Treats on the Internets

Reminder: This blog is now living at yesbiscuit.wordpress.com

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This sounds like a pretty good dog

We all use stamps, even if we use them less frequently than we did in the before time - why not buy these?

Rescuers in Houston would like to take a dog at BARC to a veterinary specialist to see if her sight can be saved but BARC is refusing to release her

Austin is encouraging the community to get involved in achieving its no kill goals

Pets Alive is asking people to contact NY state politicians regarding the possible seizure of their land

Grace's Law, a proposal to end the use of the gas chamber in GA shelters, passes the House and heads to Senate

23 Pitbulls seized in Oakland, CA are owned by someone with a prior dogfighting conviction

The head of the South MS Animal Rescue Team and Refuge was keeping more than 200 dogs, about 75 cats, some goats, a chicken and a pony on less than an acre of land. She faces 10 counts of cruelty to animals - all misdemeanors.

Treats on the Internets

City Council voted this morning to make Austin a no kill city!

NC Governor's Facebook page has received thousands of complaints regarding the Robeson Co Animal Shelter. Her office posted an intention to look into the complaints.

The Baltimore dog groomer who police had depicted as a "nurse" to dogs used in fights has had animal cruelty charges against her dropped. (H/T to Heather who predicted this scenario)

Kent Co Humane Society in MI fought the law and won on behalf of dogs seized in dogfighting case

Recent study finds a correlation between bitches who kept their ovaries for at least 6 years and longevity

Penguin in permanent Casual Friday attire

Squirrels get dressed for church

Treats on the Internets

Proposed MS bill to make torturing pets a felony is going nowhere

Rhode Island state Veterinarian and self-professed "cat lover" wants to kill feral cats

Positive changes at WI shelter

Bill proposes that drowning and group gassing of shelter pets be replaced by lethal injection and solitary gassing in UT kill shelters

Memphis police officer charged with cruelty after 4 starving dogs were found chained in her backyard

Fired Memphis Animal Shelter (MAS) director Ernest Alexander was supposed to appear in court this week to face cruelty charges but no-showed. Lawyer says it was a mix up. Which is different from the "goof up" when MAS killed a dog in December 2009 who had a home waiting for him, shortly after they killed another adopted dog (that one was "sloppy"). I say again I think it's a mistake to not have cleaned house at MAS and started from scratch. We'll see.

Frame by frame breakdown of a Cesar Millan video clip where he is called upon to work with an aggressive dog

From KC Dog Blog: People are Confused About Who HSUS is, and what they do

If your dogs have bitten at least half a dozen people (including tearing the ear off a 4 year old girl) and continually blow through the invisible fence, don't you think it's time to consider alternative confinement?

Treats on the Internets

The keys to canine longevity: Play with dogs your own size, socialize with people, get your owner to share his meals with you

Brampton, Ontario hires slick lawyers in hopes of winning the right to kill 2 nice dogs

A New Zealand man who fed 5 kittens to his Pitbull gets sentenced to 7 months in jail

The remains of 14 dogs were found this month in garbage bags in a wooded area in Houston

Since 2007, a FL couple with 4 Pitbulls has received dozens of citations for roaming dogs and attacks on animals and people. Authorities say the couple has not only ignored the citations but also refused to pay the accompanying fines. The county is taking legal action to declare them unfit owners. Sort of a twist on "punish the deed, not the breed" although I don't know what will happen to the dogs if the county wins their case.

At the age of 4, a sled dog in Canada went blind so her owner followed veterinary advice to retire her. The dog stopped eating and drinking and the owner ended up letting her return to sled pulling for another 5 years before retiring her due to old age. (video)

Dr. Patty Khuly has a short Q & A on feeding basics: "Fat pets need less food; too-skinny pets need more."

One of my pet peeves is the idea that you need to get a recipe from a professional in order to feed your pet regular food that doesn't come in a bag with a picture of a hi-pro glow goggie on it. Research yes, "expert consultant", not necessarily. Here's one animal health consultant's take on home made cat food: Vegan meals.

Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) has an ongoing campaign against pet stores who sell dogs from puppy mills. A photograph inserted in their latest article on the subject includes a BFAS protest sign which reads "Pet overpopulation is NOT a myth". I'm hoping they'll clarify their position on that issue. It's one thing to simply have outdated rhetoric on your website but this sign seems particularly targeted, shall we say?

Treats on the Internets

A candlelight vigil was held last week in memory of the 146 Wilkes Co Pitbulls who were killed by HSUS one year ago. Photos from the event here.

Before you get a pet, watch this vid.

Memphis Police Department reportedly shoots a lot of dogs (for example, this dog). The new director of the Memphis Animal Shelter is hoping to work with police to get them additional training on the issue.

Two Boxer mixes remain jailed in Brampton, Ontario on the grounds that they are Pitbulls. The community has rallied in support of the owners and their pets.

A Granny in North Dakota has started a petition to ban Pitbulls in her town. Her grandson owns 3 Pitbulls. German Shepherds may be tossed in as well. Her daughter owns 3 German Shepherds. Rottweilers are on the hit list too although the article doesn't say who in Granny's family might own 3 of those.

Yellow Tail wine will make its donations elsewhere in future after backlash from $100k donation to HSUS

Reader Valerie sent me a link to the gloriously named PETApotty (yes, we're all 9 years old)

Treats on the Internets

Kansas City dog advocate goes door to door to educate and help owners

KC Dog Blog on why you can't pick and choose which pets get saved if you are a no kill shelter

Three captive wolves "set free" in MN by criminals - they are unable to survive in the wild

If this dog really weighs 115 pounds, it's not a Pitbull

I guess it's World Cat Day - which makes some people hungry

Political cartoon about Lady Justice and Chem Nutra

On the heels of the Westminster dog show, a little food for thought by way of King Tut, whose parents were close family members: It turns out, the boy king was only made to look pretty in statues. In real life, he was disabled, frail and probably had a weak immune system. The takeaway: "Inbreeding is not an advantage for biological or genetic fitness."

Treats on the Internets

Fired Animal Control officer Alonzo Esco, accused of shooting pets and dumping them in a MS creek, will likely face charges

AKC lists most popular AKC registered dog breeds for 2009 - Labs, GSDs, Yorkies, Goldens and Beagles are tops

Residents of Chatham Co, NC can get their Pitbulls neutered for free this month

Legislation allowing TNR of feral cats in Idaho has been introduced - two commenters claiming to be Vets respond to the article negatively

Memphis, TN news:

Memphis Animal Shelter (MAS) is behind on responding to calls from the public - about 800 calls behind. The new director starts March 1.

Supporters of fired MAS director say the raid and abuse photos were all a set up

Local group working to get a free spay-neuter program established in Memphis

Treats on the Internets

American Humane Association responds to shooting of shelter pets in Houston, AK

NYT article: A Neuroscientist Studying the Structure of Dog Brains

February 23 is Spay Day, originally started by Doris Day Animal League, now run by HSUS

NY man who killed 5 of his girlfriend's cats gets no jail time

Basic physiological explanation of the roles of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in a dog's diet

SC police officer tases a 25 pound dog twice, leaving coils embedded in dog

Also in SC, a terrier mix dog who had been shot in the head showed up at the doorstep of a no kill shelter employee. The shelter is offering a reward for information on the case.

NAIA Trust has an update on the Murder Hollow Bassets case for those who've been following

One of those polls designed to make pet owners look bad, no matter how they answer (Who thinks up these stupid things and why do they keep doing it?)

