Friday, December 26, 2008

Another Dog Food Warning

Caution to Dog Owners About Chicken Jerky Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers about a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products. The products—also called chicken tenders, strips, or treats—are imported from China. FDA continues to receive complaints of sick dogs that their owners or veterinarians associate with eating chicken jerky products. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report that the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the product was manufactured in China.

What is FDA Doing?

FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States, is working to find out why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a precise cause for the reported illnesses.

FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.

FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.

Tips for Consumers

Do not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet. The products are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

If you choose to feed your dog chicken jerky products, watch the dog closely. Stop feeding the product if your dog shows any of the following signs, which may occur within hours to days after feeding the product:

- decreased appetite, although some dogs may continue to eat the treats instead of other foods
- decreased activity
- vomiting
- diarrhea, sometimes with blood
- increased water drinking or increased urination

Call your veterinarian if signs are severe or last for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to FDA have involved dogs that have died.

Consumers and veterinarians should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods or treats to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator listed for their area at www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Health Information Web page (www.fda.gov/consumer), which features the latest updates on FDA-regulated products. Sign up for free e-mail subscriptions at www.fda.gov/consumer/consumerenews.html.

For More Information
Preliminary Animal Health Notification
www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/ComplaintsChicJerky.htm

Date Posted: December 24, 2008

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas Woof Woof


US Army Extradites Disgraceful Soldier For Dragging A Dog

It was good to read that the US Army has come though on releasing a disgraceful soldier named Cody Hahn who had dragged a dog to near death tied to the back of his truck.

The Sapulpa, Oklahoma Sheriffs department has charged Cody Hahn with cruelty to an animal, transporting an animal in a cruel & humane fashion along with abandonment of an animal.

Read the article by Manny Gamallo here.

Indiana Subpoenas Puppy Mill With Search Warrant

Animals, Records Seized from Troubled Puppy Business

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter announced today that a Cloverdale woman's failure to comply with a state subpoena to produce business and tax records resulted in the removal of approximately 60 animals from her property.

The Indiana Attorney General's office, the Owen County Sheriff's office and the Indiana Department of Revenue (IDR) served Tammy Gilchrist with a search warrant for business and tax records dating back to 1998. Gilchrist was also served a jeopardy assessment authorizing the state to immediately collect tax the Indiana Department of Revenue finds is in danger of being recovered if standard assessment and collection procedures are followed.

"This woman has left behind a trail of misery for many consumers over the past several years," said Carter. "The seizure today effectively puts her out of business."

When she was unable to produce payment of $192,960.28, Gilchrist was served with a jeopardy levy, enabling the state to seize her bank accounts and inventory of animals including approximately 55 dogs and four horses. Three veterinarians and 15 volunteers from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and local animal care and rescue organizations were on site to assist with safe removal of the animals from Gilchrist's property.

"Ms. Gilchrist has shown a pattern of negative business practices that has resulted in the actions taken today," said Carter. "She was unable to produce the necessary records or payment, so we were able to remove and find temporary shelter for the animals. Taxpayers are victims too if some don't pay their fair share."

Carter said the support of the HSUS was a key to achieving a good result for the animals.

"The future of these animals is a lot brighter," said Anne Sterling, the HSUS' Indiana state director. "It is extremely gratifying to know that we have given these animals the chance to live outside the confines of their squalid cages."

Many of these dogs were emaciated and suffered from obvious medical ailments such as open sores and severe skin conditions. These animals have been placed with multiple humane organizations in the state. Once at their temporary homes, every animal will be assessed by a veterinarian, given any necessary medical attention, evaluated and placed for adoption.

The HSUS was called in to assist the Indiana Attorney General's Office with the rescue and placement of these animals. As a result, the HSUS brought together local volunteers and rescue groups across the region to secure assistance for the rescue operation and to find placements for these animals.

Members of the Bloomington Animal Care & Control, New Albany/Floyd County Animal Shelter, Humane Society of Indianapolis, Humane Society of Northwest Indiana, Humane Society Calumet Area, Humane Society of Brown County, Monroe County Humane Association and Saving Paws Rescue also assisted by taking in animals or removing them from the property.

"Our office coordinated a major operation today with experienced animal welfare volunteers and, as a result, we are hopeful the animals seized will be in good hands," said Attorney General Carter.

Carter also commended the cooperation of Owen County Sheriff Chester Richardson, John Eckart, Commissioner of the IDR and Owen County Circuit Court Judge Frank Nardi, whose diligent preparation made the execution of the seizure a success.

"The public expects law enforcement agencies to work together, that's what made the seizure a success," said Attorney General Carter.

