Animal News
Dangerous Animal attacks news
A mass bear escape from a Japanese animal park ended in
tragedy when two female employees were mauled to death by the marauding
animals.
At least half a dozen bears were on the loose from the
Hachimantai Bear Farm in Kazuno City in northern Japan on Friday for five hours
before they were hunted down and killed by a local group that was aiding the
police and firefighters, reported ABCNews.com.
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There was no chance to tranquilize the huge animals,
explained the authorities, so killing them was the only option. “We could not
get anywhere near the animals, but could not afford to let them escape,”
explained Akita Prefectural Police spokesman Haruki Itou.
Sadly the six escapees had already claimed two victims
by the time they were stopped. The body of a 76-year-old woman was found near
one cage, and police later discovered the body of another woman, 69, nearby.
The grisly attacks sparked a total shutdown of the
area, with nearby roads closed as the police went door to door calling on
residents to stay indoors, while schools located 10 miles from the park were placed
in lockdown, according to a city official.
It is not known exactly how the animals escaped, but
Japanese public broadcast network NHK reported that there had been so much
snowfall overnight that the drifts were high enough near the iron bars to allow
the them to climb out.
April 19th, 2012.
Andrew Adams . Attacks against guide dogs have owners offering warnings
BOUNTIFUL -- Two recent dog-on-dog attacks against
guide dogs in Utah are prompting the dogs' owners to caution people to be
careful. The attacks left dogs in Weber County and Davis County unnerved and
with injuries.
"You need to be really careful with them because
you don't ever know when it could be a guide dog, it could be someone else's
dog, it could be a small child," said Brad Badger of Bountiful.
Badger was walking along 200 West near 1200 North
Saturday morning with Sanborn, his guide dog of 7 years, when two dogs got
loose from a nearby property. Sanborn said one of the dogs, a pit bull,
attacked Sanborn.
The pit bull's owner, according to Badger, quickly
rushed to the scuffle and pried his dog away. Sanborn suffered three puncture
wounds to his ear.
"That's the concern, is after an occurrence like
this they could be psychologically rattled," Badger said. "But he
seems to be doing fine."
He is urging other dog owners to stay on top of their
pets, particularly when the animals are aggressive.
Patti Ehle of Ogden is offering additional advice
regarding keeping pets at a significant distance from service animals when they
are in sight.
On Mar. 25, Ehle was on 29th Street near the east bench
when a couple passing dogs bit into her guide dog, Sonoma. The golden retriever
subsequently started secreting from the neck and has suffered infections and a
rash. Ehle said Thursday her dog has only been well enough to guide her on four
occasions since the attack.
"This is really impactful on many levels," Ehle
said.
Patty Mueller is a long-time guide dog owner based in
Riverton and is now an advocate who has started "Greatest Paws on
Earth"--what she describes as an "alumni" chapter of guide dog
owners in the state. Mueller said many times guide dogs suffer severe enough
physical and psychological damage and they have to be retired.
Fully training a new guide dog is costly both in terms
of time and money. Mueller said the two years of training runs in the
$50,000-$80,000 range. Costs are often offset to varying degrees by charitable
donations. Even so, the toll on the guide dog user is often significant.
"When the dog gets taken out by a dog attack - if
they get hurt or injured - then it takes them time to heal, so that puts the
person, the user, out of commission for a while."
Badger said Sanborn assists him as he walks his son to
school, or as he walks to the gym, or goes for a bagel, or completes countless
other tasks.
"He's pretty much my vehicle to get where I need
to go once I leave the house," Badger said. "Without him I'm not as
easily able to go and function."
In Sanborn's case, Davis County Animal Services
director Clint Thacker confirmed the pit bull's owner was handed a notice of
violation for no license and no rabies shot. The owner, according to
investigators, was not cited for the dog-on-service dog attack because of his
actions following the ordeal.
Badger said he was very pleased with how the owner
reacted. He said he expressed remorse for his dog's attack and has offered to
pay for all medical expenses for Sanborn.
Ehle said she filed a police report related to her
dog's attack. She said she did not get the owner's name and does not know where
he went.
There are laws designed specifically to protect service
animals. To be covered under the law, a service animal must be trained or be in
training to assist a person with disabilities. A person who or whose pet chases
or harasses a service animal can be charged with a class B misdemeanor.
