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Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Dog’s surgery may help Superman walk again UK Gem, a paralyzed Pyrenease sheepdog may help thousands of disabled people, including Superman star Christopher Reeve. Gem has set records before: she came back from the brink of death after she suffered a broken back from a car accident. [This is Local London] (must see photo accompanies story)

As the first canine in the world to undergo surgery to restore her mobility and control of her legs, Gem's story and progress is tracked at the website Naturally Paws. Naturally Paws brings together the complementary services of alternative and holistic medicine for pets.   Gem's webpage is a hoot: "She has a magnetic pulse bed, which she goes in after swimming, and a Spiritual Healer is currently treating her..." (naturally, our dog has had his own magnetic bed for years, but no spiritual healer... )

Sporting Dog Journal publisher arrested for organizing dog fights NY Cooperation between local, state and federal agencies is credited with the arrest of James Frichione, the main organizer of the blood sport...

'Animal welfare officials said the arrest of the alleged publisher of Sporting Dog Journal (magazine devoted to dog fighting), James Fricchione, and information gathered at his Westtown, N.Y., home could lead to the arrests of hundreds of people involved in dog fighting across the country...Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states, and there are federal laws against transporting dogs across state lines to be used in fighting. ' [ABC News] Related: Newsday.com - Man arrested on dogfighting charges; 18 pit bulls, Sporting Dog Journal Back Issues 

UK Vet industry accused of price gouging UK A report by the British Competition Commission has vets howling in protest of its findings that a monopoly governed all aspects of veterinary pricing::

'... virtually all of the UK’s veterinary surgeons are operating a ‘complex monopoly’, with many vets failing to inform customers that they can ask for prescriptions, failing to inform customers of the price of prescription only medicines before they are dispensed, failing to provide itemised bills, or failing to reflect in their pricing the discounts and rebates they receive from manufacturers and wholesalers. Some vets were even accused of pricing prescription only medicines to subsidise, to a greater or lesser extent, their professional fees...' [UK Pet Industry News]

Squirrel chases terrified girl up a tree Germany [Ananova Quirkies] Related: Animal Attack Files

Alaskan residents: scoop the poop  AK '22 tons of fecal matter are dropped daily by all Anchorage dogs...' What isn't scooped ends up in Alaska's water resources...  [Anchorage Daily News] 

Police officer shoots family’s pet dog ND [Jamestown Sun] (not again... )

Peta president wants to be barbecued DC People for the ethical treatment of animals (PETA) president Newkirk will say anything just about anything to draw attention to PETA's cause. She has willed her body for use in protests by PETA:

'...she had drawn up a will directing that her flesh be barbecued and her skin used to make leather products...  her feet be removed and made into umbrella stands similar to those made from elephant feet that she had seen as a child...  her liver be vacuum-packed and sent to France ...' [Sun-Sentinel] (hmmm...  she could sent her sh*t to France while she's alive...)

Hit-and-run laws protect domestic dogs and cats NH In New Hampshire, hit-and-runs of dogs, cats and other domestic animals could result in a summons, a court hearing and a fine:

Under state law, RSA 264:31: "Report of Injury to Dog," "the driver of any vehicle, who knowingly strikes a dog and fails to report the incident to the dog’s owner or custodian or to a police officer as soon as possible, shall be guilty of a violation." [Portsmouth Herald]

Dog walking businesses fight like cats and dogs  The dog walking world is so competitive that only the toughest survive... [Wall Street Journal]

Fatal wolf hybrid Attack prompts call for ban ID Recently a wolf-hybrid killed a baby boy while his mother slept in the next room. Senator Laird Noh wants to outlaw "domestic wolves, so called wolf hybrids, that a growing number of people are breeding, raising and buying as pets." Idaho law requires registration and permanent tatooing of wolf hybrids by the Department of Fish and game.

'A 13-month-old boy died early Sunday after a wolf-dog hybrid bit him and tore the baby´s jugular vein at a Boise home....  bitten by the animal 'hundreds' of times at the Frederic Street home...'  [Idaho Statesman] Related: Child killed by wolf hybrid

Please don't growl at the dog UK Just this week, an employee growled at our dog as he visited clients where he does therapy work. He was visibly shaken because he expects people to be friendly to him. While some people think it's funny to growl at a dog, I don't. Luckily, our dog is trained and all he did was look puzzled and worried. Another dog who isn't trained might just bite. Play fighting with a dog can actually teach it aggression and is not recommended either.

'Growling is one of the series of actions that can lead to an aggressive attack. ...advice to do a "deep, throaty growl" is  foolhardy, and could lead to one of your readers being bitten by their dog... Giving a potentially challenging signal to a dog should never be done lightly, if at all. There are alternative ways of influencing a dog’s behaviour. ..' [Edinburgh Evening News]

dog heroes in abundance...

Shadow saves owner from grizzly (dog hero of the year runner-up) [Alaska Daily News; thanks for the link, Stephanie! Slat Rat Chronicles ]

Seguin police bid farewell to canine officer TX  'He didn’t die in the line of duty, but to some on the Seguin Police Department, he was a hero...' [Seguin Gazette Enterprise]

In the company of heroes: Rep. Boozman speaks at annual Red Cross AR 'The Animal Rescue Award went to a dog named Sophie. On Feb. 28, 1999, three University of Arkansas students capsized their boat on Beaver Lake and had to swim to an island. Sophie kept barking and whining until her owners called out and heard the boys’ cries for help...' [Northwest Arkansas Times]


Fire brigade's four-legged friend 'Charlie is Cornwall's new fire investigation dog, replacing Nelson, who is retiring...' [BBC]