The number of dog bites climbed by 30 percent in Pennsylvania last year, bumping the state to fifth in the number of recorded incidents nationwide, according to a new insurance company study.

The State Farm Insurance report, released ahead of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 19-26), found the number of Pennsylvania cases jumped from 163 claims to 197 claims.

That's just a fraction of the estimated 5,000,000 dog bites that occur each year.

State Farm cautions that a dog’s tendency to bite depends on such factors as heredity, obedience training, socialization, health, and the victim’s behavior.

There are good dogs and bad dogs within every breed, just as there can be responsible and irresponsible owners of each breed.

State Farm said it does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog a customer owns in any U.S. state.

California is number one with 527 claims and Minnesota was last with 117 claims. New Jersey is ranked 16th.

An estimated $479 million was paid out to dog bite victims nationally. 

The Pennsylvania state dog law imposes liability for severe damages and entitles victims to full compensation if the attacking dog had a history of biting. 

"A dog's tendency to bite depends on such factors as heredity, obedience training, socialization, health and the victim's behavior," the study reads. "State Farm does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog a customer owns in any U.S. state."

More than half of all dog bite victims are children, with senior, mail carriers and meter readers also more often the victims of bites, the study says.

A 1995 Pennsylvania study presented a comprehensive look at the demographics of dog bites and the severity of the wounds. Interestingly the counties with the highest number of dog bites were rural counties, Indiana, Washington and Blair. Allegheny  (Pittsburgh) and Philadelphia counties combined to represent 23 percent of all bites.

Animal welfare advocates would likely argue that most of those bites are related to the higher number of dogs on chains and free roaming dogs.

State Farm's website offers a host of tips on how to avoid being bitten, what dog owners should know about preventing bites and what to if you are bitten.

Heidi Ganahl, founder of Camp Bow Wow, a pet care franchise company, also offers the following tips to prevent dog bites:

       Socialize your pet at early stages in his or her development. This will allow your pet to feel at ease around people and other animals in social settings. Socializing your dog can have a tremendous effect on their interactions both at home and in public. Newly socialized dogs become calmer, friendly, affectionate, and can adapt better to a new environment.

       Train your dog. Basic commands such as "sit" and "stay" help dogs understand what is expected of them. Training can also be incorporated into fun activities that establish the owner as an authoritative figure, yet strengthen the bond between owner and dog as companion and friend.

       Never leave a child under 10 years old alone with a dog, no matter how much you trust your four-legged friend. Dogs tend to give warnings when they are uncomfortable and may bite in response. In most cases, children aren’t able to pick up on these signals and can easily get hurt. As mentioned, children are the most common victims of dog bites.

       Use a leash to ensure that you are able to control your dog in public settings. If your pet becomes excited or anxious for any reason, draw him near and gently pat his head or rub his fur to calm him down.

       Never chain your dog in the backyard or any other area. Dogs who are chained up feel increased levels of stress and protectiveness. A dog that is confined and feels threatened is more likely to bite.

       If you have a fenced yard, make sure your gates are secure. This will prevent Fido from running off into public spaces and interacting with others without your supervision.

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After 15 years, it looks like legislation to protect service dogs from attack by other dogs will soon be heading for a governor's signature.

The bill (HB 165) would hold the owner of a dog that attacks a service dog criminally liable and impose a fine of up to $15,000. It passed the state Senate 39 - 10 earlier this week and now goes back to the House for a vote on concurrence on June 4.

You'd be surprised at how often these attacks happen and how costly - emotionally and financially - they can be. Two dogs belonging to an Erie woman were attacked over a multi-year span by free-roaming neighbor dogs who entered her yard.

"There are a number of these attacks across the Commonwealth," said bill supporter Sen. John Eichelberger (R., Blair).  "The attacks take away a person's ability to function in society."

The bill cleared the House, 194-4, but suddenly stalled in the Senate earlier this month after an amendment stripping out the criminal penalties was added leaving only the civil penalty that may not be collected.

