U.S. Rep. Steve King is picking a fight with the Humane Society of the United States. On Jan. 29, the congressman from western Iowa tweeted the following: “The Humane Society of the United States, I have long referred to as the vegan lobby, is raising money again. Objective: animals = 2 people.” This tweet triggered a flurry of responses from people accusing King of supporting dog fighting and being an animal hater. That, in turn, prompted King to emphatically state that he does not support dog fighting. Then he added one ill-advised suggestion: “You can check my record.” But we already know what his record show right? – Read below: His explanation for this baffling statement? Since humans are allowed to fight, why not allow dogs as well? ‘It’s wrong to rate animals above human being’ King opinatined during an interview at a town hall. "There is something wrong with society to make it a crime to watch dog fighting, but there is no law that bans somebody to watch people fight". An audio recording of his statement can be listened to below in the video.
If we take King’s statements into account, then society should be allowing animals to enroll in university and get pets to pay their taxes. The fundamental difference between humans and animals is that humans have a choice. If a person wants to be a professional boxer, for instance, he is entering a bout fully aware of what he is doing. It is his choice. Dogs are certainly not asked if they are willing to bite each other until they die just so humans can be entertained. Those dogs are defenseless, they are MADE to do this against their will! Unfortunately, Mr. King has a lot to catch up. I have also learned that this is not the first time Congressman King has sparked outrage in the animal rights community.
In February 2010, King tweeted that he chased and shot a raccoon because the helpless animal had tried to get into his house during a powerful storm.
In July 2012, King strongly opposed the McGovern amendment (in connection to the 1012 farm bill) that would have established penalties for knowingly attending an animal fight and for bringing underage children to such events.
King was also one of the members that voted against an upgrade of penalties for transporting fighting animals across state lines in 2007.
The Brooklyn woman convicted of hoarding rabbits could actually be crazy enough to avoid jail. Obsessed animal lover Dorota Trec underwent a court-ordered psychiatric exam Wednesday – two months after she was found guilty of abusing 100 rabbits that lived outside her Gowanus home in a trial at which she acted as her own lawyer. The official results will be released later in February, but Trec, who faces up to two years behind bars, hinted that she won’t be doing hard time. “I think this is leading to not putting me in prison,” Trec, 36, said outside the Brooklyn Supreme courtroom. She believes she’ll instead be ordered to “come for treatment [by] a psychologist.” Trec, who was charged with mistreating 125 of the furballs, represented herself during the wacky three-week jury trial. The Polish-born bunny breeder said the person who evaluated her “was very surprised I did the case myself and that the same person who goes for an evaluation is allowed to do [a] trial.” Earlier this month, Judge Curtis Farber said he was worried about “serious mental health issues” and ordered Trec to undergo the psych exam before he handed down his sentence. “I am trying very hard to think of an appropriate sentence in your case,” he told her at the Jan. 13 hearing. “I am not sick,” Trec shouted to the judge. “I am a very intelligent person.” In December, the ASPCA came to seize 45 bunnies of the 90 Trec had from her yard. She claims she’s been trying to give the remaining furry creatures away ever since. “I am always going to have animals around. Who can stop me? They will have to put me in jail,” Trec said Wednesday. “If [Judge Farber] puts me in prison, I will continue to work on plans” to build a bunny sanctuary.
