Using Green Tea in Dog Food
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Inaba Pet Food is one of the largest brands of dog food in Japan. One of the things that always seem to be consistent with their dog chows is that they throw in green tea for the purpose of eliminating odor from dog feces and urine.
In other words, if your dog eats this food consistently and always, its poo poo and pee pee won't stink. I guess that's a good marketing gimmick, especially in Japan where folks live in tight living quarters.
There are actually US-based dog chows that add green tea extracts, but they don't market this added-ingredient as controlling relief odors.
Flint River has it in theirs, yet don't make any mention of why it's in there.
Wellness for Dogs is the same way.
Royal Canin cites antioxidant benefits of green tea extracts, but still doesn't mention odor control.
Actually, I didn't know green tea had this quality. I can imagine dog owners feeding their canines with this stuff for a week, and then putting their noses up to a wet steamer to see if it really worked. Perhaps Japanese laws governing product marketing are less restrictive than in the United States, and this is why we don't see such claims here?
Just looking to see if anyone out there has insight on green tea in dog food.
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Still Recovering from a Motorcycle Accident
Monday, January 30, 2006
I haven't blogged much here because I've been stuck in a hospital recovering from a motorcycle accident I incurred on January 21. I was discharged home yesterday.
Long story short, I have a kidney contusion, fractured right wrist, a black & blue big toe, and scrapes along one side of my face. They put a cast on my wrist, which makes it difficult to type, and to make matters worse, I developed a really nasty allergic reaction to the cast. Go figure!
If you want more details,
read the full story on my corporate blog.
I hope you check back more often, I'm gonna start blogging again, though it'll be slower for awhile.
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Online Guide to Dog Parasites
Friday, January 20, 2006
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), a group of veterinarians who develop guidelines on controlling parasites, has a website offered to pet owners.
Pets and Parasites provides basic information about the many parasites affecting dogs and cats.
It also publishes
guidelines that pet owners can use to reduce the chances of your pet becoming infected with parasites.
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Poochie-Bells - Doggie Door Bell
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
If you don't have a doggie door, your dog will no doubt have difficulty expressing its desire to go outside. Even if it's not for relieving itself, it may just want to chase after some birds or something.
Poochie-Bells are a great way to reduce some of this difficulty simply because it allows you to hear the bells ringing. You could be in another room of the house, and still hear your dog asking to be let out. It's an audible signal when you're focusing on something else.
The company that makes Poochie-Bells has a wide variety of styles and colors, and publishes a
training guide on its website.
$29.99 for a set of bells with 3 ribbons
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Snackshotz Treat Launcher
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
A new product called "
Snackshotz Treat Launcher" is on its way to pet stores soon.
It shoots a dog treat about 12 feet away, sending your four-legged pal scurrying off in anxiousness to find the tasty yummy.
Dogmatic Products Inc., the manufacturer, says it's actually good for the dog because it encourages exercise.
Theoretically, a dog should be able to see the treat shoot out of the launcher, and track it down as it rolls along the floor. But just in case it wasn't looking at the Snackshotz, the trigger makes a "click" sound reminding the dog that a treat has just been dispensed and that it should run off and find it.
The manufacturer says that Snackshotz should only be used with a specific brand of dog treat named, "Discos Flying Dog Treat", explaining that it's the only dog treat that will work with the launcher.
Watch the video to see it in action.
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Only 29% of Pet Travelers Are Comfortable About Booking Online
Monday, January 16, 2006
An online survey conducted by TripsWithPets.com last March said that only 29% of pet owners who travel with their pets feel comfortable about booking online. The reason why so many others prefer to call the hotel instead is because the hotel's website doesn't offer them a means to explain they are traveling with a pet.
What I found quite interesting is that the most sought-after amenity offered by pet-friendly hotels is a pet sitting service. People take the extra effort and expense to bring their pets with them, but need to hand them off to a pet sitter at the hotel. Though I imagine there could be some good reasons, like going to a restaurant or something.
Still, if you're going to make it a dog-friendly vacation you might want to think that stuff through ahead of time and include "Charlie" in all of your plans.
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Alaskan Malamute Wins Fifth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship
Monday, January 16, 2006
An Alaskan Malamute named "Costello"
took top honors at the Fifth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship last night, beating out 2,648 other canine competitors.
Not only did he take Best in Show, but he also took "Best Bred-By" and "Viewers' Choice".
