Labrador Saves Family
On Saturday, October 20, a Healdsburg pet alerted his family to danger in time to get everyone out safely. Fargo, the black Labrador Retriever, sensed the fire five minutes before the home’s smoke detectors did. His insistent barking and bed jumping woke 21-year-old Chandra McGinnis, who alerted her parents, Carol and Michael.
After fleeing the house, Chandra and Carol were trapped in the backyard, where they had gone to search for the family’s other two dogs and two cats. They escaped after neighbors cut a hole in the fence. One cat hid under a bed but was recovered safely after the fire was extinguished.
Courtney Krakauer, a family friend who witnessed the event, commented on Fargo’s acuity: “You know if he comes to tell you something, you better listen.” In addition to saving his family, the four-legged hero’s fast action prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent homes and the surrounding hillside.
More Canine Heroics
A 31-year old single mom from San Jose was saved from a violent assault thanks to the protectiveness of her four-year-old Pit Bull, Maya. The woman was grabbed from behind as she entered her home early one October morning. Forced inside, the victim was being choked by the attacker when Maya, who was adopted from the Humane Society as a puppy, came to the rescue. Though she is known as a gentle and loving dog, she relentlessly bit at the man until he fled.
Police called to the scene noticed a spot of blood on Maya’s mouth and took it for DNA analysis. They compared the DNA sample with an existing database of individuals arrested or convicted for violent crimes. This plus a composite sketch provided by the victim led police to the attacker, who pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault.
Maya was credited with solving the crime and was rewarded with a two-pound steak.
“Buck’s Bill”
The Pet Safety and Protection Act, dubbed “Buck’s Bill,” is a proposed amendment to the Animal Welfare Act that would prevent the sale of “random source” dogs and cats to research facilities. The bill specifically outlaws the sale of stray animals, some of whom may be family pets, by “Class B” dealers and unlicensed agents.
Class B dealers and their suppliers or “bunchers” have a long history in animal trafficking. They often acquire animals by responding to “free to good home” ads, falsifying information to conceal their origins, and even stealing from yards and farms.
The bill is named for Buck, a dog seized from a dealer in 2003 who later died in foster care. To learn how you can help support the passing of “Buck’s Bill” go to www.hsus.org.
Celebrity Corgis
Five Corgis who played royal pups in “The Queen” have won the first-ever Fido Awards for their cinematic achievements. Poppy, Anna, Alice, Oliver, and Megan worked with Helen Mirren, who won the best-actress Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in the film.
The actual queen also loves Corgis. During her 55-year reign, she has owned more than thirty. Organizers of The Fidos call their effort the world’s first-ever international awards ceremony for canine movie stars.
Bullet-Proof Dogs
Rick Nava, owner of a San Mateo Doody Calls pooper scooper service, has launched a fund-raising campaign that aims to put bullet-resistant vests on as many Peninsula police dogs as possible. His planned efforts include spreading the word through local media outlets and doing a direct mailing to likely donors.
Nava is working in conjunction with the Police K9 Foundation, started by a New York police detective and his wife, which has equipped 50 police dogs with the life-saving vests.
Despite the fact that police dogs can and do get shot in the line of duty, most police departments do not issue vests to their canine cops. Each vest weighs about 7 pounds, which can slow some dogs down, and at $1,000 each, the cost is prohibitive for many departments. Nonprofits can obtain the vests for about half that much, however, and then donate them to local law enforcement agencies.
To stay informed about this effort, contact Rick at sanmateo@doodycalls.com.
Hopalong Break-In
On Saturday, October 13, the offices of Hopalong Animal Rescue, located near Jack London Square in Oakland, were burglarized. Together with Second Chance Rescue, a sister organization in Marin County, Hopalong has rescued, fostered, spayed/neutered, and placed over 15,000 animals since 1993.
No animals were harmed during the break in, and staff had gone home for the evening. Stolen items included digital cameras used to photograph adoptable pets for the Hopalong website and adoption records and fees for five cats that had been adopted that day. Keys to the group’s van were also stolen.
Donations are welcome to help Hopalong get back on its feet. Also, anyone who adopted a cat from Hopalong at Jack London Square on October 13 is requested to contact the agency at 510-267-1915.
HSUS Offers Reward
A reward of $5000.00 is being offered by the Humane Society of the United State (HSUS) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in illegal animal fighting. HSUS hopes to leverage heightened public awareness in the aftermath of the Michael Vick case by encouraging people to step forward.
Dog fighting is often a highly organized underground enterprise that also involves drugs, weapons, and prostitution and is tied to violent crime against humans. “Street level” dog fighting happens on a smaller scale but still involves an estimated 100,000 people each year. The total estimated number of dogs put in fighting rings every year is a staggering 250,000.
Public service announcements about the rewards program can be heard at www.hsus.org/animalfightingpsa.
Pet Spending Report
According to the 2007-08 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association (APPMA), Americans spent more $40 billion on their pets in 2007, almost double the $23 billion spent on pets just a decade ago.
The survey also found that 63% of American homes include pets. Here is the breakdown by species: 88.3 million cats; 74.8 million dogs; 142 million freshwater fish; 24.3 million small animals; 16 million birds; 13.8 million horses; 13.4 million reptiles; and 9.6 million saltwater fish. For more results of the survey, visit www.appma.org/people.
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