Dog News

Renewed Calls For End to Animal Testing

Jasmine Klein — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:25:55 +0000

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Humane Society International (HSI) and LUSH Cosmetics have launched the largest-ever global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics. The campaign is rolling out simultaneously in 48 countries and more than 700 LUSH stores in the United States, Canada, Europe, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia.

"The beauty industry continues needless animal testing and it's time for it to stop," said Kate Willett, director of regulatory toxicology, risk assessment and alternatives for The HSUS. "Consumers are largely unaware that some shampoos and lipsticks still involve chemical poisoning of animals such as rabbits and mice. Science has moved us beyond this and there is no place for cosmetic testing on animals in modern society."

The HSUS and HSI offices in Canada, Australia, Europe and India are joining with LUSH to end animal testing for cosmetics with nationwide consumer campaigns in each region. The HSUS and HSI will also work with legislators, regulators and scientists to press for change. Consumers are being urged to sign national petitions in LUSH stores beginning April 17, and online at humanesociety.org/becrueltyfree, or www.fightinganimaltesting.com/na to send a strong message to the U.S. government that animal testing for cosmetics needs to be banned.

Such testing is already banned in Europe and a further ban on the sale of cosmetics that have been newly tested on animals in other parts of the world is expected to come into effect in March 2013.

U.S. law requires companies to assure that their products are safe, but does not require animal testing, since safety can be assured by using established, safe ingredients and available non-animal test methods. However, some companies continue to produce new cosmetic ingredients and test them on animals.

"Animals should not have to rely on voluntary codes of conduct but should be protected by robust laws that force all companies to adopt humane methods to bring their products to market," said Brandi Halls, North American campaign manager for LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics.

LUSH, The HSUS and HSI believe that testing on animals to produce new cosmetic products or ingredients is unjustified. Animals are subjected to considerable pain and distress during toxicity tests. A large proportion of the animals used in cosmetic testing are laboratory-bred rodents, who receive no protection under the Animal Welfare Act.

Animal toxicity tests are also scientifically unreliable for assuring human safety because animals and humans can respond very differently to the same chemicals.

New Homes For Iraqi Life-Saving Dogs

Jasmine Klein — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:16:07 +0000

Five retired Mine Detection Dogs from Iraq are getting new homes! These remarkable animals, which have spent the past six to eight years ‘sniffing out’ landmines and saving lives in Iraq, are being adopted by American families through an innovative partnership between SPCA International (www.spcai.org) and the Marshall Legacy Institute (www.marshall-legacy.org).

MDDs Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky were specially trained to detect the explosive odors found in landmines. Landmines continue to plague much of Iraq: the result of multiple conflicts spanning more than 30 years. Because these weapons of war are buried, they are hard to find and continue to kill and injure hundreds of Iraqi civilian men, women and children each year. Dogs have a keen sense of smell and are used in Iraq to safely and effectively locate mines that are then carefully extracted from the ground.

During their years of service with the Iraqi Mine and UXO Clearance Organization, Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky sniffed out over 90 acres of mine-contaminated land in and around Basra and Baghdad. The land they searched was used to build the College of Agriculture in Baghdad, and for infrastructure purposes in southern Ramallah. These dogs have truly helped to make Iraq a safer and better place.

Now that they are retired, Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky deserve loving homes! This is where SPCA International and MLI come in. SPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pups program provides veterinary care and coordinates the complicated logistics and transportation required to reunite service men and women back in the U.S. with the dogs they befriend while on deployment in the Middle East. The Marshall Legacy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping mine-affected countries help themselves, provides highly trained Mine Detection Dog capacities to help accelerate the pace of mine clearance operations. With support from the U.S. Department of State and private donors MLI has donated over 170 lifesaving dogs to 11 countries to date. In Iraq, MLI has replaced the retired dogs with four new dogs, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Raytheon, and Woodlands High School.

