Dog-Hunters Are Targeting A Stray Dog From Russia’s Far East

Dog-hunters are targeting a stray dog from Russia’s Far East whose moving story of love and loyalty made headlines all over the world.
“Yakutian Hachiko” captured the attention of the public after local residents found him beside his dead mate. The grief-stricken dog was guarding the body in biting cold for as long as two weeks – just like his Japanese prototype, popularized in the West by a recent Hollywood drama.
Some people, however, have turned out to be less big-hearted than the four-legged hero. Soon after the hound’s story spread around the globe, a sickening Internet hate campaign was launched against the brave animal.
“Angry youngsters have posted numerous messages all over the Internet, calling on Hachiko to be poisoned,” Alla Komarenko, head of a local animal charity, told Interfax. “Some even proposed to catch him and make a shish kebab out of his meat. They say stray dogs are dangerous and need to be exterminated.”
Worrying about the dog, local residents started calling animal rights organizations, begging them to protect Hachiko. The hound was soon taken to a kennel provided by the charity. In the next few days, he will be vaccinated and issued a pet passport. After that, kennel staff hope to find Hachiko a new home.
“An old bus driver was intending to take him,” Komarenko said. “The man lives in a private house, and he already has a dog. Unfortunately, he said later that his family members were against the idea.”
Earlier, a woman from Cologne in Germany offered to adopt the dog. The vets, however, say that Hachiko may not survive such a long flight, especially if he were to be sedated in accordance with international rules.

Where There Are Demolitions, There Are Stray Dogs

Where there are demolitions, there are stray dogs. Starting from Qing Hai Ying 3 years ago, stray dogs left in the reconstruction areas become common scenes in Beijing. While their owners move on to new lives in new homes, sadly these once beloved dogs are left behind, facing the rubbles of the old home as well as their unforeseeable future.

Last year, Rui Jia (瑞家), a rescue team for stray animals made a clip called “The watch keep in ruins”(废墟中的守望), telling the sad stories of those pets abandoned in Qing He Ying, a reconstruction area in Chaoyang District, Beijing. “The dogs are abandoned because of demolition, they may be cooked once get caught.”said a villager in the clip.
This year, Beijing will have over 50 suburban villages demolished, which means even more pets will be abandoned. It is a fact, and heavy. Most volunteers feel that their abilities fall short of their wishes to help：to save, but they don’t have enough people and resources to support the ongoing rescue; not to save, but those creatures are also lives.
Its name is Cang Cang. Sitting in this roofless high land like a statue, Cang Cang looks and looks and looks at its old home’s ruin opposite. It would not step away from the spot, sometimes its tired eyes will gaze at the passers-by. When evening falls or rain drops, it crunches into the pieces of asbestos tiles behind.
After the demolition of home, Xiao Xiong went out for food at day time and come back to "keep the home” at night. A neighbor sympathized it and kept it home for a few months until later she had to move away too. Then another family took Xiao Xiong in, but it managed to go back to its original home. No one saw it again. Volunteers was told that it was bitten to death by a big dog. May be this is its fate, to live and die along with its home. May be in its heart, it believes there is only one home, and one owner.
Owner moved during Xiao Hua’s pregnancy. She gave birth to her doggies in the very place in the world that she felt safe – home, which is later bulldozed together with the doggies. Xiao Hua kept lingering around the ruins since then. She would go and watch door at night for those who give her meals. Temporarily she was taken in by a kind family.

Care For The Stray Dogs

Sometimes I get really frustrated by LCSH. For instance, today I have a work about a stray dog. The subject heading for stray dogs reads Feral dogs. The dog in question is NOT wild or feral, but merely STRAY. Using Feral dogs would be misleading, so I had to settle for just DOGS. This is not the only instance where something like this has come up in the course of cataloging on a daily basis. Are there any subject headings that you think are particularly misleading? I’d love to hear from you. Thanks for the rant.
For decades the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai used to kill up to 50,000 stray dogs annually. The method used was electrocution. Recentlyh, in response to demands, dog-killing was replaced by mass sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs.
Under this programme, stray dogs are surgically neutered and then replaced in their own area. They are also vaccinated against rabies.Since territories are not left vacant, new dogs cannot enter.Mating and breeding also cease. With no mating or crossing of territories, dog fights reduce dramatically.Since fighting reduces, bites to humans also become rare.The dogs are immunised, so they do not spread rabies. Over time, as the dogs die natural deaths, their numbers dwindle.
The dog population becomes stable, non-breeding, non-aggressive and rabies-free, and it gradually decreases over a period of time.It costs $15 to feed, sterilise and immunise ONE dog.
When we travel to India we will be making buying food for stray dogs and making a donation of whatever funds we receive so we can help end some of this animal cruelty and become part of the solution! I will be taking photos throughout the journey so you can be sure your money is going straight to the cause.

There Are No Stray Dogs In Vermont

When I was a child, I relied on stray dogs. They comprised the available pet pool. Around home, dogs were just dogs. Unless, of course, they were hunting dogs. Even a poor man would pay $300-$400 for a good hunting dog. Paying good money for a pet was unheard of … at least in my circle. Fortunately for me, I lived just outside the town limits. Every year, when the dog tags were due, miraculously, dogs would appear in our neighborhood. Great dogs, of mysterious ancestry. They would ramble into our yard with delineated rib cages, begging for scraps. Yes, they did turn over the trash barrel on occasion. I loved them all. My dad, however, did not share my universal acceptance of them. His instructions were not to feed them (which we did) and rock them to chase them away (which we did not).
They did not stay for long … a few days … but for that brief time, they were mine. Understand, in my world a stray dog was an endangered specie. Stray dogs that turned over the trash barrel in their search for food got 120 volts on their second trip (Dad and the neighbor were both electricians). There was a particular mutt once that I really got attached to and begged Dad to let me keep it. Dad was walking out of the woods with his rifle at the time. He just smiled and told me that if it came back to the house again, I could keep it. It didn’t and I did not figure it out until I was much older.

Here’s my revelation. There are no stray dogs in Vermont because of the animal rights people and the animal-lovers. No such thing as the wild and care free life on the road for a dog here. You will never see a dog hopping a freight and there no hobo dog encampments under the bridges. Were a dog to strike out here, minutes later, he would be pounced upon by hoards of animal rescuers. Before he could learn to spit tobacco, the dog would be warm, fed and lounging in front of someone’s fireplace. He might even be wearing a new jacket. It is the demise of the Huckleberry Finn’s of the dog world. Greyhounds probably have it worse. People can’t wait to snatch them from the clutches of the dog tracks. Ironically, I have never seen a rescued greyhound running. It must be a no-no in the rescued world. Locally, the people raised about $250,000 to build a new facility for the ASPCA. Even in winter, people sleep under the bridge in Brattleboro and the homeless shelters overflow. Whoever said that every dog has his day must have lived in Brattleboro at some point.

Let Us Helping Stray Dogs

On our first day in Greece, the inside/out team visited the Katafigio Adespoton Zoon (KAZ) shelter for stray animals in Athens. KAZ is one of the few animal shelters in Greece where these facilities are virtually non-existent due to a lack of funds to support the building and operational costs.
KAZ was originally designed as a transition facility – a temporary stop to treat sick and injured animals. The shelter includes a small surgical facility, recovery area and kennels. KAZ has been forced to expand their kennels in order to accommodate the increasing number of dogs who are routinely abandoned or dropped off at the shelter. This has made it difficult for KAZ to continue to operate with the limited funding they receive (none of which is from the Greek government). To help ease the burden, the inside/out team brought donations of veterinary supplies, which included medications, syringes, needles, surgical supplies and other items.
On the second day of our Greece trip, we headed to Ionnina for the rest of our animal welfare work. We had brought some veterinary supplies for the local animal welfare groups there as well. The inside/out team helped build feeding stations that will be used to help feed the local stray dog population. We had originally planned to build one feeding station each for the two feeding locations, but our group was so ambitious and enthusiastic that we built another two!
We also visited the university in Ionnina to distribute educational materials. These young students are a good target population because they are educated and more open to changing their perceptions of animal welfare. It was easy to see why the university’s administrators might perceive stray dogs as a problem/menace. There are large packs of dogs who the locals feed, and many of these dogs bark and chase cars leaving the parking lot. While students don't seem to mind them, the university systematically poisons these dogs to reduce the population. Part of the mission of the inside/out team was to educate the university officials about the cruelty of poisoning and to empower students to stand up against cruelty and to change the minds and behaviors of the local people. This is similar to the stray animal work carried out by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in countries all over the globe where WSPA educates local authorities on the importance of animal birth control programs and offers free spay/neuter clinics.