The Attorney General's office has received complaints about Gilchrist failing to deliver puppies offered for sale, misrepresenting the health or age of puppies, failing to deliver registration papers, failing to refund shipping fees, failing to obtain a kennel license and/or selling puppies with various viruses that died a few days after delivery.

As a result, the Attorney General's office filed a suit against Gilchrist in 2006. Operating under multiple aliases and business names, Gilchrist agreed to comply with consumer protection laws after learning of the State's intent to seek an immediate restraining order against her and her business.

Since October 2003, Gilchrist offered puppies of various breeds for sale to consumers through advertisements on various websites. She has conducted business as AKA Kennel, TEKS Kennel, Puppysrus and Affordable Pups, with a principal place of business in Owen County, located at 11231 Highway 231, Cloverdale, Indiana.



SOURCE Office of the Indiana Attorney General

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Who's The Top Dog Warden

Tom Skeldon: Dog Warden of the Year 2008


Awarded by DogsBite.org -- The only U.S. non-profit organization founded by and operating on behalf of dog bite victims.

Toledo, OH, December 17, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Tom Skeldon has vigorously worked to prevent horrendous pit bull maulings resulting in serious injuries or death of human beings, their domesticated pets and livestock. As the prevention of these horrific attacks have a clearly higher social priority over other animal issues best addressed by non-profit animal welfare organizations, his tireless focus on the growing dangerous pit bull epidemic, while enduring relentless unfair attacks by organized groups with both open and hidden political pro-pit bull agendas, has earned Tom Skeldon the justifiable reputation as the most effective dog warden in the United States of America. His dedication to protect the residents of Lucas County and other people across North America through his consultation, education, and testifying for other jurisdictions facing their own epidemic of pit bull attacks, from the shores of the Pacific, to the heights of the Rocky Mountains, and into the colder regions of Ontario, Canada, reflects greatly upon him, the Office of the Lucas County Dog Warden, and all of Lucas County Ohio. Through his efforts, hundreds of communities across the U.S. and Canada are better protected from these inherently dangerous dogs, resulting in the prevention of several fatal and near-fatal pit bull maulings. Therefore, upon this 16th day of December, 2008, DogsBite.org hereby bestows upon Tom Skeldon, the Dog Warden for Lucas County Ohio, its award for Dog Warden of the Year -- 2008.

DogsBite.org will be issuing additional awards for the year 2008 on January 5th, 2009.

About DogsBite.org
DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks by creating common sense laws. Through our work, we hope to protect both people and pets from future attacks. Our website, www.dogsbite.org, launched in October 2007 and contains a wide collection of data to help policymakers and citizens learn about dangerous dogs. Our research focuses on pit bull type dogs. Due to selective breeding practices that emphasize aggression and tenacity, this class of dogs negatively impacts communities the most. Our website hosts important dog bite studies, U.S. dog bite fatalities and other key bibliographies. In the Legislating Dogs portion of our site, we offer examples of breed-specific laws (state-by-state) and documentation of the constitutionality of these laws. The Victim Realities section provides a glance into the unforgettable stories victims leave behind and much more. DogsBite.org operates out of Seattle, Washington and can be contacted via: 206-260-2915 or press@dogsbite.org. Research contributions and active website participation stems from individuals that span the United States of America.

DogsBite.org
Colleen Lynn
206-260-2915
press@dogsbite.org
www.dogsbite.org

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Ok They Are Still Trying To Make 1 Million Adoptions

The Home 4 the Holidays adoptions count is at 760,599 so far so lets keep up the good work and spread the news. You know you want a pet to call your own, so come and adopt a loving animal that just wants a place to call home.

Home 4 the Holidays

Give A Lending Hand & Help The Seniors Feed Their Pets

Photo by Ed Yourdon



We all know how hard it is to get by at times, but did you ever think how hard it can be for the senior who are living on a tight budget. Well there is a fund drive called Season Of Suppers which is going on to help them feed their pets.

The groups that are running this benefit are the Pet Hospital, The Banfield Charitable Trust & Meals On Wheels Association of America. So just think about all these homebound seniors that rely on their pets to help keep them in comfort even during hard times.

The Visiting Nurse Meals On Wheels program of Rochester, N.Y director Phil Shippers said; We know that many seniors in our community are compromising their own nutrition by sharing their meals with their pets.

The Banfield’s 2008 Season of Suppers campaign takes place throughout Banfield’s more than 730 Pet hospitals across the country that was founded by a man called Warren J Wegert back in 1955 who’s commitment was to offer the best care for owners pets. Who would ever thought that fifty three years later the foundation that Warren Wegert had started as a dream has now become one of the biggest pet hospitals in the world that even to this day still cares for the wellbeing of pets and their owners.

