Archive: April, 2009
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Shows on puppy mills and service dogs to air. Tune in a week from today (Apr. 27) for the long-awaited Animal Planet program: Puppy Mills Exposed. It's a special edition of Animal Cops, Philadelphia which examines conditions in puppy mills in Pennsylvania. Follow undercover investigators with the Pennsylvania SPCA as they see sick and diseased dogs living in squalor in Limestone Kennel in Cochranville, Chester County. During the raid last July 80 dogs were removed the kennel shut down. It was volunteers with Main Line Animal Rescue who rescued 10 dogs in poor condition weeks earlier who alerted the PSPCA to the problems at the kennel.
Over on Comcast On Demand checkout an ongoing broadcast of the amazing work of service dogs trained by Chester County-based Canine Partners for Life. The five-part series is available through May.1.
Dogs helping dogs. Rep. Bernie O'Neill (R., Bucks) is sponsoring his second canine blood drive on May 2 in Warminster. Canine donors must weigh between 55 and 150 pounds, range from ages 1 to 6 years old, be in excellent health with good temperament, and have a blood type that is DEA 1.1 negative. A simple blood test will be performed on site to test for the dog's blood type. The blood drive will run from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parking lot of O'Neill's Warminster district office, which is located next to Perkins' Restaurant on York Road. To participate, dog owners must contact Janine Bishop in O'Neill's district office at (215) 441-2624 by April 28.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
A Philadelphia publisher has rolled out what is believed to be the first state-specific animal law handbook in the nation.
The Pennsylvania Animal Law Handbook is an exhaustive (775 pages) compilation of federal and state statutes, regulations and case law, with commentary by authors Arthur S. Zanan and Merry B. Guber, both Philadelphia-area attorneys.
While the book was designed to aid lawyers handling animal law cases, it could also serve as a valuable reference guide for kennel owners, veterinarians, shelter operators and anyone with an interest in animal issues. Among the topics covered: veterinary malpractice, consumer law, liability, local zoning laws, animal cruelty, estate planning and pet custody.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Rush Limbaugh, pitchman for the Humane Society of the United States?
Indeed. America's top radio personality has cut two public service announcements on behalf of the animal welfare group. The first praises the society's work busting dog fighting rings and the other highlights the group's efforts to reach out to communities of faith and call attention to the moral obligation to protect God's creatures.
Less than a year ago Limbaugh was assailing Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden as leftist liberals for the HSUS endorsements they received in the U.S. Senate. Now the HSUS logo and audio announcements are featured on the front of his Web site.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
From the PA Turnpike to Chicago to Burbank.
Main Line Animal Rescue has taken its anti-puppy mill billboard campaign to the West Coast, installing a sign depicting Pennsylvania dogs in rabbit hutches amid the trend-setting movie studios of Burbank.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Imagine a place that scrubs wheels and paws - at the same time.
In February a South Jersey business man decided a one-stop-shop to pamper dogs and cars and thus was born White Horse Car Wash and Dog Wash in Voorhees.
Inquirer contributor Barbara Evans Sorid writes today that owner Al Nicolosi bought the six-bay car wash in he decided to convert one bay to a climate-controlled dog washing station, complete with large stainless steel tubs, dryers and oatmeal shampoo. Flea treatment and "deskunking" cleaner are also available. Who knew? He's not alone. There are 500 dog/car wash combo stations nationwide.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sen. Daylin Leach ( D., Montgomery) and Rep. Jim Casorio (D.,Westmoreland) are the recipients of the 2008 Humane State Legislator Award from the Humane Society of the United States for their efforts to protect Pennsylvania's animals.
Last session Leach offered an amendment to ban pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania, while Casorio sponsored Act 119 of 2008 that strengthens the state’s commercial kennel regulations and sets standards for the breeding and care of dogs. Leach was a co-sponsor of that landmark legislation. (The pigeon shoot amendment failed, but advocates hope anti-pigeon hunt legislation will be re-introduced this session.)
During a ceremony last week, Leach said he has been an animal activist since childhood.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Anti-tethering bill introduced in state House
Rep. Mario Scavello (R., Monroe) has introduced a new version of the anti-tethering bill he sponsored last session. The bill would ban the chaining of dogs between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Mary Jo McClain, director of the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network, said the new bill includes a prohibition on chaining during periods of extreme hot and cold weather and when weather advisories are in effect. It also includes a 15 minute exemption for late night potty breaks. The bill, HB 1254, has 50 co-sponsors so far, and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Supporters of the legislation argue that not only is tethering inhumane, but it can lead to aggressive behavior in dogs that can have fatal conseqences for humans, particularly children.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Obamas no doubt considered lots of names before picking "Bo" for their new Portuguese Water Dog. Blogger John Woestendiek of ohmidog worked up his own list of recommendations last week. It was unknown if any of John's suggestions were in the running, but before the presidential puppy phenomenon fades from the headlines here they are:
1. Ah-choo (or Gesundheit )– in honor of all the sneezing that, since the dog is allegedly hypo-allergenic, won’t be going on
2. Vasco – in honor of Vasco Bensaude, the Portuguese shipping magnate who kept the breed from going extinct.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Shall we call him Bo-Bama?
The Portuguese Water Dog formerly known as Charlie will now and forever be known as Bo. That's the name the Obama girls have chosen for their new puppy who was expected to arrive at the White House as early as today.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
When a Commonwealth Court judge shut down Pennsylvania's most problem-plagued kennel last week, it left open the question of what was to happen to the puppies and adult dogs on site at CC Pets LLC.
Now we learn the fate of 84 puppies and 19 adult dogs housed in the Lancaster County kennel: They will be transferred to a commercial breeder, Jonathan Peachey, owner of Rocky Creek Kennel in Belleville, according to Department of Agriculture officials.
Rocky Creek is licensed to hold more than 500 dogs and had 144 dogs at the time of the last inspection in November 2008.
- A Humane Nation
- Animal Law Coalition
- Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Animals & Politics
- Best Friends Animal Society
- Catster
- Dogster
- ohmidog!
- Paw Print Post
- Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Pet Watch New Jersey
- Pet-Abuse.com
- PetMD
- Terrierman
- The Bark
- Vetstreet
- WebMed/Pets
- zootoo
