Dog Tricks For A Rainy Day
September 17, 2009 in Fun Videos, News
If you ever wonder why you love your dog so much, watch this video. If you never even question it (like most of us) watch it anyway.
You are browsing the archive for 2009 September.
by Kenn Bell
by Kenn Bell
Dog Files Fact: Glen Of Imaal Terrier
September 17, 2009 in Breed, Dog Files Fact, News
Above Photo By David Seall of www.bregorreyglens.co.uk
This Irish breed originated in the Imaal valley in the county of Wicklow near Dublin. It has been described variously as a rough-and-ready Sealyham, a miniature Irish Wolfhound, or a Soft Coated Wheaten on short legs, etc. While these descriptions might allude to an aspect of the Glen of Imaal’s profile, they ultimately miss the point. The Glen isn’t a rough-and-ready or miniature anything. It predates many of the breeds to which it is likened and is a truly unique and remarkable creature beloved by most everyone fortunate enough to come into contact with one.
The history of the breed finds its roots in the starkly beautiful Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow. Like its three Irish cousins–the Kerry Blue Terrier, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and the Irish Terrier–the Glen of Imaal Terrier was initially bred to rid the home and farm of vermin, and hunt fox and badger. The European badger weighs in at 40 lbs and the Glen was tough and strong enough to go to ground and dispatch the vermin soundlessly.
According to legend the Glen of Imaal also has a unique task which it was expressly designed for: it was a turnspit dog. The turnspit was a large wheel which, when paddled by the dog, would turn the spit over the hearth–a canine-propelled rotisserie, if you will. The Glen’s highly individualized bowed front legs and powerful hindquarters were ideally suited for this. For several hundred years, these hearty dogs performed their tasks unnoticed by all except those who treasured them.
With the advent of dog shows in the 20th century, the breed began to emerge into the public eye. In 1934, the Glen of Imaal Terrier was given full recognition by the Irish Kennel Club. It was the third of the four Irish terrier breeds to be so acknowledged. The breed is now recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain, FCI, and several rare breed associations. In America the Glen was fully recognized and entered the Terrier Group in October 2004 though the hard efforts of members of the Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America. There are 500-600 Glens registered in the United States.
Information courtesy of  Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America
by Kenn Bell
Muncie, Indiana Police Department Getting New Dog Thanks To Ozzy Osbourne
September 17, 2009 in Law Enforcement, News
By Kelly Day for The Star Press
MUNCIE — Ozzy Osbourne appears to have a soft spot for canines.
Or in this case, K9s.
The “Prince of Darkness,” who was often shown interacting with his family’s dogs on their MTV reality show The Osbournes, was recently convinced by his son and former Armed & Famous celebrity cast member, Jack Osbourne, to buy the Muncie Police Department a new K9 officer, according to MPD Sgt. Jay Turner.
“Jack and Ozzy are sending the check either this week or next week and then we’ll go get him,” Turner said.
And even though they don’t have the new K9 officer in hand yet, they’ve already got a name picked out — Ozzy.
Ozzy will take the place of Rover, the K9 officer who is retiring this month.
“(Rover) has had a phenomenal career,” Turner said.
The 13-year-old German Shepherd has been with the Muncie Police Department since 2000.
“Most last on the streets seven to nine years,” Turner said.
But the time finally came when it was clear it was best for Rover that he retire. That’s when Turner contacted Jack to ask if he could help the police department, he said.
“We don’t have any money for the dog and Jack knew that,” Turner said, adding that he called and “ran the idea by him” last month.
“There was no hesitation. He talked to (Ozzy) and called me back in 10 minutes and it was a done deal. (Jack) said, ‘You guys have a new dog,’” Turner said with a smile.
The dog is being trained at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind. The Osbournes’ check for $10,000 will cover the cost of purchasing the canine.
A private group based out of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge in Muncie will continue a fundraiser to raise money for food, veterinary bills and other costs, MPD Capt. Chuck Hensley said.
“We’re trying to do it without touching taxpayer money at all,” Hensley said. “We need all the help we can get. Give freely.”
The police department has two other K9 dogs in addition to Rover, Hensley said. The department formerly had six but gradually gave up K9 officers as the department made cuts, he said.
“A dog’s life is worth a lot, but a human’s life is worth more,” Hensley said. “That dog has a better chance of getting to (a perpetrator) without injury than we do.”
