Archive: January, 2010
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
The war of words between Main Line Animal Rescue and Lancaster County DA Craig Stedman is now playing out on the pages of the Lancaster newspaper.
You may recall Main Line took a private jet to an auction in Ohio last October to purchase dogs they believed were victims of cruelty at the hands of six Pennsylvania breeders. (See Inquirer story here.)
Based on the conditions of the dogs examined by veterinarians from the University of Pennsylvania, Main Line's attorney William Lamb - the former Chester County district attorney - was prepared to prosecute the cases.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Meet Pennsylvania's newest little animal hero with the oh-so fitting name: Serenity Rhoads.
The 11-year-old York girl who rescued a badly injured Westie from a water and ice-filled trash can in park, was hailed as a hero by school officials and fellow students at her elementary school last week, according to the York Sunday News.
Serenity heard the dog crying in the trash can and called authorities for help. Veterinarians found a foot-long stick shoved down her throat. She also had a broken leg and was suffering from serious infections.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Should a private business have a right to access your dog license application for promotional purposes? Yes, says the state's Office of Open Records. But Delaware County is fighting to keep its residents' dog license information private, including addresses. More from my colleague Mari Schaefer.
Things are looking brighter for Heaven in York. The Westie, who was found in a trash can a week ago with a stick plunged down her throat and other injuries, is improving after surgery for a broken leg. The 10-year-old girl who found the dog, Serenity Rhoads, and her family are thinking about adopting her. Meanwhile, SPCA agents are making progress in their effort to track down the dog's original owners identified through a microchip as living in Georgia. "We have a very solid lead as to the whereabouts of Heaven's original owner, and we are actively pursuing information from her that could lead us to (the abusers)," Smith told the York Dispatch.
New Jersey became the 10th state to pass a bill requiring a special agent be added to anti-freeeze to make it less palatable to children and pets. Gov. Christie signed the bill last week that is expected to prevent thousands of children and pets from being poisonted. An estimated 1,400 children and 10,000 animals are poisoned each year after ingesting ethylene glycol, a highly toxic - and sweet tasting - substance used in antifreeze and coolant in automobiles. The bill will require manufacturers to add denatonium benzoate, a bitter agent to antifreeze and coolant. Estimated cost increase for manufacturers? An additional 2 to 3 cents per gallon.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
A TV icon is taking a stand for the pigeons of Pennsylvania.
Bob Barker, the former game show host and one of the nation's most generous animal philanthropists, has donated $1 million to stop pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania and says he will be joining protestors outside a Bensalem gun club where shoots are being held regularly.
Barker said the donation will go to SHARK, an Illinois-based animal activist organization dedicated to putting a stop to these shoots.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
A Berks County lawmaker thinks the state is spending too much time and money on dogs and not enough time on mice.
At a House committee hearing on food safety today, Rep. Jim Cox, who in 2008 voted for legislation toughening the state dog law, suggested he is now considering a bill to move funding and staff from the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to the Bureau of Food Safety. Both bureaus are part of the Department of Agriculture.
The committee hearing was prompted by the closure for almost three weeks of the state Capitol cafeteria after inspectors found scores of violations including mouse infestation.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
The first team of animal rescue responders to enter Haiti - including veterinarians and trained staff - has been combing the countryside outside of Port-au-Prince over the weekend to determine how to help four-legged earthquake survivors.
The response team has provided food for many animals found wandering the streets, visited a local zoo to check on the animals there and visited an agricultural area to assess the needs of farm animals in the region, according to the Humane Society of the United States whose international and veterinary affiliates are conducting the mission.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Heaven has seen Hell.
The West Highland terrier is recovering from broken bones and internal injuries after being thrown in a trash can in York with a 12-inch stick jammed down her throat.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
There’s a new twist on that Nigerian check cashing scam: puppies.
A Bethlehem, Pa. woman says she’s out $450 that she paid to buy two puppies from Nigeria.
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
Animal rescue workers from Humane Society International arrived in Haiti at this hour to help for pets and farm animals that survived the earthquake. Here's their first dispatch:
Humane Society International is now on the scene of this horrific tragedy, moving to provide assistance to animals who may be injured or starving after last week's earthquake, and laying the groundwork for bringing more resources into play where they are needed," said Kelly O'Meara, director of HSI's companion animals division. "HSI expects to deploy additional people and supplies to Port-au-Prince based on our team's assessment."
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
PetSmart, the nation's largest pet supply chain, advertises proudly that it welcomes pets (on leashes) in its stores.
Except if you're an employee.
Eric Favetta, a 31-year-old PetSmart employee in Secaucus New Jersey, was fired recently for bringing his dog to work during an overnight shift, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
- 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
