The FBI Will Begin Tracking Cases of Animal Cruelty Nationally in 2016

Baltimore, Maryland - The FBI will begin tracking cases of animal cruelty nationally in 2016, a move advocates hope will bring more attention to the crime among law enforcement agencies and underscore the link between animal abuse and other violent crimes.

Until now, animal-related crimes have been reported into a catch-all category in the FBI’s National Incident Based Reporting System. The database collects crime reports from police departments across the country.

“There was no way to find out how often it occurs, where it occurs, and whether it was on the increase,” said Mary Lou Randour, senior adviser for animal cruelty programs and training at the nonprofit Animal Welfare Institute. “Empirical data is important. It’s going to give us information about animal cruelty crime so we can plan better about intervention and prevention.”

Randour and others say tracking animal cruelty cases is especially important because research has shown that violence against animals can be an early indicator that a person will be violent toward humans, and that animal abuse often occurs alongside other crimes such as domestic violence.

“In animal abuse, you have total power over the animal,” said Baltimore County prosecutor Adam Lippe, who handles cruelty cases. “If you’re willing to exert that in a cruel, malicious and vicious way, then you’re likely to do that to people too, who don’t have power, like children and vulnerable adults. It’s an issue of a lack of empathy.”

The National Link Coalition, which promotes understanding of the connection between animal abuse and other crimes, says witnessing animal abuse and neglect can desensitize a child to violence and impede the development of empathy.

Randour, who advocated for the FBI change for years, says a spouse may use violence and threats against pets as part of a pattern of abuse.

“It is a form of interpersonal violence,” she said. “It’s another way to try to gain control and power or exercise intimidation.”

Some serial killers, including Jeffrey Dahmer and David Berkowitz — the “Son of Sam” — abused animals when they were young.

Starting in January, the FBI says, police departments will be required to report animal-related crimes to the national database. The FBI will categorize them as a “crime against society.”

Incidents will be divided into four categories: neglect; intentional abuse and torture; organized abuse such as dog fighting and cock fighting; and animal sexual abuse.

The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program is used by criminologists, law enforcement and researchers.

John Thompson, deputy executive director of the National Sheriffs’ Association, helped push for the FBI change.

A few decades ago, he said, animal cruelty was not on the radar of many law enforcement officers.

“If there were an animal crime, we would just send it over to animal control or ignore it,” Thompson said.

Some police departments now have dedicated resources for animal cruelty. The Baltimore Police Department has a four-person team, spokesman Lt. Jarron Jackson says. That’s up from one officer in 2009.

Public awareness has also increased through high-profile cases.

For instance, former Ravens player Terrence Cody and his girlfriend were found guilty last month of animal cruelty charges in the death last year of Cody’s dog — though both were found innocent on more serious felony aggravated cruelty counts.

Also this month, a case involving a Baltimore police officer who slit a dog’s throat made headlines. The officer, who said he had been trying to put the animal out of its misery after it was strangled on a dog pole, was acquitted of animal cruelty charges.

Once the FBI starts tracking animal cruelty, Thompson says, it could take five or six years before there is enough data to analyze trends.

Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, a forensic veterinarian who studies animal abuse cases, said she hopes better numbers will help experts analyze the backgrounds and patterns of animal abusers.

“When I started seeing cases of animal cruelty, I realized that these animals are stuck in the same dysfunctional families and suffering from the same ills as the people stuck in these households,” she said.

Smith-Blackmore, who is based in Massachusetts, consults and testifies in animal cruelty cases. She recently testified for the prosecution in the Cody case in Baltimore County.

“I hope that (the new data) us going to bring to light some associations of who animal abusers are, what their backgrounds are, what they go on to do,” she said.

Thompson, a former police chief of Mount Rainier in Prince George’s County and a former Prince George’s assistant sheriff, says he has become convinced that law enforcement needs to pay attention to animal crimes as a potential link to other crimes.

“This is a community problem,” he said.