Stray Dogs Plaguing The Country

Government officials have expressed concerning in a report about stray dogs plaguing the country.Member for the Fourth District Dr. Vincent Scatliffe brought up the issue during a Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meeting, asking if anything could be done about stray dogs in Road Town.Chief Agricultural Officer, Agriculture Department, Bevin Brathwaite said the department has launched a ‘Loose Dog’ campaign and the department “recently received a tranquilizer gun that would aid in the capture of loose livestock”.
Part of the activities is to visit the dump sites and euthanize the animals, Brathwaite said.According to the report, Brathwaite said “as recent as last week they captured and euthanized three dogs in the Road Town area. They realise there is a problem in that area”.Premier Ralph O’Neal stated that “the question of dogs has been plaguing the British Virgin Islands for years”.In speaking with one of the farmers on Virgin Gorda, the premier was told that the farmer lost 20 of his animals, which is a heavy lost for a person who depends on farming for a living.
Premier O’Neal asked if the initiative could be launched in Virgin Gorda. Brathwaite responded by saying he recently learned of the situation when he spoke to farmers on Virgin Gorda, and he is aware that it is also a problem on Tortola.The premier stated that “we cannot allow farmers animals to be destroyed and if owners do not keep their dogs tied, then they will pay the price”.

Sterilize More Than 10,000 Stray Dogs Ahead Of The Games In Measures

Athens, host of the 2004 Olympics, launched a plan last week to sterilize more than 10,000 stray dogs ahead of the Games in measures condemned by animal rights groups as ill thought-out and insufficient. The city said the 1.8 million euro ($2.11 million) project, to be officially unveiled on the weekend, will halt the growth of a huge population of stray dogs roaming the streets of the capital before the start of the Olympics. "The sight of thousands of stray animals living without care in the city streets constitutes an insult to us as civilized people," Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyanni, who plans to give 20 strays up for adoption on the weekend, said in a statement.
The project, co-funded by the city and the government, aims to collect, sterilize and tag the dogs, before releasing them again. Two mobile vet units will monitor their health. But animal rights groups say the plan does not cover the needs of strays. "This cannot be just a one-day event with some promises and cute puppies as gifts," Marianna Polichroniadou, head of a newly-founded animal rights group said this week. "It has to be followed up with actions that safeguard the dog's survival long-term and this plan doesn't cut it." Dog lovers say city authorities are also responsible for killing more than 3,000 dogs in the past months, to rid the capital of the animals ahead of next year's Games. "Why have all the dogs suddenly disappeared from the city center and why are they launching this plan now?" Polichroniadou asked.
I guess you could call this the 15 year plan for ridding the city of stray dogs. Fifteen years because that is the average life of a dog. The idea is that if you neuter all the dogs and then set them free again, they won't be able to have puppies and in 15 years they should all be gone, provided no other un-neutered strays join them. The plan that I have heard is to have all pets implanted with a chip so they can be tracked if irresponsible owners let them go. When they are picked up both the pet and the owners will be neutered.
One final note: When I was in Athens in November of 2003 we went out to dinner in Psiri at a famous taverna which specializes in paidakia (grilled lambchops). As usual we ordered too many and after we finished we got a 'doggy bag' to take with us to give to the street dogs. There is an old woman who wanders around Psiri with a half dozen dogs. We found her and asked if she would like the leftovers for her dogs. She looked at the leftovers and asked if it was OK if she ate them too. Of course we said it was. I bring this up only to remind people to remember to take pity on the human strays who may be in need of a helping hand too.

Stray Dogs Are A Problem In Athens

Stray dogs are a problem in Athens. Not because they will attack you or chase you through the city streets. It is mostly an image problem. You have this big modern city and wandering around, lounging in the shade, solo and in packs, are dogs. Some are pets, some are former pets and some have never been pets at all.
The downtown dogs are pretty well behaved. Many are streetwise, literally. My mother was curious as to how they could cross some of the big Athens avenues so she watched them. She discovered that the dogs would go to the pedestrian crossings and stand there. No they did not know that the little green man meant it was OK for them to cross. They would wait until some humans came and then cross with them. Plaka and downtown dogs are very good natured. They are around people all the time and have few needs, all of which are available in the neighborhood: food, water and shade.
Some of the dogs have hob-knobbed with the rich and famous. Bill Neil, author of Southern Cooking, told me of a night on the Acropolis when he and REM's Michael Stipe snuck in and befriended the strays that live on and around the ancient rock. I have seen stray Plaka dogs grooving to the Chieftans at the dirty corner in front of the monument to Lysacratus. Those of you who have seen the movie FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI may recall that when Benji gets lost in downtown Athens he is befriended by one of the Plaka dogs who took his siestas in the ancient agora. In fact it was the Plaka dog that protected Benji when the mean Dobermans that belonged to the bad guys came searching for him to find the micro-chip implanted in his fur, or collar (I forget which).
A few years ago Kiki Zikou at Dolphin Hellas told me I needed to write an article about the dogs in the old airport. The next time I left Greece, sure enough there were dogs wandering around the terminal. With the new airport so far out of town it is unlikely that you will see any dogs and I am off the hook for the article I never got around to writing. Even so you have to wonder about a country that had dogs wandering around the airport. Maybe they were undercover police dogs. Maybe they belonged to an airport employee who could not leave them home in the apartment because they barked and bothered the neighbors so they just came to work with him. Most likely they were like any other stray dogs in Athens. They are such a part of the landscape that you don't even notice them.
I remember coming home early one morning from the Plaka to my neighborhood in Agia Paraskevis in 1972. As I was walking up the hill I saw a pack of about twenty dogs coming towards me. This made me a little nervous. Who knew whether these were pets, or strays looking for a lone human to rip to shreds and devour without a trace. How many people, whose disappearance off the face of the earth had fueled stories of alien abductions, were merely eaten by packs of wild urban and suburban dogs? As these thoughts went through my head I realized that leading the gang of dogs was Reinhart, our family dog who lived in a suitcase on our back porch! He came up and greeted me with a sniff and a wag of his tail and then continued on to do whatever it is that packs of dogs do at four in the morning. (I was actually proud that our dog was the leader of the pack).

The Volunteers Devote Their Efforts To Helping Stray Dogs

The volunteers and Thai staff devote their efforts to helping stray dogs and cats who live on the streets and in the temples. Sherry Conisbee, the co-founder of Soi Dog Rescue, says, "There are an estimated 300,000 dogs and untold hundreds of thousands of cats; too many for our small group to cover. But we do what we can." Soi Dog Rescue focuses on spay/neuter programs in target communities in conjunction with community educational programs. In just over three years, Soi Dog Rescue has managed to spay over 2,567 cats and dogs. Soi Dog Rescue also runs an adoption service which gives a few lucky strays permanent homes in Thailand and in the USA.
Soi Dog Rescue currently relies on volunteer overseas vets or treatments at private vet clinics in Bangkok, both time-consuming to arrange and expensive. Having a full-time vet on board will cost as little as USD 1,000 per month (around $35,000 Thai baht). This will significantly increase the number of sterilizations they can perform each day and their ability to cope with more vaccinations and treatments for the thousands of sick, injured and abused cats and dogs on the city's streets.
Petboogaloo salutes Sherry Conisbee and the team at Soi Dog Rescue for their dedication to improving the lives of Bangkok's street dogs. And in their doing so, creating a happier healthier environment for everyone.Those interested in the helping Soi Dog Rescue can visit their blogPetBoogaloo is a cause-based social networking site for pet lovers. The idea is that pets generally bring out the best in people. As like-minded people from around the world share their experiences and feelings about their pet, and as more relationships are formed, the more peaceful our planet becomes.

