Washington, DC - Washington Humane Society’s 28th Annual Bark Ball – June 20, 2015 – Tickets Available Now!

DC’s Premiere Black-Tie Gala that all the Dogs are Barking About Washington, DC – Shake out that tux and brush off your “tails”, the Washington Humane Society’s Bark Ball returns for the 28th year on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at the Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Guests are invited to celebrate in style at DC’s original black-tie gala for canines and their human companions.

This year we welcome back as Master of Ceremonies, Washington Redskins Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of Media, Larry Michael. Co-Chairs for the event are Terri Fariello, Beth Viola, and Michael Wascom.

The benefit kicks off with a reception, an extensive silent auction and Bark Bar at 6:00 pm, followed by dinner, a formal program, live auction, and dancing from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Leashed dogs are encouraged to attend (no retractable leashes please).

General tickets are $250 each and tables are $2,500. Once again, we are offering a limited number of Young Professionals tickets for those 35 and under at just $150. Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception and 3-course meal, along with a special Bark Bar for the pups.

Tickets and tables are available online at www.barkball.org. This event will sell out! Last year’s event brought together 500 dogs and upwards of 1,000 animal advocates, raising over $620,000 to benefit the critical programs and services of the Washington Humane Society. All proceeds from the event will support the more than 51,000 animals WHS provides comfort and care to annually.

To purchase tickets and for more information, including sponsorship information, visit us online at www.barkball.org, call 202-735-0324, or email events@washhumane.org.

A limited number of Bark Ball Press Passes are available. Please contact Rachel Thaler at rthaler@washhumane.org or 202-735-0323 for information.

  

Website: Washington Humane Society

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A Woman Was Killed by a Lion at a Tourist Attraction in South Africa

An American woman killed by a lion Monday at a tourist attraction in South Africa was taking pictures through an open car window when the beast leaped through and fatally bit her, park officials said.

The dead tourist ignored more than 40 signs and verbal warnings about keeping windows closed while visiting the Gauteng Lion Park in Johannesburg, a popular 17-acre attraction visitors drive through in their personal vehicles while the massive animals roam freely.

The unnamed woman, described as in her 30s, was a passenger Monday afternoon when the lioness attacked. The driver, a tour guide, was hospitalized for scratches suffered after he tried to punch the animal once it entered the vehicle.

“They had their windows all the way down, which is strictly against policy,” assistant operations manager Scott Simpson said. “The lion bit the lady through the window.”

The U.S. Embassy in South Africa confirmed an American had been killed, but had yet to identify her.

“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased in this sad incident,” the embassy tweeted.

The lioness will not be euthanized, though the area where the attack occurred will be closed off to the public during an investigation. The rest of the parking will be open and “operating as usual,” Simpson said Tuesday. The 9-year-old lioness will moved to a different property owned by the park that is not open to tourists.

“The park is not closed and it is not closing,” Simpson said. “We have closed off where the incident happened, so those lions won’t be seeing the public until we have had an investigation and we know what exactly happened.”

Celebrity sightings at the park over the years include singers Shakira and John Legend, who visited with his model wife, Chrissy Teigen.

The attack is the third in the park in just four months. An Australian tourist, who admitted to having his window down, was bitten on his legs after a lion jumped in and bit him. He posted graphic photos of the injuries on Facebook.

  

Just two days later, a 13-year-old boy riding a bicycle used the park as a shortcut and was attacked by a cheetah, eNCA reported.

A man walks past warning signs at the Lion Park near Johannesburg where a lion killed an American woman and injured a man driving through a private wildlife park, a park official said.

The attack occurred when a lioness approached the passenger side of the vehicle as the woman took photos through an open window, then lunged, said Scott Simpson, assistant operations manager at the Lion Park.

The signs explicitly read, and show, that windows must be closed at all times.

In March 2014, a woman posted on YouTube a clip showing a lion at a park in South Africa opening a car door with its mouth. The terrifying, minute-long video has since been viewed some 13.6 million times.

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Colorado is One of 23 States Where Medical Marijuana is Legal: Can it Really Help Ailing Pets?

