Now, I’ve think I’ve heard everything.  It always amazes me that there is more concern for criminals than the victims,  human or canine.

UNITED KINGDOM - Police dog handlers have been told to consider whether criminals could be frightened of dogs before using them in raids or searches.

They should also think carefully about the possibility of suspects being allergic to dog hair, according to draft guidelines drawn up by senior officers.

Lately there have been a rash of stories involving police dogs that have been abused,  but unbelievably, here is a proposal  that worries about the rights of the criminal.

The proposals follow fears that suspects with medical conditions affected by dogs could sue forces which authorise the animals’ use during arrests or raids.

Perhaps, if you’re not doing anything illegal you won’t have a police K9 trying to nip you in the behind.

‘The traditional shout of “stand still or I will set the dog on you” will presumably now have to become “excuse me, my police dog is quite hairy and might cause alarm as he sinks his fangs into your right thigh - is that all right with you?”

If only  lawmakers would focus on  creating laws that impose stricter penalties on animal abusers, what a better  world  it would be.

A serving dog handler, who asked not to be named, declared: ‘I have never heard anything so ridiculous. What’s next? Sparing people custody because they have a fear of enclosed spaces?

The old adage “It’s a dog’s life” really is true when it comes to the following article.

A GOLD Coast couple have spent $70,000 on a legal dogfight to ensure their pampered pooch Bernie can keep living the high life in Southport.

The fur is about to fly.

Bente and Warren Tutton have shared a $4.5 million 38th-floor sub-penthouse with their “gorgeous” maltese shih tzu for the past three years.

So when Pivotal Point’s body corporate banned animals last year, the Tuttons went into battle for Bernie and the rights of pet owners in the tower.

No one likes to have the rules changed after the game has started.

“This was about our rights . . . and Bernie’s,” Mr Tutton said. “Most people would have given up. They wouldn’t have spent $70,000. We felt so strongly it was wrong, it was worth doing.”

While I may be short about $69,900 I would have used whatever resources I had to make sure my best friend wasn’t going to be kicked out of his home.

“No dog owner would leave their pet behind if they could afford it,” she said.

Find out if Bernie is living the high life or in the dog house.

There has been so much talk lately about Breed Specific Legislation, especially regarding Pit Bulls that I thought it would be nice to post a tribute to a Pit Bull that saved a woman’s life.

We chose Maya for this award not only because she saved (Angela Marcelino) her human mommy’s life from an attacker, but because the organization behind National Dog by, the Animal Miracle Foundation, loves and supports ALL dog breeds. We don’t believe in breed bans and Maya is a testament to the fact that the Pit Bull breed can be hero dogs just like any other breed.

Hmmm…it makes you wonder what would have been the outcome if Maya wasn’t allowed to be adopted.

All dogs are capable of biting and even attacking, but it’s my firm belief that humans are to blame behind the dogs who get a bad rap. Sadly, so many dogs suffer a tragic fate simply because of their breed. Not only is Maya our Hero Dog of 2008, she is what we’re calling our AmbassaBULL to all bull breeds. I was very excited to have a reason to show the world the good side of Pit Bulls” said Colleen Paige, animal behaviorist, author and founder of National Dog Day.

It’s clear, in this situation, as is the case in many life-threatening situations that involve attacks on women, that Angela was fortunate to have a Pit Bull as her protector. But the most heartwarming aspect of this story is that Angela rescued Maya from the Santa Clara County Animal Shelter….and on June 17th, 2007, Maya returned the favor.

Regardless of your feelings about the new laws I don’t think you can argue about this dog hero.

It was Fathers Day 2007. I opened my front door and was about to walk inside when I saw someone’s shadow out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head just as a man pushed me into my house. I screamed as loud as I could, but the man had slammed the door shut behind him. “Shut up” were the only words he said to me. He was choking me with one hand. I was able to scream one last time. After I did, his grip tightened around my neck. That is when I saw a white streak run in from the other room. His grip was so tight that I could only gurgle the words “Maya, get him.” He still had a grip on my throat, as his other hand was busy trying to fight off my angry dog. I don’t know how, but I managed to get on my feet.

Read the full story as told by the woman whose life was saved.

Here’s a light hearted story to start off your week.

A DOG owner, who tried to prove the difference between labrador and poodle poo to council officials, has been given the benefit of the doubt by magistrates.

For Elliott the arthritic Labrador landed David Murray in court after his old legs gave way and he was wrongly accused of pooping on the pavement.