That charge is moved to a class A misdemeanor if you or
your pet knowingly, intentionally or recklessly cause injury or death to a
service animal.If convicted, the penalty is up to a year in jail and
restitution - which could include replacing the animal and vet costs.
An attack by a rabid bear was ended by an Albemarle
County farm worker’s point-blank shotgun blast, fired from the roof of a Gator
utility vehicle, police said.
The bear killed Tuesday is the first-ever recorded case
of a rabid bear in Virginia and only the second case on the East Coast that
state officials are aware of, said Jaime Sajecki, bear project leader with the
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
“It’s almost unheard of,” she said.
Police believe the bear was drawn by the movement of
two men, who were using the vehicle to move stones on a large farm northeast of
Rockfish Gap, said county police Sgt. Darrell Byers.
The roughly 120-pound female bear first attacked the
vehicle itself, biting one of the tires, before pursuing the men, Byers said.
One of the men climbed into the bed of the Gator, then
onto its roof, taking a shotgun loaded with birdshot with him, Byers said.
The other man left the cab, but when the vehicle
started to roll downhill, he leaned back into the cab to set the parking brake,
according to Byers.
The bear had come into the cab and was climbing into
the bed when the man atop the Gator put his shotgun to her head and pulled the
trigger, Byers said.
No one was injured in the attack or directly exposed to
the rabies virus, Byers said.
The bear was decapitated, and its head sent to a state
lab, where it tested positive for rabies, according to police.
But authorities doubt there are any more rabid bears
out there.
“Just to have one is really unusual, and it would be, I
think, near impossible for another bear to have it,” Sajecki said.
Rabies is transmitted through contact with saliva,
brain matter or spinal fluid of infected animals. The infected tissue must
contact an open wound or mucous membranes to infect a new host.
The virus alters the behavior of afflicted creatures,
making them more likely to bite, Sajecki said.
The most likely way for a bear to get rabies is, just
as for a human, a bite from some other animal that’s already infected, said the
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Megan
Kirchgessner.
There’s a vanishingly slim chance that the bear could
have contracted the disease eating an infected carcass if she had a cut on her
paw or in her mouth, Kirchgessner said.
Health officials will try to type the rabies in
question in the hopes of figuring out what sort of animal it came from, but the
test isn’t sure to work, Sajecki said.
Bears are solitary most of the time, Sajecki explained,
so they aren’t likely to transmit rabies to one another. The bear killed
Tuesday wasn’t lactating, which indicates she probably didn’t have cubs that
could have contracted the disease, she said, and breeding season won’t really
get under way until summer.
The state of the bear’s teeth leads authorities to
believe she was an older animal, Byers said.
“It’s really unlikely that she was around any other
bears,” Sajecki said.
Officials will send the bear’s body to Harrisonburg,
where it will be incinerated at the state veterinarian’s office.
The other East Coast case of rabies in a black bear was
reported in 2007 in Maryland, Sajecki said.
People encountering a bear should keep a respectful
distance and enjoy watching it from afar, according to the department.
The wild animals most often found with rabies include
raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Signs that an animal may be rabid can include excess drooling
and odd behaviors (either overly aggressive or overly easy to approach among
them), though there’s no sure way to tell without a medical test, according to
the CDC.
There was one tested and confirmed case of rabies in
Albemarle County and Charlottesville last year, but five the year before that,
according to officials at the Thomas Jefferson Health District. The testing is
only done in cases where there’s an exposure to a person or a domestic animal,
so the actual number of cases could be much higher. So far this year there have
been three confirmed cases, according to officials.
Sajecki added that, when possible, it’s best to shoot a
suspected rabid animal somewhere other than the head, to avoid spreading
contaminated tissue.
April 19, 2012. TED
STRONG . Rabid bear attacks in Albemarle; shot dead by victim
Sajecki cautioned that bears out in the middle of the
day should not be assumed rabid. Given that they’re bears, they are vastly more
likely not to be rabid.
“We want to make sure that it’s not going to cause a
lot of unnecessary concern,” she said.
She said people should instead only become alarmed if
the bears exhibit highly unusual behavior, as the one in Albemarle County did.
The area where the attack occurred, near the Blue Ridge
Mountains, has long held bears, Sajecki said.
