Home breeders escape federal regulation MO 'Rejecting arguments from animal rights groups, a federal appeals court ruled last week that residential breeders of dogs and cats are not subject to federal licensing and inspection' (The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit). 'People who sell and breed animals out of their homes fall under the definition of 'retail pet stores' that are exempt from regulation under federal law...' [Springfield News]

Dog slobber law suit dried up: $10,000 award voided VA A judge voided a jury's $10,000 award to a woman in her lawsuit against PetSmart. She alleges drool left on a PetSmart floor caused her to fracture her  knee when she slipped on it. 'A Roanoke jury had awarded $10,000 to a woman who claimed she was hurt in a pet store after slipping on the slobber of a dog who looked like Scooby Doo...' The judge decided no one was really sure where the slobber came from ...  [Roanoke Times]