Stray Dogs In Bhutan

The rising dog population is becoming a major problem for Bhutan. Coupled with this, the small number of veterinarians in the country has made the problem more accute. To control the country's dog population, government took up sterilization program in the 1970's but it has not been very successful.The current sterilization program started in 1991. The main reason behind this failure is lack of continuity and shortage of veterinarians. Kuensel Online reports:The reason these campaigns fell short, say experts from Vets Beyond Borders (VBB), an Australian-based, non-profit organisation, which trains local veterinary and para-veterinary staff and aims to address the overpopulation of street dogs, was the country’s failure to continue the programme on a regular basis.“The programmes have been very sporadic and uncoordinated,” said the veterinary director of VBB, Dr Ian H Douglas, who met with officials from the department of livestock yesterday to discuss and share ways to tackle the country’s ever-increasing canine population.Dr Douglas said that the programme has to be continued with high-level effort for two to three consecutive years, with about three or four teams operating five days a week. “Sterilising a few weeks here and another few weeks at some other place will make no difference at all.”So far, the country has been conducting just one or two sterilisation programmes a year, which last between 10 to 15 days.Dr Catherine Schuetze, VBB’s president, added that the country’s attempts to control the dog population was rendered ineffective because of lack of resources and manpower. “It’s just not possible because there aren’t enough staff and vets who, on an average, manage to sterilise or vaccinate between four and 20 percent of the dogs,” she said.According to the data collected in 2005, the dog population of Bhutan stands at about 50,000. For this 50,000 there are only 22 veterinarians.Being a Bhuddist country, killing dog is considered very unethical and immoral. Aside from sterilizing, culling and impounding dogs are good ways but they are not very effective. Impounding dogs can be a very good solution for controlling the dog population but it is very expensive. According to Dr Catherine Schuetze, President, Vets Beyond Borders (VBB), Bhutan government would have to spend more than 5000 Nu per year for each dog impounded. VBB’s director, Dr Ian H Douglas said that their agency is planning to introduce a coordinated national Animal Birth Control-Anit-Rabies programme to control the dog population.

Beware Of Stray Dogs

India has the highest number of deaths caused by rabies every year. The main source of this disease is dog bites. Despite huge number of deaths, there are not many hospitals that are dedicated to cure rabies patients. I am quoting from the report published in Hindustan Times: Beware of stray dogs! An estimated 19,000 people die every year due to rabies in India, accounting for nearly 35 percent of such deaths worldwide.According to data available with the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 55,000 people succumb to rabies mostly caused by dog bites. Of this, Asia accounts for 31,000 deaths.The majority of the cases were reported from India followed by Bangladesh with about 2,000 deaths.The global health watchdog also said that an estimated 10 million are treated each year after being bitten by dogs. Of this, 1.8 million receive the treatment in India alone.According to H K Pandey, chief spokesman, World Health Organization (WHO), the number of stray dogs in India is higher compared to other countries and the government should vaccinate the dogs. India has only one anti rabies hospital, Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital in Delhi. According to Rajender Singh, chief medical officer of Valmiki hospital, lack of awareness among physicians about this disease is the major problem. There are many physicians in the rural areas that do not know about this disease. Dog, cat, jackal, bat, camel and other warm blooded animal bites mainly cause this disease and if the patients are treated as soon as possible then, they would come around.India may have been observing rapid economic growth but all the sectors of the country do not observe this growth and all the people do not enjoy the benefits of this economic growth. In India not all people have access to doctors and medical treatments. The country has already topped the charts in terms of the number of HIV infected people. Few months ago, Dengue caused havoc in the country. Now, here is another major disease spread by stray dogs. I hope Indian government takes necessary steps to protect its people from this deadly disease.

dog’s body

IN  Austin , Bed bugs are common   because  of the favorable  climate in the area.  Even though the bugs mostly target humans, it is approximate for them to feed on dog blood and on other pets such as cats if conditions warrant, such as inability to reach humans upon which to feed. In fact, it is true to say that any animal that is warm-blooded is susceptible to bed bug infestation. No longer are they to be found only in bedding where it is easy for them to get to humans.

Protecting the bedroom alone from bedbugs is not enough to eradicate them from your home. They can easily move to other areas, especially areas where pets such as dogs sleep, leaving you exposed to further infestation. The bugs mostly attack the belly of a dog as it is not too hairy compared to other parts of the dog’s body. The dog might show bald spots and scabs from the bites of fleas and bedbugs, which makes it easy to tell when a dog is infested.

Dogs can get the bedbugs from out in the lawn and bring them into your household. Over time these insect pests will breed and spread to your bedding, causing you and your family sleepless nights. Although there are different brands of pesticides that are designed to repel bedbugs, most of them are not approved to use on pets as they can be harmful to the animal. This leaves most people confused as to what to do with pets that are infested with the bugs.

This is where the pest control companies and professionals exterminators come in handy. The professionals know the most effective methods for ridding your home and your pets of these parasites. They use different products depending on where the bugs are located, leaving you, your family and your pets in good shape and free from harm. It is important to have your pets treated periodically by pest control professionals as it is almost impossible to keep insects from getting onto your pets and getting back into the house. There is no telling what insect your pet might bring into the house from its many trips outside and back

Stray dogs now is a part of the security apparatus at Bangalore Airport

The management of Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) has spared no expense to ensure your safety.

Bangalore’s very own international airport has achieved the distinction of being the first airport in the country  to implement a multi-tier security regime. BIAL has added an extra layer of security in the form of 300 stray dogs who are standing guard and watching over visitor and VIP movement in its premises. This unique arrangement has been made possible thanks to a unique Public-Private-Stray engagement model evolved by the BIAL management.

The extra layer of security at BIAL
While most airports in the country and around the world may have one or at the max two levels of security, BIAL boasts of a three-tier arrangement consisting of CISF, private security guards and stray dogs at the periphery. When contacted, a proud and beaming BIAL spokesperson Chavvani Lal said “this is indeed a remarkable achievement for our airport. The external security cordon that we have enforced is completely dependent on stray dogs. And I am not speaking about ordinary mongrels here. These are the best strays in the country and have been picked from localities where they forced people to move out”.

When Humor Unplugged visited BIAL, we found strays roaming everywhere. The mission hounds were keeping a watch over everyone, especially people with food. “These animals have been trained to keep an eye on people consuming perishables in the premises. Such people could be carrying biochemical weapons on them and we need to be extremely careful. So if a stray comes near you and snatches food from your hands, don’t be alarmed and cooperate with these dogs as they are simply doing their duty by testing your food. This is in the larger interest of passengers using our state of the art airport,” Lal said.

BIAL’s senior management, according to sources is mulling a proposal to increase the number of strays guarding the airport. “I have no problems with that since I never use BIAL. I always travel to either Chennai or Hyderabad if I have to catch a flight,” a senior BIAL guy told Humor Unplugged over a Skype chat.

Try the Best You Can to Save the Stray Dogs and Cats of Ukraine

Stray dogs and cats all around the world are always victimised, simply because they cannot defend themselves or speak up for themselves and sadly the human race take advantage of these facts and take unnecessary and cruel acts into their own murderous hands.

I am talking about the current situation of how Ukraine think it is right to deal with the stray dogs and cats.

In a city called Lysychansk in Ukraine, the authorities think that the way to deal with the stray dogs and cats is to capture the strays and throw them into a 900 degree oven and burn them alive.

It is particularly concerning for me to hear that authorities say this is a "more modern, environmentally safe way of taking care of this problem" and what is even more shocking is, this has come about in the name of the UEFA European Football Championship.

As soon as Ukraine realised that they had jointly won the bid with Poland to host the UEFA Euro 2012 they embarked on their clean up plan to rid the streets of the stray dogs and cats, that have always lived there without harming anyone.