Sen. Joe Fain holds his dog, Waffles, as Gov. Jay Inslee signed in May a bill Fain sponsored that expanded the state's animal cruelty laws in Olympia. The measure makes it a civil offense to lock an animal in a car or enclosed space in dangerous conditions, like extreme heat or cold. The FBI will begin tracking cases of animal cruelty nationally in 2016.

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A Dog Belonging to the Victim of a House Fire Stood Guard Over His Injured Owner: Fire Officials Say the Man is Expected to be Okay

A dog belonging to the victim of a house fire stood guard over his injured owner while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze Wednesday morning.

Fire crews were called to the home in Landover Hill, Maryland, early Wednesday morning. Firefighters say they had trouble getting to one of the two people injured in the fire because the man's dog was standing over him.

Firefighters tried to call the dog away from the man, but the loyal pooch wouldn't budge. Firefighters eventually deployed a powder fire extinguisher in the direction of the dog, giving them time to get the man out of the house. 

The dog was never aggressive towards the firefighters, Mark Brady, a spokesman for the fire department, said.

Even after firefighters removed the man from the home, the dog could be seen sitting next to his injured owner.

The victim's son says his father is expected to be okay. The man's adult daughter also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

A dog, two turtles and several puppies inside the home were removed safely. Animal control officers took the animals from the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire officials do not believe the home had smoke detectors.

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Delta Passengers Will No Longer Be Able to Transport Pets as Checked Baggage in a New Policy Effective March 1, 2016

Delta passengers will no longer be able to transport pets as checked baggage in a new policy effective March 1, 2016, the airline announced in a statement on its website. Customers may also ship pets for travel within the United States as freight through Delta Cargo.

According to a New York Post analysis of U.S. Department of Transportation data, Delta recorded the highest number of pet deaths between May 2005 and September 2015. 74 pets died on Delta flights during that period, accounting for approximately 25 percent of airline pet deaths in the U.S. Additionally, 14 pets have gone missing. In 2011, Delta banned snub-nosed dogs and cats from traveling in the cargo compartment after incidents involving breeds with respiratory problems. After March 1, American Airlines will be the only U.S.-based airline to allow pets to travel in the checked baggage compartment.

Delta's new policy will have one exception: Members of the military with active transfer orders will be allowed to transport a pet as checked baggage. 

Additionally, Delta will continue to accept service and emotional support animals that comply with federal regulations, including proper documentation.

Delta has said it will contact customers with bookings after March 1 that are known to include pets as checked bags. Delta is also advising customers that choose to ship pets via Delta Cargo that:

• A separate booking from their flight itinerary is required.  Additional fees and charges may apply.

• A pet shipped domestically via Delta Cargo cannot be booked until 14 days prior to departure.

• Pets are not guaranteed to be shipped on a customer’s same flight or flight schedule.

• Shipping a pet requires dropping it off at a Delta Cargo location at least three hours before departure time at a location separate from passenger check-in.

• Picking up a pet will also occur at a Delta Cargo location.

• Delta Cargo will only accept international pet shipments from International Pet and Animal Transportation Association members. International customers should visit ipata.org to find an approved member to assist with their transportation requirements.

Delta has said that pets transported via Delta Cargo are monitored closely by customer service teams during their travel. While at airports, pets are handled in temperature-controlled holding areas and vans. Also, Delta Cargo enlists professional kenneling services if overnight stays are required.

Members of the military with active transfer orders will still be allowed to transport a pet as checked baggage.

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Unfortunately, Police Dog Work Can Sometimes Be Deadly: The Surprising Reason More Police Dogs Are Dying in the Line of Duty

By all accounts, Wednesday's encounter between French police and a group of suspected terrorists in the Paris suburbs was an incredibly violent one: 5,000 bullets fired, dozens of grenades thrown, bodies so damaged that at first authorities were unable to say how many people had been killed.

So it's somewhat remarkable that there was only one fatality on the police side of the showdown: Diesel, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois police dog who was sent into the apartment at one point to check for survivors. The dog was killed when one of the people in the apartment detonated a suicide vest.

Diesel's death sparked a popular hashtag and an outpouring of respect and grief on social media. And it highlighted the role specially trained dogs play in often dangerous law enforcement situations in France, as well as right here in the United States.

