Dog fighting: New data base could track down breeders

Sep 27, 2010

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/pawprintpost/post/2010/09/dog-fighting-new-data-base-could-track-down-breeders/1?loc=interstitialskip

A new DNA data base could help find the breeders -- and lead to their prosecution -- of dogs used in dog fighting rings, according to a story by National Public Radio.

As much as most people want to see people prosecuted in the violent "sport'' of dogfighting, not everyone is in favor of the data base, fearing it might lead to discrimination against the dogs or people who end with them as pets. The NPR story explains that dogs seized in the largest raid of dog fighting ring in 2009 were related, leading prosecutors to believe they were all bred to fight. Dogs from champion lines can be sold for $20,000.

Also on NPR's Diane Rehm show today is an interview with Jim Gorant, author of The Lost Dogs, the new book about the redemption of the dogs from Michael Vick's compounds and with a spokesman from the ASPCA who was opposed to having the dogs euthanized. The full show can be listened to here.

I'm curious to know if you think DNA alone will make a dog violent. Many people try to defend pit bulls from sweeping generalizations.

Seven elephants killed by speeding train

Seven elephants killed by speeding train

PTI, Sep 23, 2010, 11.21am IST

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Seven-elephants-killed-by-speeding-train-/articleshow/6611694.cms

JALPAIGURI (WB): Seven elephants were killed and one injured when a speeding goods train hit the animals while they were crossing the railway tracks near Binnaguri in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, forest department sources said.

Five elephants were killed on the spot late last night while two others succumbed to their injuries this morning, divisional forest officer (Wildlife) Sunita Ghatak said.

A herd of elephants was crossing the railway tracks while going from Moraghat forest to Diana forest last night, when two baby elephants got trapped on the tracks, she said.

When other elephants came to the rescue of the baby elephants, a goods train which was passing through at that time hit them, killing five elephants on the spot and injuring three, the DFO said.

While two of the injured animals succumbed to their injuries this morning, another elephant is injured, she said.

Movement of trains on the track which connects New Jalpaiguri with Assam was suspended till this morning as another herd of elephants was guarding the dead and injured elephants, the DFO said.

Three months ago, another elephant was run over and killed by a train near the same spot.

Speeding trains often hit elephants in the area as the railway line crosses the elephant corridor, forest officials said.

Railway officials have been requested a number of times to restrict the speed limit of trains plying in the area to 40-km/hr for the safety of the elephants, they said. 

hayne's Been on her Chain for 39 Days!

There's good news and bad news from Thayne's mission to win a law for Pennsylvania chained dogs. Well, ok, there's mostly bad news, but it appears that Senator Brubaker is unwilling to even discuss this bill in his committee this year, despite DDB supporters showing up at his town hall meeting, and Thayne's patient vigil at the Capitol. However, not everyone there is blind to the effort.

Someone who works at the Capitol sent her this message two days ago: "Don't lose hope and stay strong. I work at the capitol and walk by you every day. I can say this: if we had any "representatives" in this state who devoted themselves to Pennsylvania's problems as much as you are doing for canine freedom, this state would not be in the mess it is in today. For as long as I have worked at the capitol - I have seen many protests, many public speakings, etc; but they never get their point across because they are only there for a matter of a few hours. You, on the other hand, are getting A LOT of attention all over...not just Harrisburg. Because of your dedication to what you believe, you are making a lot of people think about the issue a little deeper. I just wanted to let you know, although the Reps who work at Harrisburg can be blind in their ways, not all Pennsylvanians are." Read the daily blogs and view pics here, or donate to this effort on behalf of our best friends.

Tami has created two videos of her chaining, on Day Nine, and on Day 35. Don't Miss Them!

Animal rights groups appeal Lucy court judgment

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/09/23/edmonton-lucy-zoo-appeal.html

Thursday, September 23, 2010 | 2:30 PM MT

Animal rights groups are appealing an Alberta judge's dismissal of their legal challenge to have Lucy, the Asian elephant at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, declared an animal in distress.

Clayton Ruby, the lawyer for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Zoocheck and Voice for Animals, filed a notice of appeal Thursday morning.

In a written ruling on Aug. 20, Justice John Rooke, dismissed the groups' legal challenge, calling it an "abuse of process."

The groups asked the court to declare the 35-year-old elephant an animal in distress. But Rooke ruled the complaint must be filed with local peace officers, not in court.

In the last few years, Lucy has been the focus of a campaign by animal rights groups which want her moved to one of two elephant sanctuaries in the United States.

An originating notice filed by the groups earlier this year alleged Lucy had been suffering from a number of illnesses and had been under distress "caused or permitted by the City of Edmonton." The city owns and operates the zoo.

City officials have denied all allegations of mistreatment and say Lucy gets excellent care from zoo staff.