This is the not the first time Ukraine News has reported how badly treated their stray dogs and cats are. Ukraine have already been known in the past to use an illegal poison called ditiline, of which has a shocking effect on the poor stray animals, the respiratory muscles of the victim are paralyzed and the poor creatures lungs fail.

Isn't it sad that a country receives some fame and glory and then all sense and what is morally right just goes out the window?!
Why should the stray dogs and cats suffer because of Ukraine getting some much needed fame?
The only thing this has bought to my attention is bad press for Ukraine, nothing positive is coming out of the inhumane acts they are carrying out and certainly this will be bad for Ukraine tourism.

The only fair and humane way forward, is Neuter and Spay I will never accept that killing innocent creatures that have played no part in their misfortune should be punished and have their poor lives cruelly stolen from them.

If no-one ever speaks up for these poor stray dogs and cats nothing will ever change, these control freaks think that they are like god and can make these type of decisions, which they have no right to.

In this world we are living in, just one person speaking out about something that they strongly believe in can make all the difference.
Maybe you are that one person...

If you are purchasing tickets UEFA Euro 2012 tickets you need to be aware of what the authorities are doing to the stray dogs and cats of Ukraine.
We all love football, but no-one loves the innocent stray dogs and cats of Ukraine burnt alive in order for Ukraine to host UEFA 2012.

And to all you animal lovers out there, there are plently of stray dogs to adopt or help in Ukraine if you can.

Poor Stray dogs in India

There are more than 30 million stray dogs in India, in urban as well as rural areas. A good number of these dogs in the urban setting are more community dogs rather than feral. Stray dogs is used to refer to lost and abandoned pets or others that had been socialized to humans before taking to the free-ranging life, and feral refer to those who have lived all their lives apart from people.

Most free-roaming dogs belong to an ancient canine race known as the pariah dog, which has existed all over Asia and Africa ever since human beings started living in settlements. They are scavengers–that is, they live on garbage created by humans. In India the breed has existed for perhaps 14,000 years or more. In addition to scavenging, they are widely kept as pets by rural and urban slum households.

Part of the urban stray population consists of mongrels or mix-breeds–descended from pure-breed dogs that have been allowed to interbreed with pariahs.

The size of stray dog populations always corresponds to the size and character of the human population of the area. Urban India has two features which create and sustain stray dog populations:

1) Large amounts of exposed garbage, which provide an abundant source of food.

2) A huge population of slum and street-dwellers, who often keep the dogs as free-roaming pets.

Mumbai has over 12 million human residents, of whom over half are slum-dwellers. At least 500 tons of garbage remain uncollected daily. Therefore, conditions are perfect for supporting a particularly large population of stray dogs.
The problem:
The biggest problem created by these dogs is rabies an dog bites.

Rabies can be a fatal disease which can be transmitted to humans. Although all placental mammals can get and transmit rabies, dogs are one the most common carriers. India has the highest number of human rabies deaths in the world (estimated at 35,000 per year).

Dog bites can occur when dogs are trying to mate or fighting among themselves. Pedestrians and other humans in the vicinity may be bitten by the fighting dogs. Females with pups are often protective and may bite people who approach their litter.

The solution:
Killing the dogs doesnt really work. Mass killing is a fruitless, inhumane, ineffective task and certainly didn’t work in other countries too, like in the seven years that Bucharest permitted it – street dog numbers did not decline.

Most states in India have been killing stray dogs for decades. The idea came from ‘developed countries’ without understanding the very different urban conditions in India. India has rubbish dumps and slum areas, which attract strays. Dogs removed are easily replaced.

When a dog is taken away:
· His territory becomes vacant and dogs from around move in to occupy the area.
· Dogs continue to multiply, so the areas are soon filled again.
· Dog fights increase, because each time a new dog enters an area he is attacked by the dogs already in there.
· During dog fights many humans get accidentally bitten.
· Rabies spreads to humans, due to no vaccination programs of strays
· Rabies continues to spread because the dog-catchers are reluctant to pick up a rabid dog – so only healthy dogs get killed.

The effective solution is a methodical Sterilization, vaccination, adoption, education and clean living. Educating and reaching people about sterilization of not only stray dogs, but pets to control the population, educating about living in balance wit the dogs and extending compassion.
ABC Animal birth control scheme set up by the Indian government to control the dog population by sterilization as opposed to the traditional method of killing dogs.
Under this program, stray dogs are surgically neutered and then replaced in their own area. They are also vaccinated against rabies.
The problem of pathetic implementation of this scheme, and government shelters being torture chambers instead for the dogs is a different point that I will write about in another post.

It is a slow process and often, cities go back to culling and create problems for the Animal Welfare orgs. Lets all try to reach out to as many as we can and discuss the solutions. Volunteers make the biggest difference in any effort. Volunteers, who take their community dogs to sterilization and vaccination events, volunteers who help the abused or diseased animals.

Indian Pariah dogs, native dogs, and mixes actually make for great pets because they are native breeds and already accustomed to the land and climate unlike foreign breeds which fail to thrive as easily. Read more about the Indian Pariah dog and native breeds here http://indianpariahdog.blogspot.com/

To Read more about Animal Birth control in India http://abcindia.org.in/

There are always ethical questions about Excessive sterilization and eventual elimination of native breeds. But for right now the above solution is the current solution to help implement because

    There is a big imbalance between the human dog peaceful existence in India. The apathy and lack of compassion will always lead to mass culling getting accepted as a normal thing.
    It is generally accepted that many of the free-roaming dogs in Indian cities and towns(urban) are actually mix-breeds (mongrels), though some certainly look more "mixed" than others. Pure Pariah and native dogs are more common in rural and remote areas where there are no Eurobreeds or other types of dog to interbreed with.
    There are 30 million strays in India. A good sterilization, vaccination implementation will reduce the occurrence and hence fear of rabies. Some additional compassion outreach, adoption and volunteer encouragement will help change the outlook towards strays.

Of course, these are ideal solutions and work best in theory. A practical implementation of the solution is far from being anywhere close to workable and much more painful for the dogs and humans both. Thank you for dropping by. Please do leave your comments and ideas about the post.

Nonprofit finds New York City home for stray dog from Afghanistan

JUST A FEW months ago, Meena and her puppies were existing in a hole outside an American base in Kabul, Afghanistan, which was about to be sealed off for security reasons.

Today, the year-old Afghan Kuchi dog is living in the lap of luxury in a Greenwich Village townhouse.

"The dog would sneak out through a hole in the fence to scavenge for food for her and her three pups," wrote former British Marine Pen Farthing, in an email from Afghanistan.

"A Royal Marine mate of mine knew that Momma Dog [AKA MEENA\]would effectively be trapped and starve, and he called me asking if we could get her to the shelter," he added.

Farthing has been rescuing stray Afghan fighting dogs since 2007, when one wandered onto his base - and into his heart - in Nowzad, Afghanistan.

His busy Kabul shelter is where many stray dogs and cats land after being befriended by kind soldiers who are forbidden to keep them on their military bases.

The country's unwieldy stray population is largely a result of dog-fighting, a popular sport to which puppies often lose their ears and tails to stay competitive.

"These animals are also the victims of war," said Gianna Valerio, a social work student who adopted Meena after spotting her photo on the Soldiers' Animal Companions Fund website (www.sacfund.org).

The Seattle-based group, which helps raise tax-deductible funds for Nowzad Dogs, helped facilitate the adoption and arranged for Meena's transport to the U.S.

In mid-September, the lucky pup embarked on a flight on Emirates Airline to JFK, where she was greeted by her new family. Her pups were adopted by Afghan nationals in Kabul.

Today, Meena shares her spacious Christopher St. home with Valerio's husband, Charles, teenagers Alex, 15, and Zoe, 12, and their menagerie of animals. The graceful guard dog is cohabitating nicely with their 10-year-old long-haired chocolate dachshund, Xeno, and three rescued kitties, Spice, Jaguar and Mezzo.