During floor debate on Tuesday Eichelberger and Sen. Anthony Williams (D., Phila.) argued vigorously for the tougher bill.

Opponent Sen. Mary Jo White (R., Venango) said she did not think an owner should be criminally penalized for their dog's bad behavior. 

"I think to make someone a criminal for attacks of a dog is wrong," she said. 

Williams strongly disagreed, saying there are people who knowingly turn their dangerous dogs out on the street endangering innocent people and pets. "Civil penalties are not enough," said Williams. "This sends a message that we love animals and want to protect people who reside with animals."

In addition to Sen. Mary Jo White, those voting "no" on the bill were Sens. Don White (R., Armstrong) , Michael Brubaker (R., Lancaster), Pat Vance (R., Cumberland), Jim Ferlo (D., Allegheny), Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) Jeff Piccola (R., Dauphin), Lloyd Smucker (R., Lancaster), Jane Earll (R., Erie) Lisa Baker (R., Luzerne). 

The bill's lead sponsor, Rep. John Evans (R. Erie), said the final compromise was acceptable. He said he can live with the charge being downgraded - at the judge's discretion - from a second to a third-degree misdemeanor. (By contrast, in Florida a dog attack on a service dog is a felony offense.)

Evans said he was pleased the fine was tripled from $5,000 to $15,000. "That will help pay for the cost of vet care or a replacement dog," said Evans, noting that training for a service dog can reach $50,000.

Evans says he is optimistic that Gov. Corbett will support the bill and he hopes to bring two of the canine victims of attacks, and their human handlers, to the bill signing.

Diamond Pet Foods has issued yet another recall, this time for its small breed dog food.

In case you are losing count, this is at least the eighth round of recalls in the past six weeks since the discovery of a salmonella-tainted batch of food made in a South Carolina plant.

Since the recall 16 pet owners in 15 states - including two in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey - and in Canada became sick after handling the food and now we hear reports of two cats at a shelter in Montreal that were sickened after eating Diamond brand food.

Eleven brands of dog and cat food are made in the Gaston, S.C. plant operated by Diamond Pet Foods, including Costco under the Kirkland name.

Other brands affected include Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul, Canidea and Taste of the Wild, as well as several Diamond brands.

The latest recall involves Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula samples, 6 pound and 18 pound bag sizes, manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011, due to potential exposure to Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported connected to that batch of food.

For full information on what is being recalled read the details on the Diamond site here.

We wondered why the Pennsylvania Department of Health issued no notice of the recall nor provided the public with any information about the individuals who fell ill here and got this answer from the state:

Salmonella outbreaks are sometimes associated with food items; sometimes we cannot make the connection. When the item (or some other exposure linked to human illness) is specific to Pennsylvania or originates in Pennsylvania, we do send out “advisories” (usually in the form of a press release). On the other hand, when a situation is occurring in multiple states across the country, and the food comes from outside PA, we generally rely on the CDC’s and FDA’s efforts, along with standard food recalls announced by the producer or manufacturer. In the current situation, this dog food, which was produced in South Carolina, was recalled nationally by the manufacturer in cooperation with the FDA.

A day later the Health Department issued a warning about contaminated shellfish that may or may not have been sold in Pennsylvania. When we inquired were told the difference in the two cases was that the federal government had not yet issued a recall so the state felt it needed to do so.

How would the state backing up the federal government and issuing its own statement have hurt? It certainly would have helped spread the word that two Pennsylvania pet owners were made ill by a bad batch of dog food and that consumers ought to be careful about handling pet food - whether tainted or not. Of course we have no idea where in the state the food was purchased or how ill these people were.

Perhaps readers of Philly Dawg will spread the word to fellow pet owners of this seemingly endless recall.

Lab tests indicated those who fell ill were infected with a rare strain of salmonella Infantis, which was detected Apr. 2 after a routine test of dry dog food revealed contamination, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration conducted a week-long probe and found numerous violations at the South Carolina plant, according to the Christian Science Monitor. 