Mr Murray was handed a £50 fixed fine by wardens for dog fouling in the street.

But the 45-year-old refused to pay, claiming the mess did not belong to 11-year-old Elliott, who had only squatted because his back legs had given way.

He refused to pay and was taken to court after insisting that the dirty deed had been carried out by a poodle.

Mr Murray even bagged the offending mess before collecting a sample from Elliott and then took them to the offices of Hartlepool Borough Council to “provide a comparison” - demanding officials send the number twos away to be tested. They refused.

OK, I have to ask…how many of you would go this extreme to prove your dog’s innocence? … and who knew there was a difference between lab and poodle doo?

I love the sign Mr. Murray created for Elliott to wear. It reads “Not Guilty. Squatting - but not dropping”

I could use that for my girl Copper. She’s a squatter regardless of whether she’s doing a number one or a two.

It’s good to see the magistrates cleared Mr. Murray and Elliott of any wrong pooing. The last thing anyone wanted was this to turn into a smear campaign : )

Thanks to the Dogster member who sent in this plea for support. If you live in Pennsylvania, please act now. If you don’t but know people who do, please alert them.

House Bill 2525 is now out of Committee and is on its way to the House floor for vote. This is the puppy mill law, and it is CRITICAL that you call your PA state Representative (not federal). Calling carries more weight than email.

If you don’t know your representative, go to this site and (top right corner) enter your 5-digit zip code plus the 4-digit extension. Ask them to support HB 2525.

This is the bill we’ve been waiting for to help reduce the number of dogs in puppy mills and end suffering.

Additionally, ask your Representative to support HB 2532 (the de-barking and birthing bill). The puppy millers stick steel pipes down dogs’ throats to destroy their vocal cords so they don’t have to hear the dogs barking, and it keeps them quiet so the public isn’t aware of where these mills are located. This bill “should” end this action. I say “should” only because we should expect that some will continue this horrible practice. Currently puppy millers are also cutting open the stomachs of dogs during birthing without anesthesia.

From The Humane Society:

The HSUS Commends the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for Passing Important Anti-Cruelty Legislation
HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 24, 2008)

The Humane Society of the United States commends the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee for approving a bill addressing some of the cruelest practices employed by puppy mills today.

The legislation now advances to the full House of Representatives. Introduced by Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D-Berks), HB 2532 seeks to outlaw abusive practices employed by breeders in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills, including debarking, performing surgery on pregnant dogs to remove the puppies, and tail docking.

Under current law, it is completely legal for commercial breeders in Pennsylvania to perform surgical births by slicing open the stomachs of pregnant dogs, removing the puppies, and sewing the dogs back up. There is not any requirement that the breeders have any veterinary training, use anesthesia, or conduct the operations in sterile conditions. Breeders may also perform painful debarking by ramming a metal pipe or other object down a dog’s throat to rupture the vocal cords and render the dog mute, again without anesthesia and while the dog is fully conscious.

The provisions of HB 2532 are common sense to anyone. Only licensed veterinarians should be authorized to perform surgery on these dogs, says Sarah Speed, The HSUS’ Pennsylvania state director. “For too long, commercial breeders have abused the laxity in the law to maximize profit at the expense of the well-being of the dogs and the unwitting consumer.”

HB 2532 will also close a loophole in the law that allows commercial breeders to escape prosecution for animal cruelty. Under the current law, only a Humane Society Police Officer has the ability to cite a breeder for animal cruelty. In counties where there is no such officer, a breeder may escape citation. Currently there are three counties in Pennsylvania that do not have a Humane Society Police Officer. HB 2532 will close this loophole by allowing Dog Law Wardens in the counties without officers to issue citations for animal cruelty within the limited scope of performance of their inspection duties.

The Humane Society of the United States is working in conjunction with The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network to pursue this important legislative effort in Pennsylvania.

Cameron Woo, today’s guest blogger, is publisher of Bark, a must-read magazine for dog lovers.

People Have the Power
by Patti Smith

Listen. I believe everything we dream
Can come to pass through our union
We can turn the world around
We can turn the earth’s revolution

We have the power
People have the power

After more than ten years of publishing Bark magazine—the “voice of modern dog culture”—if I’ve learned anything at all it’s that every dog has his/her day. And that day has arrived (hallelujah) for dog people. It seems every strategist from Wall Street to Madison Avenue is acknowledging the newest demographic to mark a territory—people who love dogs.