So find out where your local Banfield Hospital is and help make a donation and an elderly smile.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Ok Dog Owners, We Need To Train Our Dogs

Just in today’s news there were a few different dog attacks and there’s many more each day that we don’t even read about.

A dog owner down in Davie, FL was bitten either by her dog or another dog as a Akita and a Pit Bull began fitting and the women tried to stop the dogs.
Read the article here.

A little ten year old girl from South Bend, Indiana was bitten on the arm by a Pit Bull that cause her to be hospitalized. The police had to shot the dog which made it the second dog shot this month in South Bend.
Read the article by Ed Ronce & Sue Lowe here.

The was a twelve year old boy that was attacked by a Pit Bull when it jumped over a fence and bit the kid in the face and leg. Poor little kid named Dylan Leone wound up with an eight inch gash on his face and was bitten three times on the leg.
Read the article by Rachel Hatzipanagos here.


So the end result works out like this. A woman named Diane D’Allessandro was bitten by a dog and now she is trying to sue the dog’s owner for a half a million dollars. Yes that’s a lot of money for a dog bite, so you just might want to be a little more thoughtful when you walk your dog.
Read the article by Christine Legere here.

I feel bad when I read about someone getting bitten by a dog and you know at times it’s just a reaction by the dog when someone goes to pet your dog. But when you read about an untrained dog that is known to be wild you wonder how they became so wild. We read about dog training all over the news and the web and still there are owners who just don’t care.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Bethany Conn. Kennel Gets Raided



A dog kennel in Bethany Conn. was raided today by the State Police and Animal Control today. The report goes on to say that there were over thirty dogs that were removed for the home.

Read the article by Erin Cox here.



Best Friends Animal Society Finally Get Their Day

The Best Friends Animal Society has been picketing a Beverly Hills pet store called Pet Love for selling puppy mill dogs. The group has even offered the owner help in getting rescue dogs for them to sell and help with promoting the store with the community, but the owners have now decide to leave and close their store.

You would think with all the offers that they received they would have stayed and made the community better and help the cause for all the homeless dogs. I guess not, it just goes to show you that they were in it for the money… So we say …See Ya….

Read the article here.

Monday, December 8, 2008

A Special Girls Goal To Help Her Local Dogs

Here’s a nice story about a little girl named Molly Bergman who spent her time making money to help the dogs in her local shelter. This isn’t just any girl this is a girl who has a heart and love for dogs even though she is autistic. It just goes to show you that a love for animals is stronger then any type of illness.

Molly goal was to buy dog collars and tags to be placed on the animals before they are adopted so that if they become lost they can be traced back to their owners. Who would have imagined a little girl coming up with an idea like that?

A Special Thanks goes out to Molly from all our buddies.

Read the article by Joe Lambe here.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Dawn Kairns Donates Portions Of Royalties To Shelters & Rescue Groups


Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups Can Benefit from Portions of Author Royalties from Sale of Book, Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life

Authors' goal is to donate portions of book proceeds from Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life, released in July, 2008 to animal rescue groups who are interested in partnering in book sales. It also lets those grieving from the loss of their pets know this book can offer them support in their time of grief.


Boulder, CO, December 06, 2008 --(PR.com)-- “Animals are such gifts to us and the human-animal bond can be such a powerful part of our lives,” says Dawn Kairns, author of Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life. Dawn has donated portions of book proceeds to local humane societies (The Humane Society of Boulder Valley and The Denver Dumb Friends League) and to Mainline Animal Rescue (MLAR) in PA. MLAR is devoted to raising awareness of the conditions in puppy mills and rescuing their canine victims, a passionate cause the author shares. Kairns has also donated her books to numerous rescue group fund raisers, including MLAR. She is in the process of partnering with Table Mountain Animal Center so that a portion of her book proceeds sold through that shelter will benefit Table Mountain. Her goal is to continue to support animal rescue organizations by donating portions of her royalties from the sale of Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life by partnering in similar fashion with animal shelters and rescue groups.

Kairns’ hope is that the love from her deep bond with Maggie will speak to readers who connect with their dogs in the same way, and will offer support to those experiencing pet loss. Ann Johnson, LCSW of the Human Animal Bond Trust (the group of veterinarians and mental health professionals who run this Pet Loss Group) in Denver states, “I plan to share Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life with all members of the Human Animal Bond Trust, Inc. and to keep the book available at our Pet Loss Group meetings. As one of the three mental health professionals who have facilitated our Pet Loss Support Group for the past 20+ years, and a dog/animal person forever, I can only agree with everything you've included in your book and would wish everyone could read it.”

In Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life, the author’s black lab, Maggie, helps Kairns find her place in the world, both personally and professionally. Through her relationship with Maggie, who she calls her once-in-a-lifetime dog, Kairns learns that dogs are intelligent, emotional beings that can sense our thoughts. When Maggie’s health is compromised, Kairns takes readers on her journey to discover what’s really best for our pets when it come to pet food. The depth of their bond opens a surprising door for the author to trust her intuition over intellect, and to respect the messages communicated through her dreams. Pet guardians who have experienced the profound sense of loss that comes with losing their own cherished pets will find a kindred spirit in this book.

Author Bio
Dawn was born and raised in northwestern Indiana, but Colorado has been home for over 31 years. A lifelong animal lover, her passion for dogs led her to volunteer with local rescue organizations, including the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Front Range Labrador Rescue, and Freedom Service Dogs. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the author and her husband travelled to Mississippi to work with the Humane Society of the United States assisting the displaced Katrina dogs. Her own dog and cat are rescues. A family nurse practitioner turned writer, Dawn Kairns has also published in nursing journals, American Fitness magazine, The Daily Camera, and Real Travel Adventures Magazine.

Contact Dawn Kairns for more information or interviews:
Tel: 303-449-4624 or 303-579-0547
Fax: 303-449-4416
Website: http://www.dawnkairns.com/
Email: dawnkairns@yahoo.com

ISBN: 978-0-595-47435-6 ● Publication Date: July, 2008 ● Price: $15.95 ● Publisher: iUniverse ● Trade Paperback: 168 pages

Friday, December 5, 2008

Judge To Sentence Two Kidnapping Dog Thieves


Photo by Stan Wayman


So what will the good Judge named Duncan Allen going to do to the two dog thieves named Andrew Phillip Davidson & Scott Joseph Wilson that stole a coworkers little Maltese Terrier and held the dog for ransom.

The article said that Andrew has been working as a volunteer at the RSPCA shelter walking dogs and cleaning cages. The question is do they trust him to be around the dogs; maybe he might steal one of the dogs for himself and try and give it a home.

Our is he there working to try and show the Judge as a request by his lawyer. I have read a lot about dog napping in the past and it just like taking someone’s child to me. Just think about what the dog’s owner had gone though in his mind when the ransom note said: for your dog’s safe return failure to comply or police contact and there’s no hope for your dog.

So should the Judge Allen throw the book at these guys or make them clean the cages for life?

Read the article Shelley Hadfield here.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

A Community Helps Fulfill A Dream Come True With A Gift Of A Dog



Photo by Steve Mellon


A little girl named Angelina Hentosz from Upper St. Clair, PA has received a dream go true with the kind help from her community when an Elementary school students and staff helped raise funds to allow her to receive a special kind of dog.

Little Angelina suffers from an extremely rare genetic illness that is called Dravet Syndrome which causes her to have seizures and with the help of the community she will be receiving a special kind of dog from the Pawsabilities Unleashed in Kentucky.

Her new friend will be a British Labrador who will help her thought her time of needs. To read an article like this just shows the love of her community and reminds me of the time my own community helped out with our son during his time of needs when we needed help for his Chiari Malformation expenses.

The best part of this is that when a community gets together anything is possible to help make someone’s dream come true and little Angelina’s will now have the help from her new dog that will no only be her friend but will be there to help save her life.

So A Special Thanks goes out to all that has help this little girls dream come true.

Read the article by Maria Sciullo here.

Is It The Last Stop Pet Grooming Spa

The owner Erik Webb of Happy Tails Pet Spa in West Knoxville is being investigated by 6 WATE news reporter for the deaths of a few dogs that were brought to his place of business that had died.

The article said back in November a beagle named Moxie died from having three broken ribs and a lacerated liver.
That doesn’t sound like no pet grooming to me.

Back in January a little Lhasa Apso named Bogey was dropped off to be groomed and when the owner went to pick the dog up he was dead. The vet report said it was due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Tell me how dose something like that happen to a dog who is suppose to be getting groomed.

Another couple lost two Bichon Frise dogs at Happy Trails Pet Spa a few years back from being at this place.

Is there something going on at this place that is causing all these dogs to die. I wonder how many people still haven’t come forward to talk about their sad experience with this owner.

Read the article by Kristyn Caddell here.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A Man’s Love For Animals Helps Again

A man named Roger James from Washington has helped in past donations for our buddies, but this time Roger has donated a half a million dollars to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society to help build a new animal shelter.
Now that is one gift that just shows this man’s love for these pets knowing that it will be a no kill shelter.

A Special Thanks goes out to Roger James

Read the article by Joe Chapman here.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Philadelphia Animal Care And Control Association Loses State Contract


Video by Dave Bentley

So what a State to do when an animal control association can’t even take care of our poor buddies. They say your fired…
View the video by Lu Ann Cahn to see just why this happened.