When SPCA International found out that MLI was looking to identify new homes for 5 retired MDDs from Iraq, they generously offered to transport the dogs to the United States through the Operation Baghdad Pups program, and to locate retirement homes for them. SPCA International is currently finalizing adoption agreements for all 5 dogs!

Dog That Attacked Police in London had Attacked Before

Jasmine Klein — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:09:47 +0000

A dog that attacked a team of five police officers during a raid in London is said to have previously attacked a passerby in 2011 according to The Guardian newspaper.

The British paper reports:

Scotland Yard admitted it failed to pick up on intelligence that the "pit bull-type" animal lived at the address in Albert Square in Newham, east London before they stormed the property.
One constable may require skin grafts on his body and all five officers needed hospital treatment for leg and hand wounds after Thursday's frenzied assault.
Two officers remained in hospital overnight and were in a stable condition.
The dog was shot dead at the scene by a marksman from the Metropolitan police's CO19 firearms unit and its owner, a man in his 20s, was arrested for grievous bodily harm and kidnapping.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/23/dog-mauled-police-known-dangerous?newsfeed=true

Animal Hospitals Fined For X-ray Violations

Jasmine Klein — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:33:12 +0000

The Department of Environmental Protection has fined two companies, Avian & Feline Hospital of Camp Hill, Cumberland County, and Bowser Dentistry LLC of York, York County, for violations of the Radiation Protection Act.

"The Radiation Protection Act authorizes DEP to monitor X-ray equipment operation and ensure that correct procedures are followed," DEP South-central Regional Director Rachel Diamond said. "These regulations exist to protect the safety of Pennsylvania's residents. Fortunately, there is no indication that these particular violations caused any harm to human or animal health."

DEP fined Avian & Feline Hospital $10,000 after two inspections revealed a multitude of violations. During a March 2011 inspection, DEP discovered the hospital was using tape to fix the controls that restrict the width of the X-ray beam on a portable unit, using the same settings on the X-ray machine for all small animals and had failed to register an X-ray machine. DEP issued a notice of violation that month. A second inspection last June showed the hospital had still not registered an X-ray machine, and the alignment and settings of the portable X-ray machine were still improperly set.

DEP also fined Bowser Dentistry $12,840 for failure to register X-ray machines that were used to evaluate dental patients from 1992 through 2010. DEP issued a notice of violation to the dentist in September 2011. By not registering the X-ray machines with DEP, the facility remained un-inspected during those eight years.

The hospital and dentist took action to correct the violations and both facilities are now in compliance with DEP regulations.

X-ray machines must be registered with DEP within 30 days of being acquired and the X-ray registration becomes valid upon the payment of a fee, which must be paid to the agency annually.

Alarming Figures Show Pet Obesity Reaches Record Levels

Jasmine Klein — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:29:27 +0000

The "fat pet gap" continues to widen according to the latest nationwide survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The fifth annual veterinary survey found 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats to be classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian. That equals 88.4 million pets that are too heavy according to veterinarians.

"The most distressing finding in this year's study was the fact that more pet owners are unaware their pet is overweight," comments APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward. "Twenty-two percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners characterized their pet as normal weight when it was actually overweight or obese. This is what I refer to as the 'fat pet gap' or the normalization of obesity by pet parents. In simplest terms, we've made fat pets the new normal."

Perhaps even worse was the finding that the number of obese pets, those at least 30 percent above normal weight or a body condition score (BCS) of 5, continues to grow despite 93.4 percent of surveyed pet owners identifying pet obesity as a problem. The study found 24.9 percent of all cats were classified as obese and 21.4 percent of all dogs were obese in 2011. That's up from 2010 when 21.6 percent of cats and 20.6 percent of dogs were found to be obese. "What this tells us is that more and more of our pets are entering into the highest danger zone for weight-related disorders," says Ward.