“All reasonable precautions are not taken to ensure that production procedures to not contribute contamination from any source,” its report said, noting that the factory’s screening process for possible contaminants wasn’t thorough enough.

Other violations: Factory workers were seen handling sensitive equipment with bare hands; there weren't enough hand-washing stations throughout the plant (even in areas where raw meat was being handled); the factory used damaged equipment with holes and cuts, which would make the tools difficult to clean properly.

Here's the timeline according to the Monitor:

Despite these findings, the company didn't issue a second recall until a week after the inspection was over, involving a single production run of its Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul brand. On April 30, it issued another expansion of the recall, this time involving puppy food. On May 3, the federal government announced it had linked 14 cases of salmonella in adults to Diamond's dog foods. On May 4, Natural Balance Pet Foodsand WellPet LLC, makers of Wellness, announced a recall of their dog foods made at Diamond's plant. From there, the recalls kept coming.

People can become sick by handling the tainted pet food or through contact with an animal that has eaten the contaminated food. Experts advise washing hands thoroughly after feeding pets or picking up animals. Also, clean litter boxes daily.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods toll free at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST. Recalled products should be discarded.

Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramping 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness can last up to a week and most people recover without treatment. In some cases, severe diarrhea can require hospitalization.

Putting an animal hoarder in charge of animal control is like hiring a crack addict to run police drug enforcement.

Yet that's what appears to have happened in the borough of Berwick in Columbia County in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Animal rescue workers raided the home of Jinese Loughry, the borough's animal control officer, this week and found 64 animals - 40 dogs and 24 cats - inside her small house. 

The Animal Resource Center shelter took in the animals, most suffering from severe matting - their fur so thick with feces and urine some could barely move, according to news reports.

Whose animals were these? Strays or surrenders Loughry promised someone she would place?

There is no word yet on whether criminal charges will be filed. We certainly hope state dog wardens will issue her citations for running an unlicensed kennel. Likely these animals had no rabies shots either.

The stench could be smelled by passersby on the street which led to a neighbor calling authorities.

“It was just horrible. Our people went in with masks. I didn’t wear a mask when I went in. I had to put one on and I still couldn’t breathe. It had to be years that the feces was building,” Linda Bird of the Animal Resouce Center told WNEP.

Bird said she thinks Loughry meant well.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. It makes me very sad because you realize she had a good heart and was an animal lover who has gotten herself way out of line,” said Bird, whose animal population suddenly doubled as a result. No doubt there will be significant vet bills as well.

People always try to dismiss these hoarding cases by saying "it got out of control." Why do individuals, who by all evidence severely neglect their animals, get this pass time and again?

Donations can be sent to: Animal Resource Center 301 A Boone Road Bloomsburg, PA 17815

To adopt an animal, call 570-854-1909 during the day or 570-356-2387 in the evenings.

To volunteer at the Animal Resource Center, call 570-784-3669.

Leigh Siegfried is an Associate member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and is a Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She conducts private behavior counseling sessions, group training classes in basic and advanced manners and agility, and a variety of workshops. Opportunity Barks classes are held in Philadelphia and Quakertown, PA. Visit www.opbarks.com for more info.

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A central Pennsylvania man charged with starving a herd of thoroughbred horses - all mares and young foals - will spend 270 days on probation under a plea deal announced Monday.

James W. Houseman, 45, of Littlestown, pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty in Adams County Court. He also was ordered to pay $9.800 in fines and restitution to the Meyers Animal Shelter/Adams County SPCA for vet care for the severely malnourished horses and is prohibited from owning or possessing horses in Pennsylvania for five years.

A total of 21 horses were seized from a barren field with no water last fall after the owner of the property Houseman was renting observed the sick and emaciated horses and called authorities. A dead mare was found under a pile of straw in the barn.

Two of the young horses died shortly after the raid and a third had to be euthanized because of severe health problems. The state ruled their deaths the result of starvation.