It's unclear exactly how many police dogs are active in the United States. Jim Watson, director of the North American Police Work Dog Association, gave a "wild guess" of around 50,000 dogs in 2010. The dogs are deployed to various domestic law enforcement agencies, doing everything from bomb- and drug-sniffing to chasing down suspected criminals.

And, unfortunately, police dog work can sometimes be deadly. The Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks police fatalities in the line of duty, includes numbers on police dog fatalities as well. Their numbers show that in 2015 so far, 26 police dogs have been killed in the line of duty — a number that's up sharply over the previous two years.

In the most recent incident they've tracked, a dog named Hyco with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina was shot and killed while chasing a group of suspected carjackers. In September, a police dog named Ike in Washington state was stabbed multiple times while attempting to subdue a suspect and had to be euthanized due to the extent of his injuries.

But while a number of dogs have died at the hands of a suspected criminal this year, the ODMP's numbers show that canine officers face an even bigger threat: heat exhaustion, particularly from being left in a squad car on a hot day.

This year alone at least 11 dogs died from heat exhaustion, according to the ODMP. In August, two dogs with the Baltimore City Detention Center died when the air conditioning failed in a vehicle they were in. In Florida, an officer was suspended without pay in May when he inadvertently left two police dogs in a car at his home.

The heat deaths "happen at a pretty alarming rate," said Steve Weiss, an NYPD lieutenant who serves as ODMP's Director of Research. "I was surprised by how often it happens."

Weiss says that many K9 unit vehicles are now being outfitted with electronic systems that automatically regulate heat and humidity. Some systems can alert remote officers if the AC fails or the temperature gets too high, and allow them to immediately pop the trunk or doors to allow dogs to escape. More widespread adoption of these systems would cut down on the heat exhaustion deaths, according to Weiss.

Weiss says better laws protecting police dogs would help too. "The laws in many states involving the deaths of police animals are not very strict," he said. "Every state is different."

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Meet Hannah, an 8-Year-Old Collie, Who is Lowering Blood Pressure at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System

Danville, Illinois - She doesn't wear a white coat, offer medical advice or dispense medicine.

But each time Hannah makes her rounds at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System, she showers patients — and staff — with loads of affection, lowering their blood pressure and lifting their spirits in the process.

Hannah, a nearly 8-year-old Collie, is a certified pet therapy dog, and Marilyn Campbell of Georgetown is her owner and handler.

While Hannah usually draws most of the attention at the Veterans Hospital in Danville, it's Campbell who is being recognized by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund this month for her volunteer work with her four-legged friend and other therapy dogs.

In the last 20 years, the Vermilion County Conservation District retiree has certified more than 200 dogs for therapy service. And once a week for the last 18 months or so, she and Hannah have been visiting the veteran patients.

"Ms. Campbell is a wonderful example of an IMRF retiree who, through service, is making a difference in the community," said Louis W. Kosiba, the organization's executive director. "Her story is an inspiration to others to volunteer their time to help others."

Campbell and six others from across the state were nominated for IMRF's "Year of the Volunteer" contest, spotlighting volunteerism within the organization's membership. They will be honored in December.

At that time, the organization will select one of them as its Volunteer of the Year. The recipient will receive $1,000 to donate to his or her preferred service organization.

Nine collies and counting

A Terre Haute, Ind., native, Campbell moved to Vermilion County to teach science at Danville Junior College, now Danville Area Community College. She taught there four years and chaired the science department during the last two.

Then she left to direct the conservation district's educational programming, which included its year-round outdoor school program for elementary school students, summer day camp program, teacher training sessions and adult classes in nature and ecology, among other things. She also edited the district's newsletter and wrote a column for other publications.

After 25 years with the conservation district, Campbell took over as the executive director of the Illinois Audubon Society and served for 12 years. Although she retired in 2007, she continued to edit its magazine for several years on a volunteer basis.

Campbell has had nine collies over the years. When she worked for the conservation district, she put one of them in obedience school and later got involved in a local obedience club.

After taking her dogs to visit residents in a nursing home, she learned about Therapy Dogs International, which certifies dogs for work.

