Don't Bring Your Dog To The Inauguration

The HSUS Reminds Inauguration Attendees to Leave their Pets at Home
January 13, 2009

The Humane Society of the United States is reminding those planning to attend this historic event that all animals, excluding service dogs, will be prohibited from entering any inaugural event sites or locations. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has estimated that between one and three million people will attend next week's presidential inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The HSUS will be working under the authority of the D.C. Department of Health's Animal Disease Prevention Division to respond to any animal issues that arise during the inaugural activities. The HSUS' Emergency Services vehicle will be stocked with veterinary supplies and stationed within the inaugural staging zone. A second vehicle, capable of sheltering and transporting more than 100 animals, will be staged outside the security perimeter, to be available should any animal issues arise. HSUS staff and volunteers will be stationed among the crowd to assist if anyone with service animals or other animals is in need of assistance, including any needs of the police horses on site.

"While we understand the desire to share this momentous celebration with your pets, we strongly urge the public not to bring animals, other than service animals, to any of the inaugural activities or festivities," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of Emergency Services at The HSUS. "This precaution is for both the safety of the public and the animals, who risk being injured in the massive crowds."

"Security precautions during this year's inaugural events will be unprecedented," said Peggy Keller, Chief of the Bureau of Community Hygiene for the D.C. Department of Health. "We want people to be able to enjoy this exciting event safely, but any person with an animal other than a service dog will be turned away at the security check point."

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.

This Months Food And Fitness Tips

Pet Food Tips:

· Feed your Pet a high-quality diet. Select food made by companies known for nutritional research. Your Banfield veterinarian can recommend the best Pet food diet for your Pet.

· Make sure your Pet’s food is fresh. Purchase only the amount necessary for your Pet.

· Feed your Pet the correct amount of food. Determine portions according to your Pet’s weight and avoid overfeeding.

· Follow a daily feeding schedule. This will help your Pet maintain normal elimination habits and avoid indoor accidents.

· Avoid “people” food. Your Pet’s digestive system is simpler than yours and can be easily upset by feeding him/her table scraps.



Pet Fitness Tips:

· Consult your veterinarian first. Pets have different exercise needs, so before you begin, ask your veterinarian to help you determine a proper exercise routine for your Pet.

· Your dog needs a walk at least once a day. If your Pet has been inactive for awhile, then start the exercise routine slowly. Find a walking schedule that works for both you and your Pet, which might call for a short walk twice a day or one long walk.

· Help your cat stay active. For indoor cats, there are a variety of cat toys designed to help your cat stay active, or you can play hide/hunt games with them.

To learn more about these tips visit Banfield’s The Pet Hospital's January Pet Food and Fitness month

I thought that I would post this article about the other side of owning a dog. They are the victims from being attack by a dog that we only read about in the papers. After I read some of the stories it becomes heart breaking to read and feel the pain that they have gone through.

So please take care of your dog and have them trained so that your dog doesn't attack someone.


DogsBite.org Announces Annual Awards for 2008


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

Seattle, WA, January 12, 2009 --(PR.com)-- On the 9th day of January, DogsBite.org issued its Annual Awards for the year 2008. DogsBite.org highlighted just a few people; in the future DogsBite.org hopes to highlight many more. The following categories have been named for the year 2008:

-Victims Advocate of the Year: Wendy Blevins, Omaha, Nebraska
-Dog Warden of the Year: Tom Skeldon, Lucas County, Ohio
-Council Member of the Year: Brian Powers, Lakewood, Ohio
-County Judge of the Year: Judge Vernon E. Scoville, Jackson County, Missouri
-Federal Judge of the Year: Judge Wiley Y. Daniel, Denver, Colorado
-Prosecuting Attorney of the Year: David Morse, Livingston County, Michigan
-Internet Advocate of the Year: The Artist Zupf, YouTube.com

Please View the DogsBite.org Annual Awards for 2008:
http://www.dogsbite.org/blog/2009/01/dogsbiteorg-announces-our-annual-awards.html

Each person awarded has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to preventing future victims from being subjected to a violent pit bull type dog attack. Because DogsBite.org is a victims group, writing about the Victims Advocate of the Year, Wendy Blevins, was the most difficult part of the 2008 awards. Wendy's story is powerfully awakening and is sure to rattle the deepest part of one's soul. But it is Wendy's role as a victims advocate -- in the wake of her daughter's traumatic injuries, and in the face of ridicule by pit bull special interest groups and owners -- that DogsBite.org hopes communities begin to understand the stunning and unmatched courage of a victim. It is this very courage that will alter the "pit bull conversation" forever.

DogsBite.org invites readers to watch the unforgettable video of Wendy and Charlotte:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2YJKB1WTKw&feature=channel_page

Each person awarded will receive a framed certificate from DogsBite.org.

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.


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

So You Brought That Coat For Your Dog

Well after reading an article about people who buy these coats just might be doing their dogs harm. So you say to yourself it’s just a coat that I brought and he looks so nice in it I’m not hurting the dog.

Well Mark Johnston from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association said; Dogs have developed a very effective coat of their own, which will protect them from the elements. It is adjustable so they can raise the fur to control their temperature. Dressing them in a coat diminishes the animal's ability to regulate their own body temperature and could be detrimental if the animal gets too hot.

A spokeswoman from the RSPCA Helen Briggs said; Under the Animal Welfare Act, you are obliged to provide appropriate conditions and environments for your dog. So if you are slapping a great big coat on it when it really doesn't need it, then that could cause it to suffer if it is overheating. It is the same as if you leave a dog in a car in hot weather. Some breeds have been bred to have less fur, so in some cases it is quite appropriate for a dog to wear a coat in very cold weather. But if an owner is just doing it for a fashion statement or because they think it is cool, I would question that.

So after reading about all the damages that you can cause your loved pet by wearing these stylish coats I would think that it would be best not to use them unless you check with a Vet first.

Read the article by Jasper Copping here.

Will Missouri Get Tough With Puppy Mills

If things go the way the Missouri Animal Right Groups are fighting for, they just might help save the poor dogs in some of these puppy mills.

The Director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation said; We are the puppy mill capital of the United States unfortunately. We're not against commercial breeding we're just saying if you go into that business you need to follow the law.

Just maybe these poor dogs might have a chance to live a better life. All that I have read about puppy mills all seams to read like every one had good intentions when they first started out, but then they had gotten over whelmed and that’s when things get out of hand. So who’s the one that is suffering; the poor dogs. Maybe with more inspectors going around and keeping tabs on the breeders to make sure they are ran right and to help them out when needed things might change for the better.

Read the article by Aaron Keller here.

Seattle’s Dog WinterFest Is This Weekend

For all you dog loves up in Seattle it time for the Dog WinterFest that will be helping support the Ginger’s Pet Rescue that specializes in Death Row Dogs and the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation which helps aid and rescue abused & abandoned dogs.

Their will also be a talent dog show and a dog fashion show with much more.

Read the article by Michael van Baker here.

Update On Soldier Accused Of Dragging His Dog

The Army Soldier who was arrested for dragging his dog behind his SUV was in court today and for three felony counts of animal abuse was not alone. A group of animal activist was there at Cody Wayne Hahn side too.

Ruth Steinberger from the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals said; We're here because it's important that people see and care what happens to animals. Animal abuse is a serious crime, and everyone wants to see justice done here.

I hope that the judge isn’t going to be too soft on the kid because what he did to his poor dog was very cruel.

Read the article by Manny Gamallo here.