Some of the common weight-related conditions in dogs and cats include osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease, and shortened life expectancy. Orthopedic surgeon, APOP Board member and Director of Clinical Research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Steve Budsberg states, "The prevention of obesity needs to be at the forefront of all discussions people have about the health of their pet with their veterinarian. The body of evidence that shows the negative impact of obesity on all the body's systems is overwhelming. As an orthopedic surgeon I see, on a daily basis, the effects of obesity on dogs and cats with osteoarthritis. It is very frustrating to see how much pain and discomfort excess weight has on my patients. Veterinarians and owners have the ability to stop obesity in our pets. No animal goes to the refrigerator or the pantry and helps themselves. We enable our pets to get fat!"

Ward agrees. "Pet obesity is plainly a people problem, not a pet problem. The most important decision pet owners make each day regarding their pet's health is what they choose to feed it."

Endocrinologist and fellow APOP Board member Dr. Mark Peterson agrees. "Obesity in dogs and cats is not just the accumulation of large amounts of adipose tissue, but it is associated with important metabolic and hormonal changes in the body. For example, heavy or obese cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes as a complication of their obesity. Losing weight can lead to reversal of the diabetic state in some of these obese cats."

Treats continue to be a major contributor to weight gain in pets. An online poll conducted in October 2011 by APOP of 210 pet owners found 93 percent of all dog and cat owners gave treats. Ninety-five percent gave a commercial treat with 26 percent reporting they gave their pet treats three or more times a day. "Treats are the silent saboteur of slimming down," remarks Ward. "Those tiny treats often are hiding a significant amount of calories." Ward suggests offering single-ingredient rewards or fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, string beans, broccoli or other crunchy vegetables.

Veterinary nutritionist and internal medicine specialist Dr. Joe Bartges from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and APOP Board member notes that weight gain in pets can be prevented. "Prevention of obesity is much easier than treating it. The major obstacle is to convince pet owners what 'overweight' and 'obese' mean and what it looks like. Veterinary health teams must educate the owner and work with them to prevent and treat obesity in their four-legged family members."

Could Valentine’s Day Kill Your Dog?

Jasmine Klein — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:30:43 +0000

Many holidays cause a spike in poison-related cases for animals, and Valentine's Day is no exception. A holiday that's known for chocolate, flowers and cocktails can cause a myriad of poisoning possibilities. The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association is providing tips on how to prevent unwanted consequences with your favorite Valentine's Day treats.

Every rose has its thorn, so says the song – but thorns on roses or other flowers can be dangerous for dogs or other pets. Biting, stepping on or swallowing stems with thorns increases risk for a puncture, which can result in serious infections internally or externally.

Many people receive chocolate on Valentine's Day, but chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic, but dark, milk, semi-sweet and baker's chocolates all can cause adverse reactions. Darker chocolates contain caffeine-like stimulants that cause gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiac functions that can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and elevated heart rate. High fat in lighter chocolates can cause life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas, so make sure to keep the chocolate where pets can't reach it.

Cocktails also pose a threat to pets. Because of their smaller size, even a small amount of alcohol stolen from a low-sitting glass or lapped off the floor after a spill can cause dramatic problems like vomiting/diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, and even coma.

In addition, be sure to blow out any unattended candles when you leave the room and put away wrapping paper and bows from gifts after opening. Valentine's Day can be fun for everyone with just a little forethought. If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 800.213.6680.

Half Of UK Dogs Will Receive Christmas Dinner

Jasmine Klein — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:00:40 +0000

Christmas is a time the whole family is together, a time to enjoy and cherish the memories made and it seems Britain’s dog owners are taking this message to heart as a new survey reveals.

The UK’s lucky canines can expect to enjoy the festive season as much as their owners as an incredible 49% of owners will be preparing them their very own special doggie dinner on the big day.

According to the recent survey carried out on behalf of Direct Line Pet Insurance, of the 1,021 dog owners questioned, almost half (49%) are planning to make a special Christmas meal for their dogs and with 46% planning a special family walk with their dog, it will soon be walked off!