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Pet lions and crocodiles could soon become illegal in Arlington, Virginia. Surprised they aren't already? Turns out, many D.C.-area jurisdictions ban exotic or wild animals as pets -- but Arlington isn't one of them. Yet. Now the Arlington County Board is considering whether to hold a public hearing on whether to ban keeping these animals as pets. "Under current County Code, Arlington bars the keeping of pigs, fowl and poisonous reptiles. But there's nothing now on the books to prevent residents from raising a lion, monkey or even a crocodile," Arlington officials said in a press release Friday. The change would also prohibit the keeping of wolves, raccoons, lynxes, alligators, tarantulas, hedgehogs and sugar gliders. Non-poisonous snakes or other reptiles longer than four feet would also be banned. However, there would be an exception for some exotic pets already owned by residents. Those pet owners would be able to keep their animals if they register them with animal control, officials said. Officials said the ban would aim to prevent humans from getting hurt and animals from being mistreated. Arlington officials said in their release that D.C., Fairfax, Prince William and Montgomery counties all already have similar laws on the books. During a board meeting Saturday, Arlington County Board members will consider a request to advertise a March 18 public hearing on the issue. Arlington residents will also be able to comment several other ways: By using Arlington's online CiviComment tool. Mail or hand-deliver comments to: Arlington County Department of Human Services, Attn: Lyn Hainge, 2100 Washington Blvd., Second Floor, Arlington, VA 22204. Speak at the (proposed) public hearing, which would be held March 18 at 8:30 a.m. in the County Board Room (2100 Clarendon Blvd., third floor, Arlington). Email comments to animals@arlingtonva.us.
In 1952, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association published a letter to the editor from a Chicago veterinarian named A.G. Misener, who described a surgery his practice had been performing on cats: the removal of their front claws. “This is a relatively simple surgical procedure,” Misener wrote, “and, we believe, a practical measure.” That letter was the genesis of what Minnesota veterinarian Ron Gaskin, who considers himself a historian of cat declawing, calls a “Chicago urban legend” — a surgery that was dreamed up in one clinic and ended up being adopted by practitioners across the United States. “It was never investigated for long-term safety, or whether it generated pain later on in life,” Gaskin said of declawing’s origins. “It was never researched that way.” To read more on this story, click here:Some People Remove Their Cats Claws One State May Soon Call That Animal Cruelty
Dorota Trec was sentenced Friday in Brooklyn Criminal Court after she was convicted in November of abusing some 100 rabbits she kept in a squalid yard in the Gowanus section. She had faced up to two years incarceration. Judge Curtis Farber told Trec that she can’t keep any pets for five years and must undergo psychiatric treatment. If she violates those terms, she faces a year behind bars. She also has to pay the ASPCA more than $20,000 for veterinary treatment for the bunnies.
DC’s Top Fashion Event and Runway Show takes place on Saturday, April 8th at Grand Hyatt Washington All Proceeds Benefit the Animals of the Humane Rescue Alliance. Washington, DC – Television personality and celebrity designer Carson Kressley will take the stage as master of ceremonies for the Fashion for Paws 11th Annual Runway Show on Saturday, April 8th at the Grand Hyatt in Washington. Kressley will welcome guests and kick off the runway show which includes fundraising ambassadors who will be wearing apparel from the area’s hottest retailers as they grace the Fashion for Paws catwalk. Joining Kressley and the models on the runway will be their lovable dogs wearing the latest designer doggie couture, all to benefit the Humane Rescue Alliance. Tickets and tables are on sale now at www.fashionforpaws.org. Kressley, the Emmy award winning star of Queer Eye and former contestant on Dancing with the Stars was only recently eliminated during the 2017 season of The New Celebrity Apprentice. An animal lover, Kressley can’t wait to take part in DC’s top fashion event. “I am absolutely thrilled to take part in Fashion for Paws!” said Kressley. “This event combines fashion AND raising money for homeless animals and I can’t think of a better combination. I’m looking forward to coming to DC and getting this party started!” A one-of-a-kind Washington tradition returns as the Fashion for Paws 11th Annual Runway Show takes place Saturday, April 8th at 8 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The Fashion for Paws Runway Show is a nationally acclaimed, one-of-a-kind luxury brand event that has raised more than $4 million since its inaugural event in 2007. The money raised by Fashion for Paws goes directly to the programs that benefit the homeless animals cared for by the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA). HRA serves more than 60,000 animals each year. The illustrious models walking the Fashion for Paws runway must raise a minimum of $3,000 for HRA to have the opportunity to participate, with many escorting their fashionably dressed dog down the runway. The event features an awards presentation to honor Fashion for Paws’ top fundraiser, who will claim the title of "Model Washingtonian of the Year." First and second runners-up will also be honored on the runway. The winners will be chosen based on total amount of funds raised in a friendly fundraising competition in the 12 weeks leading up to the event. Get an up close and personal view of the runway action by purchasing VIP tickets and tables for Fashion for Paws. VIP tables range from $3,000 to $6,000, with a very limited number of special $10,000 tables located right next to the runway. Table guests are served a three-course meal and are invited to arrive early for a VIP Reception beginning at 7 p.m. VIP tickets are available for $200 and general admission tickets can be purchased for $100. Visit www.fashionforpaws.org for more information. Sponsors for the Fashion for Paws 11th Annual Runway Show include Audi USA, Design Foundry, Linder Global Events, Trunk Club, Northern Virginia Real Estate, Inc., Anytime K9, Maryland Sound, Quince Imaging, and John Farr Lighting. Clothing provided by Aram, Arc’teryx, Katya Avdeev Couture, Lilly Pulitzer, Lynn/Louisa, Paul Stuart, Studio D’Maxsi, Undeniable Boutique, and Zadig & Voltaire. Dog clothing is provided by Anthony Rubio Designs, Emily Abril, and Mallory DeBenedetto. Hair and make up for the event provided by PR at Partners.
