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Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Wonder What Happened to Michael Vicks’ Fighting Dogs?: Most Have Been Rehabilitated and Found Loving Homes


It was a crime that shocked the nation. In 2007, investigators walked inside NFL quarterback’s Virginia mansion and uncovered an illegal dog fighting operation. Gruesome details of abuse, torture and execution of “under-performing” dogs made headlines and sparked public outrage.

Vick served 19 months in a federal prison, after which he was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles. As for the 51 abused pit bulls seized from Vick’s farm, a.k.a Bad Newz Kennel? They were immediately deemed the most aggressive, violent dogs in America and were doomed to be put down. That’s where a hero named Donna Reynolds comes in.

Donna was part of a panel of animal experts who found these dogs were anything but dangerous toward people. They believed the dogs deserved a chance to live, and fought for the dogs’ redemption.

Yes, these pit bulls required work, patience, and care; they were justifiably scared to death of the world around them. But they got their redemption, and each day brought unbelievable progress. The pit bulls once used as bait, breeding, and fighting dogs began to overcome their fears. Some have even gone on to become therapy dogs who work with children!

It was recently announced that the former Bad News Kennel has been reinvented as a haven for the recovery of abused dogs. The 15-acre property, purchased in 2011 by non-profit Dogs Deserve Better, has since been transformed into a refuge known as Good Newz Rehab Center. Its mission is to serve as a place to help abused dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds regain trust in human beings.

Watch the incredible transformation of these pit bulls below:

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Experts Say This Summer is Brewing up Something of a Perfect Storm for Shark Attacks


More than half a dozen shark attacks have happened in North Carolina in the last three weeks, nearly as many as happened all of last year.

Experts say this summer is brewing up something of a perfect storm for the attacks. But while they seem like they're everywhere, shark populations are actually dwindling.

And the real reason there have been so many attacks likely isn't because there are more sharks in the water — it's because there are more people swimming in it than ever before.
  
Shark expert George Burgess of the International Shark Attack File explained the trend in a recent NPR interview:

Shark populations in the US and around the world are at perhaps all-time lows. On the other hand, the human population continues to rise every year. We have no curbing of that.

And fundamentally [a] shark attack ... is driven by the number of humans in the water more than the number of sharks, and when areas such as the Carolinas become popular tourist destinations, as they have, there's [sic] more people entering the water. You're going to end up having more shark bites.
  
While a number of studies in recent decades have suggested that shark populations around the world are all declining sharply, it's hard for scientists to get exact numbers on them.
  
Nevertheless, by comparing recent population numbers with past data, we can get a general estimate of how sharks are doing across the globe, marine biologist and University of Miami graduate student David Shiffman explains in a recent post on his blog.

 One frequently-cited survey of data published in 2003 from fisheries gathered between 1986 and 2000 suggests that shark populations are in deep trouble.
  
The data from that survey found that hammerhead populations were declining by an average of 89%; great whites by 79%; tiger sharks by 65%, thresher sharks by 80%, blue sharks by 60%, and mako sharks by 70%:

(Science/"Collapse and Conservation of Shark Populations in the Northwest Atlantic") Declines in estimated relative abundance for coastal shark species: (A) hammerhead, (B) white, (C) tiger, and (D) coastal shark species; and oceanic shark species: (E) thresher, (F) blue, (G) mako, and (H) oceanic whitetip.

"We may never know exactly how many sharks are out there, or exactly how many are killed each year. What we do know, from a variety of different types of analysis, is that many species of sharks are decreasing in population at alarming rates," writes Shiffman.

Why are sharks in trouble?

While vigilante shark hunters can do significant damage to local shark populations, the real problem centers around two main activities: Hunting sharks for their meat and fins and irresponsible fishing practices. Each year, thousands of sharks are caught and trapped in fishing nets and other fishing gear.

And while it might seem like good news that there are fewer sharks around, it's actually a very big problem for the rest of us.

In many places, sharks are apex predators, meaning they occupy the spot right at the top of the food chain. If their populations aren't healthy and stable, it throws all of the other life in the oceans out ofbalance.
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Plus, sharks have a bunch of characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to exploitation http://www.seethewild.org/shark-threats/, including the fact that they live long lives, mature late in life, and have very few young.
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Standing at 6’4” Tall, a Cow Named Blosom, is Officially Recognized as the Tallest Cow by Guinness World Records


Although she is no longer alive, the 2,000-lb cow was announced as the new record holder on June 25.

Blosom, who was named by Guinness as the world's tallest living cow last August, died on a farm in northern Illinois on May 26, after holding that record for less than a year.