The Osbournes’ donation to the department is a relief to Hensley, who oversees the uniform division.
“I was ecstatic,” he said. “The Osbournes love us, and to me that rocks.”
Turner has kept in contact with Jack and other Armed & Famous stars, such as actor Erik Estrada, since the conclusion of the show’s taping in 2006. Though the CBS show failed to catch the interest of TV viewers — the program was canceled after just four of seven filmed episodes aired — the experience was influential in Osbourne’s life.
Osbourne has returned to Muncie to work with Turner, who was his supervisor, and other officers. Estrada has also made return visits to Muncie to help his MPD colleagues with charity efforts.
“When (Jack) comes back, he helps us with our K9 training a lot,” Turner said. “(Jack and Ozzy) are big supporters of our K9 unit and that’s how I thought to talk to him.”
Turner attended one of Ozzy’s shows in Chicago and had a chance to chat with him.
“We’re both World War II buffs,” Turner said. “He’s just a really nice guy.”
Jack has also made a good impression on Turner.
“I would love to have (Jack) on the police department,” Turner said. “He knew how to talk to people, he’s very tactical (and) he knew what it took to be a good cop.”
Turner said Jack told him he is planning to join a police department in California.
“When I talked to him, he said he’s going to go into the regular department (rather than work as a reserve officer),” Turner said. “There’s that taste you have to be a cop and he’s got it.”
As for Rover?
“He’ll definitely miss (being a K9), but now he gets to stay home and protect my family,” Turner said.
by Kenn Bell
Dog Fighting Raids In Montgomery, Georgia
September 17, 2009 in Guest Writer, Health & Science Files, History Files, Inhumane Practices, Law Enforcement, News
By Dena Stapleton for the Savannah Pets Examiner
No one county is immune to the fact that dog fighting may be going on there. It is becoming a harder practice for more and more people as more citizens are becoming fed up with the dog fighting practices and actually starting to call in to authorities on what they see and hear. That was the case in Montgomery County, GA. Kenneth Jordan of Higgston is facing multiple charges of animal cruelty due to what investigator found at his home.
When the authorities got there all they saw was pine trees, but when they really started to look they found dogs, lots of dogs. They found twenty-two pit bulls, including a mother with her nine puppies. One of the puppies was not doing well and was close to dying. The dogs had no or little water or food which left them very dehydrated and starved. Others displayed scars that showed these dogs were used in fighting. The dogs were also chained by 40 pound logging chains, not a typical behavior for a pet dog. Mr. Jordan claims he loves his dogs and would never fight them but the surroundings told a different story. The authorities also uncovered an area that appeared to be about a dozen dog graves.
The sheriff had suspected this was going on in his county but was shocked that only a few hours after this initial seize he had received another tip of a possible dog fighting operation less than a half-mile away. Once they got there they found eighteen more dogs. They cannot find the owner at the second residence and are still looking for him. There is a toll free hotline for the Montgomery County area where people can call in if they suspect a dog fighting operation to be going on. The number is (877) 215-2250.
by Kenn Bell
Dog Files Fact: American Cocker Spaniel
September 16, 2009 in Breed, Dog Files Fact, News
The American Cocker was originally bred to hunt small game including bird flushing and retrieving. This dog is classified as one of the Sporting Dog Group.
The word spaniel comes from the word “español” which means Spanish from where all of the Spaniel breeds come from. The word “Cocker” relates to the breeds British heritage and its use of hunting Woodcock pigeons.
Before 1892 Cocker Spaniels were not specifically bred as such. One litter of springer spaniels would produce three types of dogs (Springers, Sussex, and Cockers). Pups would be recognized as cockers one year and springers the next year as they grew larger.
Over time, the Cocker Spaniels in the United States became smaller than the English dogs, and, in dog shows, separate categories were created in 1935 for the English variety and the American variety.
The American Cocker Spaniel is recognized as a separate breed from the English Cocker Spaniel due to its smaller stature, shorter snout and longer, silkier coat.
In the United States, the breed is usually referred to as the Cocker Spaniel, while elsewhere in the world, it is called the American Cocker Spaniel.