When she's not romping at the Leroy St. dog run or honing obedience skills, the gentle golden long-haired beauty can be found guarding the front door. At night, she sleeps on a bed in Alex's room instead of her crate.

After all, the Afghan Kuchi is a guard and working dog that follows nomads, protecting flocks of sheep, goats and other livestock from predators and thieves.

Nowzad Dogs, Farthing's UK-based nonprofit organization, has saved nearly 250 dogs for soldiers who come from the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Holland, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Many are reunited with the soldiers once they finish their tour of duty.

In addition to sheltering the animals and finding them loving homes, Nowzad works to protect the local communities by vaccinating the dogs for rabies and parvo.

The all-volunteer group recently partnered with American Dog Rescue, a U.S.-based nonprofit led by philanthropist Arthur Benjamin, which also allows U.S. supporters to make a tax deductible donations to Nowzad. ADR is also helping to implement a humane trap-neuter-return program to reduce the stray dog population in Afghanistan.

Still, Farthing says running a charity can get rough. In an effort to help more dogs find homes in the U.S., he hopes to launch Nowzad USA.

His struggles to help these dogs are documented in his books, "One Dog at a Time" and "No Place Like Home."

Consider these factors to make sure you're a match

There are plenty of cliche things that people say about dogs: that they're man's best friend, that they love you unconditionally and that behind those cold noses, there are warm hearts. But while dog owners might feel a bit silly about repeating those old chestnuts, they'll also admit they're absolutely true.

Before you get a dog, doing a bit of background research is important, but keep in mind that you also have a valuable resource right in your community - the local animal shelter. Shelter dogs are often the ones that are "invisible" - out of the public eye and therefore, out of mind as well. Best Friends Animal Society has created the "Invisible Dogs" campaign to call attention to the hundreds of thousands of very real, but unseen dogs hoping to be adopted from U.S. animal shelters, any of which might be right for your home.

Whether your household has one person or 10, a dog can fit right in, but not every dog fits with every home. At shelters across the country, the pet experts on the staff can help match you with an adoptable dog, based on your lifestyle and the dog's personality and traits. Because you can meet shelter dogs before bringing them home, it's easier to make the perfect puppy love connection.

When you're ready to start looking for the right dog for you, consider these tips from Best Friends Animal Society and InvisibleDogs.org:

* Be honest about your lifestyle. Everyone has a different schedule, and dogs have schedules of their own. If you're away from home a lot, consider dogs that have lower energy levels and minimal exercise demands. However, if you love to go for a run in the morning and a long stroll every evening, you might be a good match for a dog that has a bit more of a get-up-and-go demeanor.

* How much maintenance? Some dogs have wash-and-wear coats that don't require grooming other than a nice bath every so often. Others will need to be combed and still others will need haircuts to keep their coat in check, or to be more comfortable in the summer heat. Opt for a dog with a coat that matches the level of dedication you're ready to put into grooming, keeping in mind that it's not too much of a hassle for any dog. Also remember that you'll need to care for his toenails and teeth to keep him feeling his best.

* Find a personality match. Some dog owners like their pups to be right on their lap as much as possible, while others prefer a companion who is a little more independent. While breed can have some effect on this, it also largely depends on the individual dog. Meeting a dog at a shelter will let you spend a little time together to see if you're a good combination.

Big or small, shaggy or sleek, the dog that's right for you is out there waiting. With a bit of forethought and a few one-on-one meetings with available dogs, you'll be well prepared to find the dog that will be the companion of a lifetime. And when you do, it won't be long before you're telling everyone that your dog really is your best friend. To learn more about helping adoptable dogs,

Miracle Dog Also Need Our Help

Hundreds of people from around the country are looking to adopt a young stray dog who cheated death inside an Alabama gas chamber.

Daniel, a beagle mix who is better known as the "Miracle Dog," was left anonymously in a drop box outside an Alabama pound. His life was supposed to end Oct. 3 in a carbon monoxide chamber at the Animal Control facility in Florence, Ala., but he emerged unscathed.

Workers at the facility chose to name the dog "Daniel" after the biblical figure who survived the lion's den. The 4-year-old pooch was then flown to New Jersey, where he remains in the temporary custody of Jill Pavlik, a volunteer with the nonprofit Eleventh Hour Rescue group.

"From the time he stepped off the plane, he's been a happy-go-lucky sweetheart of a dog," Pavlik told FoxNews.com on Tuesday.

"We have so many applications for adoption, we cannot keep up," Pavlik said. "We want a family that is willing to take care of him his whole life. He needs a lot of love and exercise ... a soft place to put his head at night."

She said Daniel had a meet-and-great with a prospective family from New Jersey that went very well.

"We're hoping it works out," she said.

Only three animals have survived the gas chamber at the facility in Florence, Ala., in the past 12 years. 

"Maybe God just had a better plan for this one," city spokesman Phil Stevenson told the Associated Press.

Stevenson said the gas chamber is a stainless-steel box roughly the size of a pickup truck bed, and dogs are put into the chamber about seven or eight at a time. A computer-controlled pump slowly feeds carbon monoxide into the chamber once it's sealed, and an operator presses a button.

Normally, the animals just go "to sleep slowly. It's like the cases you hear about where people are overcome by carbon monoxide in their home and just never wake up," he said.

On Oct. 3, a new animal control officer placed the stray beagle into the chamber with several other animals and started the machine, Stevenson said.

Variables that could allow a dog to survive such a gassing include the number of animals placed in the chamber, the concentration of carbon monoxide, whether the chamber is airtight or gas is leaking out and the health of the animal, said Julie Morris, senior vice president of community outreach for the ASPCA. Young, healthy animals have the best chance for survival.

Since carbon monoxide is heavier than air, it sinks, so a tall dog, or one that climbed to the top of a pile, would have a better chance of surviving, she said.

Vinny Grosso, the Florence animal shelter's director, said Daniel showed up in one of the shelter's "drop box" cages where people can drop off animals anonymously.

Adams County SPCA Make You Help Stray Dogs

The Adams County SPCA shelter manager accused by a Mount Pleasant Township family of unnecessarily euthanizing their family's dog has been dismissed following a board of directors meeting Friday evening, SPCA president Katie Carroll said.
"We interviewed Dawn (Wike) at some length and heard her side of the story," Carroll said. "As of (Friday) night, Ms. Wike is no longer employed by the SPCA or the Meyers shelter in any capacity."
Carroll said she spent last week investigating an incident in which Wike picked up a stray dog on Centennial Road in the early morning hours of July 3 and euthanized it shortly after bringing it back to the shelter. Carroll said she presented her findings to the board at its meeting.
"It does not appear that proper procedure was followed," Carroll said. "Up until this point Ms. Wike has been an outstanding asset to the shelter."
Meanwhile, there was a similar accusation made against Wike by the state dog warden for Adams County concerning an August incident that Carroll said was not part of her investigation.
Carroll said last week that the shelter is required to keep stray dogs for at least 48 hours unless an authorized humane officer, such as Wike, determines that the animal poses a threat to the public health and welfare. She said it is typically a judgment call by the humane officer.
Wike could not be reached for comment for this story.
Dale and Kathy Seymore had accused Wike of unnecessarily and too quickly euthanizing their Norwegian elkhound/yellow Labrador after it ran away from their 11-acre farm during a thunderstorm over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Dale Seymore said they were on vacation in Minnesota when Wike picked up their dog, Max, who did not have identification tags or a micro chip, after he was reported at a house on Centennial Road where there was a party going on.
Wike had previously told The Evening Sun that the dog was acting aggressively when she arrived there at 6 a.m. and had bitten a person at the party and herself as she tried to get it in the SPCA van. Wike also said previously that the dog was euthanized because she determined it to be a threat to the public and her staff, which has to feed, medicate and care for the animal.
But Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Jonathan Mays, commander of the Gettysburg station, said his officers told him the dog was not acting aggressively when they were on the scene and they did not consider it a threat.