Guinness World Records said that the 13-year-old female Holstein will “live on in the record books as the world's tallest cow eve”.

The average weight for a mature Holstein cow is 1,500 pounds and 'top producing Holsteins' have been known to produce more than 72,000-lb of milk in a year when milked three times a day, according to Holstein Association USA.

“The funny thing about Blosom was how unaffected she was by all the attention that seemed to surround her”, Blosom's owner, Patty Meads-Hanson, told Guinness World Records following the news of the animal's latest record.

“As long as she had her oats, daily chin rubs and ear scratches, life was good.” she said.

Hanson said she is not sure what was wrong with Blosom, but had to have her put down after two veterinarians said they could not save her.

On Facebook, at the time of Blosom's passing, Hanson later wrote that the animal had seemed to have slipped in the mud and damaged a ligament in her hip causing her to never be able to stand.

Hanson said Blosom was buried in her favorite pasture, with her head facing east toward the farm. 

Hanson, who had Blosom since she was eight weeks old, said she knew the animal was special when she was a calf. 

After learning the cow could not bear a calf, Hanson decided to keep her as a pet instead of sending Blosom to slaughter, RRStar.com reported.

Blosom was born to two normal sized cows and was at her tallest when she was eight years old, Hanson told Guinness World Records.

“Blosom is the pride of the farm,” Hanson said in an interview last year. “I love to share her with my guests and she loves to greet them. 

Many of my guests come from the city, and to have a cow officially greet them adds to the ambiance of the farm.”

Hanson said she sought the record after veterinarians, the cow's foot trimmer and her father constantly noted Blosom's large size.

At the end of May 2014, family and friends began documenting Blosom's large size through photos and videos. Her official measurements were taken by a vet from Orangeville Animal Health Service.

In October 2014, Patty and Blosom posed for their official Guinness World Records photo.

Blosom will appear in the 2016 edition of the Guinness World Records book which will be out in September.

Last week, Hanson also shared news on Facebook that PETA had extended condolences following Blosom's passing, and that a gold leaf would be added to their Tree of life memorial at its national headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.

Following the news Hanson wrote on Facebook: “I am very proud of Blosom, and thrilled that PETA views her worthy of this huge honor and recognition! Her memory lives on”.

Hanson said she cannot wait for its release and that she misses Blosom 'terribly'.

“I will cherish our memories forever,” she said. “I am excited for the world to meet Blosom in the 2016 edition, but I know it will be very bittersweet.” She said.

The previous title holder for the tallest cow ever was a 6-foot-2 Holstein-Durham cross called Mount Katahdin who held the title from 1906-1910.













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Cabell County, West Virginia: A Man Was Charged for Confining Two Deer in His Home for Over a Year


West Virginia Natural Resources Police received a complaint on July 4th of deer being kept in a home. When they arrived to the residence, they found two bucks and set them free.

A man now faces charges for illegally confining wildlife and his prosecution is pending.





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Friday, July 3, 2015

Caitlyn, The Pit Bull Who Was Found with Her Muzzle Taped Shut Will Be in Shirtless Firefighters Calendar


Is it getting hot in here, or is it just some shirtless firefighters cavorting on the beach, alongside a formerly abused pit bull?

Caitlyn the pit bull was discovered with her muzzle taped shut in late May, in North Charleston, South Carolina.

She was so badly injured at the time that staff from the Charleston Animal Society, which assumed Caitlyn's care, worried she might not make it.

But after a lot of medical treatment, and a whole lot of love, Caitlyn is doing great. (Her alleged abuser was arrested and charged with animal cruelty in early June.)

She's now recovering in a foster home, where she has a new best doggie friend.

And in her spare time, Caitlyn is starring with area firefighters in a really, really ridiculously good-looking calendar -- the proceeds of which will help other abused, abandoned and neglected animals also get medical care.

"I do have a fun job, don't I?" says Charleston Animal Society's Caroline Eller, who organized the calendar and took some of its especially memorable behind-the-scenes shots.

Eller says that on top of raising much-needed funds -- medical care costs the Charleston Animal Society some $500,000 per year -- she hopes that this calendar encourages folks to adopt their next pet.

"I'm a firm believer that an animal knows they have been rescued," she says. "I hope these images show the true bond between a rescue and their rescuer."

And hey, you don't need to commit arson to get these guys coming to your home.

The Charleston Animal Society has lots and lots of adoptable animals who'd love to be loved by you.

And if you're burning up for the 2016 Charleston Animal Society Firefighters, you can pre-order HERE.