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Buy a House, Get a Free Dog
Monday, January 16, 2006
Brubaker-Culton, a real estate agency in Hemet, California, is giving away free dogs and cats to any family that buys or sells a home through their firm.
Actually, according to
their press release, families will receive a voucher good for the adoption of a pet at the Ramona Humane Society. The voucher is also good for a free spaying or neutering.
Collette Blanchette, an agent with Brubaker-Culton, recently lost two Yorkshire Terriers just before last Halloween. In hopes of finding them she made several trips a day to the Ramona shelter. Blanchette couldn't help but notice so many homeless dogs and cats, that she came up the idea and presented it to her agency.
They liked the idea, feeling that a house is not a home without a dog or cat, and that it would be a great way to help alleviate the problem of dog and cat overcrowding.
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PETaPOTTY Expands Cleaning Service to San Diego
Sunday, January 15, 2006
PETaPOTTY
announced today that it's expanding their Cleaning and Replacement service to customers in San Diego.
The Clean and Replacement service has a PETaPOTTY technician visiting your home to clean and sanitize the unit, and replace and dispose of dirty sod. This way, you can enjoy the PETaPOTTY even more, since you won't have to deal with it.
Previously, the service was available only to customers in the Los Angeles area.
You can choose from a wide variety of
scheduling options. For example, if you buy their 12 visit package, you can choose from having them visit once a month for 12 months, or every two weeks for 6 months.
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Pet Revolution Announces New Line of Pet Beds
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Pet Revolution, a newcomer to the world of pet furniture, announced their line of stylish pet beds, and claims their design solves a number of problems found in other beds.
The problem they say is that most other beds are difficult to get clean, they often have pet odors permeating through to the inside foam, and that dogs frequently chew their beds to shreds after a few uses.
To solve this problem Pet Revolution uses a water resistant micro suede top cover, that's also tear-resistant. The top cover is machine washable, zips on and off, and is even reversable. Each bed comes with two top covers, so that while one is being washed, you can zip on the other. The base cover is made of a strong water resistant ballistic nylon that can be simply wiped clean.
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When Dogs Eat Batteries
Friday, January 13, 2006
The latest
Weekly Update from the ASPCA has a tip about the dangers of dogs chewing and ingesting batteries.
Alkaline batteries—generally the most common type—contain corrosives that, if chewed or punctured by curious dogs and cats, can result in oral and gastrointestinal ulcers. And some batteries used in cameras, MP3 players and watches contain nickel cadmium, which can lead to gastrointestinal irritation; in cases of large ingestion, neurological effects may occur.
It perhaps goes without saying that you shouldn't leave batteries laying around where dogs can eat them.
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More About Retractable Dog Leashes
Friday, January 13, 2006
Last August I
wrote about a woman in Massachusetts suing the maker of a popular brand of retractable dog leash. She was using it with her 90 pound dog, and when it jolted, the leash sliced one of her fingers off.
Today, an anonymous commenter
posted a comment to the above article explaining how a retractable leash failed to lock...
Me and my fiance just got one of these for our 30lb dog, but he is really big and strong. It is not always the persons fault. I was walking him on it this morning holding the lock position in place than a golf cart from my apt drove by us through the grass. As my dog julted to take off after it. I lost control of the lock it came out of place the leash extended far out and he was about to get hit by the golf cart . So I grabbed the leash part of it and pulled hard trying to prevent him from getting hit. It ended up causing a severe burn on my hand with severe pain and blisters. I knew not to grab it I just didnt want him to get hit.
I don't want to say you should not use retractable dog leashes, I know there are various models and brands, and that many people have used them without incident. Just know what you're dealing with when using them.
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SnuggleSafe Heating Pad
Friday, January 13, 2006
If your dog sleep's outside in a dog house at night, you might want to consider some products to help it stay warm during these winter months.
The
SnuggleSafe Heating Pad
is well suited for outdoor use. It's a microwaveable disc that contains a non-toxic gel called "Thermapol". You nuke it for 5 minutes, and the gel retains the heat for as long as 8 hours. All you do is slip it under your dog's bed. At $19.99 it's affordable.
There are other pet bed warmers out there that have electrical cords coming out of them, but for outdoor use you ought to beware. Rain and snow can short them out at the plug end, plus dogs will actually pull their bedding out of the dog house and sleep outside if they feel too warm, and you don't want an electrical bed warmer to get rained on.