 
"There was no aggressive action by the dog," Mays said. "It was walking among them (residents)."
Mays said the troopers asked for assistance from the SPCA because the dog smelled like skunk.
"It was a hygiene issue if we had to put it in the vehicle," he said.
In an e-mail Wike sent to then-Adams County Dog Warden Barry Hockley later on July 3, she complained about state police leaving the scene.
"I absolutely cannot believe he (the trooper) would jeopardize people's safety by leaving them alone at the scene with a dog like this," she said. "There is no reason this dog had to die this way."
But Mays said his officers left the scene to assist Latimore Township Police on a call and after deciding the dog did not pose a danger.
The Seymores brought their story to the attention of the Conewago Township supervisors at a public meeting Oct. 17, convincing them to scratch their previously approved $2,500 contribution to the SPCA.
The Seymores say their intention has been not to hurt the shelter but see Wike removed and changes to its operations.
"Wike's dismissal is the first step in correcting what the problems are up there," Dale Seymore said. "We know the shelter has a valuable purpose in the community but it is obvious after what happened to our Max and the feedback we have received that many changes need to take place. We intend to stay involved."

Why do humans always want to do harm to the dogs

You may have heard about the stray dog problem in parts of St. Louis, but local letter carriers say they’ve seen it, lived it and even felt it. Postal Service Safety Coordinator Richard Thurman reports 39 dog attacks in each of the last two years, which ranks the city as fifth dangerous in the nation. Houston is first. Letter carriers are armed with nothing but their pouch and a can of pepper spray, and Thurman says they’ve been cornered on front porches before by packs of as many as seven dogs.


They’re having to be hospitalized for their injuries, from the bites themselves and also from the efforts that they have done to evade the attack. Trips and falls, hitting their head, and those are just as damaging as the bites. He says these animals are not man’s best friend.That dog is searching for food, its looking for shelter or trying to protect something that you’re unaware of.He says the problem is getting worse, but also says the city has been responsive.

Michigan State University veterinary researchers are warning of an outbreak of a life-threatening bacterial infection among dogs in Metro Detroit.A specific strain of the disease known as leptospirosis has been diagnosed in more than 20 cases. Nine dogs were either euthanized or died as a result.
"What is particularly unusual about this outbreak is that the dogs affected are not stray animals, but people's pets," Carole Bolin, director of MSU's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, said in a statement Thursday.



"Unfortunately, we expect to see more cases, and this is a very dangerous type of leptospirosis. Many veterinarians have never seen this type in dogs because it was markedly reduced by vaccination."Bolin and a team at MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine's diagnostic center performed testing and identified the infection strain as icterohaemorrhagiae. Leptospirosis can be fatal in dogs. It is commonly carried by rats but also can be transmitted between dogs or to humans, MSU said.Leptospirosis is linked to bacteria that resides in the kidney of a host — often a wild or stray dog — and spread through urinating. Pets can become infected by sniffing the urine or coming into contact with standing water contaminated by rain and water runoff, according to MSU researchers.

The bacteria can travel through a dog's bloodstream and typically causes fever, depression and vomiting. The condition can also attack the liver and lead to organ failure, MSU said."This is a very serious, rapidly progressing type of leptospirosis in dogs," Bolin said. "Dogs can appear normal one day and be severely ill the next day."Experts believe the key to prevention is vaccination.


Dr. Marc Elie of Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Southfield, which treats about 24-36 cases of the condition each year, recommends pets get the leptospirosis vaccination in addition to the series of shots dogs are urged to receive."A pet that is vaccinated … is at lesser risk for infection," he said.
If a pet exhibits symptoms of the condition, immediate treatment is necessary.

Let's help them by Denise Crosby

But despite the gargantuan growth hanging from its underside, the animal — lab-like in height and weight but with a boxer-like face — is adept at avoiding capture. Both Naperville and Aurora animal controls have been trying to do so for close to four months. The tumor, about the size of a Nerf football, doesn’t seem to slow the dog down. Aurora officer Quentin Johnson says at one point the stray was cornered by a trio of his employees in a fenced-in area, and jumped over the four-foot barrier to escape.

And dog-gone it, he can run!

Probably 30 miles per hour, said Johnson, which is remarkable considering that tumor.

Needless to say, everyone is anxious to catch the animal, estimated to be 7 or 8 years old. “It is surviving,” said Johnson. “On what, I don’t know.” And now that the weather is getting colder, the urgency increases.

Naperville resident Trish Loughlin spotted the stray recently while out walking her own dog in the White Eagle area. The animal ran away after she tried calling to it, so she took her pet home and searched for the mutt. Loughlin found it a couple of blocks later “but it ducked inside some yards and crossed the street, obviously wanting to avoid people.”

By now, the dog is so familiar with the area that it knows just which yards to go into to avoid capture, added Naperville Animal Control Supervisor Joanne Aul. And it definitely has animal control’s number: One look at their vehicles and uniforms, says both Johnson and Aul, and it’s out of there like a streak of lightning.

There’s been a string of sightings since July: around I-88, Eola Road, the Ogden Avenue post office, Naperville North High School, the historic district, White Eagle and Eagle Pointe subdivisions, to name a few.

The dog has even been spotted closer to Warrenville, putting its travel radius at about eight miles. It obviously “doesn’t like to stay in one place very long,” noted Aul.

With limited tools — neither Aurora nor Naperville possess large nets or the more costly net guns — both offices are attempting to get within 10 feet of their prey. (Aurora uses catch poles or long leashes, while Naperville has cage traps.) Aurora does possess a dart gun, but officials won’t use it in this case because they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the dog once it was shot. The stray could run off, said Johnson, and finally succumb to the drug where no one would find it — making it vulnerable to wild animals. 

It’s obvious a whole lot of folks want to save The Dog with the Tumor and are frustrated by his/her elusiveness. “We just want to get it out of the open and into a shelter so we can take care of its medical needs,” said Johnson.

Its would-be captors/saviors speculate the dog may have been turned loose by its owner, prompting advice from Johnson: If you can’t afford medical attention for your pet, bring it to the shelter for treatment. “They may be descended from wolves, but they are domestic animals,” he stressed. “Do not put them out in the wild.”

Stray dog need our help now

A 74-year-old Battle Creek woman was walking home on Goodale Street last week when she was chased by two dogs.

A decade ago the city employed four animal control officers, but now Ehart and Ronda Burgess answer animal complaints with some help from patrol officers when they are able.
"But dog complaints have a low priority for officers," Ehart said.

Last year the two officers turned over 947 dogs to the Calhoun County Animal Center at 165 S. Union St., according to the director, Sindy Buford. By Friday 890 dogs had been taken to the shelter this year. Most were strays, although a small number were surrendered by their owners.

"It is happening enough that we have to modify our training and have run everyone through the training," he said. "We want to make sure the citizens are protected and the officers are covered."
On Friday, Burgess and Ehart were answering calls of stray and loose dogs.


As she retreated from the two pit bulls that had run from a yard, the woman stumbled over a curb and fell, hitting her head on the pavement. She went to Bronson Battle Creek where a doctor used staples to close the wound on her head.


When Battle Creek police approached the owner, he insisted his dogs did not escape from the yard and then began to yell obscenities at the officer, who cited him for having a vicious dog.

The incident of dogs loose on Battle Creek streets is a growing trend, according to Animal Control officers and police, who said loose and stray dogs, some vicious, are a nuisance and a danger.
"We are just running from call to call and we can't be proactive," said Mike Ehart, one of two Battle Creek Police Department Animal Control officers working in the city and Bedford Township. "I just bet we have 150,000 dogs in the city we have to deal with."






Cal Rousch called a dispatcher because he had confined a Pit Bull in the garage at his home at on North Washington Avenue and because he frequently has dogs running through his yard. He has called animal control three or four times in the last three years because he captured a stray dog which would not leave his property, he said.

Poor stray dogs hit by a car

SALINAS, Calif -- The Animal Friends Rescue Project is looking for donations to help a Australian Shepherd hit by a car Saturday.AFRP received an urgent call from Monterey County Animal Services Saturday  about a severely injured mini Australian Shepherd which had been struck by an oncoming car on Blanco Road outside of Salinas.  The dog had been hit and the force flung him into a ditch on the side of the road.  Animal Control responded and took him to a vet for evaluation. 