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Dogs and Fireworks Don’t Mix: Did You Know that More Pets Go Missing During the Fourth of July Weekend than Any Other Time of the Year?


Washington, DC – Flashing lights and loud booms may be exciting for some during the Fourth of July weekend, but for pets, it can be a nightmare.

The unfamiliar noise, rush of bright lights, swarms of people, strange smells and sometimes firework debris falling, can prove to be too much for your beloved pet, sending them leaping over, through or under the fence.

More pets go missing during the Fourth of July weekend than any other time of the year, according to the American Society for thePrevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

“Every year we see several more pets get loose and run the neighborhoods during the Fourth of July weekend,” Scott Giacoppo, chief of field’s services for Washington Humane Society, told WJLA in an interview.

“We anticipate this will happen and thus, have extra personnel and patrol staffed.”

Giacoppo went on to say that this situation isn’t much different than the reaction you would see with pets and thunder, but with fireworks, it can be nonstop.

Sadly, when pets run away in fear, they cause not only a safety threat for themselves, but also for others. Sometimes, pets run in front of cars, causing major accidents, unexpectedly being struck and killed.

Giacoppo said it is important to keep your pets inside, in a safe and secure location this holiday weekend, but if they are otherwise anxious, it may be worth talking to your vet about alternative solutions.

David Wright, dog trainer in Los Angeles, lists some dos and don’ts to keep your pet(s) safe, and your sanity:

DO
  • Get collar IDs and microchips.
  • Use a crate or keep animals in a room where they can't flee.
  • Crank up music or the television to mask the sound of fireworks.
  • Provide water and food: Fear makes dogs pant, and unfamiliar food makes them anxious.
  • Offer chewable toys or treats as a distraction.
DON'T
  • Take a pooch to see fireworks unless it's a noise-trained police K-9 or guide dog.
  • Leave them outside, where they jump or dig to escape the yard.
  • Approach dogs who look scared because they can attack.



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Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Man Scales a Four Story Building to Rescue a Dog


A dog was rescued from the roof of a four-storey building in a dramatic video posted online.

The incident took place in Russia and was captured on camera by a local resident, who filmed the dog barking anxiously from a rooftop in Saratov.

In the clip, a man can be seen bravely scaling the building in an attempt to get to the dog and rescue it from the huge drop.

While it is unclear whether the man is attached to a harness, he does appear to receive help from an additional two men who stand on the roof with him.

After approaching the dog, the man attaches a lead to it and begins pulling it away from the edge of the roof and towards safety.

But despite his best efforts, the frightened animal fights against the man and makes it difficult for him to complete his rescue operation.

Eventually the man is able to maneuver the dog towards his two accomplices who pull it to safety.

The video concludes with the rescuer lying on the roof as the other two men continue to tend to the dog.

According to video maker, it is unclear who owns the dog and how it was able to gain access to the roof.



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Mutilated Animal Carcasses Found Around Sacramento, California


It started when someone left a 120-pound cow head in a park.

At first, investigators in Sacramento wondered if that someone was a hunter, one who had accidentally left something behind. Then another cow head appeared nearby not long after, followed over the next few months by a series of gruesome packages containing dead goats, chickens, rats, fish, lambs and even a tortoise, according to the Sacramento Bee.

In most cases, the carcasses being left around California’s capital city are headless, but strangely blood free, aside from one instance in which a package contained bowls of what was described as “bloody oatmeal,” the Bee reported.

Since the first cow head was discovered in December, authorities have logged at least a dozen instances of mutilated animals being found around the city, often near train tracks, according to NBC affiliate KCRA.

The killings almost always involve livestock, and never cats and dogs, investigators say.


In March, the Humane Society offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the mutilations.

“These animals were mutilated and killed for no apparent reason and discarded as though they were trash,” the Humane Society’s Eric Sakach said at the time. “We are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about these disturbing crimes.”

But more than six months after the killings began, authorities say they still don’t know who, or what, they’re dealing with.

Gina Knepp, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento Department of Animal Control, told Reuters that some packages have included bloody dollar bills, oil and seeds that are known to be used in some Afro-Caribbean religions.

And yet, she admits, investigators are stumped.

“It’s bizarre,” Knepp said. “We don’t know if it’s religion; we don’t know if we have a sick individual in our community that simply likes to cut the heads off animals and dump them where people can see them.”

On Monday, the city released surveillance footage that appears to show a woman dropping off bags that included a beheaded goat carcass, as well as red hens, a rat and a catfish.

The woman, who struggled with the weight of the object, can be seen getting out of a white van and dropping off the packages before getting back into the vehicle less than a minute later and driving away.
  


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