When Dogs Bite: Researcher Hopes Software Teaches Kids to Respect Animals

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By SARAH NETTER For ABC News

Despite Parents Insistence Dogs ‘Don’t Just Snap,’ Experts Say.

A group of researchers who say that’s almost never the case are now testing software aimed at teaching young children how to behave around animals in hopes of cutting down on the number of dog bites and maulings.

“This is not a small problem,” said David Schwebel, professor and vice chairman of the psychology department at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

And when dogs do bite, it can be a high profile problem. The 4-year-old daughter of reality television star Jesse Browning, who appears on The History Channel’s “Ax Men” about the logging industry, was mauled and killed by one of the family’s Rottweilers this weekend.

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More Poison Meatballs Found

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Small Dogs’ Genes Traced To Middle East

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From CBCNews

A genetic study of grey wolves has found that small domesticated dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago.

Researchers at the University of California examined the history of a gene, called IGF1, in grey wolves and in large and small breeds of dog.

They found that the version of the gene that in large part determines small size in dogs probably originated in dogs with the ancient domestication of grey wolves in the Middle East.

“Our results show that the version of the IGF1 gene found in small dogs is closely related to that found in Middle Eastern wolves and is consistent with an ancient origin in this region of small domestic dogs,” said evolutionary biologist Melissa Gray, in a statement.

Gray said the mutation that gave rise to the small-sized variation of the gene came after the first domestication of the dog, but dogs and wild wolves continued to interbreed even after domestication.

“Because all small dogs possess this variant of IGF1, it probably arose early in their history,” said Grey.

The researchers’ previous work unexpectedly found that some very large breeds, such as mastiffs, bullmastiffs, and rottweilers, also have the “small” version of the gene.

Archeologists have found remains of small dogs in the Middle East dating to 12,000 years ago. Older remains of domesticated dogs in Germany and Western Russia are all of large dogs.

Gray said artificial selection for small size is a common theme in domestication of animals, seen in cattle, pigs and goats, as well as dogs.

“Small size could have been more desirable in more densely packed agricultural societies, in which dogs may have lived partly indoors or in confined outdoor spaces,” said Gray.

Los Angeles City Council Targets Unlicensed Dogs

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From cbs2.com

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ― The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to crack down on dog and horse owners who failed to get a license for their animals.

City Council President Eric Garcetti suggested identifying dog owners by using a Department of Water and Power meter database. The database lists households that are believed to have dogs for meter readers’ safety when approaching a home.

“The DWP’s database can be a vital tool in furthering compliance with the city’s dog licensing regulations,” Garcetti said.

The city requires that all dogs — and horses – be licensed by the Department of Animal Services. It costs $15 to get a license for a spayed or neutered dog. Each license comes with a distinct number that would help reunite a lost dog with its owner, city officials said.

Animal Services Assistant General Manager Linda Barth said only one- third of all pet dogs in Los Angeles — about 120,000 — are licensed.

If all pets were licensed, Barth estimated it would add $4-million dollars to the city’s funds.

Councilman Tom LaBonge expressed reservations about the proposal, suggesting that city workers should go to dog parks and ask owners there whether their pets were licensed.

LaBonge said knocking on people’s doors to force them to get a license for their pets is “too aggressive.”

Barth assured him the plan is for DWP to reveal only the addresses — not the names — of suspected dog owners. Animal Services will then check the information against its dog licensing database and send letters to residents who are not in compliance with the law.

Meatballs Kill Dogs; Poison Suspected

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From msnbc.com

SPOKANE, Wash. – More meatballs thought to have been poisoned were found in a Spokane neighborhood after at least three dogs there died Friday upon eating earlier batches.

Several more batches were found Monday on streets in the South Hill neighborhood, KREM-TV reported, though no more pets were reported to have died or fallen ill.

On Friday, a woman saw her dog eat some meatballs on the street and then go into convulsions before dying. A man also had two of his dogs die Friday after eating the meatballs.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible.

Washington State University is testing the meatballs to determine if they contained poison.

Colorado Officials Say Wiener Dog Is Vicious, Charge Owners

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Dog Chases Seagull Off 300ft Cliff

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From MailOnline.com

A dog that chased a seagull off a 300ft cliff miraculously survived when she landed with a belly-flop in the sea below.

Poppy, a three-year-old springer spaniel, ran off the clifftop in East Sussex so fast she managed to avoid the beach and plunge into deep water, which cushioned her fall.

She then saved herself from drowning by doggy-paddling back to the shore where she calmly waited to be rescued.

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UK Police Seek Redemption After Dog Deaths

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Categories: Dog Safety, Entertainment, Inhumane Practices, Lifestyle News, News, Service Dogs, Working Dogs

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By Anthony Bartram for BBC News

When you see a German Shepherd dog chase down and tackle a criminal, there can be little doubt they are highly trained. But highly valued?