“We’ve had a pretty healthy bear population in that
area for a long time,” she said.
Attempts to contact those involved in the shooting were
unsuccessful.
April 11, 2012. Orange County Register. Gila monster attacks man; now at O.C. Zoo
LONG BEACH – A potentially deadly banded Gila monster that attacked his owner is now at the Orange County Zoo.
The San Pedro man had to be hospitalized after being attacked by his 18-inch Gila monster. And now, he will be spending three years on probation and must attend 16 animal neglect classes for illegally possessing the animal and a pair of rattlesnakes, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.
During his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Derek Nathaneal Castaneda, 34, was also ordered to pay the Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Preservation Fund $1,000 and attend 52 Alcoholics Anonymous classes, according to city prosecutors.
Castaneda was convicted of unlawful possession of a native California reptile species and the unlawful keeping of a wild reptile without a permit. He was on probation at the time for an earlier DUI case, according to the City Attorney's Office.
State officials were notified Jan. 12 that Castaneda had been attacked by the Gila monster, had lost consciousness and had to be taken to a hospital, according to prosecutors. The Gila monster''s venom is potentially lethal.
Animal-services workers also found two rattlesnakes, which are illegal to possess without a permit. The snakes were euthanized.
April 11, 2012 . Allison Manning. Delaware County shelter sued over dog attacks
The Delaware County Humane Society allowed people to adopt vicious and aggressive dogs, instead of euthanizing or trying to train the animals as veterinarians recommended, according to a lawsuit filed this week.
The suit stems from two incidents in 2010, when a dog owned by Michael Prasse, former Humane Society volunteer and society board president, attacked a man and a teenager and their dogs in their Lewis Center neighborhood.
According to the complaint, Prasse’s home on Aurora Avenue became an “annex” for animals that were aggressive and that the Humane Society didn’t want to train or put down — including at least two problem dogs, Sadie and Bandit.
Board President Kim White, who joined the shelter board last June, said she couldn’t speak to what happened in the past, but said that’s not happening now. She acknowledged that the old policy on aggressive dogs was lacking, but said it was changed in June.
“It was lax in dealing with aggressive dogs and in letting them on the adoption floor and letting them go out to the public,” she said. “We changed that immediately. We didn’t feel it was appropriate.”
Three of the nine current board members were with the Humane Society when the attacks occurred, as well as several staff members, including current shelter manager Heidi Orahood.
Orahood said in a statement that nearly every dog receives behavioral testing now, and the shelter does not allow dogs with a history of biting to be adopted. White said those dogs now go through training and are euthanized if training isn’t possible.
According to the county auditor, Prasse, 57, and his wife, Judith, 52, have five dogs licensed with the county, though it’s unclear whether all came from the shelter. It’s also not known whether they still have Sadie and Bandit. Mr. and Mrs. Prasse, both named in the lawsuit, declined comment.
Both Sadie, a German shepherd mix, and Bandit, a cattle dog mix, exhibited signs of aggression while at the shelter in 2009. Bandit had been returned twice after he snapped, bit or growled at his adoptive families, the lawsuit says.
“Our view is that (Prasse) and other members of the Humane Society took it upon themselves that these dogs were not euthanized, or when vets were recommending they were euthanized, they gave them to Prasse so they wouldn’t be,” said attorney Kort Gatterdam, who filed the suit. “The way he kept the dogs led to both attacks here. He didn’t do what you’re supposed to do with a dangerous animal.”< /p>
That lawsuit says that Sadie attacked James Allen and his Yorkshire terrier in May 2010. Later that year, in October, Sadie attacked a 13-year-old girl and her Yorkshire terrier-poodle mix. In both cases, the dogs were severely injured and their owners needed medical attention.
Mr. Prasse was cited in both cases for failure to confine an animal. The second charge brought him a $250 fine, a 30-day suspended sentence and one year of probation in Delaware County Municipal Court.
The lawsuit filed this week alleges that Humane Society board members and staff ignored the assessments delivered by veterinarians and behaviorists that several aggressive dogs shouldn’t be adopted.
Dr. Jill Hayes spent 2½ years as the shelter’s veterinarian before she left in 2009, concerned about the lack of an aggressive-dog policy. She said that the aggressive dogs needed more help than the shelter was able or willing to give.