"Because of my background with the obedience club, TDI allowed me to register my dog, and we began visiting nursing homes," said Campbell, who also became an evaluator and has certified more than 200 dogs primarily from central Illinois and Indiana for work.

"Basically, I conduct a test to show that the dog has the temperament and obedience to work with people and other dogs," explained Campbell, who must recertify as an evaluator and as a handler every year. "They have to be able to follow commands and show they have good behavior. There are certain parts of the test they must pass, or it's an automatic failure — if they jump up on someone or if they don't stay when they're told to stay or if they are overly nervous when their owner is out of sight. Of course, if dogs show any sign of aggression, I won't go any further with the test, but I've never had that happen."

'How does she know?'

While Campbell enjoys evaluating dogs, she especially enjoys providing pet therapy because it gives her a chance to work with her dog and other people. In addition to visiting nursing homes, she has volunteered for the Danville Public Library's Read with a Dog program, Head Start and Camp Healing Heart, which Carle puts on at the University of Illinois 4-H Camp at Allerton Park each September.

Campbell knew that Hannah, whom she adopted from the Indiana Collie Rescue, was cut out for the job when she took her to the special camp for children who have lost a loved one. They were assigned to sit in on a grief session for older boys and girls.

Campbell said one boy, who had recently lost his father, started to talk.

"He got about two sentences out, and he started crying," she said, recalling how other kids immediately gathered around to comfort him. Then she saw Hannah push her way into the huddle.

"She got to the boy and started kissing him on the cheek," Campbell said. "The counselors just looked at me like, 'How does she know?' They just know. They just have that empathy for people, and they want to make them feel better. And if they get a hug, it makes them feel better, too."

Campbell started going to the Veterans Hospital through one of her friends, Chris Lucas. Lucas and her therapy dog volunteered there, but could only go once a month because of their work with hospice patients.

"She encouraged me to go because I had more time," said Campbell, who started volunteering in the summer of 2014. "A lot of the veterans are lonely. They don't get very many visitors. I thought if we could bring them a little joy, it was a worthwhile thing to do. I enjoy it, and Hannah enjoys it."

'Be sure to come back'

Recently, Campbell and Hannah — sporting her red Therapy Dogs International bandana around her neck — made their weekly rounds in all of the hospital's in-patient wards. On other days, they also visit the two independent living centers.

"It's my favorite dog," veteran Tina Foote cried when the duo peeked into her room. She threw her arms open, which was Hannah's cue to jump up on Foote's bed and nuzzle her face. "You can come see me any time."

As Foote cuddled with the dog, Campbell complimented her on how nice her hair looks. Foote, who underwent chemotherapy, lost her hair, and Campbell is happy to see that it has grown back and that Foote is feeling better.

"It's very relaxing. She reminds me of having my dogs with me," said Marine Corps veteran Tim Trimble, who talked about his three dogs who were waiting for him at his home in Rantoul.

As Campbell and Hannah continued to make their way through the Alzheimer's and dementia, acute psychiatric and palliative care wards, patients and staff would stop what they were doing, pet the collie or scratch her ears and smile. Each time, Campbell waited patiently, not wanting to rush anyone.

"As soon as they come on the ward, they just light up — even the ones who are not very communicative," said recreation therapist Casey Haugen, who escorted them through the hospital. She said they look forward to seeing Hannah, and also Campbell. "She's so dedicated. She's been coming here so long, she knows most of them by name."

Campbell said she plans to continue visiting the veterans as long as she and Hannah can.

"Some of these people will say, 'Be sure to come back.' They appreciate us taking the time to visit with them, and I enjoy bringing others pleasure and brightening their day."

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Meet Frederik the Great: A Gorgeous Friesian Stallion

Frederik the Great is a gorgeous and beloved Friesian stallion and it's not difficult to understand why after watching the majestic animal gallop and prance, showcasing his signature power and grace. In a video uploaded to YouTube on July 21, 2012, Frederik's owners at Pinnacle Friesians reference his worldwide appeal, describing the striking physical beauty and playful "showy" personality that make him such a captivating horse to behold.

