Controversial Bill Tabled
Assembly Bill 1634, the so-called Healthy Pets Act that would have mandated the sterilization of almost all domestic pets in California, was tabled in the Senate Local Government Committee on July 11. The debate among dog lovers was fierce. Proponents believed that the new law would reduce the number of unwanted animals that end up in shelters and are ultimately euthanized. Opponents argued that early spaying or neutering can damage the health of dogs and that the proposed law was unfair to responsible owners. Tens of thousands of letters were submitted on both sides of the issue – by breeders, pet owners, shelter professionals, and animal activists. The bill’s author, Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) vows to reach out again to the bill’s opponents and try to craft a version that all sides can embrace.
Coyotes in San Francisco
On July 14, two coyotes attacked a pair of tethered dogs in Golden Gate Park. In a response that angered many observers, the coyotes were shot and killed by U.S. Department of Agriculture agents the following day. The dogs were temporarily quarantined but were released when it was learned that neither of the coyotes was infected with rabies. Neither dog was seriously injured in the attack.
The SF Department of Animal Care and Control (ACC) subsequently learned that the coyotes were being fed raw meat on a daily basis in the vicinity of the attacks, and they suspect this contributed to their aggressive behavior.
Feeding wildlife is a violation of Police Code Section 486. It is prohibited because it encourages wild animals to approach human habitats, which can lead to dangerous encounters with people and/or their domestic pets, as the recent incident demonstrates.
ACC Director Carl Friedman was quoted as saying, “It’s great to share this wonderful city with the abundance of wildlife we have, but in order to do that, we need to let the wildlife stay wild.” For more information about safely coexisting with coyotes, see www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp?id=64824.
Dogs and Divorce
Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a bill that would mandate how pet custody is handled by the courts when a couple divorces. The law would set forth rules for visitation rights and changing the animal’s residence. If a couple couldn’t agree on who gets the pet, the judge would simply pick one spouse or the other as its guardian, or could have the animal delivered to a local humane organization. At that point, presumably, whichever spouse arrived first at the shelter to retrieve the surrendered pet would become its full-time parent. The bill is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.
Death of a Canine Hero
On July 25, a black Labrador Retriever named Jake, who burrowed through hot, smoking debris in search of survivors after the collapse of the World Trade Center and did search and rescue (S&R) work in the wake of Hurrican Katrina, died of cancer. He was twelve years old. Cancer is not uncommon in the general population of dogs his age, but some observers suspect he was exposed to carcinogens at ground zero that contributed to his disease and hastened his death.
At ten months of age, Jake was himself rescued by owner Mary Flood after he was abandoned on the street with injuries to his hip and leg. With Flood’s help, he beat the odds by becoming a member of an elite cadre of rigorously trained canines who are on call 24/7 for S&R after earthquakes, avalanches, floods, and other disasters. In addition to doing direct service during disasters, Jake trained younger dogs to track scents and do other tasks associated with search and rescue work.
Scientists have spent years studying the health of S&R dogs who worked amidst smoke and fumes in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. So far no pattern of major illness has been found, but research is ongoing. Jake’s autopsy results will be used in a University of Pennsylvania study on possible long-term health consequences of the animals who worked at ground zero.
Australian Dog Goes Home — three Months and 2000 Miles Later
Here’s yet another story that proves the value of microchipping. In late July, an eight-year-old Poodle-Maltese mix named Rusty rejoined his family, almost three months after he was apparently stolen in an Australian town called Woy Woy. Rusty was eventually picked up by the dogcatcher in Darwin, Australia’s northernmost city, which is 2000 miles from Woy Woy. The great distance and the condition of the dog’s paws told investigators he couldn’t have walked, and the pink dye in his fur confirmed that he had been in the company of humans. Rusty was in filthy condition and was no doubt glad to be back with the owners who cared enough to have him microchipped when he was just a pup. Admirably, Qantas airlines waived the $421 cargo fee for shipping Rusty home.
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