Part of my job at Bark is selling advertising space in the magazine. Lately, the quest for reader demographics has been turned up several notches. Ad agencies representing companies large and small have been asking: How much do your readers earn? What kind of car do they drive? Do they vacation with their dogs? Buy organic? The interest is palpable. In a world where information is king, dog people are what they refer to as “impassioned enthusiasts” with a strong psychographic (attributes relating to personality, attitude, values and lifestyle). In short, we love dogs—and that makes us highly desirable.

You’ve probably seen those eye-opening stats in articles about the burgeoning pet industry—75 million dogs, a third of American households owning a pet dog, $30 billion spent annually. Yes, that’s you! Someone cares about you and your dog! Or, how your love of dog influences your spending and the social choices you make. Cue up those commercials with the adorable rescue dogs and their pet food, and the one featuring a lost dog and a credit card. These are aimed straight at the heart of dog people in a none-too-subtle effort to seize your sympathies and make that all powerful brand-consumer connection.

So, now that we have accepted our card-carrying membership in this new social group, what’s next? How about using this newfound power to make a difference? I’m reminded of the bumper sticker created by a few off-leash advocacy group: “I have a dog, and I vote.” Yes, it’s time to get involved and to let your opinions be known. Worthy causes abound. Not enough off-leash areas for dogs? The local shelter threatened by budget cuts? Is that anti-puppy mill legislation being stone-walled by special interests? Well, there’s good news, as a dog lover, you are part of a special interest group 100 million strong! That’s some special interest!

So, like it or not dog people, you belong to a community and a greater cause. You have responsibilities. Embrace them and learn to love it. As they say in my hometown, the Republic of Berkeley, everything is political. Shop wisely. Vote responsibly. Exercise your freedom of speech (hey you, pick up!). And help us take a giant leap forward for all dog-kind.

Stacie Tamaki, a Dogster member and guardian of Kitai, returns as our guest blogger.

What You as a Pet Owner Can Do

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to assume that all dogs who bite or maul were trained to do so. The truth is that many dogs who bite, dare I say the vast majority, were never trained to be aggressive. They’re pets who became aggressive because they were either neglected and/or under-socialized. Another often overlooked type of dog who bites is the spoiled pet. Often these dogs know no boundaries. While many dogs receive no training or boundaries and the worst they will ever do is bark a lot or demand attention, there are some who will go further and develop fear, possession and territorial aggression issues. Make no mistake, though these pets are loved and pampered they are just as capable of biting as any other dog.

That said, Lisa and I agree that the most important thing all of us can do to halt the spread of BSL is for each of us as dog owners, regardless of the breed, to make sure our own pets are properly socialized and on leashes, especially in cities where the law requires them to be. Letting your dog sit in your front yard untethered is creating a scenario where your dog could bite someone or another animal walking down the street as well as run into traffic and get hit by a car. I implore you, please don’t set your pup up to fail. If it doesn’t have 100% voice recall? Don’t let it off leash. If you have a dog that you think could or would bite someone or another animal if given the opportunity? Learn how to use a basket muzzle when you take your dog out in public. Learn about behavior modification, consult a dog behaviorist, and begin basic obedience training with the help of a professional. Socializing and training both take time, but the sooner you start? The sooner your own pet will become part of the solution and not be part of the dog bite problem.

Equally important is always to speak out when you hear of BSL being proposed, even if it isn’t in your city or state. Send emails and letters to council people and legislators; call them if you don’t have time to write. If BSL is being proposed in your local community, attend city council meetings and speak up. Advocate for the dogs. Calmly and respectfully offer alternatives like the ones listed above. If nobody says anything the laws will pass unchallenged. It’s up to all of us to protect both our pets and communities while at the same time bringing an end to BSL.

Stacie Tamaki, a Dogster member and guardian of Kitai, returns as our guest blogger.

Recently my Dogster pal Lisa from www.helpfido.net helped to defeat breed-specific legislation (BSL).

My personal feeling on the matter is that BSL unfairly punishes owners with loving, well-adjusted pets based on the bad actions of a few dogs within their breed. Plus there are other solutions that would be more effective in helping to bring down the overall number of dog bites and maulings that take place in our country each year. If making communities safer is the goal, targeting one breed or a small group of breeds still leaves the community at risk to dozens of others breeds that, when owned by people interested in dog fighting or careless and indifferent owners, are just as capable of causing harm to both people and other animals.

So how did she do it? How did www.helpfido.net help defeat the proposed BSL?