Adam Whiteley, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, offered this advice to dog owners: “Dog owners going to the trouble of cooking a special Christmas dinner for their best furry friend are clearly doing so out of love and festive spirit. It’s worth remembering that there are a few things dogs shouldn’t eat at all, even on special occasions, as doing so can make them very ill or even cause death in extreme cases. Chocolate, raisins, onions, and added salt should all be avoided, as should sharp or small bones. It’s a good idea to make sure that all food items and treats are stored well out of reach of pets, during the holidays and all year round.”

According to the survey, 89% of Britain’s dogs can expect a delivery from Santa left under the tree for them to spend the holidays enjoying.

40% Britain’s dogs will have an average of £10 on presents spent this year with a lucky 9% having gifts worth more than £100 awaiting them.

Toys are the most favoured present of choice, but pampering with collars, leads and clothes also top the list of most desired presents.

However, with 26% of Britain’s dogs enjoying chewing presents, it might be advisable to make sure Santa’s little four legged helpers have someone keeping an eye out for them.

K9 Magazine editor Ryan O’Meara offered this thoughts on the findings,“The fact that nearly half of all dog owners are preparing to fully include their canine pals in the Christmas festivities is indicative of just how much the relationship between pets and their owners has changed in modern times. Dogs are now considered fully fledged members of the family and this research highlights just how seriously owners take that relationship. Dogs bring us so much joy every day, it’s nice to hear that owners take great delight in including them at this special time.”

Donald Trump Out, Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan In

Jasmine Klein — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:53:43 +0000

After entrepreneur Donald Trump pulled out of moderating a GOP debate, a "giant ego-shaped hole" was left in the Republican primaries, according to The Colbert Report's Stephen Colbert in a televised December 14 statement — and Nat Geo WILD is springing into action like a lion on a wildebeest.

Nat Geo WILD and Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan have agreed to host the next "Serious, Classy Republican" debate with Colbert as the moderator — and officially invite the candidates to participate! The network has started recruiting pint-sized animal-loving participants from around the country to attend the debate, per Colbert's goal of getting kids involved.

Said David Lyle, chief executive officer of the National Geographic Channels US, "If Colbert wants animals in the buff, we'll get them. If he wants kids in the audience, we'll start before bedtime. Bring on the candidates for the greatest battle in the history of the universe. It will be red in tooth and claw."

Millan, a People's Choice Award winner for Favorite Animal Show, said, "PAC(k) leaders unite! The candidates need someone to moderate with "Tsssst!" power. This is going to be WILD."

In officially challenging the candidates to participate, Millan plans to head to the Iowa Caucus on January 3 — before his new season of Dog Whisperer premieres Saturday, January 7 — to see problem candidate behaviors he can start rehabbing. "Pooches are easy, people are hard, and political candidates … that's a whole different animal," he said.

Don’t Buy Pet Store Puppies Urges Charity

Jasmine Klein — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:22:31 +0000

With the festive season upon us, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), as part of its national "No Pet Store Puppies" campaign, is urging consumers to help fight puppy farm cruelty by refusing to shop at pet stores and on websites that sell puppies.

The Christmas period is one of the busiest times of year for pet stores as many families hope to give the gift of a new puppy, but many consumers are unaware they are supporting the inhumane puppy mill industry by shopping for anything at pet stores that sell puppies.

"The image of an adorable puppy with a red bow is a familiar icon of the holiday season," said Laurie Beacham, senior director of ASPCA Strategy & Campaigns. "Unfortunately, chances are that the puppy in your local pet store came from a puppy mill, and shopping for anything at those stores this holiday season only serves to perpetuate animal suffering."

Consumers who purchase a puppy from a pet store or website run the risk of taking home an unhealthy puppy in addition to the risk of unknowingly supporting a cruel industry. Operators of puppy mills breed dogs in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs. The ASPCA believes that consumer action is a critical element in the fight against puppy mills. Convincing consumers not to shop for anything—including puppies and supplies—at stores that sell puppies is the most effective way to stop the demand for puppy mill dogs. The ASPCA ultimately seeks to convince pet stores to limit their business to pet supplies and encourages them to partner with their local shelters to offer adoptable pets in their stores.