Another veterinarian, Dr. Laurie Schulze, who also was a board member, left the same year, saying she thought that the aggressive-dog policy the board had passed at that time was a “façade.”< /p>
Hayes spoke about the issue this week, and compared the aggression exhibited by some of the dogs to a broken leg: No shelter would let a dog linger for years with that kind of injury, so why do the same with an emotional issue?
“The vets, and others, are saying, ‘You can’t keep these dogs around and do nothing,’” Hayes said. “You need to get them in the treatment of an academically trained behaviorist.”
Mr. and Mrs. Prasse and the Humane Society are named in the lawsuit, which seeks at least $25,000 plus punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.
Amy Werling, whose now-14-year-old daughter was attacked with her dog Brutus, said she doesn’t even let her children walk by the Prasses’ house anymore, fearful of a repeat incident.
“I really want to see the practices of that Humane Society change concerning vicious dogs,” she said. “That has to stop.”
April 10, 2012 Denise A Justin
Two loose Pit Bulls viciously attacked Robin O’Hara, a Nipomo,
California, resident and her Boxer, Cassius on March 22 while they were taking their morning walk, and she began a campaign for tougher local protection against dog attacks. As a result, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance on April 10 to put more bite into its animal control laws, including issuing citations to landlords for actions of tenants’ dogs.
California, resident and her Boxer, Cassius on March 22 while they were taking their morning walk, and she began a campaign for tougher local protection against dog attacks. As a result, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance on April 10 to put more bite into its animal control laws, including issuing citations to landlords for actions of tenants’ dogs.
Dr. Eric Anderson of Animal Services Unit for the county explained that under the proposed ordinance, an owner could be required to restrain a menacing dog before it attacks “so there’s a reasonable assurance it can’t escape.”
The owner would be cited if a dog attacks another animal and causes severe injury, with proposed fines at $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second and $500 for a third.
The ordinance also would hold landlords responsible for acts committed by tenants’ dogs.
This new ordinance would not affect the victim’s right to take a civil action against the offending dog’s owner for financial or other damages.
Robin O’Hara thinks the penalties are too weak. “There’s no teeth to the proposed ordinance,” O’Hara told The Adobe Press, as she recalls the horror of the attack. O’Hara said Cassius shook with fear for a week afterwards, and she was also affected mentally and emotionally.
That day, O’Hara and her 7-year-old, 90-pound boxer, Cassius, were on their usual morning walk through her peaceful Vista Robles neighborhood and the 14-acre green space that surrounds it. She suddenly noticed two loose pit bulls at the end of her block, staring at her and Cassius, and with no warning, the dogs attacked.
O’Hara stated that one of the Pit Bulls got its jaws around Cassius’ neck, while the other grabbed his left hind leg, and she began screaming and kicking the attackers.
A neighbor, Bob Horacek, heard her. “I looked out and saw her with the leash wrapped around her and a pile of dogs. All I could hear was screaming and barking.” He grabbed a shovel and began beating the dog clamped onto Cassius’ throat.
Horacek hit the Pit Bull four or five times in the head to make it release Cassius. “Then [the dogs] ran out and made a circle, and they would have come back, but I chased them up the hill and hit them again,” he told The Adobe Press.
While Horacek chased the dogs and followed them to their home, his wife helped O’Hara and Cassius to safety.
“It was so unprovoked,” O’Hara stated to reporters. “(The dogs) saw us and went after us. I keep thinking…there are kids going to the bus here and other people just out walking. We’re so lucky our neighbor Bob came out and saved us.”
O’Hara is still facing a veterinary bill for emergency medical care, antibiotics and pain-killers, and the pit bulls’ owner has not offered to pay it.
O’Hara said an animal control officer went to the residence and interviewed the owner. But she said. “He was so sorry, but he couldn’t do anything.”
The manager of the Division of Animal Services, said the officer couldn’t take any action because there is currently a “gap” in the animal control ordinance. The proposed ordinance would allow Animal Services to deal with aggressive dogs even before an attack.
O’Hara is not satisfied with the proposed ordinance, stating that “after a third violation…the (dog) could have killed someone. She wants to see a penalty of $1,000, plus all medical bills for the victim(s) and, if the dog kills, it should be put down.