Reminiscent of the stallion in Anna Sewell's classic book, "Black Beauty," Frederik the Great is the standing stud at Pinnacle Friesians, a renowned Friesian breeder located in the Ozarks of the United States. It's there that breeder Stacy Nazario selects their stallions in an effort to preserve the bloodlines of this remarkably magnetic horse. Nazario feels particularly passionate about Frederik, telling Twin Springs Equestrian Center that the horse is like her "guardian angel." She specifically recalls Frederik's tender and attentive behavior after she broke her foot several years ago, demonstrating their deep emotional bond.

According to the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA), the Friesian horse's roots originate in the Netherlands. Eventually exported to other parts of the world, it risked being crossbred and losing its purebred pedigree. (Pinnacle Friesians notes that the Friesian has almost gone extinct three times throughout history.) Yet the horse association states that thanks to the efforts of a small group of Friesian enthusiasts in the early 20th century, the breed has managed to endure.

The Friesian horse, which the association notes is known for its "high knee action" that makes it an excellent trotter, is undeniably special. Whether because of the breed's resilience over the centuries or its strikingly handsome appearance, the Friesian is mesmerizing to watch — even for individuals who know nothing about horses. However, Frederik the Great truly stands out as an equine treasure thanks to video footage like this, and Nazario's anecdotes on his tender-hearted disposition make him that much more lovable.

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A Family in Laguna Beach Says a Coyote Attacked Their Dog in Their Home

Los Angeles, California - A family in Laguna Beach says a coyote attacked their dog in their home.

Dog owner John Fischer says the coyote must've ran up the steps in his front yard to get inside his house and snatch his Chihuahua.

Fischer says when he heard the commotion in the middle of the night, he hurried down the hall and was stunned at what he saw.

"I saw him [the coyote] bolt and he definitely had something in his mouth, and it was white," Fischer told CBS Los Angeles.

The Fischer family's little white chihuahua Eloise was gone.

Surprisingly, this is not an uncommon story in the Laguna Beach area.

In the past, police have warned Laguna Beach residents to keep their small pets inside, after a series of small dogs were attacked by coyotes.

No matter what, Fischer says, pets in his neighborhood are getting attacked on a weekly basis and he is demanding the city step in to help.

"I'd hope that they'd be removed safely, but taken to where they belong," Fischer said.

"It's like two worlds colliding and it's just not working," he added.

Fischer says he will now keep his doors closed at all hours of the day, and is warning other residents to do the same.

We tried talking to animal services, but no one was available.

"We feel victimized at this point and it's to where I don't feel safe in my own house," Fischer said.

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Two Brothers Hunting in the Canadian Woods Free Bald Eagle and Take Epic Selfie

Two brothers, Michael and Neil Fletcher were hunting in the Canadian woods when they found a bald eagle caught in a hunter’s trap.

Instead of letting it suffer there, they covered the bird and freed it.

"It was attached to a stake and the eagle was trying to fly up, but it only had a foot of slack in the chain," Michael told the Sudbury Star.

Michael put his hoodie over the eagle's head while they worked to release it from the trap.

Once the bird was free, they went to set it loose, but first ... they took a selfie to capture the unforgettable moment!

"I was surprised by the size, and that it's such a beautiful bird," said Michael. "When you see the eyes up close, they're really amazing."

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Tennessee Bride and Groom Lets Dog Film Wedding Video

Most couples spend a fortune on wedding photographers, but one Tennessee bride and groom went a different route.

Addie and Marshall Burnett strapped a GoPro camera to their beloved Siberian Husky, Ryder, and let her capture their special day - and the results were doggone good!

A two-minute YouTube video of Ryder's footage has been viewed nearly 3.5 million times since it was posted earlier this month.

"On November 2nd, 2014, Addie and I got married on the top of Roan Mountain, TN, in 2 feet of snowy wonder," Marshall wrote in the description for the video. "It was cold and magical. Our dog, Ryder, insisted on filming the wedding video, so we let her do her thing. She took a while to edit the footage, but we think she did a great job."