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Proposed Ban on Tail Docking Urged
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The Community Newswire
reports that animal rights activists in England are making a push to get Parliament to include a ban on tail docking in it's proposed Animal Welfare Bill.
A public poll found that 75% of Britons oppose the practice of tail docking, while only 8% support it.
The ban also has the support of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
Many who oppose tail docking liken it to cutting off a baby's finger, saying it's a very cruel painful procedure that deprives a dog of a means for expression. There are also just as many people who say that circumcision is cruel, painful, and lessen's a man's sensitivity. Should circumcision be made illegal too?
To be fair, I don't have enough knowledge of tail docking to comment. However, Sam Basso
writes a piece in response to this practice on his Pooch Master blog.
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Dangerous Dog Law Considered in Southern Nevada
Thursday, January 12, 2006
KLAS television news
reports that the cities of Henderson, Boulder, and North Las Vegas are considering adoption of a dangerous dog law similar to one already in effect in Las Vegas.
The ordinance would allow animal control officers to pronounce an animal vicious if it kills or seriously injures another animal or human. Such a designation would rely on citizen complaints, as well as animal control catching loose dogs and their irresponsible owners.
If a dog is deemed to be dangerous, its owner must obtain a special permit for the animal, sterilize the pet, implant a microchip, and obtain a $100,000 insurance liability policy.
A $100,000 insurance policy? You may as well get an umbrella policy! Even if you do all those things, the ordinance allows officials to euthanize your dog anyhow. It's a pretty tough law, but then again, it's your dog, it's your responsibility.
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Floating Dog Video
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Apparently,
this video has become one of the most widely watched funny dog clips on the Internet, according to Del.icio.us.
Found this on
TherapyDog.
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Socially Conscious Dog Jewelry
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
A company called SOCOCO, an acronym for "Socially Conscious Companion", is offering this sparkling
glass-beaded AIDS ribbon for pooches.
If your doggie is serious about "social consciousness", but wants to look glamorous while saving the world, this little item should do the trick.
The bling-bling bangle sells for $23.99, with a portion of the proceeds going to an AIDS orphanage in Cape Town, South Africa.
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Houston Texas Shelters Have High Euthanasia Rates
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The Houston Chronicle
reported today that animal shelters in the city have abnormally high euthanasia rates when compared to shelters around the country. City shelters are putting to sleep many breeds often associated with aggressive behaviors.
The task force is especially critical of the the city shelter, the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, singling it out for policies that call for automatic euthanasia of breeds deemed aggressive.
Those include pit bulls, German shepherds, Akitas, bulldogs, chow chows, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers. Most shelters nationwide euthanize pit bulls, but not all of the other breeds.
It seems to me that most Americans don't realize that when they give up a dog to the local shelter, there's a good chance it'll be put down...
"It is essential to shatter the widespread illusion that turning a pet into a Houston shelter means putting him up for adoption, when the truth is that the pet will most likely be killed," the report says.
I remember standing in line at the animal shelter in my county to re-license one of my dogs and over-hearing a lady standing in front of me. She told the shelter clerk that she wanted to turn in her Akita-Shepherd mix because he was too big and too energetic for her to handle.
She jokingly asked me if I wanted a dog. I said I already had two, and that's enough for me. I didn't have the heart to tell her that the shelter she was giving him up to will most likely put it down.
If the shelter posted a large sign in the lobby that clearly states, "
All Dogs Will be Euthanized within Five Days if not Adopted", I think it would encourage dog owners to find a way to accomodate their dog.
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Samsung's Animal Welfare Program
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Most of us know Samsung as a South Korean-based manufacturer of consumer electronics and appliances. But did you know that they also raise and train guide dogs?
The Korean Herald
reports that one of the ways the conglomerate gives back to the community is by donating its own time and resources training guide dogs and hearing dogs and donating them to the visually and hearing impaired free of charge...
Samsung is reported to have invested around 7 billion won ($7 million) annually in its puppy-rearing program, which is operated by the Globalization Strategy Team of Samsung Everland Inc. Since 1994, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. has operated the "Samsung Guide Dog School" in Youngin, Gyounggi Province. The school currently has 70 professionally trained kennel management staff.
They also train dogs to perform search and rescue work as well sniffing for explosive materials, and even therapy dogs for hospitalized patients. The company also operates a
pet ownership program for its employees, integrating homeless dogs into families.