Dog attacks do not end for the victim, she says. “At first, I couldn’t go back outside. ... I just feel so violated. They say you’re never attacked once. You’re attacked every time you think about it.”
A neighbor carrying a can of pepper spray as she walked her golden retriever, said. “A lot of people here walk their dogs, and they’re worried.”
APRIL 10, 2012. CRAIG FOX. TIMES
Council holds ‘pit bull summit’ after recent dog attacks
City Council members learned Monday night that not much can be done to prevent serious dog attacks from happening.
Calling it “a pit bull summit,” Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham arranged for the meeting with people involved in animal control and law enforcement after recent high-profile dog attacks in the city.
Police Chief Joseph J. Goss, city attorney Christine E. Stone and Todd L. Cummings, Jefferson County’s dog control supervisor, attended the work session to answer questions about existing laws and how to control aggressive dogs.
“So what can we do?” Councilwoman Teresa R. Macaluso asked near the end of the 40-minute discussion.
“I don’t know what you can do to remedy the situation,” Mr. Cummings said, adding that he would like local courts to use state agricultural and markets laws to designate a dog that has been involved in an attack as “dangerous.”
In the past, Watertown City Court judges have been reluctant to use the state law and have relied instead on more vague city laws, he said.
Ms. Stone told council members she also would like to see judges use the state law because a dog that has been deemed dangerous could be put down.
For the past 13 years, the Jefferson County Dog Control Office has handled dog control for the city. Last year, Mr. Cummings said, there were 16 dog bite incidents in the city, with pit bulls as the worst culprits.
The most serious occurred last August at the Watertown farmers market when a 2-year-old boy was mauled by an American bulldog. The boy suffered severe bites on his face and needed 128 stitches and surgery.
As a result, the City Council banned all dogs at public events on city-owned property. The police have already begun enforcing that law, Chief Goss said, adding that officers instructed dog owners they had to leave the March 18 Irish Festival parade with their pets.
There are 1,675 dogs licensed in Watertown, but Mr. Cummings believes that the dog population is much higher. A license costs $20 and can be obtained at the city clerk’s office.
The three full-time dog control officers and five part-time officers took 128 complaints in Watertown in 2011. Last year, city police officers were called to 73 animal complaints.
Rather than fining repeat offenders, Ms. Stone believes that requiring the owner to buy a kennel or erect a fence might be a better way to make sure the animal does not get out again.
The council’s scheduled meeting with Long Island developer Michael A. Treanor to discuss his plans to rehabilitate the Woolworth Building was canceled Monday because of problems with his travel plans. It will be rescheduled.
April 10 ,2012 | Sapa-AFP. Jellyfish put the bite on
It was a bad week for plenty of beachgoers in Nicaragua and a slightly better week for jellyfish, who stung at least 855 bathers who hit the beach on Holy Week break, authorities said.
The vacationers were treated for jellyfish stings on Nicaragua ’s Pacific coast, most of them at the crowded beaches of Jiquilillo, Masachapa and Pochomil, the local Red Cross said.
Authorities chalked up the high number of bites to the large crowd of Easter holiday beachgoers
APRIL 2, 2012. The Detroit News: Briefs: Rescued pit bull attacks, injures girl, 6
Rochester Hills — A 6-year-old girl is recovering from severe bites to the face and thigh Saturday evening from the family pet, a rescued pit bull.
She was taken to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital
"We found that a 6-year-old girl had been bitten in the face and thigh by a pit bull adopted by her family. She was found to be in a lot of pain and heavily bleeding," said Sgt. Chad Allan of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
The office did not have an update on her condition Sunday.
Allan said the family asked that the dog be taken to the Oakland County Animal Control.
APRIL 2, 2012. The Detroit News: Biologists probe deaths of two moose in U.P.
The cow and yearling were spotted Wednesday near the community of Republic. They didn't appear to have been shot or struck by vehicles.
Brian Roell of the state Department of Natural Resources said both moose had heavy tick infestations, which can be fatal.
Roell said the moose were X-rayed for gunshots and examined for internal and external injuries. Tissue samples were sent to a laboratory in Lansing for analysis.