1. By being willing to acknowledge that Bully breeds in particular are not the same as every other breed of dog. All breeds of dogs have certain traits; many of the dogs that fall under the “bully breed” classification have issues with dog aggression. Overlooking or denying this simple fact can cause your opposition to not take any of your other points and ideas seriously because you won’t appear to see their side of things. Unless you can show them you hear them and share their concerns you won’t be able to effectively communicate with them.

2. Educate and license owners of power breeds. Especially first-time dog owners. Licensing should not be construed as a bad thing but rather a positive, it shows the neighborhood that you are a responsible owner and are educated in handling your pet. It sets you apart from the dog owners who give the rest of us a bad name. Combining licensing and education can teach owners about training methods and early socialization to ensure the safety of their communities.

3. Help coordinate to bring animal services into your community. Work with city officials to promote free or low-cost spay/neuter services, vaccine clinics, microchip clinics, training classes and registration drives. Provide grant information to city officials to direct them to funding to offset the costs of providing such services.

4. When you contact councilmen and legislators do so using more facts than emotion, to make your points. Saying you own a friendly bully breed as a pet doesn’t address the larger concern that council people and legislators have for the dogs who are in the hands of irresponsible owners.

5. Support education for adults. More adults need to know that regardless of breed it is NEVER safe to leave any dog unattended with infants and small children. Dogs as large as the targeted BSL breeds and as small as a Pomeranian have caused serious injury and death to infants. The responsibility to keep kids safe is up to the adult who is supervising the interaction between both.

6. Bring dog safety education into the schools. Children need to know how to behave around dogs and how to interact with them safely. So many of the things kids are naturally inclined to do, such as running near a dog, can result in a dog giving chase as its prey drive is triggered, the child being knocked over, and the end result is a bite. Something as benign as a hug can result in a bite. Kids need to be told that dogs may perceive a hug as threatening, not loving. Any child may poke, pull on, hit, or do who knows what to a dog not meaning any harm, but the end result is a bite and a friendly but provoked pet being euthanized at Animal Control.

7. Demand stronger enforcement of leash laws and increased penalties. The fines can be funneled back into animal-related community programs. If a dog is under an owner’s control the odds of a bite go from very possible to highly unlikely.

8. Statistically kids who are unsupervised are more likely to suffer from being bitten than those who do have more parental or adult supervision. More after-school and community activities and programs for at-risk kids would help to reduce the number of bites, by getting them into adult-supervised programs that on a peripheral level offer a safety cushion against dog bites and other many other dangers.

9. Recognize and agree that the status quo is not acceptable and that rather than BSL, the more effective approach would be to hold owners responsible through dangerous dog laws which will more effectively target dogs of ALL breeds who endanger public safety by holding owners responsible for their pets’ actions.

10. Point out that visual breed identification will always be a flawed process. It is not always possible to tell the breed of a dog, especially mixed breeds by a visual ID process. In the process of enforcing “mixed breed” or dogs that “appear to be of” bully breed lineage, there will always be collateral damage. Dogs who contain no targeted breed DNA but because their head is a little “boxy” or their neck a little too “thick” will be condemned to die or their owners forced to sell their homes to move to a community where they will be accepted and safe.

Today’s guest blogger is Michael Blacksburg, Attorney at Law. He is an expert in estate-planning, helping to ensure that a pet is cared for if a guardian dies or becomes incapacitated.

Emergency Care for Your Dog

Most of us don’t like preparing for worst-case scenarios. Unfortunately, nearly 10% of all animals dropped off at shelters got there because their owners died. It totals up to 500,000 pets each year. Below you’ll find helpful tips on how to create a safety net for your pet, just in case something happens to you.

HERE’S HOW:

1. Find a reliable emergency care person for your dogs. Ask them to agree to take on caretaking responsibilities should something happen to you.
2. Give that person limited power of attorney. You may also want to provide them with access to a particular savings account to help with expenses.
3. Write out instructions on how to care for your pets. Make sure that the emergency caretaker knows where those instructions are. Include instructions on food, medication and exercise needs, and include contact information for your dog’s veterinarian.
4. Be sure to give the caretaker keys to your home.
5. Carry a card in your wallet that says that you have pets at home. Your emergency card should include the name and phone number of your emergency pet caretaker. (I give my clients a “Pet Alert Card” that ensures that a caretaker will be contacted in case of emergency.)

An emergency caregiver’s limited power of attorney ends if you should die. At that point, a will or living trust needs to take over. For more information on how to prepare for longer-term solutions for your pet in case something happens to you, read about pet trusts.

- Michael Blacksburg, blacksburg-law.com

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