It is a question Nottinghamshire Police have had to address since an officer left two police dogs locked in car on a blisteringly hot day. Pc Mark Johnson has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Jay-Jay and Jet who both died trapped in the vehicle outside the force headquarters.

The news caused outrage among animal lovers with condemnation coming from as far afield as New York and Mexico. The incident has been investigated by the RSPCA and the practices within the dog section has been reviewed by Nottinghamshire Police.

In response to the hundreds of letters, which have demanded such a mistake never happens again, new air conditioned vehicles have been added to the fleet for handlers and their dogs. Police say strict kennelling procedures have been brought in and people who ask will be allowed to see for themselves how the dogs are treated.

And officers claimed the lessons learned from this summer’s tragedy will now being shared with every dog section in the country. Ch Supt Ak Khan said: “Our unit has a proud history of caring for its animals and we are devastated and hurt by what has happened.

“We are going to learn from those lessons and do whatever we can to make sure that sort of thing never happens again.

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Dog Owner Gets Help For Dog Shot By Police

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Categories: Dog Safety, Health & Science News, Law Enforcement, News, Pet Safety

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Memphis, Tennessee — Anna Bolton faced one of dog owners worst fears – a run away dog and a dog on the other end of a gun.

In October 2009, Bolton’s beloved dog Bing was shot by Memphis Police Department during a response to a burglar alarm at her High Point Terrace home. Not only that, her other dog Violet got so frightened she took off and went missing for days. When Violet was found she had scrapes and her paw were raw from roaming the streets.

Bolton stated that vet bills for both dogs exceeded $1,000, a lot for a school teacher to pay.

City Attorney’s Officials rejected Bolton’s request for reimbursement stating that the city wasn’t negligent and ruled that the shooting of Bolton’s dog was “justified” Bolton later provided proof to the Wharton’s office with a recording from her alarm company proving the officers were warned that dogs were on the premises.

On Saturday morning however, Bolton got the shock of her life when she received a phone call from Mayor Wharton letting her know that the city will be paying the veterinary bill. Wharton also apologized to Bolton about the situation and that if he would have known, the request would never have been rejected.

“I think I really lucked out,” she says, “that this happened just after Mayor Wharton’s election. If it had happened under Mayor Herenton, nothing would have ever been done. I think Mayor Wharton’s doing an excellent job. I’ve always supported him and now, even more so.”

Bolton said Bing is doing fine and is acting like nothing ever happened. Violet however is much more skittish around strangers now.

Petition Towards Stopping Puppy Mills And Dog Auctions In Ohio

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Slowly but surely, change is coming for animals in need. This process can only speed up with the help of supporters and people all around.

Animal rights advocates noted that animal abuse laws are coming to Ohio, a place where little is being done by legislators when it comes to cracking down on animal cruelty cases.

One of the best ways to help out is to sign petitions that will aid in efforts to end puppy mills and dog auctions. With hopes of stricter legislation that will stop people who run dog auctions from doing so within the state.

Those who volunteer for the group Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions are gathering signatures till Dec 1. They need up to 120,700 signatures in order to turn the Ohio Dog Auction Act into Law. Those who are registered voters in Fairfield County would account for 1,620 of those signatures. Two neighboring counties have already met their petition goals.

“We feel confident it can be done,” said Mary O’Connor-Shaver, coalition treasurer. “It’s just getting the word out.”

Dog who are used in puppy mills are kept in tiny cramped cages that are often stacked one on top of the other. The animals there are kept without medical attention and typically die in their cages.

“It’s treating a dog like it’s a commodity, a product,” she said. “It’s basically factory farming of dogs.”

O’Conner-Shaver stated that dog auctions generally take place once a month in Ohio, generally in the northeast side of the state. The goal to end the auctions are already backed by the American Kennel Club and will go to state legislators in Jan 2011. If not, voters have the chance to decide on Nov 2011 ballot.

“Everybody can get behind this,” said Pam Fauvle, a Lancaster resident. “Because who wants to see an animal treated that way?”

Found! Lost Brooklyn Pup Sugar Returned To Family By Good Samaritan

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Some Frozen Dog And Cat Food Is Recalled

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From UPI.com

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (UPI) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Nature’s Variety frozen chicken diet for dogs and cats is being recalled due to of possible contamination.

The FDA said the Lincoln, Neb., company initiated a voluntary recall of its chicken formula raw frozen diet with a “Best If Used By” date of “11/10/10″ because the product may be contaminated with salmonella. The company said the recalled product is limited to chicken medallions, patties and chubs varieties.

The recalled dog and cat food was distributed across the United States, with limited distribution in Canada.

Consumers with the affected products may return them unopened for a refund or replacement. If the package has been opened, consumers should dispose of the raw food by securing it in a covered trash receptacle and then take the receipt of the empty package in a sealed container to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. Pets with salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever or abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

Consumers with questions can contact the company at 888-519-7387 or 800-374-3142. More information is available at http://www.naturesvariety.com/news/32.