April 02, 2012. Dana Hertneky. Family Concerned Over Pit Bull Attacks In SE OKC Neighborhood
According to the family, the dogs broke though a fence into their back yard, the yard where their children play. They say this is the latest in a five-year ordeal.
Boudrow, a two-year-old English bulldog, was recovering from surgery Monday afternoon.
"He didn't know where he was, he was hurt so bad," said Billy Shahan, the dog's owner.
"I yelled at my grandmother 'three big pit bulls in the yard'," said Shahan's six-year-granddaughter as she explained how she walked into her back yard and saw the dogs fighting.
The dogs have been picked up by animal control. But the family says that likely won't solve the problem. Because it's all happened before. Dogs who belonged to the same owner bit Shahan's ex-wife last year.
"They've attacked her, they've tried to attack my friend in his garage three houses up the street," said Shahan.
Oklahoma City Animal Control says they have been called to the house at least three times on vicious dog calls and have confiscated and destroyed some animals. But Shahan says his neighbors just go and get more dogs.
"The process is the same for each incident, so there's nothing in the ordinance that we can do to require they don't get another dog," said Jon Gray, with the Oklahoma City Animal Control.
By this afternoon, there was a new dog in Shahan's neighbor's yard,
Boudrow will be okay, but Shahan has a $2,000 vet bill. And a fear that there will be a next time and it will be worse.
" We can't live in fear everyday that one of these dogs is going to hurt one of our children," said Shahan.
News 9 did try to contact the Shahan's neighbors but we were told the dogs' owners were not home.
Animal control tells us since the pit bulls were involved in attacking another animal, they will a probably be destroyed.
Apr 05, 2012 Jennifer Banks. Police: Dog attacks children in DeKalb County
DEKALB COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Police are investigating after two children were attacked by a dog near Big Springs Road in DeKalb County.
DeKalb police tell CBS Atlanta that someone was walking their dog on a leash when two children, ages six and seven, came over to pet the dog.
At some point the 7-year-old was bit in the face, and the 6-year-old was bit as well.
Both were taken to Egleston Hospital.
Animal Control is on scene speaking with owner of the dog.
April 5, 2012 (HINSDALE, Ill.) (WLS) Pet owners on alert after apparent Hinsdale hawk attacks
-- At least two people in the suburbs report large birds that appear to be hawks have attacked their small dogs.
One of the animals needed a lot of medical attention.
The attacks happened recently in Hinsdale.
Now, Jane Brooks is keeping a close eye on the skies and on her dog after a close encounter with what appeared to be a hawk.
"I just wanted people to know that they just need to be diligent," Brooks said. "Not only are coyotes going after our animals, but now hawks."
Tuesday, 5-year-old "Zsa Zsa" was in the backyard when Brooks and her family say a red-tailed hawk came swooping down on the 14-pound shih tzu.
The family managed to scare the bird away before Zsa Zsa was seriously hurt.
"I'm sure the bird thought Zsa Zsa was just a perfectly plump rabbit," said Brooks. "I think if we wouldn't have been out here, I think we would have found a dead animal."
Residents say hawks are a common sight around Hinsdale, but they have rarely caused problems, until now.
After contacting a local vet, police say they learned another dog in Hinsdale, a small Yorkie terrier, was also attacked by a hawk three weeks ago. That dog had to receive extensive medical treatment.
"This is a season of the year in which hawks tend to feed more," said Hinsdale Police Deputy Chief of Administration. "Traditionally, wildlife is a threat from the ground, but in this case this is a threat from above."
Police have now issued a community alert, reminding dog owners to keep pet food indoors and not rely on fences to keep their pets safe.
"The most important thing that anybody can do if they have a small animal is to make sure they don't leave it unattended," Wodka said.
Since Tuesday, Jane Brooks has been heeding that advice.
"We're watching her (Zsa Zsa) a hawk," Brooks said.
April 4, 2012.. CATHY DYSON. Benefit scheduled to help care for injured wildlife
Hartwood Animal Hospital has event to raise money for care of injured wildlife
Hartwood Animal Hospital will have its third annual event in May to raise money for the treatment and care of injured wildlife.
The Walk for Wildlife is planned for 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on May 5. The walk starts at 10:30 a.m. and proceeds one mile down the Celebrate Virginia Parkway.
People of all ages are welcome, and families can bring a wagon or stroller for children.