As part of the No Pet Store Puppies campaign, 40 outdoor billboards will be unveiled in the Los Angeles, Calif., area to raise awareness about the connection between pet stores and puppy mills and encourage shoppers to give a new life to a homeless dog or cat by adopting from their local animal shelter or rescue organization. Approximately five to seven million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and millions are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them. Billboards in other locations were posted earlier in the year.

Beacham added, "Many people think they are 'rescuing' the cute puppy playing in their local pet store window by purchasing it, but they are actually opening up that cage for another puppy mill puppy. Instead, why not give a lovable shelter dog a special gift of a loving home this season? That makes for a win-win holiday for all."

To learn more about the ASPCA's No Pet Store Puppies campaign, please visit www.NoPetStorePuppies.com.

If you are interested in helping to fight puppy farming in the UK, visit: Puppy Love Campaigns

Cesar Millan To Be Given Award

Jasmine Klein — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:31:35 +0000

North Shore Animal League America will hold its annual DogCatemy Rescue Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 8th at 6:00 pm at the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square, New York City. Highlighting the life-saving efforts of the Animal League, this annual event will begin with the Closing Bell Ceremony, followed by a celebrity Red Carpet cocktail hour and a program that will spotlight NSALA's guests of honour: Cesar Millan, World Renowned Dog Expert, and David Wicks, Vice President of The NASDAQ OMX Group.

Animal lover and nationally respected co-host of FOX News Channel's FOX and Friends, Brian Kilmeade, will lead the program as Master of Ceremonies. The evening is themed around the rapidly expanding Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum, where beginning at a very young age students are learning about social and emotional skills, and strategies to promote shelter pets, otherwise known as Mutt-i-grees®.

The Animal League will bestow the inaugural "Cesar Millan Award for Excellence in Mutt-i-grees Education" to Cesar Millan, internationally renowned dog rehabilitation expert and star of Nat Geo WILD's 'The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan'. The award recognizes the impact Cesar Millan is having in the humane field and honours him for his many contributions, including the founding of the Millan Foundation. This Foundation funds the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum, a collaboration between North Shore Animal League America and Yale University's School of the 21st Century, promoting the development of calm, confident and caring children who can make a difference in the lives of people and animals.

"Cesar Millan has truly set himself apart as a leader and adoption advocate," said John Stevenson, President of North Shore Animal League America. He added, "His generosity and financial support, as well as his commitment and extensive involvement in the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum are raising the standard for humane education. Cesar's dedication is evident in contributing to new trends and lessons for people and pets to ensure a happy, loving life together."

The Animal League's Corporate Champion Award will be presented to David Wicks, Vice President of The NASDAQ OMX Group. The award recognizes the deep appreciation that Wicks has shown for the precious animals that can be found in shelters and his continuing efforts to identify opportunities to promote the adoption of homeless pets.

"David Wicks has wholeheartedly embraced the Mutt-i-grees Movement, both professionally and personally," said Stevenson. "He has taken every opportunity to promote the message that adoption is the best option when looking for a pet. He himself adopted a German Shepherd Mutt-i-gree from the Animal League and appropriately named the dog Freedom."

The evening will include a special presentation featuring prize-winning Public Service Announcements created by students nationwide, encouraging Americans to adopt Mutt-i-grees. The students participated in a national contest that is part of the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum. A $10,000 Grand Prize grant and three $1,500 Regional Prize grants will be presented to each winning school at the event. The winning schools are from Pennsylvania, California, Kentucky, and Texas. Funding for the contest and grant prizes was made possible through the generosity of the friends and family of Tamara Tullman, a North Shore Animal League America volunteer who adored animals and loved to teach children.

The DogCatemy Rescue Awards Dinner reflects North Shore Animal League America's belief that all shelter pets find a loving home. Since its inception in 1944, the Animal League has saved more than one million lives. The proceeds from the DogCatemy Rescue Awards Dinner will enable the Animal League to strengthen its nationwide rescue efforts, saving nearly 20,000 lives each year. To learn more about North Shore Animal League America, visit AnimalLeague.org.

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