Denver, Colorado is one of 23 states where medical marijuana is legal. Some human patients swear by it, but is pot OK for your ailing pets?

CBS Denver station KCNC reports there are some cannabis-containing products now on the market specially designed for cats and dogs.

Chiara Subhas of Denver decided to try it when her 14-year-old rescue dog, Leo, started having seizures. The little Pomeranian was "just violently shaking, his mouth is open, his eyes are rolling back, he's drooling," she told KCNC reporter Kathy Walsh.

Subhas tried changing his diet. Then she went to pot. "We were suggested by our veterinarian in Boulder that we try a medical marijuana product for our dog," she said.

The product is called Canna Companion. Leo started on two capsules a day.

"Shortly after, his seizures definitely decreased," said Subhas.

On the company website, cannaforpets.com, Canna Companion is described as a hemp supplement for cats and dogs. The company calls it a unique blend of cannabis sativa strains with low levels of THC, the ingredient that gets people high.

There are more than a dozen testimonials posted on the site. One cat owner writes that cancer-stricken Harley's "happy purrsonality came back immediately!" And Subhas' own veterinarian writes that the capsules helped Titus, her 13-year-old Great Dane, be "comfy and mobile."

"It's not going to cure cancer. It's not going to stop seizures from happening. But it can help," said veterinarian Dr. Sarah Brandon.

Brandon is co-founder of the supplement company out of Washington state. She stops short of making medical claims. In February, the Food and Drug Administration warned Canna Companion and similar companies to remove unproven health benefits from their marketing.

Brandon told CBS Denver, "It's one more tool in our tool belt and we firmly believe that veterinarians and pet parents should have it available to them if they should choose to use it."

But the FDA warned "consumers should beware purchasing and using any such products."

"I personally am not a big fan of the FDA," said Subhas. "I would not worry so much. I don't worry about that at all."

But some veterinarians are more wary. Dr. Debbie Van Pelt says she isn't ready to recommend cannabis for cats or hemp for hounds.

"I just think that we don't have the evidence right now to document what is safe and what is effective," said Van Pelt.

Van Pelt believes there may be potential in medical pot for pets and she understands why owners try it: "Because people love their animals and they are looking for ways to give them better quality of life," she said.

Subhas sees the change in Leo, and thinks the $75 a month she's spending on medical marijuana for him is worth it. "He's more alert overall. He seems just more comfortable," she said.

Chiara Subhas of Denver says a medical marijuana product helped her 14-year-old Pomeranian, Leo, when he started having seizures.
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Dog Dies from Overheating at Petco Grooming

Powhatan County, Virginia - Allison Marks left her 2-year-old golden retriever, Colby, at a Petco store Friday for what she thought would be a routine grooming. When she called to ask about him, though, she was told to go to a nearby animal hospital. There she learned Colby had passed away.

Marks was told by the veterinarian that Colby had likely suffered a heat stroke after being left in a heated cage to dry.

"It sickens me that they could just let something like this happen," she said. "How could he not suffer? He was in a cage for God knows how long."

Marks said the vet explained to her that Colby's temperature was more than 105 degrees one hour after his death.

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William Leonard Dodson Has Been Arrested in the Animal Cruelty Case of Caitlyn the Dog That Was Found with Electrical Tape Tightly Wound Around Her Muzzle

Charleston, South Carolina - North Charleston Police have made an arrest in the animal cruelty case that has been spread worldwide.

William Leonard Dodson, 41, is being charged with ill treatment of animals and torture. He was found in the area of Quitman Street and Calvert Street. A judge ordered a $50,000 bond against Dodson on Tuesday morning. At the hearing, the judge asked Dodson if he had any other dogs at home and he said that he did. The judge ordered police to head to his home and take the dog away.

News 2 spoke with Animal Cruelty Investigator Aldwin Roman who said $50,000 doesn't do justice to Caitlyn and what she's been through.

News 2 obtained a copy of Dodson's arrest record. In 2013, Dodson was arrested for driving without a license and was put on probation for six years for possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon. In 2014, Dodson was arrested for driving under suspension, driving without a license and for failure to appear in traffic court. In 2015, the suspect was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine and the unlawful carrying of a weapon.