Due to the severity of the injury the shelter requested help from AFRP for further care.  "Cappy" was transported  Pet Specialists of Monterey for further evaluation and treatment.Veterinarians determined "Cappy" had a severely fractured spine requiring major surgery to stabilize his back and an injury to his eye.    "Cappy" was immobilized to stop any further damage to his spine and  needs immediate surgery in order to keep him from becoming paralyzed.

The Sanford-Springvale area has one of the highest surrender rates in York County for unwanted cats. Personally, this is not a statistic I'm very proud of — it's one the Sanford-Springvale Animal Welfare Team, the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) and I have been working diligently to change. We have opened a free pet food pantry, we host low-cost vaccination clinics, we provide sources for discounted veterinary care, we have started multiple educational programs in the community, and the AWS now offers low-cost cat spay/neuter service right at the shelter for $39.95. I even do pick-up and delivery when possible!

A "stray" means and animal is "off the owner's premises and not under the control of a person." These are the vast majority of the cats taken to the shelter! And a lot of them are pregnant!

Now let's move on to who is responsible for what Maine State Law reads: An "owner" means a person "owning, keeping or harboring a dog or other animal." A "keeper" means a person "in possession or control of a dog or other animal. A person becomes the keeper of a stray domesticated animal, other than a dog or livestock, if the person feeds that animal for at least 10 consecutive days."

I would ask that you give realistic thought to any animal you may be considering becoming the owner or keeper of. Are you diligent in keeping identification on your pets? Are you comfortably meeting the needs of the pet(s) you already have? Do you have experience caring for this type of pet? Have you considered the cost of emergency veterinary care? Do you have a contingency plan should you no longer be able to care for the animal or have to move? Do you know how much basic care of the animal costs? Do you understand the importance of spaying/neutering the animal to prevent overpopulation problems? Can you afford to spay/neuter all your pets? Are you willing and able to take the time to get some help caring for this pet should you need it?

What crime with the poor dog

Dangerous dogs are increasingly linked to worrying and persistent trends in antisocial behaviour, and so it's no surprise that so many of us up and down the country are concerned about the problem. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, together with the RSPCA and Blue Cross have called for an urgent and overdue review of the existing failing dog legislation. Maybe, just maybe, with the recent appointment of Lord Taylor of Holbeach as the new government minister there could be a glimmer of hope that we will see some effective action.



Lord Taylor has promised to make any future legislation effective and enforceable in tackling the dangerous dogs issues that are so concerning us all. But as the problems around irresponsible dog ownership, stray and dangerous dogs intensify, and budgets get tight or, in the case of some local authorities disappear altogether, it may not be long before there is another serious dog attack on a member of the public, or even a young child.

This is not scaremongering. It is a sad but inescapable fact that a minority of people still continue to treat dogs irresponsibly, use them for the wrong things and care only about their personal status in their community or peer group. Battersea is on the frontline dealing with the repercussions of dog issues, as on average 17 stray, abandoned, abused, or dangerous dogs come through our doors every day.

We are the first to pick up the pieces for these dogs, but the pressures on us, as well as the police and local authorities, are mounting. For more than 150 years we have stood by our founding mission to aim never to turn away a dog or cat in need of our help. But as the stray and dangerous dog problem gets worse, our work becomes harder and harder.

What many people may not realise is Battersea takes in every type of dog, and not just those that are easy to rehome. So inevitably more and more of the dogs coming into the charity's rehoming centres have been so badly abused, or trained to be a dangerous "weapon" that it's too late to help them. Some of these dogs can't possibly be safely rehomed, and sadly we have to put them to sleep. At least most people recognise that the harsh reality is this is the only responsible option.

This is predominantly an urban problem and, like us, many of our local authority partners are struggling to cope with the growing stray and dangerous dogs problem. They are legally bound to accept stray dogs off the street when a dog is first spotted or brought to them but severe budget cuts mean they are having to put to sleep perfectly friendly and healthy stray dogs, before they ever reach rescue centres such as Battersea. And more and more strays remain on the street, presenting a potential risk to the public. Battersea is working with local authorities to help find solutions. We're encouraging them to share their kennelling costs with neighbouring local boroughs, but there is only so much we can do.

It would be simplistic to say these problems will go away if only the government would put its hand in its pocket and support inner city local authorities. But Lord Taylor must now take the lead and develop a national strategy to tackle dog control problems. If stray dog services were given a higher priority, we wouldn't have as many of the dog problems we see on our streets today.

Can training dogs to become lovely pet

Each year, thousands of animals find their way into the care of Gwinnett County’s Animal Shelter. Finding good homes for as many as possible requires more than just feeding, sheltering and then waiting for the “right” person to find just the perfect pet. The internet allows the public to see the faces of the many of the cats and dogs who are put up for adoption each week, but sometimes, high-tech solutions need some real-people assistance.

The C.L.A.S.S. was implemented at the shelter in July using shelter personnel and volunteers to teach the dogs some basic life skills. Sit, down, stay and loose leash walking are the basics for the B.A. skills certification. The program also teaches social skills such as meet and greet, taking treats from strangers, and waiting for permission before going through doors and getting out of cars.
Actual training began on Aug. 15 with 10 dogs chosen to participate in the program. Of those initial 10, nine were adopted and one rescued after the training showed them to be sociable dogs, but before they could complete the program. The shelter reports that those participating in the program were more calm and relaxed in their pens than many of the other dogs.


 Enter Cathy Bruce, Certified Pet Dog Trainer and owner of the Canine Country Academy based in Dacula. Having worked with Gwinnett Shelter’s Lieutenant Mary Lou Respess in the past on talk shows and during presentations as panel members addressing animal behaviors, canine training and pet overpopulation, Bruce had another idea. She proposed bringing the Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) training program to the shelter in the hopes of making some of the dogs more appealing for adoption.


Mandy, a blonde Lab-mix, has been at the shelter since August. A stray, she had some anxiety disorders exhibited by chasing her tail almost constantly. Her trainer, Jennifer Echols, explained that she chewed at her tail and was somewhat withdrawn. Certainly not an appealing dog for a potential owner. After a few weeks of training, however, Mandy has one of those “open grins” that seem to typify a happy dog. Sociable to almost a fault, she was ready to be the center of attention to each person in the testing room. Although Mandy wasn’t giving up her age, Respess suggests that she is probably around 3 years old and is a completely different dog after the positive reinforcement brought about during the training.

Unfortunately, her exuberance could not be contained during the testing and though she didn’t graduate with her BA, her new owner received some guidance to continue her training. He was very pleased with her loving nature and great attitude, so lacking the diploma, it was still a “win-win.


Since the first week, 28 dogs have started the program and 18 of the students have already been adopted or rescued. The C.L.A.S.S. program is designed to last six weeks, but Bruce has worked with the volunteers to create an accelerated four-week curriculum to expedite the training and maximize the potential for quick placement in a good home.On Oct. 6, two students were tested for their Bachelors Degree by Bruce. The two students, Mandy and Gigi, and their trainers were put through their paces while their new owners watched from the sidelines.

Notable dogs protection performances are wonderful

If you go to see Stray Dog Theatre's production of The Who's Tommy — and let's get it right up front that you should do whatever is necessary to see it — be prepared for a radically reimagined version of Pete Townshend's classic rock opera. The program lists Justin Been and Gary F. Bell as co-directors, but Bell makes it clear in his notes that this staging is predominantly Been's. That's a very generous concession on Bell's part, because with a show as exquisitely conceived and executed as this, you'd think a director would fight to take a share of the glory. That spirit of generosity suffuses the entire production; Been's visionary interpretation of Tommy is so life-affirming and exuberant that you'll want to share it with other people.