Lady from the Disney Animated film, Lady And The Tramp was an American Cocker Spaniel.
by Kenn Bell
Jessica Simpson’s ‘Heart Is Broken’ After Coyote Takes Away Her Dog, Daisy
September 16, 2009 in Law Enforcement, Missing, News
I hope Jessica finds her dog but things don’t look good. Has anyone out there had to deal with coyotes? How did (or do) you do it? Please leave a comment with your suggestions or experience so we can help all our fellow dog lovers who live in coyote country.
– Kenn
By Robert Dominguez Daily News Staff Writer
Jessica Simpson is not having a good year.
After dealing with criticism regarding her fluctuating weight and then splitting with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in July, the singer is now dealing with the hardest news to date – her beloved dog Daisy is missing.
Simpson announced on Twitter Monday night that her furry best friend was recently snatched by a coyote right in front of her.
“My heart is broken because a coyote took my precious Daisy right in front of our eyes,” tweeted Simpson. “HORROR! We are searching. Hoping. Please help!”
Fans and fellow dog owners expressed sympathy to the 29-year-old singer, who reportedly has been searching for Daisy in her Los Angeles neighborhood.
“We heard yelling and screaming coming from the direction of Jessica’s house around 9pm,” a neighbor told the Daily Mail. “I can only imagine that it was that moment that it happened because the next day we saw posters up around the neighborhood announcing that Jessica had lost her dog to a coyote. It’s so sad.”
Simpson’s brother-in-law, Fall Out Boy rocker Pete Wentz, sent his well wishes to the distraught singer on Twitter, writing, “keep your head up. Were thinking of you.”
Simpson, who was just in Rio de Janeiro shooting her VH1 reality show “The Price of Beauty,” was given Daisy as a gift from her ex-husband Nick Lachey several years ago.
The adorable caramel-colored Malti-poo (a Maltese and poodle mix) was constantly at her side, often being toted around in designer doggie-bags.
by Kenn Bell
by Kenn Bell
Dogs Sniff Out Inmates’ Illegal Cell Phones In New Jersey
September 15, 2009 in Law Enforcement, News
By BETH DeFALCO for Associated Press
BORDENTOWN, N.J. — As Congress considers whether to allow state prisons to install cell phone jamming devices, New Jersey is grappling with ways to stop inmates from running criminal enterprises from behind bars.
On Tuesday, state Attorney General Anne Milgram announced charges against 35 inmates indicted for cell phone possession, a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
The problem is so bad, in once instance law enforcement officers were able to intercept a conference call among gang members.
“Two inmates in different prisons and a third inmate in a county jail were plotting retaliation against another gang member,” Milgram said. “This is not what should be happening when we put criminal behind bars.”
Of the 35 inmates indicted on Friday, 25 are reputed gang members, she said.
Under current law, the FCC can only allow federal agencies — not state or local authorities — to jam cell phone signals. Phone industry representatives object, saying that jamming signals could interfere with legitimate service and 911 calls.
The legislation in Congress would change the law to allow states to use the jammers, and a vote in the U.S. Senate could come this fall.
But states aren’t waiting. Many have started testing electronic cell phone detection technology and several, like Virginia and New Jersey, have started to use specially trained dogs to sniff out the phones.
New Jersey prison officials also have stepped up use of noninvasive scanner chairs to search inmates returning from work details. The state has taken other measures — such as removing vending machine from visitor areas so family members can’t pass the phones in snack packs — to stop inmate access to the devices.
Still, around 400 cell phones have been confiscated during the past year, along with 126 chargers and nine cell phone batteries. Last week alone, officers found two phones, three chargers and a wireless Bluetooth device.
Phones have been found in light fixtures, Bibles and body cavities. Some inmates have tried unsuccessfully to conceal them in peanut butter jars to fool the dogs.
“They pick up the scent quickly,” said Sgt. William Crampton.
So far, the Corrections department has trained six cell-phone sniffing dogs, and has plans to train more.
During a demonstration on Tuesday at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility, the dogs were able to find the phones in a matter of seconds.
Like other states, New Jersey also is testing the use of cell phone detection technology.
The technology is designed to enable corrections officials to locate and root out contraband cell phones — a more sophisticated version of what the dogs are doing now.
In the meantime, Milgram said prosecutors will continue pursuing cases against inmates found with phones and look for new ways to halt violence orchestrated by inmates behind prison walls.
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