Caitlyn the dog was found in critical condition last week on a Good Samaritan's doorstep with electrical tape tightly wound around her muzzle.

The tape was so tight around Caitlyn's muzzle that her tongue was caught between her teeth, stopping blood flow to her tongue. Officials think that the tape was on Caitlyn for up to 36-48 hours.

The Charleston Animal Society Senior Director of Veterinary Care, Dr. Lucy Fuller, DVM, said "Caitlyn is in a lot of pain, her condition is critical, and her prognosis is guarded." She also said that "A large part of her tongue may need to be removed surgically if the tissue dies from the lack of blood flow. She may be severely disfigured, or the large amount of dead tissue may cause life-threatening complications."

The story of Caitlyn, the North Charleston dog who had her muzzle taped shut, is now worldwide.

We talked with one man at the Chinese Deli in the Chicora-Cherokee community. That is where the dog was discovered earlier this week. "You gotta think, what kind of cruel person is gonna take their time to that to a dog?"

"It's many things that's not good that comes through my mind when I hear it...it's cruel. It's degrading. Wrong. Life threatening. Sick. It's like, the mere thought of it is, I mean, why?? That's one question that comes through my mind when I look at it, is why?"

Kelli Klein, the director of emergency care at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant says Caitlyn is doing better. "She's been doing really, really well since transferring to us last night."

Caitlyn was placed in a hyperbaric chamber Friday to give her more oxygen, to help her wounds heal faster. "She's had three full meals. She's been able to (take in food) and swallow it."

She is scheduled for her first surgery either Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Treatment for Caitlyn will be paid for by Toby's Fund, Charleston Animal Society's medical fund that is only made possible by donations from the community.

"This is the most malicious case of animal abuse I have ever seen in my entire career," said Charleston Animal Society Director of Anti-Cruelty & Outreach Aldwin Roman. He continued, "to leave this dog in pain, unable to eat or drink and to now leave her in the position where her life is at stake because she may lose her tongue is heartbreaking."

North Charleston Animal Control is investigating the case and looking for whoever is responsible. Charleston Animal Society is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, and Friday the Humane Society of the United States added another $5,000.  If convicted of ill treatment of an animal, the guilty could face up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

You can read the initial story here: $1,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest/Conviction of the Person(s) Responsible forTaping a Dog's Muzzle Together with Electrical Tape

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Teacher Could Have Stayed in Emergency Housing, But Refused to Surrender Her Dogs in Order to Do So

When English teacher Hillary Barrows couldn’t find work after returning to her native land, the UK, she was forced to live in her car.  She could have stayed in emergency housing, but she refused to surrender her dogs in order to do so.  Out of sheer desperation, she started a fundraiser and lo and behold – it was a smashing success.  She was even offered a home in a cottage on a 10-acre dog sanctuary!

“I can’t believe it. In three days I’ve gone from sleeping in an Asda car park to living in a bungalow in the middle of a country kennels. It’s wonderful.”

Hillary is from London, but lived in Europe for seven years as a private tutor, teaching people English.  She rescued her dog Robbie from Mallorca, Spain, where he was very badly treated.  Cleo was only three months old when she found her wandering the streets of Italy.

The tutor faced difficult times in France; clients refused to pay Hillary, forcing her to sell her jewelry to get back home to the UK.  But she had no money and no place to go.

Hillary applied for government assistance, but because she had been out of the country for so long, she was ruled ineligible.  The Canterbury City Council told her she could be put in emergency housing, but she would have to surrender Cleo and Robbie.

She could never do such a thing – those dogs are the most important things in the world!  It was January, and she and her dogs had to live in her tiny Alfa Romeo, slowly bleeding her meager savings dry.

“My life was so miserable.  If it hadn’t been for Robbie and Cleo, I don’t know if I would have been able to carry on,” she said. “There were nights when I would sit in my car and cry and my dogs would put their heads on my lap and comfort me.”