A fourth horse, a male yearling, who had appeared to have recovered, was euthanized last week after a stick became wedged in his hoof causing an infection. Stremmel says a necropsy is being conducted to determine if the yearling succumbed to the infection because of his food deprivation as a foal. A fifth horse was returned to its out-of-state owner.

SPCA president Joan Stremmel said she was thrilled that the 16 surviving horses will now be able to be adopted.

"We are so overjoyed that we have custody and can finally adopt them out," said Stremmel," who has been caring for two of the horses on her property.

In February, Houseman was found guilty on 14 counts by a district judge and was sentenced to 1,200 days probation and ordered to pay $34,000 in restitution. He appealed that charge to the court of common pleas, claiming the horses were underfed when he got them.  The trial was to start on the same day the deal was made by the Adams County District Attorney's office.

During the emotional February hearing, in which courtroom spectators wept openly upon hearing of the conditions of the horses, a witness said Houseman told him he was bringing in pregnant mares - some of them from out-of-state breeders - to take advantage of Pennsylvania's
PA Bred" program that awards bonuses to horses born in Pennsylvania who win at state tracks. 

Property owner Denise Dutterer called the SPCA after seeing two horses trapped in a stall with no food, infected mucus pouring from their nostrils and barely able to stand. Veterinarian Gary Kabala testified that when he arrived the young horses appeared "lifeless."

The court ruling has no effect on Houseman's ability to keep horses in another state. Littlestown is just a few miles from the Maryland border and Houseman has a herd of thoroughbred mares and foals in Frederick County. They are under observation by humane officers in that county, according to SPCA officials.

Representing Houseman at the county proceeding was Jeffrey Conrad, an attorney with Clymer, Musser, Conrad, a Lancaster firm that specializes in defending individuals charged with animal abuse whose rights are "trampled" by law enforcement that "oversteps" their powers.

The firm has represented defendants in some of the highest profile animal cruelty cases in Pennsylvania and sued in federal court on behalf of a group of Amish and Mennonite dog breeders who unsuccessfully tried to overturn the state dog law.

One of the firm's founding partners, Leonard Brown, was elected to a judgeship in November and now sits on the Lancaster County bench where he is likely to hear animal cruelty cases.

When asked if she was sorry Houseman didn't get jail time, Stremmel said: "What would that do? I would have rather he served a long sentence of community service so he could see what hard work and effort the volunteers have put in on these horses, that he didn't."

One or two of the brave survivors may end up back at the property where they were found - although this time under much happier circumstances. Among those interested in adopting several of the horses is Denise Dutterer and her husband, Stremmel said.

The Adams County SPCA is now accepting applications from anyone interested in adopting the horses. They also are seeking donations to cover the expenses (food, bedding, blacksmith and veterinarian) of caring for the 16 horses until they are adopted.

What happens to unwanted puppy mill dogs?

Among the Amish and Mennonite breeders the most common method of destruction was,and probably still is,  bullet to the head.

(Commercial kennel owners under the dog law may no longer shoot their animals, but any other breeder or dog owner may do so.)  

This past weekend one breeder decided to try a different tack: They just turned their tiny dogs loose in the predator-filled woods of northwestern Pennsylvania.

At least 16 purebred dogs - 13 Pomeranians, two Shih Tzus and a Miniature Doberman Pinscher - were dumped in the woods not far from Punxatawney, home to Pennsylvania's famous ground hog, according to WJAC-TV.

They had rotten teeth, matted, fecal-encrusted fur and splayed paws, the hallmarks of a life in a wire cage. Fortunately some Good Samaritans rounded them up and a generous veterinarian is caring for them.

The discovery comes just three weeks after the fireworks-filled first meeting of the Dog Law Advisory Board where state officials admitted the majority of commercial kennels were not in compliance of the law, were not being cited and in fact, the agency had decided it would simply not enforce certain provisions  of the law.