Don’t miss DC’s most fabulous night! Participants are actively fundraising right now to help us raise over $500,000 by April 8. With your help we can reach this goal. Purchase tickets, tables, or a sponsorship today. About the Humane Rescue Alliance: The Humane Rescue Alliance (formerly the Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League) has protected and served the animals of the community for more than 145 years and serves more than 60,000 animals annually. The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care and control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others. The organization is dedicated to ensuring the safety and welfare of all animals, bringing people and animals together, and working with all communities to support these relationships. HRA is based in Washington, DC, the only major urban area in the country that has all of its animal protection programs and services unified in one organization, making the Humane Rescue Alliance a model for the nation.
If you didn't tune in to last Monday night's portion of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, you might have missed the raucous cheers for the beautiful German Shepherd that captured the top prize in the Herding group. Her call name is Rumor, and she won best in show last Tuesday, becoming only the second German Shepherd ever to take home top honor at Westminster. At last year's Westminster, Rumor also won the Herding group to advance to the best in show judging, but she fell short of taking home the big trophy, which went to CJ the German Shorthaired Pointer. This year, she staged a valiant comeback, and by the chanting from the crowd at Madison Square Garden, her many fans are thrilled. Rumor, whose full name is Lockenhaus' Rumor Has It V Kenlyn, is a 5-year-old pup hailing from Wisconsin. She has countless championships under her belt and spends nearly all her time with her handler, co-owner, and cobreeder Kent Boyles. Immediately after winning, Kent was asked what's next for Rumor, as it is common for Westminster champions to retire. His answer was simple: he's going to find her a husband so they can have some puppies.
These adorable chinchillas come from a breeder called Cameron, based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. He specializes mainly in breeding show quality violet chinchillas that, as a feature, have these perfectly round butts. Don’t worry, they’re not being overfed or groomed everyday to look that round, it’s just how their fur naturally looks like. On Cameron’s website http://camchinchillas.webs.com/ many people state that the chinchillas are being taken care of extremely well, they have lots of toys, are being played with daily and are as happy as any chinchilla could be. Don’t forget to follow Cameron on Facebook/Instagram for more pics of this round fluffy goodness!
From Cameron's Chinchillas Facebook Page: Indie my beige carrying violet female took Best Young Mutation and Reserve Best Mutation at the Southern Region Chieveley show yesterday! FYI: Incase anyone is wondering Indie does not live in this cage - it is for exhibition only so the chinchilla can be individually graded by a professionally trained judge by the National Chinchilla Society's show criteria - whilst some stress is in life is unavoidable, care is taken to ensure the chinchillas are kept in a cool, quiet hall. Most of the chinchillas spend the majority of the day asleep in their show cages and are only briefly disturbed during judging (although many aren't phased by this and may even stay asleep). Breeders ensure a sufficient rest period has been provided after each show, otherwise the chinchilla will lose condition and subsequently not place as well. Generally it's advised to take one chinchilla to no more than three or four shows to get a range of expert opinions from judges. If anyone has any questions about showing please feel free to ask.