On "Fox and Friends Weekend," Addie explained that they love Ryder like a child, so they knew that she was going to be a part of their special day.

Marshall said that they decided using Ryder as their photographer would be a fun way to include her. They didn't have any expectations for how the video would turn out or how incredibly popular it would prove to be.

"It's been really touching to see people's comments on the video ," Addie said. "A lot of people have been emotional and said it's brought tears to their eyes. So it's really cool just across the board to see different people's perspective and take from the video."

Watch the "Fox and Friends Weekend" interview  and see Ryder's handiwork below:

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Family Sues ‘People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) for Euthanizing Pet Chihuahua

A family is suing People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals after workers for the nonprofit snatched a pet Chihuahua off their porch and killed it.

Wilber Zarate and his daughter, Cynthia, seek more than $9 million. They each sued the Norfolk-based animal rights group Tuesday in Norfolk Circuit Court for $2 million and are asking for $5 million in punitive damages. Zarate and his daughter also are suing PETA workers Victoria Carey and Jennifer Woods for $350,000 each.

A PETA official declined to comment on the suit Tuesday, saying the group hadn’t read it yet.

Carey and Woods went to the Zarates’ trailer park home in Accomack County in October 2014 and took the young girl’s 3-year-old Chihuahua, Maya, off the family’s porch, according to court documents.

Carey was a contract worker for PETA and had been the nonprofit’s human resources director. Woods is PETA’s senior communications administrator and had volunteered to go with Carey on her own time.

Maya was euthanized that day, but state law required her to be held for five days.

Cynthia was distraught after Maya was killed, Zarate said of his daughter in the lawsuit.

“She cried for weeks, became lethargic, lost sleep, refrained from eating and lost weight,” he said. “Maya was irreplaceable.”

Carey and Woods had come to the park before Maya was taken. The trailer park’s manager had contacted PETA after a group of residents moved out, leaving behind their large dogs, Zarate said in his lawsuit. The PETA workers developed relationships with residents and promised to find good homes for their dogs once they caught them.

A security camera shows two children trying to lure Maya off the porch, according to the lawsuit. When they fail, Woods plays lookout while Carey snatches the dog. Carey and Woods paid the kids to coax the Chihuahua, Zarate said in the suit.

Four months after euthanizing the dog, PETA admitted it euthanized Maya and apologized.

In February, Daphna Nachminovitch, a PETA senior vice president who oversees the team that was responsible for the euthanization, said Carey mistook Maya for another Chihuahua.

Zarate said Carey met Maya during one of her visits and promised to get her vaccinated, Zarate said in the suit, adding that she never did.

The state conducted an investigation and determined that PETA violated state law by failing to ensure that the animal was properly identified and failing to keep the dog alive for five days before killing it, according to the notice from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Because of this “critical finding” and the “severity of this lapse in judgment,” the agency issued PETA the organization’s first-ever violation and imposed the largest fine allowed, $500.

“We were pretty devastated that this happened for obvious reasons,” Nachminovitch said after the investigation’s results were made public. “It shouldn’t have happened. It was a terrible mistake.”

PETA has made several changes to prevent such an incident from happening again, Nachminovitch said in February. Field workers who pick up animals now must complete a form to verify that all proper steps have been taken. Supervisors also must approve unscheduled “animal surrenders” in the field.

Carey’s contract was terminated, and Woods kept her job.

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A Photo Posted to Facebook of a Dog with its Muzzle Taped Shut has Gained Worldwide Attention

A photo posted to Facebook of a dog with its muzzle taped shut has gained worldwide attention and created a social media frenzy.

The photo with the caption "This is what happens when you don't shut up!!!" was posted to a Facebook page belonging to a woman named Katie Brown, who according to her page lives in South Daytona.

Brown's post was shared more than 260,000 times since it was posted Friday morning.

The South Daytona Police Department received hundreds of calls from around the state, country and world including people from Canada, Germany and Australia, which spurred them to investigate the case.

Police learned the woman was out of state with the dog when the photo was posted.

