I really like this time of year. The newsies are usually pretty quiet, and many of my favorite bloggers are publishing year-end lists of stories/blog postings I've either forgotten about, or often missed the first time around - -it makes for some great reading. So I'll share a few news items, and then some of the great blog postings from the week.
Dog Bites/Attacks
A teenage boy in the UK was attacked by a Bull Terrier when the dog's owners released it on the soccer field he was playing on. The UK has a ban on four breeds of dogs and it continues to be a huge failure.
A three year old UK boy needed 200 stitches after being attacked by a Collie -- the boy still has nightmares about the attack.
An 11 year old UK boy was hospitalized after being attacked by a Shar Pei that the boy's father had taken in just days earlier.
A 71 year old Springfield, MO woman was bitten by a mixed breed dog -- the second attack the dog had been involved in in the past year. Springfield also has harsh breed restrictions instead of focusing on dogs that show aggressive behavior, regardless of breed (although there are talks about changing that law).
Miscellaneous
In a story that dominated headlines this week, President Obama called the Philadelphia Eagles owner to congratulate him for giving Vick a second chance. It's amazing how playing well on the football field makes even the President forget that someone was just a criminal thug 2 years ago.
More on the potential repeal of Missouri's Prop B - according to the Senator who put forth the repeal, HSUS has apparently hired 4 lobbyists to try to prevent the bill from being repealed (along with their funded billboard campaign). The Missouri Cattleman's Association had a meeting this week that hosted 500 people -- nearly all opposed to the legislation. I can't help but throw up a little when I think about all the money going to this mess when the law won't solve the problem, and all of the money spent (on both sides) most certainly could have ended it.
One of my favorite news articles of the week, from the Wall Street Journal, about a woman who rented some sheep for her Border Collie to herd because it was an overly energetic herding dog. The quote of the week "Once upon a time, Americans got dogs fro their sheep. Now they get sheep for their dogs". The dynamic of how we raise our dogs now and think about dogs in this country is definitely changing.
In a story that makes me want to beat my head against a wall, the Ocean City Humane Society and the Atlantic County Animal Shelter (both in NJ) discuss how because of the economy, their shelter is full, but then admits that they seldom even try to adopt animals in December because of fear the animals may be given as gifts and returned. Because killing them (which they admit is a likely alternative) is a better option than them potentially coming back to the shelter if they're adopted even though there is also a strong potential that they would end up in a good home.
Twenty seven dogs rescued from a dog fighting operation in Independence, KS were temp tested and sixteen of them were found suitable for adoption and to go to foster homes -- thanks to the work by the Game Dog Guardian folks and the Lawrency Humane Society.
Positive Press
Two pit bulls are credited for helping mother, baby escape fire in Jackson, MI. Jackson considered banning this dog from the community earlier this year....and this family alive in part because they didn't.
Blogs/Opinions worth reading
The Ins and Outs of language for 2011 - -Words matter -- and some thoughts on those words from Bad Rap
You forgot to give me a name - The Pet Studio has a touching blog wondering why more shelters don't embrace the No Kill movement with the story of a dog that never even was given a name before it was killed at the local shelter.
Christie Keith has a fun/sad video on what it means to be an animal shelter from xtranormal.
HSUS's Statement on the Alabama 44 -- including an update on the whereabouts of the dogs and some excellent commentary-- from Yesbiscuit! - this an absolute must-read that I may comment more on later this week.
Humane Society of SW Missouri -- U R Doin it Wrong - For the Pit Bulls takes a look at a very high kill shelter than denied a potential adoptor because they have an unaltered animal at home -- something that sadly is a fairly commong practice.
An opportunity to increase adoptions this weekend - Houston Animal Shelters Examiner takes a look at how most people in the U.S. had a long weekend this weekend because the New Years Holiday fell on a Saturday - -and yet, way too many shelters missed the opportunity for having more adoptions because the shelters were closed on both days of the weekend.
Breed bias in similar dog attacks- For the Pit Bulls looks at two very similar incidents, but the difference in media reactions to the two incidents based on the type of dog involved (and I wouldn't consider either an "attack").
The Fear of Testicals - for the Pit Bulls looks at the irrational fear of testicals that seems to exist in the animal welfare community. I can guarantee I will post more on this in the coming months.
Year End Reviews:
The State of the State of Wisconsin - Wisconsin Watchdog has a great overview of animal welfare legislation in Wisconsin.
Saving Pets has a great overview of her best blog posts of the year (there are some great ones here -- and a few I don't remember reading).
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times - The year in reveiw Part I from Nathan Winograd
Best & Worst of Times, Part II -- from Nathan Winograd
Mary at Dancing Dog Blog has her favorite posts for the year. And then followed up with her favorite posts written by others.
Dr. Patty Kuhly has her top 10 animal-related stories of the year.
And more commentary on Mike Vick:
Forget Eagles' Vick, cheer for his victim Mel - a great commentary from the Dallas Morning News.
When the President Calls About the Vick Dogs - Best Friends' Francis Battista has his thoughts on what he'll say to President Obama when he calls Best Friends to inquire about the victims of Bad Newz Kennels...you know, since he called to congratulate the Eagles on giving their abuser a second chance, he'll certainly congratulate the people who helped the victims, right?
The real reason Vick got a second chance - it's not because he deserves it, it's because he plays football. -- and this is a great commentary from the Washington Post on the subject.
While many are frustrated that HSUS backs Mike Vick, Steve Dale reminds us that this is the same organization that sold the notes from Vick's first big press conference.
Thanks for the shout out, Brent, and thanks for this reading list. I went straight to Donna's post on language - it should be obvious that words matter and are essential to shaping thinking, yet harmful-to-animal- welfare phrases and words get recycled and leave people stuck with false conclusions. I look forward to reading the rest. Thanks for the blogroll add:) Happy New Year!
Posted by: Mary Haight | January 15, 2011 at 10:34 PM