That admission drew a series of angry exchanges between members and the public raised questions about lack of enforcement.

A slew of news articles and editorials followed in short order, including my own and a critical editorial written by my colleagues at the Inquirer.

It also sparked some apparent soul searching by state officials. Less than two weeks later Michael Pechart, executive deputy secretary of agriculture in charge of dog law, sent an email obtained by the Inquirer to the 54 remaining state dog wardens that their job is to, yes, enforce the dog law. 

There has been public speculation that the department is not enforcing Pennsylvania’s dog laws – that is not true.

The department has a statutory responsibility under law to perform duties within the law, and choosing not to do so would be in violation of the law. Members of the Dog Law Advisory Board are forming workgroups to provide recommendations on how to restore solvency to the fund, create proactive measures to increase sales of dog licenses and assure continued enforcement of the law. Recently, you may have seen increased attention focused on Dog Law enforcement. Both Governor Corbett and Secretary Greig have made it very clear that enforcement of the law is a priority.

They expect no less. If you are aware of any kennel that is violating the Dog Law or its regulations, notify your supervisor Kristen Donmoyer, director, Lynn Diehl or me immediately so we can take appropriate action.

Isn't all of this Dog Law Enforcement 101? Why did take almost a year since the hiring of Lynn Diehl as office director to issue this memo and promise to meet with wardens?

Also disturbing was this section:

It has also come to my attention that you were directed not to talk to or work with the ASPCA and the Federated Humane Societies (and your local humane officers). This is not true. In fact, I recently met with the ASPCA/Federated Humane Societies of PA and publically (sic) corrected the record. I am encouraging all of you to work with your local humane society police officers as well as other enforcement offices to continue to foster a positive relationship. We depend upon this relationship and it is a priority for the department.

We're not sure which organization Pechart is referring to here. The ASPCA is a national organization and has no representatives here. There are local SPCAs which shelter animals and conduct law enforcement.

The Jefferson County dog dumping is deeply troubling to animal welfare advocates who fear the number of unlicensed kennels is growing as breeders give up licenses because they say they can't or won't comply with the law. More than 300 large breeders alone pulled the plug on their businesses or downsized rather than install wire-free flooring, better lighting and ventilation systems required under the law.

Just last year there was a suspicious dog dumping in southern Lancaster County, an area rife with dog kennels, legal and illegal. A group of purebred and so-called "designer mix" dogs, too-old-for-pet-store puppies, were were found wandering along a road. No one was ever prosecuted in that case.

Three years ago as the dog law took effect, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Center, the PA Federation of Humane Societies joined with breeders to offer the short-lived "safe harbor" program to give breeders an outlet for their dogs if they decided to go out of business.

Animal welfare advocates were furious that the veterinary group and humane societies would give bad breeders a pass by taking their dogs, many of them likely suffering from serious health problems, no questions asked, when the breeders might otherwise have been cited for cruelty.

It is still easy to give up one's kennel license and keep breeding dogs. Once a breeder has surrendered his or her license, dog wardens have no ability to enter their property without a warrant and with so many puppy mills located on large family farms of hundreds of acres, it's easy to hide dogs.

There was no mention in the local news reports in Jefferson County of any law enforcement authority working on the dumped dog case. Nor was there mention of a dog warden, nor would there be. Wardens do not normally work on nights or weekends and have been told not to respond to calls because they will not be paid overtime.

Neither is there a humane officer registered in that county which would mean any investigation and/or enforcement would fall on the local police. The state police and municipal police departments have spotty records at best for prosecuting animal cruelty cases in Pennsylvania.

Dog law advisory board member Tom Hickey said the dogs cruelly dumped over the weekend highlights the need for a special enforcement unit - CSI Dog Law? -  to investigate underground kennels.

After all, people who illegally breed and deal dogs are breaking many more laws than just the Pennsylvania dog law. How about tax evasion? Illegal use of prescription veterinary medicines? Consumer fraud for selling sick dogs and interstate trafficking of dogs without health certificates?