Treats on the Internets

KC Dog Blog on Killing Animals with Homes

Smartdogs on giving a dog a treat when he sits and how that's different from what Josef Mengele did to Jews at Auschwitz

HSUS launches a vegan dog food product called "Humane Choice" (first ingredient is organic ground canola seed)

NYT posts a Q & A with a Vet as a follow-up to their story on debarking

Sloth slideshow - I love sloths and I think the world would be a better place if we all tried to be more like them

10pm Eastern - tonight: Online chat with the Director of the Nevada Humane Society, Bonney Brown

Treats on the Internets

Baltimore Co police documents portray dog groomer as a "nurse" to dogs used in alleged dogfighting ring

18 year old in NC charged with dogfighting, aspired to be the "next Michael Vick"

21 dogs seized in VA from man with previous cruelty convictions in and out of state

Owner of a dog who died at ASPCA veterinary hospital files suit after allegations the Vet kicked the dog

AVMA threatens Veterinary Information Network News Service with legal action over investigation

VA businesswoman produces raw food products for pets with ingredients from local farms

Lovely piece in the NY Times about two dogs who lived in an apartment building on the Upper West Side

Treats on the Internets

TN taxpayers still paying the salaries of suspended Memphis Animal Shelter staff

KC Dog Blog: The False Solace of Vilification

SC Lt. Gov. Bauer finds himself in a hole, keeps digging

LAFD defends rescue of German Shepherd from L.A. River

Pet Connection: Do Animals Need Laws Protecting Them from Shelters?

Chicago requiring criminal background checks & fingerprinting for shelter volunteers

Anyone seen this movie? Netflix doesn't seem to have it and I'd like to see it.

Treats on the Internets

Interesting write-up on stray dogs in Moscow

IL shelter charged with cruelty forced to turn over pets to other shelters

Consumer Freedom asks if there are many animals for HSUS to "save" in Haiti

Cesar Millan announces a Shelter Animal Physical Enrichment program

Seattle Humane Society offering free neuter and vaccines to Pitbulls

HuffPo argues that schoolkids deserve better than pet food - to which I would respond that pets deserve better than pet food

Video of kid showing her pig in competition

A glimpse into the world of hunting cottontail with Beagles

Treats on the Internets

The pdf of the complete Petsmart survey results is available. I was particularly interested in the details provided on pages 10, 15, 18, 19, 30 and 42.

Smartdogs has an excellent, detailed review of the oft cited University of PA study regarding "confrontational training methods" and the negative responses evoked in dogs

KC Dog Blog looks at the kill numbers in Los Angeles after the city's second year of mandatory spay-neuter - not good, again

Neat vid of dog who heads for safety ahead of recent earthquake in CA

Alaskan wildlife photographer notes that lone wolf plays with dogs

PETA is reportedly yanking the ad featuring an image of FLOTUS used without permission

Veterinary drugs recall expanded

The AVMA has a summary of animal related legislation in the US for 2009

I always knew

Treats on the Internets

This year's No Kill Conference will be held in Washington, D.C. on July 31 and August 1

Rescued Shar Pei gets an extreme makeover to prevent blindness

Ezra Klein on why dog owners make cities safer

PETA uses image of FLOTUS in an ad without permission

Carson Shelter in Gardena, CA temporarily short on space during remodel

Pet Connection has news of an online petition regarding Michael Vick's "courage" award

Bigfoot mystery finally solved?

Must see TV that never was: Poochinski

Treats on the Internets

The ice... is gonna break!

Lawrence Humane Society workers in Kansas now carrying concealed weapons

South Carolina: Clemson University kills squirrels after birth control attempt fails

Lassie Get Help: "Living on nothing but food stamps" - with dogs [and Western values]

The Pitbull who injured a SC girl has been euthanized due to the severity of his injuries. The girl's Father, who apparently owned the dog and left the kids home alone while he went to the store, may be charged with "keeping a dangerous animal or having an animal creating a nuisance". No word on child neglect charges.

Via this post on the Poodle and Dog Blog, I came across this debunking of New Zealand reseachers' claim that owning a medium sized dog is worse for the environment than driving an SUV.

TX exotics dealer who had tens of thousands of animals seized by authorities accuses an employee of intentional animal neglect in order to further his cruelty claims made as an undercover PETA investigator.