A representative from the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia will bring hawks and owls, and a local wildlife rehabilitator who works with opossums will have some critters for people to see and touch.
The rehabilitator will speak at 11:30 a.m. and explain aspects of her job.
Food of all types will be available, along with face painting and games.
There also will be alpacas, a firetruck and an ambulance.
Dr. Helen Jewett of the Hartwood hospital is the only local veterinarian who treats wildlife.
Animals successfully treated are handed off to rehabilitators, who then take care of the animals.
Those that can't be treated are euthanized, and all costs are absorbed by the hospital and its rehabilitators.
The hospital is asking local businesses to donate items for the raffle.
More information is available by calling Beth at 540/286-2855 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 540/286-2855 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 540/286-2855 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 540/286-2855 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
March 29, 2012. FRIENDSWOOD , TX
The attack happened around 7:30pm Wednesday in the 500 block of Meadow Bend Drive
"I just dove in, it was scary," Jason Huff said.
As a U.S. Marine, Huff is always ready for action. So on Wednesday night when he heard a neighbor's dog barking in front of his house, he knew something was wrong and rushed outside.
"I just screamed bloody murder and just ran right at the dogs and luckily, they ran right off," Huff said.
Huff says the dogs were attacking his neighbor's 10-year-old daughter. Police say the two dogs got out of another neighbor's backyard, charged the young girl and started biting her while she was outside getting the mail.
"It's any parent's worst nightmare," the girl's father said.
The girls' parents were finishing dinner when they heard screaming. By the time they raced outside, Huff had already chased the dogs away.
"She was actually in shock. She was just shocked. She didn't cry. She didn't say anything for a couple of hours," the girl's mother said.
Huff saw bite marks all over her body.
"On her legs, her torso, her shoulder, it was pretty grizzly," he said.
Friendswood EMS arrived and treated the child. She was then transported to a hospital, where she was treated and released.
Now, the dogs owner, Shannon Berg, could face charges.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened and we never meant for anybody to get hurt. They're great neighbors, I hope the little girl has a full recovery and wish her the best and we're going to do anything we can to help her," Berg said.
Friendswood police and an animal control officer followed up with the victim's family. Investigators say Huff's quick thinking saved the little girl's life.
"Fight or flight and I was fighting. It was scary," Huff said.
Huff is happy he could help and so are the girl's parents.
"We are just very, very grateful to him. He's very humble," the girl's father said.
The two dogs were seized by animal control and will be quarantined for the next 10 days.
March 29, 2012. MIKE OWEN .Animal rights activists attack city over pit bull Elijah
Radical animal rights activists have targeted Columbus with a national misinformation campaign, alleging animal abuse and mistreatment at the city’s Animal Control Center, Mayor Teresa Tomlinson said.
“Every week or so, they come up with a totally fabricated or radically exaggerated situation to spread around,” Tomlinson said. “It’s always something horrific.”
At the center of the current controversy is a pit bull named Elijah. The dog was originally brought to animal control in bad condition, suffering from starvation and dehydration and with open sores. A group called Animal Ark Rescue, which specializes in shelter animal rescue, adopted the dog, but then placed it with a woman who already had two small dogs, Tomlinson said.
“Pit bulls are very aggressive, especially with other animals,” Tomlinson said. “If we’d had any idea they were going to place Elijah with a family with two small dogs, we would never have turned him over to them.”
When the woman went to feed the three dogs, the pit bull attacked and nearly killed the beagle and bit the woman when she tried to intervene, Tomlinson said. The woman called 911 and Elijah was taken back to the shelter, where he is now under a veterinarian’s care. But because he attacked another dog and a human being, he has been legally deemed a vicious dog, so his options for being adopted are severely limited, Tomlinson said.
In fact, Tomlinson said, had the woman insisted that Elijah be euthanized, the city would have had no legal recourse other than to do it. But she did not, so Elijah is now under a veterinarian’s care at city shelter.
The city has located a rehabilitation facility that is willing to take Elijah and treat him. But Animal Ark Rescue isn’t satisfied with that, Tomlinson said, and is demanding the dog back, or at least the name of the facility that is going to take it.
“That’s never going to happen,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t want that facility subjected to the same kinds of threats and abuse we’ve seen.”
