2BOR%2BKaparos%2BOR%2BKapparos%2BOR%2BKaparros%2BOR%2BCaparot%2BOR%2BCapparot%2BOR%2BCaparrot%2BOR%2BCaparos%2BOR%2B&search_type=&aq=-1&oq=

Saturday, January 22, 2011

UNDIAGNOSED DIE-OFF, SEAL - CANADA (02): (NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR)

********************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases


Date: 19 Jan 2010
From: Lena Measures



Regarding "Undiagnosed die-off, seal - Canada: (NL) 20110118.0207,"
here is some information to date.

There are dead, apparently premature, harp seal pups and adults
(_Phoca groenlandica_) on shore over a wide geographic area including
the St. Lawrence Estuary but mostly off northern Newfoundland and
Labrador. Confirmed numbers dead are in the low hundreds so far and
involve mostly adult animals. Reports of early pupping began around
Christmas. Strong storm surges in early January 2011 have brought
some carcasses ashore.

Harp seals migrate down from the arctic in late fall to eventually
give birth and breed on the Front (off eastern Newfoundland and
Labrador) and Gulf of St. Lawrence in late winter. The normal period
for harp seal parturition is end of February, early March. It is
natural for some harp seal pups to be born premature even in January.
The harp seal population is estimated at 8 to 9 million animals with
natural mortality estimated at 4 percent.

Mortality of pups in their 1st year of life is estimated at 20 - 30
percent, declining with age. Pups are nursed for about 12 days then
abandoned, after which they fast and moult on the ice as it ice
drifts into the North Atlantic in early spring (April/May). As the
ice melts pups swim and begin to hunt on their own, eventually moving
northwards. After abandoning their pups females mate and adults rest
on the ice to moult and eventually migrate north. Harp seals spend
about 6 months in arctic waters and 6 months off southeastern
Canadian Atlantic waters.

Observed mortalities may be unusual but expected due to poor to
absent ice conditions and the size of the herd. We are examining
carcasses and differentials include environmental change, poaching
and an epizootic. Adults appear in good body condition. Phocine
distemper virus or PDV (morbillivirus) is enzootic in this population
and while epizootics have killed thousands of seals in Europe,
epizootics have not been observed in Canadian waters perhaps due to
herd immunity (83 percent of examined harp seals are seropositive to
PDV). Necropsies and further investigations are in progress in
collaboration with fisheries agents and veterinary pathologists at
provincial and university laboratories including the Canadian
Co-operative Wildlife Health Center.

Ice conditions can be monitored at the Canadian Ice Service website:
http://ice-glaces.ec.gc.ca/prods/WIS57CT/20110117180000_WIS57CT_0005506610.pdf>

--
Communicated by:
Dr. Lena Measures
Marine mammal health
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Maurice Lamontagne Institute
850 route de la mer, Mont-Joli, Qc, Canada G5H 3Z4



[We appreciate Dr. Measures taking time to inform us and look forward
to a follow up report regarding this condition in the seals. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Undiagnosed die-off, seal - Canada: (NL) 20110118.0207]
.....................tg/ejp/dk

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