Amidst tragedy, a humane society stands together

Treats on the Internets

The No Kill Advocacy Center honors six no kill advocates with the Henry Bergh Leadership Award

Follow-up: The NY woman accused of torturing pets to death with her kids and charged with misdemeanors is now likely to be indicted on felony charges and as such, is being held on $100,000 bail

Oh, South Carolina!

Sad story in TX of the killing of an emotional support dog who belonged to a war hero - as is often the case, I doubt the penalty will fit the crime

Someone in MN thought it would be funny to glue a cat's paws to the highway

Action Alert: Some seized Pitbulls in a NM case have been reclaimed by owners, others have not and may be killed

FL high school kids make dog beds to get shelter dogs up off the floor

SnOMG!

Not pet related: Snowflakes up close

Treats on the Internets

You gotta have Faith

A USDA licensed exotic pets warehouse in TX was raided by authorities this week, more than 20,000 animals seized

Bo steals the show as he shows off his training during Oprah's visit to the White House

Article on TNR in IL and another on an effort to neuter feral cats in the UK and put them to work as critter control on farms

Small study indicates no difference in how much owners love cats adopted for free from shelters vs. cats adopted for a fee

Morris Animal Foundation survey finds cats suffer from a bad reputation

I just loop my leashes through the handle in order to dispense with the need for a collar so I'm not sure how useful this leash would be for me

I hate to hear about young dogs dying of cancer - this one was a successful crime fighter

Proposed "Caring for Animals" license plates in AR will cost extra but the money will go toward a spay-neuter program for low-income residents

OR program to send senior rescue dogs to live at youth correctional facility

Chit Chat

Random ramblings...

I watched the US premiere of the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed last night. Did you? What did you think? I began coveting Cavaliers when I got to know one who boarded at the vet clinic where I worked 20 years ago. I've never met one since that seemed to be anything less than perfectly lovely. Unfortunately the health problems plaguing the breed have kept me away. As Billy asked me last night, "Do you think someone would ever consider breeding them specifically for good health?" I hope that there are indeed Cavalier breeders already doing just that. Of course I'd expect them to be blackballed by many breed fanciers and so perhaps hard to find. It seems a terrible shame that such a sweet and gentle dog should have fallen into the hands of people who care more about dog show ribbons than they do pain and suffering of the dogs.

Speaking of gentle creatures victimized by man, manatees are concentrated in the warm waters of the FL coast in November through March. If you are boating this winter, watch out for them.

Feeding dogs a vegan diet vs. a raw meaty bones diet - this article is not long enough to go in depth, but it brings to light the argument of cruelty on both sides.

If you enjoy the drawings of famed animator Chuck Jones, you'll want to check out his pet gallery on exhibit in San Diego this Sunday.

That's about all the chit I've got in my chat at the moment. Please feel welcome to chime in with your own randomness.

Treats on the Internets

From the FDA: Pet Health & Safety widget for your site

Study finds turmeric and pepper compounds helpful in fighting cancer

Giant tortoise dies at French zoo, he was 146.

WI Greyhounds in need of homes due to racetrack closing will not be killed, contrary to online rumors

Some legal rulings in the ongoing battle over the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Interview with the author of the book Righteous Porkchop: Finding a Life and Good Food Beyond Factory Farms

Video of Ray, a former Vick dog, doing agility and CGC work at Best Friends

Cow born without dollar sign on head

Richmond SPCA reports that Merial is doling out heartworm drug to those it deems most needy during shortage

Treats on the Internets

Oregon DA surprised that a judge gave a woman convicted of starving her horses 30 days in jail because usually there is no jail time for animal cruelty

HSUS up to its usual deceptive fundraising shenanigans

From Our Pack - article on helping a dog develop good dog manners

Christmas related:

Today only: Dogswell offering a stocking stuffer treat for your dog

Fun online dog themed advent calendar

The idea of getting shelter dogs into homes for the holidays is becoming more popular

Gift ideas for your No Kill friends and family