Visit Samsung's
Animal Welfare website to learn more.
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Most Popular Dog Breeds in America
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The American Kennel Club
announced their list of the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States..
1. Retrievers (Labrador)
2. Retrievers (Golden)
3. Yorkshire Terriers
4. German Shepherd Dogs
5. Beagles
6. Dachshunds
7. Boxers
8. Poodles
9. Shih Tzu
10. Miniature Schnauzers
They also have top ten lists for several of America's largest cities.
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First Ever Pet Food MREs?
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
A home-based pet food manufacturer called "Elias Bowl" is claiming to offer the world's first ever
Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) for pets.
MREs are famous as military food presented in vacuum-packed bags and cans designed to be eaten by soldiers on the front lines. I guess when we build an army of dogs with laser beams attached to their heads, they'll sell a bunch of 'em.
Ellas Bowl describes itself as offering a line of "free range, organically fed, Kosher processed and consciously raised products for cats and dogs".
The company is brand-spanking new.
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The Secret About "Natural" Pet Shampoos
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Pamela Madden, who operates Furfection Inc., the manufacturer of the
Furfection Naturals line of doggie spa products, explains that there is a confusion between the terms "natural" and "all natural" when it comes to pet shampoos.
For the record, "all-natural" shampoo products shouldn't contain ANY synthetic ingredients, while "natural" products can be made with both natural and synthetic ingredients. Since there is no law regulating use of the terms "natural" or "all-natural" in product labeling, a "natural" shampoo can be sold as "all-natural" without any legal ramifications.
Most people are unaware that there's even a difference, and manufacturers are able to take advantage of this and promote their products as "all natural" when it in fact it contains synthetic ingredients.
Madden goes on to explain that while synthetic ingredients seem to have a negative image, they're actually beneficial...
American consumers believe anything produced naturally is better than anything produced synthetically. The reality is that synthetics are used in the majority of pet grooming products. Why? Because they're more effective and beneficial than some natural ingredients. Unfortunately, marketers have been unable to make synthetics appear wholesome or healthy, so where consumers are concerned, it's become a case of "ignorance is bliss," or "what they don't know won't hurt them."
You can read Madden's
full article here.
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The Dog Food that Keeps on Killing
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
An
article published by ConsumerAffairs.com says that dog food sold under the "Diamond", "Country Value" and "Professional" brands has killed 76 dogs thus far, based on figures from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
News about this has dominated the dog news of late. This food is tainted with aflatoxin, a naturally occuring chemical produced by a fungus that grows on corn.
See the FDA webpage for a
full list of affected dog foods.
So, what can you do to protect your dog from future poisonings from commercial dog food? Avoid commercial dog food altogether?
I suppose that's up to you.
The fact is that no one is safe from food poisoning. Whether you eat a hamburger from McDonald's, or a hamburger patty from Whole Foods Market, all food is subject to dangerous biologicals. Both McDonald's and Whole Foods Market are corporate entities exploiting a market for profit. It simply comes down to which organization does the best job of enforcing its safety procedures.
The fact is that bacteria and other toxins are not prejudiced; they infiltrate all foods. The employees who work in a natural food store are the same type of people who work for a factory food processor. They're all just average folks like you and me. It's not that it's "natural" that makes food safer, it's the employees.
In the case of Diamond Pet Foods, the problem wasn't some weird chemical they added, but that the corn they used was moldy. You might also find moldy corn at a natural food store. And if a natural food store hires the same ordinary folks that could just as well work for Diamond Pet Foods, then how can you be totally certain your food is safe?
There just isn't any way to know. You have to take it on faith that the employees handling the food you buy have respected all safety procedures.
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When Dachshunds Collide
Monday, January 09, 2006
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Pets Best Launches Vet Locator Tool
Monday, January 09, 2006
Pets Best, an insurance plan for pets, launched a
veterinarian locator tool on its website.
You just enter your zip code, and it displays the nearest vet clinics on a map of your neighborhood.
I entered my zip code, and it found all the vets I was aware of near me.
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Disposable Crate Mat
Sunday, January 08, 2006
A company called KC Pet Products is marketing a new product called "
DryFur", billed as the world's first and only disposable crate mat.
It's meant for transporting dogs in crates over several hours, such as in airplanes. DryFur is highly absorbent, allowing your dog to wee-wee while the surface of the mat stays dry. When you and your dog reach the destination, you just throw the mat away.