Not a session goes by without Pennsylvania lawmakers championing the success of legislation that increase penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement or stiffening the punishment for drunk driving or other offenses involving drugs and alcohol. 

So why can't the General Assembly pass a bill to hold people criminally liable when their dogs attack service dogs? After all, the legislature approved a bill several years ago that increased the penalties for humans who attack service dogs.

What started as an effort by Rep. John Evans' predecessor to ensure that people who own dogs that attack service dogs are held accountable, has turned into a 15-year- long legislative ordeal.

Evans (R., Erie) thought his bill was close to crossing the finish line in the Senate. After all, it cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee 11-1 (Sen. Mary Jo White, a Republican from Venango County, was the lone no vote).

Then suddenly an amendment appeared stripping out the criminal penalties.

Evans said he can live with the charge being downgraded by the Senate from a second to a third-degree misdemeanor. (In Florida a dog attack on a service dog is a felony offense.)

The Senate left a civil penalty, but Evans said that would be pointless.

"If someone couldn't pay, they couldn't pay and then they would have no record either," he said.

Evans' bill also would require the defendant to pay vet bills for the injured dog and, if necessary, the cost of replacing the dog. Evans was so incensed he held up a Senate bill in the Game and Fisheries committee which he chairs.

"I was really upset," said Evans. "I'm retiring in November and this is really important to me."

Evans is stumped about why the bill - versions of which are the law in New Jersey and at least 36 other states - is facing so much trouble now after sailing through the House, 194-4.

"People are scared of the legislation," said Evans, adding he knows of no organized opposition. "There are areas in the country where people let dogs run free."

Since taking office in 2001, has struggled to move the bill foward on behalf of Passell Helmenski, an Erie-based artist whose current and former service dogs were attacked multiple times, and other disabled Pennsylvanians whose service dogs have suffered similar attacks.

(For more background on Helmenski and other service dog attack cases see Suite 101 blog.)

Helmenski was left nearly blind 20 years ago by a stroke brought on by an assault, and had earlier sustained injuries that limited her ability to use her hands. Her first dog, Ariel, was attacked six times and her current dog, Kate, has been attacked twice. Many of the attacks took place in Helmenski's own yard.

"Service dogs are not trained to fight back," said Evans. "And the cost to replace them is as high as $50,000."

The session clock is ticking. If the bill is not signed into law by Gov. Corbett by the end of session in October, it will have to be reintroduced next year. That is, if disabled advocates can find a sponsor.

Evans said he feels that he has done all he can do to get the bill through.

"I want to get this done before I leave," he said.

Has anyone been plucking off an unusual number of ticks on their pets or themselves this spring?

I have.

This afternoon our orange tabby cat, Pennsy, who goes outside for daily supervised walks, picked up a tick after about 90 seconds in the grass. Last week my husband came in from mowing the lawn with four ticks on him. As a lifelong outdoors person, I can say I have seen more ticks in the past month on my pets and family than in a whole summer season or more in the past.

Experts say there's a reason for that: a mild winter and warm spring means ticks are more active, earlier than usual. Some are predicting this will be "the worst year yet" for Lyme disease in pets and people.

So go outdoors with your armor on: bug spray with tick repellent, white socks over pant legs and make sure your pets get their regular dose of flea and tick medicine. We've found that while you might find a tick crawling on your pet's fur, by using the topical flea/tick products ticks are prevented from embedding themselves in their skin.

This year we are trying out a new product, Sentry Fiproguard, that is available at PetsMart and contains the same active ingredients as the much more expensive Frontline and Advantage brands. So far, so good.

There is no shortage of natural (chemical free) anti-tick and flea products to try too. If anyone can vouch for their effectiveness please post a comment or let me know.

There are many web sites with information about tick prevention, Lyme disease and that will instruct you on how to remove a tick embedded in your pet's skin. Among the sites to visit is WebMD for pets.