"Police will be contacting this person once she returns to our city," police posted on the City's Facebook page. "Rest assured that a full investigation will be done and appropriate action will be taken. Again, thank you for the outpouring of concern and sharing of information."

Police later confirmed Brown has not lived in South Daytona for more than a year.

Police are now asking people to stop calling, sending emails and Facebook messages because their system was overwhelmed.

"Our email server has gone down, our station computers have gone down and out phone lines are having issues due to all the attention," said South Daytona Lt. Daniel Dietrich on Saturday.

After hearing the woman wasn't found, activists on social media then took it upon themselves to continue investigating.

Soon tips started rolling in to South Daytona police that the woman could be in Connecticut. Dietrich said the woman's family confirmed she had moved to Avon, Conn. about a year ago.

Calls then started flooding into agencies there including the Connecticut Emergency Animal Response Service (EARS) with tips about the woman's possible whereabouts.

"It has amazed us at how quickly this story is spreading and how many people are aware of it," said Jon Nowinski, Director of Operations at EARS. "It's great to know there are so many who care about the welfare of animals in situations like these. It's important people know their voices are heard and make a difference."

Nowinski said they received 70 calls within a few hours Saturday afternoon with tips. He said they're working with law enforcement to locate Brown.

"Her residence is listed as Florida, but apparently she has family here and that's why it is believed she may have been in our state," he said. "She apparently has family in Avon and Torrington and recently posted things from that area."

Brown posted again to her Facebook page shortly after people began to comment on the photo: "I can't lie. I did it for sixty seconds. It was time out and no more barking."

Then after the post garnered more attention she posted again.

"Don't panic everyone it was only for a minute but [the dog] hasn't barked since... POINT MADE!!!" the post read.

Dietrich said officers checked the woman's previous address in South Daytona and spoke to her son.

"He said the dogs are in good health and cared for," Dietrich said.

Brown could not be reached for comment.

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New Toy for Senior Citizens: Robotic Cats

If a real cat isn't an option for you, this could be a way around that.

The toy company Hasbro is offering a new adult toy, Companion Pets, targeted specifically for seniors. The "Joy for All" pets are robotic cats that "look, feel and sound like real cats," Hasbro says.

There are three different-colored cats to choose from on the website. 

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An Autistic Boy Finds The Meaning of Love…Through a Pit Bull

Humans often face a lot of difficulties. Whether it’s financial, emotional, or physical, life is rarely easy. Joey, a boy with autism, had a hard time adjusting to many things. He especially had a hard time expressing love and affection, but that all changed once he met Roxy. Watch their amazing story unfold right here.

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Russia Has Offered to Send an Alsatian Puppy to France in a Gesture of Solidarity After a Police Dog Was Killed During a Raid

Russia has offered to send an Alsatian puppy to France in a gesture of solidarity after a police dog was killed during a raid on jihadists linked to the Paris attacks.

Russia's interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said he had written to his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve offering to send a puppy named Dobrynya to replace Diesel, a Belgian Shepherd killed in a huge raid north of Paris last Wednesday.

Kolokoltsev said that as "a sign of solidarity with the people and police of France," he was offering the puppy, which "will be able to occupy the place in service of the police dog Diesel killed during a special operation to neutralise terrorists."

The dog is named after a hero of Russian folk legend, Dobrynya Nikitch, famed for his strength, goodness and courage, he added.

Dobrynya is two months old and lives at a police dog centre in the Moscow region, Channel One television reported. He will have to undergo medical checks and quarantine before going to France.

Two dog-handlers from Moscow police's special forces also posed with their dogs and signs with the hashtag "Je Suis Diesel" on the service's Instagram account.

"Our four-legged friends also serve the police, protecting society from terrorist threats," the Moscow police service said.

The hashtag #JeSuisChien (I am a dog) trended on Twitter after French police announced that seven-year-old Diesel died in the raid targeting Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected ringleader of the November 13 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

Three people died during the massive operation at the apartment in Saint-Denis north of Paris -- Abaaoud, his cousin Hasna Aitboulahcen, and a suicide bomber who has yet to be identified.

Seven people arrested during the raid were freed on Saturday.

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