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Dog Helps Deliver Baby Boy
Friday, January 06, 2006
In Taipei, Taiwai, a
pregnant woman, who was expected to give birth five days ahead, wasn't feeling well and went to the bathroom to sit on the toilet.
Her dog, a female husky, followed her. To her surprise she ended up giving birth on the toilet. The mother managed to cut the umbilical cord, but then fainted and collapsed with the newborn in the toilet.
The dog, named appropriately enough as "Baby", snatched the drowning baby boy out of the toilet by his leg, and licked his face until he started crying.
Sadly, the mother has since reported that she must give up both the newborn and the dog for adoption out of financial concerns.
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Top Tag Pet ID
Friday, January 06, 2006
Dog tags have now gone high tech with the introduction of
Top Tag Pet ID.
It's a USB flash drive that hangs from your dog's collar and contains important information should he or she run away.
Top Tag Pet ID has software pre-loaded allowing the owner fill in blanks on their dog's owner, health history, food and diet, commands it knows, and even photos.
It stores up to 64Mb of data, and costs $39.95.
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Dog Breed Embroidery
Thursday, January 05, 2006
How would you like to have your favorite dog breed embroidered on a sweater or polo shirt?
A company called
DoodleSport can do it for you. They specialize in selling shirts, tees, sweaters and caps with a specific dog breed embroidered on. They can embroider the likeness of some 80 standard dog breeds.
Oh my God, they even do Labradoodles and Puggles too!
The company just got started last November.
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Help the Animal Rescues
Thursday, January 05, 2006
If you're willing to donate money to benefit animal charities, please make your local animal rescue tops on the list.
Animal rescues take in animals doomed to be euthanized at animal shelters, and give them a chance at life. They also take in sick, injured, and emaciated animals, and spend their time, labor, and money rehabilitating them.
When you donate to an animal rescue, your money goes directly towards the animals in need, and not towards advertising campaigns and political lobbyists.
The
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) is example of such an organization, taking in abandoned Great Danes, rehabilitating them, and giving them a permanent home until someone adopts them.
Pictured here is "
Rocco", who was found abandoned in an apartment building. Rocco's owner moved out, and left him locked inside. By the time a neighbor discovered him, Rocco had become a bag of bones. He's now with MAGDRL, and is on the road to recovery.
But MAGDRL, like all other animal rescues need funds and supplies from animal lovers to continue their operations. If you'd like to help the cause of animals, help the animal rescues!
Click here for a list of rescues in your area.
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Dogs Need Pedicures Too
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
An
article published in the Hollister Free Lance newspaper discusses the importance of keeping your dog's claws trimmed.
Dogs that live a sedentary life indoors run into the problem of their claws growing too long...
Without routine care, their nails may grow so long that they deflect their toes upward and off to one side. These poor dogs can't walk normally because their feet are pushed way out of position. Imagine if something was holding one or more of your toes over to the side all the time. You can bet it would hurt - a lot.
Regular trips to the groomer can prevent that.
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Google Dog Collars
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Now your dog can Google too!
Google has added a branded dog collar to its inventory of Google branded gear. Choose from
large and
medium sizes.
There are also
matching dog leashes.
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Year of the Dog Gets Crazier
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Jilin Jiangshan Human Resources Development Company, a Chinese company, is hiring people,
but only those who were born in the Year of the Dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 and 1994).
Chinese law apparently forbids discrimination, but I'm not sure you can call this discrimination. They're still hiring both young and old.
"We believe that people born in dog years are born with some good characteristics such as loyalty and honesty," said Mr Dong, personnel manager for the company, and himself a dog.
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Making People Smell Like Dogs
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Annanova reports that an American scientist discovered how to make humans as sensitive to smells as dogs.
Debra Ann Fadool, of Florida State University, has discovered a gene, called Kv1.3, which might help make humans as sensitive to complex smells as dogs and wolves.
In mice, deleting the gene increases sensitivity to odors by a factor of between 1,000 and 10,000.
In principle, it could be blocked with an appropriate drug, causing people to develop super olfactory senses. It might possibly put scent hounds out of work at airport terminals and checkpoints.
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The Mother of all Doggie Day Care
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
A company called
Canine Empire announced plans to open up what it believes will be the largest and most luxurious doggie day care facility in the world.
