Kathie Lee Gifford's Bishon Frise killed by coyote  [NY Post via Exploding Cigar]

Dog fighting: abused  'bait dog' may lose leg MI Dog fighters abuse and injure dogs, then abandon them when they are no longer useful. A rescued dog (found severely injured) may lose its hind leg as a result of being used as live bait for fighting dogs.... [Livingston Daily Press]

Crufts: American dogs to show for first time UK At the 100th Crufts dog show, 'more than 120,000 dog lovers from all over the world are expected to visit the four-day event, which for the first time ever will feature dogs from the USA...' [Birmingham Evening Mail]

Tail docking... vets speak out against chopping dogs tails off... UK Many professional veterinarians have branded 'tail docking' as a barbaric practice that causes injury and pain and also  impairs a dog's ability to communicate [link... more] (Other vets condone the long-time practice.)

'Tail docking is common practice with more than 50 breeds of dog, including poodles, yorkshire terriers, Jack Russells and cocker spaniels. Around 48 hours after birth, the tail is either sliced off with a scalpel or banded, which stops the supply of blood and causes it to fall off after about three days. No anaesthetic is used...' [Guardian Unlimited]

US imports stray dogs  'US animal shelters are importing stray dogs to supply the growing number of Americans wanting to adopt a pet. Homeless dogs are being collected from as far afield as Taiwan to fill the shortage in American kennels...to keep up with American demand.' [Ananova] (says who? ... All across the country, dogs are being euthanized... There's more to this story here... where do these imported dogs end up? American laboratories (for experiments)?, dog meat stores?, puppy mills?... what about all the unwanted dogs already here?.. most of those are euthanized (an estimated 56% nationwide). Related: Market for strays in U.S., rec.pets.dogs.behavior discussion [google discussion] Rescuers work at salvaging 500 dogs

In worst case of abuse ever recorded, dogs need help...  OR  Of the 550 dogs rescued from the 'worst abuse case' ever recorded in Oregon, 29 small mixed-breed dogs rescued last week are now ready for homes. (the other dogs need more time to recover...). An army of volunteers and donors are working to make this case have a happy outcome for dogs who are still affectionate and able to make it to adoption... Donations are needed...  'What we really need is money... for vaccines, medicine and extra staff time...' 29 of 550 rescued small-breed dogs up for adoption Rescue site, [Register-Guard] (Humane Society/ASPCA donation link at Green Hill)

Veteran dogcatcher dies from rabid dog bite... Manila 'For 40 years Manuel Pascual, of the town of Bulacan in Bulacan province, earned a living by catching dogs and trading them. On Monday he died after being bitten by a rabid puppy he owned...' [more... link] (He caught dogs to sell as meat...  to restaurants... 'rabid dog' may have been served... ) [Inquirer News Service]