We’re shocked and horrified by today’s news story about an Arkansas mayor who decided to deal with animal control challenges by leaving poor shelter animals to fend for themselves.

Mayor Turns Dogs Loose

I can only hope the pun was not intended in the mayor’s statement:

This problem is dogging us and taking away from our ability to focus on the greater good for the community as a whole.

I think the shelter says it best on their website:

It is ILLEGAL to abandon an animal. Don’t break the law!

I uncovered the mayor’s own blog and encourage you to comment. I’ve also provided his contact numbers below. (I left him a voicemail telling him what I think of his decision, and I highly doubt he’ll be returning my request for a comment.)

870-572-3421 Phone
870-572-5034 Fax
870-817-4035 Cell

Thank you to Dogster member Pippin for bringing this to the community’s attention. See the Forum thread here.

Update: The Humane Society and PETA are getting involved.

Isn’t it time that Melbourne University join the rest of the civilized world and STOP using dogs for surgery practice?

Please be warned that this is a very upsetting article.

Thanks to LIVENEWS.com.au for this article.

Healthy dogs used for surgery training
Richard Maxton
13/04/2008

Veterinary students at Melbourne University are operating on healthy and sometimes pregnant dogs, then killing the animals.

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Well, doesn’t this just blow the top off that old lie from greyhound racers that they care about their dogs!

So let’s talk about greyhound racing. Isn’t it time civilized countries (like Britain and the US) get over it? Yes, greyhounds are gorgeous when they run but as any greyhound rescuer can tell you, the dogs have much more fun racing off track in weekend events where the track is a field and no money rides on their backs.

What’s the difference between puppy mills and these greyhound breeders that sell their dogs for any purpose whatsoever? Nothing?

Notice that this race miller used to be a pig breeder? With his level of concern for dogs I wouldn’t be surprized if he sold dogs for food to Asian countries that still allow that horrendous culinary practice.

Thanks to the Times Online for this article.

Greyhound breeder offers slow dogs to be killed for research
Daniel Foggo

The largest breeder of greyhounds in Britain is offering to sell healthy young dogs to be killed and dissected for research, an investigation has found.

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What are these big, bad hunters thinking? Thousands of pets across the US are being abandoned in shelters or left to suffer in abandoned homes and these guys want to wage a turf war.

May I suggest that if you or someone you know is a member of this group you let them know that you care more about the dogs and cats that are dying needlessly because of their petty behavior.

BTW, when I checked the U.S. Sportsmans’ Alliance Partner Link page I noticed that a number of breed clubs are shown as supporting this group. These breed clubs include the American Brittney Club, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America, and the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America. Inc. If I belonged to any of these groups I would let them know I don’t appreciate their support of the U.S. Sportsmans’ Alliance.

Hunting Industry Group Sets its Sights on Pets

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance takes aim at animals when they’re most vulnerable. Polar bears in the Arctic, as their ice floes are vanishing, body weights are declining, and populations are dwindling. Mourning doves in states where they’ve been protected for decades as backyard songbirds, still nursing their young during September target practice. Endangered antelope stocked in fenced pens for captive trophy hunts, where they have neither the opportunity nor the inclination to escape.

But now this Ohio-based trade association for weapons manufacturers has stooped to a new low. By firing with its blunderbuss, the group is going to wind up with dogs and cats in its trophy case—just when these abandoned pets need our help the most.

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Please Crosspost!!!

What’s in the water the North Carolina State Trooper K9 handlers are drinking? Whatever it is, someone needs to cut them off. One handler is already in trouble for horrible abuse of a dog in his care. Now we find out that the more of the folks in the same department may also be dog abusers, all in the name of training.

News flash, NC canine cops, abuse is abuse no matter who does it or what the excuse. If you can’t train a dog without abusing her, you DEFINITELY are in the wrong line of work!

If you want to let the appropriate NC authorities hear your views on this situation, their contact information is at the end of this post.

Thanks to Lynn H. for bringing this terrible case to my attention.

First we find out that a 12-year veteran of the NC Highway Patrol has been videoed repeatedly kicking a roped trainee dog. Then it turns out that the rest of the Canine Unit is also tainted.

Please be aware that this article contains EXTREMELY upsetting information and video. I was sick to my stomach as I put together this post.

This article comes from The News & Observer.

Video of trooper kicking dog released
Jones was fired after 14 years with the patrol.
Dan Kane, Staff Writer

Dog handlers for the State Highway Patrol have stunned dogs with Tasers, swung them by their leashes until they became airborne, and hit them with plastic bottles full of pebbles.
None of that was an issue until a trooper used his cell phone to record a video of a sergeant kicking his police dog repeatedly while it was leashed to a loading dock, its hind legs just touching the ground. The video was made public for the first time Monday, and it shows Sgt. Charles L. Jones kicking Ricoh, 7, a Belgian Malinois, five times, causing the dog to swing as much as two feet under the loading dock.

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Welcome to Dogster, Hannah!

You may have read about Hannah’s case. She was held by a Georgia canine cop under the pretense that she was being used for police work. Instead, the man was breeding her while barely keeping her alive. Shameful!

But there’s a happy ending here. Hannah was rescued and now lives with a loving family who has let her join Dogster where she has met many caring dogs and cats who want to see her abuser brought to justice.

Dogster Lena Malik barked in this information and wants to encourage us all to sign Hannah’s petition.

Lena Malik wrote:

Dear Joy,

My sweet and brave pup pal Hannah joined
dogster about a month ago.

Unfortunately, she had a tragic start in life but is currently learning how to simply be a beloved family member. Her case is still under investigation and we are getting either the runaround or invalid excuses from authorities. This is concerning because she was involved in unethical breeding purposes (this topic along with puppy mills was recently in the national media thanks to Oprah).

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Please Crosspost!!!!

Now is the time for us to help our fellow doglovers in Korea fight the horrific dog meat trade. Please take a moment to sign this Care2 Petition.

Please be warned that the information in this petition is very upsetting. You do not need to read through all the information if you just want to sign the petition.

This is some of the information on the petition.

Animals in Korea currently are in a horrible situation. But we find it too difficult for us to protect our suffering furry friends on our own in this country.

1. Korea is a country of cruelty to animals. A large number of people in Korea have no trouble accepting the fact that animals are being taken advantage of and mistreated as long as it is done for human purposes.

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How terrible! My heart goes out to this family! And is this police force lying to cover up their own cowardice or laziness?

Please be warned that this is an upsetting article.

Thanks to the Daily Press for this article.

Adelanto seizes, destroys puppies
City allegedly seized and immediately destroyed puppies without warning or notification.

BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA Staff Writer
April 14, 2008

ADELANTO — When Michael Daniels returned from work Friday, he expected to be greeted at the door by his seven dogs.

Instead what he found was two o his dogs had been shot and killed by police. And Adelanto Animal Control officials seized and within hours euthanized his four other dogs.

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What brave people! The members of the Chinese Companion Animal Protection Network should get many loud barks!

If you’re looking for information on the advances for dogs and cats, or you’re trying to meet up with animal lovers in China, check out the CCAPN site.

Here’s more about CCAPN from their site:

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ACTION ALERT: Calling all animal welfare advocates for Monday, March 31st!

March 21, 2008 : 11:38 PM
Peaceful presence needed for Victor Rodriguez sentencing-supporters of Edna and Bill Whiting are requested!

On March 10th Victor Rodriguez was found guilty of numerous charges but the question still remains - WHERE IS EDNA?

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