After months of living in a grocery store parking lot, and not knowing what else to do, Hillary started a GoFundMe page.  Last week it went viral, bringing in over $15,000.  But in the meantime, while she was at a McDonald’s where she would go to take sponge baths, a dog trainer approached her and gave her the offer of a lifetime.

“Perry walked up to me and said that he had been told about my plight.  He’s generously let me and the dogs move into a cottage in the middle of his estate, and he’s even said that I can start working for him if I want,” Hillary said.  “I couldn’t believe it, he’s just been so kind to me.  Everybody has, I can’t thank people enough for the generous donations or kind messages of support.”

Perry has 10 acres of land in the country that serves as a dog-walking center and sanctuary.  It’s ideal for Cleo and Robbie.

“Now everything has turned around and I’m on top of the world. I’ve been here since Sunday – it’s been unbelievable sleeping in a proper bed again,” Hillary gushed.  “Of course, the dogs sleep on there with me, but it’s brilliant. I really feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

“There are loads of best bits about being in a house again, but the bed is definitely a wonderful thing.  Also, having hot showers is brilliant. And I’ve finally been able to clean my car.  The dogs are happy, too – you can see it in their faces.”

Because she was given more money than she could have imagined, Hillary wants to make sure she pays the kindness forward.

“One thing that struck me is that I was not alone in my struggle.  So many people left kind messages about wanting to help because they themselves were in the same state I was in.  We couldn’t get rid of our dogs – they are our children. So now I want to help others, as much as I can.”

To donate to the fundraiser or read more of Hillary’s story, click HERE. 

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Puppy Born with a Total of Eight Limbs in Vaini of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean

Incredible photographs reveal a newborn puppy has two bodies joined at the chest with two sets of front legs, two sets of back legs, and two tails.

The black and white puppy was born with a total of eight limbs in Vaini of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday and was one of her five siblings to have any abnormalities.

Vukitangitau Maloni, from Tonga, who took the images soon after she was born, said the whole community was shocked and speechless at the animals extra legs.

“I've never seen anything like this before,”  Mr. Maloni told Daily Mail Australia.

“She was struggling to crawl and unfortunately, she died a few hours later. My neighbor's dog gave birth to five other healthy puppies but she was the cutest out of them.”

Veterinary nurse Erica Fairleigh, from Wollongong, NSW, said most deformed animals don't usually survive beyond a few hours after birth.

“Without very good veterinary care, the pup would have died quickly unfortunately,” Ms. Fairleigh told Daily Mail Australia.

“I've never seen or heard of any dogs born this way but it could be a result of many factors such as poor genetics and bad nutrition during gestation.

It looks like two pups that didn't quite separate and there are deformities in the face too like a cleft pallet. Her face looks quite blue, which are signs of not enough oxygen.

I can see her umbilical cord still attached and she looks no more than 12 hours old.

It's hard to tell what breed she is but she's a big puppy though. So a medium-large breed such as a Staffordshire bull terrier or similar.”

An animal scientist from Wagga Wagga, NSW, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the authenticity of the photographs to Daily Mail Australia.

“You can tell the photographs are real by looking at the split in her nose - indicating that something occurred bilaterally,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“Animals born with abnormal features are quite common in sheep and cattle but it's pretty rare in dogs.” He said.

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Floating ‘Wheelchairs’ Like These Help Sick Fish with Buoyancy Problems Stay Upright

This is the most adorable animal wheelchair we’ve ever seen. An image has surfaced of a goldfish in a sling, which people are calling a ‘goldfish wheelchair,’ designed to keep her afloat and upright.

‘Fish wheelchairs’ (or slings or buoys – call them what you will) like these are used to help fish swim upright while they recover from swim bladder infections that make it difficult for them to do so on their own. 

Green peas can help solve buoyancy issues related to constipation, but infected swim bladders or other issues may require specialized medication. Always consult your vet!

Using a simple cork, this owner saved his fish’s life

Floating ‘wheelchairs’ like these help sick fish stay upright

Swim bladder infections or constipation can make it hard or impossible to swim with balance

There are professional veterinary versions, too!

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