Set to open in Summer of 2006, in Chicago, Illinois (corner of Grand and Orleans), it'll be five times larger than any existing facility. The 100,000 square foot club for canines includes 20,000 square feet of outdoor space, an indoor heated swimming pool, monitored play groups, certified professional staff and veterinary technicians on site at all times, and 5x5 individual sleeping areas with video surveillance, providing Internet viewing and on-site monitoring.
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, dog owners will never be under pressure to get their dogs in and out of the facility. Canine Empire will also offer a wellness and physical therapy center, obedience and agility
training, and a grooming and style salon.
It will be a membership-only facility, and membership reservations are being taken now for a special initiation fee of $250.00.
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Most Popular Dog Names for 2005
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Every year Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) pours through its list of policy holders and publishes
its list of most popular dog names.
Actually, I had published
last year's list as well (for 2004).
So, I decided to pull the old list out, and compare it with 2005, to see how they lined up.
| 2005 Male Names | 2004 Male Names |
| Max | Max |
| Buddy | Jake |
| Jake | Bailey |
| Rocky | Cody |
| Bailey | Bear |
| Buster | Toby |
| Cody | Lucky |
| Charlie | Harley |
| Bear | Rusty |
| Jack | Sammy |
| 2005 Female Names | 2004 Female Names |
| Molly | Molly |
| Maggie | Daisy |
| Daisy | Sadie |
| Lucy | Chloe |
| Sadie | Sophie |
| Ginger | Princess |
| Chloe | Angel |
| Bailey | Sasha |
| Sophie | Roxy |
| Zoe | Brandy |
Interestingly, "Bailey" shows up on the 2005 top ten list for both male and female dogs. Does this mean it's the "Pat" of the dog world?
We have a dog whose name shows up on one of these lists, Max. We didn't give him that name. He apparently had that name with his previous owners, so we kept it that. Our other dog is "Mia". I think we ended up giving her that name after our great-niece, Maleah, whom many of us call "Mia" for short.
Our next door neighbor has two female dogs, a poodle and shih-tzu, named Sadie and Molly respectively. Both names appear on the top ten list.
Our other next door neighbor has a golden retriever named Buddy, another top ten finalist.
Of course, my favorite pet name of all time is "Killer". That's what our cat was named when I was a kid. My brother and I came up with it. I remember during feeding time, my mom would open up the back door and yell out, "Killer!, Killer!".
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Dog Ordinance Limits Two Dogs Per Home
Monday, January 02, 2006
A two dog limit per household is probably the lowest limit I've heard of yet. This is apparently the case in Haddon Township, New Jersey, as evidenced in the township's municipal code,
104-14.
It seems that in a time when so many dogs need homes, government could do better to remove this limitation, with the caveat that dog owners must still abide by the township's existing laws on licensure, sanitation, and control.
I mean isn't that what the limitation law is trying to address anyways? To promote responsible dog ownership? Instead, the township expends money to provide for animal shelters, when it could save that money and let dog owners adopt as many dogs as they can reasonably take care of.
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Rottweiler Starts Apartment Fire
Monday, January 02, 2006
The Associated Press
reports that a fire which scorched an apartment building was started by a couple's Rottweiler.
They were not at home at the time, but the Rottweiler was. They had left presents sitting on top of the oven. The curious dog apparently nudged the oven knob and set the gifts on fire.
Another lesson learned.
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Year of the Dog May Be a Blessing
Monday, January 02, 2006
2006 is the
Year of the Dog according to Chinese astrological charts. But as The Korea Times
reports, it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for dogs in South Korea.
South Korea does have a series of laws on its books designed to protect dogs from abuse. However, historically, these laws haven't been enforced very well, mainly due to public opinion. South Koreans are known for eating dogs, and doing so without shame.
But because 2006 is the Year of the Dog, dogs are said to bring good luck this year. Hence, folks now have an incentive to watch over them, and we may see authorities there enforce dog abuse laws more often.
As for South Koreans curbing their appetite for dog, who knows what 2006 will bring.
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Ralph the Bull Terrier
Monday, January 02, 2006
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Mandatory Dog Insurance in Vienna, Austria
Monday, January 02, 2006
The Associated Press
reports that in Vienna, Austria, all persons who own dogs born on or after January 1, 2006, must carry liability insurance covering a minimum of $864,000.00.
It's meant to pay for legal, hospital and other costs arising from damage or injury caused by the dogs. Those caught without insurance face fines up $4,000.00.
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