The basics of Townshend's album are intact — young Tommy Walker sees his father, who'd been presumed to be dead, return from World War II and kill another man, and then Tommy is told so forcefully by his parents that he didn't see or hear anything that he retreats into his own mind for the next fifteen years, becomes the world's only blind, deaf-mute pinball champion and re-emerges from his mental sanctuary as a messiah figure to the youth of England, only to reject their worship. Townshend and Des McAnuff alter the story in key places (most notably, Tommy doesn't die at the hands of his spurned followers), to the betterment of the tale.


Tommy is portrayed by three actors: Audrey Manalang is the boy at four years old, Braden Phillips is ten-year-old Tommy and Antonio Rodriguez is the adult version, and each brings something vital to the character. When Phillips' Tommy is molested by his Uncle Ernie (Josh Douglas, monstrously effective in the role) during "Fiddle About," Rodriguez's older Tommy watches, then tenderly dresses his younger self while singing "See Me, Feel Me" — this is a haunting, soul-squelching rendition of the song, driving home the terror of the incident.

Of course, the bulk of Tommy's journey from darkness back to the light is illuminated by Townshend's blazing songs. Musical director Chris Petersen assembled a crack band for this one; guitarist Adam Rugo replicates the frantic, hangnail buzz of Townshend's phrasing during the intro to "Pinball Wizard," and while Keith Moon is inimitable, drummer Sean Lanier does his lithe barrage justice. All of these elements coalesce in "We're Not Gonna Take It," as Tommy (Rodriguez) sings "Right behind you, I see the millions/On you, I see the glory," drawing first his estranged family to his side, then his dejected followers; the band is steaming, growing ever louder, and when you think the show has peaked, all of the actors drop character and sing to the crowd, welcoming us into the fold. 

Help stray dog is a long thing

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Stray dog rescue stations need us to work hard together

By now, the dogs are barking or whimpering in that way they have when all around them is completely unfamiliar.
Employees of the Franklin County Department of Animal Care and Control are themselves probably just getting used to the fancy new digs on Tamarack Boulevard.
The $18-million, 48,350-square-foot Franklin County Animal Care and Control Dog Shelter and Adoption Center had a grand opening Oct. 3.The structure, located on what had been the parking lot of the former Northland Mall, is split between the department’s two main functions, the adoption side of things and dealing with strays or canines being relinquished by their owners.

The adoption and pre-adoption wing will feature computer stations in the entryway where people can fill out applications or visit the website of the department to obtain information about the dogs that are available. This side of the operation, according to a fact sheet provided by Smith, has 89 caged dog runs, 35 “real life rooms” which offer somewhat more homelike settings for housebroken dogs or those that are especially stressed, four “get-acquainted rooms” where people can meet their potential pets, five “featured dog rooms” for animals that have been at the shelter for a while, four puppy pens and a small dog room with flexible space.

The dogs were moved over the weekend from the decrepit old shelter on Alum Creek Drive to the new facility, doubtless providing a background noise of yips and yelps and growls and groans to a place that was eerily quiet during a media tour late last week.
“What a difference,” commented Franklin County commissioner Paula Brooks. “Isn’t it great? The contrast between the old shelter and this shelter is amazing.”
“We as the staff are very pleased with the building,” said Joe Rock, county dog warden and director of the department.
“This is going to be a fun place to work,” offered Animal Care and Control community relations director Susan Smith.

The stray and relinquished section of the building has 161 caged dog runs, 22 smaller cages and four puppy pens. It also contains a night drop area where people giving up their dogs after hours may place the animals in cages that lock after they are closed. This is intended to offer people worried about paying fines or fees an option to just turning the animals loose, Rock said.
Department officials are still trying to decide if the door to this area will be left open all the time or if it will be locked and someone on duty would have to buzz people in, the director added.

“We want to be neighbors in the community,” Rock said. “This room will get a lot of use.”
“The Northland community is thrilled that we’re moving into the neighborhood,” Brooks commented.
“We’re excited about it, not only because it represents another piece of the puzzle of Northland Village but also because it’s a piece of the puzzle that’s going to bring people to our neighborhood,” Northland Community Council president Dave Paul said. “We’re very pleased that they chose the Northland area to do this,” he added. “We feel it will give people a very good impression of the neighborhood.”A corridor off the adoption entrance leads to a 1,300-square-foot multipurpose community room that will be used for court-mandated classes for dog owners who have committed one offense or another. The space will also be available to civic and community organizations for meetings.

The stray dogs need our help in this world

It's hard out here in these streets, especially on overcast days like today. Dog days of summer, y'all -- gray and humid and shit. Everything's crazy and I'm really going through it. I'm lost like a motherfucker. It's been two weeks since the shit went down. I lost my bitch, best friend and my life, all in one moment.


God can't be this cruel. I miss my bitch so much. We were finally gonna drop our first litter. And I wasn't gonna be like these other dawgs all running from bitch to bitch dropping shorties all around town. That ain't me. I loved that bitch, we could communicate, she was my boo. I trusted her.






I ain't even look back. I'm saying...these streets are fucking hard. At the end of the day, you need to look out for yourself. That's just the way it is. We lose peeps all the time -- some straight up get run-over; some get adopted, right off the street. Shit. Most get locked up. Dang. We've all been locked up. Many find homes yet wind up back on the streets anyhow.

But this time was different; something happened inside County. A distemper break-out spread like Contagion and those motherfuckers at County put every dog down. Just like that, son -- a holocaust. Word's all over the street. Fuck. I'm trying to be strong but under this fur I'm crawling in my skin.



They shot my dawg with a tranquilizer and he fell against the curb like dice in a C-low game. I seen that shit like damn. I wanted to help, but then I seen Jake roll up on my bitch and I was like nah, that ain't happening. I turned to the dog catcher, but then the other Jake busted some caps on me so my dog-eat-dog instincts kicked in fast and I just started running.

We were rolling in Little Haiti -- NW Second Avenue and the 50s, owning the block, just chillin' -- doin' what we do. Then that dog-pounding Jake rolled up on us like what. Out of nowhere, two of them. We split, ran like the wind.



I don't know -- this ain't right. I understand shit changes, dogs change, mentalities change. But what the fuck comes next? I'm kicking it the last week with some homeless dude at Margaret Pace Park -- it's easier to get food with a human -- but this motherfucker is mean. He kicks me and tries to intimidate with fear. I only stay cause I'm hungry and lonely. 

We need to help stray dogs require little effort

If you have ever been to Turkey before, you must have noticed the stray animals population in Turkey is very very high. Unlike most of other countries, this is an usual situation. There is a law, 5199, which is supposed to protect animals, and which suggest to neuter the stray dogs and cats and put them back to streets. Government has foreseen the end of the population by avoiding new births. However, we can’t say that it works.

There are shelters mainly for stray dogs all over Turkey. But, since the local municipalities, left those shelters’ administration into private companies, and since those companies want to profit, nutrition and healt care in those shelters are minimum. They want to reduce the costs to raise the profit. That’s why, volunteers in Turkey try to take care of the animals in need.

However, most of the time, it’s not possible to take care of those animals in apartments. Neigbours are complaining because of the smell and noise. Our family is one of these volunteers. We had to move from our apartment in city center to a more isolated district to be able to continue to take care of the animals in needs, mainly cats. 


In our house, we have been taking care of more than 200 stray cats and dogs since 5 years. Most of them are diseased, paralyzed, and blind. Or they are too old to live neither in the streets or in a shelter. Sometimes, baby animals without mothers, sometimes animals who need long term care, sometimes animals whose owners are dead are broght by other animal lovers.

We are in need of continous support in order to provide those animals healthy life conditions, better foods, and of course medical help when needed (especially medical help is very much needed because we do not accept healthy animals in our house, we indeed accept those who are in need of help and who cannot stay alive on the streets). This kind of volunteer work can not be afforded by one family, obviously. Although we are doing our bests to fulfill their needs, the quality of food and medical help.
That’s why, we are asking for your support. Even small amounts can make difference. You really don’t have to donate at all, just buy from our Affiliate Amazon Store and we earn commission while you save. Be assured that every cent would be used for the benefits of the animals living in our house.