This has been an extraordinary week. It began with two tragic dog bite fatalities. It included an important announcement in Kansas City about who was taking over our shelter on an interim basis, dramatic changes to Proposition B on tnot one but two bills passed in Jefferson City. Outside of that, wacky weather in the South has created a mess for our friends in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. And a lot of other news I didn't get to. There are a couple of news stories that I'm going to hold for early this coming week -- but here's a look at some of the top stories and blogs for the week. If you have any you'd like to add, please do-so in the comments.
Cities/States and Laws
Houma (LA) appears to be considering a breed-neutral dangerous dog law after discussing possibly addressing specific breeds.
One area of the UK, West Midlands, had 111 dog attacks in the past 3 years and people in the UK are still trying to get the 20 year old Dangerous Dogs Act replaced by more effect legislation.
Daytona Beach, FL passed a law requiring all pets over 6 months of age be spayed or neutered. The law was supported by several local animal welfare groups even though at this point there are no national organizations that support MSN laws because they have proven themselves to drive up impounds and shelter killing.
A month after removing the county's pit bull ban, breed-specific laws are back on the table in Seward County, KS.
Santa Clara County, CA has said No to Breed-Specific mandatory Spay/neuter.
Dog Bites/Attacks
Major dog bites and attacks are rare, but when they happen, it is a wide variety of dogs that are involved. Looking at circumsances behind these attacks, and not breeds, is the best way to prevent these incidents.
A five year old Fremont, CA girl lost part of her ear after being bitten by a neighbor's German Shepherd that she was attempting to pet.
A nine year old Kingston (PA) boy was attacked by a neighbor's St. Bernard mix that jumped the fence and attacked the boy. Things may have been worse, but the family's German Shepherd helped fend the dog off the boy.
A 71 year old woman was attacked by two dogs that were roaming at large in a city park in Wilmington, CA. The dogs were described as a "Pit bull terrier/Akita mix" and a "Boxer/American Bulldog mix". This link has pictures of both dogs. The Boxer mix appears to be a purebred boxer, and the 'pit bull' mix appears to be a mixed breed dog that could be almost anything at all.
A two year old Leoni Township (MI) boy was in the hospital after being bitten by a "malamute/husky mix". The family was in the back yard playing with the dog when the mother turned away quickly to take a phone call.
A woman in Haverhill, MA had to protect her infant granddaughter from two at-large German Shepherd-mixes that came after them as she was pushing her granddaughter in a stroller.
A 4 year old North Carolina girl suffered severe injuries after she was attacked by a "pit bull". The dog was chained up in the back yard of some family the young girl was visiting and the girl wandered back to the chained dog unattended and was bitten.
A Wilsonville, OR woman was hospitalized after being attacked by a Labrador Retriever that she was fighting against to keep it from attacking her smaller Pomeranian.
An 8 month old Stockton, IL toddler is mending after being attacked by the family's German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix.
Miscellaneous
Kansas City to run animal shelter temporarily.
Last week, animal welfare advocates met to have a moment of silence for two dogs found dead in a dumpster in Kansas City. One dog had a bullet to its head, the other shows signs of scars and abuse. The tribute was to raise awareness of animal cruelty and to note that animal cruelty usually doesn't exist in a vaccuum, but also comes with other types of domestic violence. However, a local anti-crime activist (and former city council member and mayoral candidate) Alvin Brooks criticized these activists because he feels like these efforts should be dedicated toward solving KCMO's high number of unsovled murders. Note to Mr. Brooks: people who are protesting violence in any form are NOT the problem...it is people who don't care about anything. Don't criticize people for speaking out against violence (especially when you weren't even there to hear what their message was), you're only hurting your own cause.
Last week, I mentioned a story in which officers shot 33 rounds at a dog in a neighborhood -- hitting cars and houses. Well, this week, there is a story of a German woman who escaped serious injury from a dog attack but then was hit by bullet in the arm when police came to 'save' her. A police officer was also grazed in the neck by a ricocheting bullet. Folks, we really need our police officers to get a handle on the hysteria of dogs and realize that them shooting bullets off around a neighborhood pose far more risk than dogs ever will...
A pit bull got thrown into a River in Manatee, FL with a dumbell tied to him...someone saw the dog treading water furiously and was able to rescue the dog. The dog is going to be ok.
An Ontario man was bitten by his own "pit bull" -- the man was having a confrontation with his neighbor and was trying to get the dog to attack his neighbor. In an attempt to make the dog aggressive, the owner caused the dog to attack him instead. The morals to the story: 1) Ontario has a pit bull ban -- but idiots are still owning pit bulls. Good law abiding citizens are not. 2) Pit bulls aren't naturally aggressive killers -- they have to be taught this. 3) Idiot owners are the problem, not the dogs. This man got what he deserved.
Follow up on Missouri's Prop B/SB 113/SB 161
The news story from the Kansas City Star.
Wayne Pacelle's misguided blog post about the matter.
Prop B debate has historical context - The Columbia Missourian has an awesome artcile written by military veteran J. Karl Miller about the historical context in which the state government has the ability to override a citizen's initiative. The founding fathers crafted our country as a Republic, not as a true Democracy for a very specific reason and this article puts this effort in that context. This includes Ben Franklin's famouse quote: "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch, while liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote."
Blogs you should read
Introducing dogs -- a good video from Bad Rap on introducing unfamiliar dogs
Shelters doing good - Stories of shelters doing small things right from For the Pit Bulls
Dogs survice plane crash and tornado in recent news -- The Poodle and Dog Blog has two great stories of animal survival.
Dog survives six hour house fire by submerging herself in a bathtub - The Poodle and the Dog Blog has another story of survival -- and this is an absolutely incredible story that if you click on one link today, make it this one.
Turning Tragedy into Triumph, Remembering Bella -- For the Pit Bulls looks at one man's mission to make his community safer for pets after his own dog was shot by local police officers.
Memphis Animal Services: You are in a hole. Quit digging - YesBiscuit! continues her awesome coverage of the tragedy that is Memphis Animal Services.
Images that will haunt you forever -- Winograd takes a look at what he learned (and photographed) when touring our nation's public animal shelters - -and why shelter reform is necessary in this country.
We are their voice -- O is for Onward addresses how several different advocates were created out of singular tragedies or sights that impacted their lives -- and how those advocates are impacting the lives of others.
Who's really Dangerous? - a great (and detailed) blog discussing the idea of what constitutes a "dangerous" dog frrom Olympic Animal Sanctuary.
What is your authority - O is for Onward tackles the subject of self-appointed experts who try to prevent changes in municiple shelters even though their own policies have failed for decades.
And for some Easter Fun, a 'pie chart" of colors of bunnies.
"Officials described the dogs as a white male pit bull terrier and Akita mix named Cisco, and his father, a brown boxer and American bulldog mix named Chuco. Both weigh about 70 pounds."
This is from the article where 2 dogs attacked a 71 year old women.
1. The boxer/american bulldog looks like a purebred boxer.
2. How is the other dog a pit bull/akita mix if the boxer/american bulldog is his father?
Posted by: Keira | May 01, 2011 at 12:14 PM