An e-mail exchange between Tomlinson and Katherine Poteat, a local animal rights supporter but not affiliated with Animal Ark Rescue, Poteat demanded that the mayor divulge where Elijah would be sent. She also informed the mayor that the issue was now in the hands of “The Lexus Project,” a Long Island, N.Y., non-profit that offers legal assistance in cases where pets are concerned.
“No one is looking to harass the owners of a facility that is truly caring for Elijah’s needs, and to think that’s why you and other city officials are being hounded for information about his whereabouts is ridiculous. People who are asking only want to know he’s safe and being cared for …” she wrote. “As I’m sure you’re aware now, the Lexus Project has taken up Elijah’s cause and eventually will gain access to the information through legal channels via the Freedom of Information Act. Would it not make you look more compassionate to release the information yourself?”
Tomlinson said she would be willing to allow an attorney for the animal rights group to see Elijah and see that he is being well cared for, but she will not divulge the name of the facility that will take him in.
Mareesa Torres, deputy counsel for the Lexus Project, said in an e-mail to Tomlinson Wednesday that their veterinarian had examined Elijah and they were satisfied with the level of care he is receiving.
“We have no evidence to substantiate the rumors of abuse and mistreatment,” Torres wrote. “Also, thank you for allowing our veterinarian to go in and see him. He also confirmed that Elijah is doing well and progressing.”
Further, Tomlinson released a report from Dr. Susanne Seward, the city’s contract veterinarian who examined Elijah on Thursday.
“Elijah walked into the clinic bright and alert. He moved energetically using all four limbs with no lameness. He showed interest in checking out his environment; he appeared mentally sound and normal. He was able to smell, take, and swallow a treat. No evidence of any neurological or orthopedic issues,” Seward wrote, then listed vital signs and concluded. “Overall Elijah is in good shape. He is slightly under conditioned which can explain poor hair coat and skin. His wounds are superficial and will heal overtime. He may need an e-collar to keep him from licking leg wounds. Elijah does not need any further medical care at this time besides immediate neutering and heartworm and flea/tick prevention.”
Reporters were allowed to see and photograph Elijah Thursday afternoon. The dog was thin, but appeared to have gained some weight when compared to photographs on a Facebook page called Free Elijah. The dog’s ribs are still showing, but not as badly. He was active, moving about energetically, standing on his hind legs and reacted to his name.
Tomlinson said at first she hadn’t paid too much attention to the phone calls and letters exclaiming the abuse going on at the shelter, until she received unsolicited letters from national organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Georgia Humane Society, which warned her that the city was under attack by radical elements of the animal rights movement.
Lisa Martin of the Georgia Humane Society wrote Tomlinson to tell her that, in her research of animal rights activists, she’d become aware of the campaign against Columbus and warned the mayor of their tactics:
“Their method of operation, nationwide, appears to be to create negative media publicity and stir up public outrage against the local animal control facility – and then begin ‘demanding’ the firing of the current director and/or staff and then … it appears they are somehow able to get no-kill affiliated persons hired into key shelter positions.”
Tomlinson also received a letter from PETA headquarters in Washington, D.C., warning her of the tactics she could expect.
“On a daily basis, our office receives reports of shelters pressured to lower their euthanasia numbers by individuals and groups unfamiliar with the inner workings of animal care and control facilities (or the daily challenges and heartaches that shelter workers face), or, in some cases, efforts by volunteers or staff members to implement troublesome policies that are not in the animals’ best interests.”
Tomlinson said the current attacks on the city are ironic because the animal control center and PAWS, Inc. have reduced the city’s euthanasia rate substantially in the last year and substantially increased the number of animals that are adopted.
March 28, 2012. TERESA WOODARD. Pit bull attacks WFAA reporter and her dog
GRAPEVINE — Jettie the pit bull remains in quarantine at Grapevine's Animal Control. The city officially deemed it "dangerous" Wednesday afternoon, after confirming it was involved in two attacks on dogs and people in the last few weeks.
Neighbors say this dog and others from the same home on High Timber Drive have gotten loose and aggressively charged after them for years.
"It's scary," said Rulene Weishuhn, a nanny who cares for 28-month-old twins. She was walking them along the same path where the attack on Channel 8 medical reporter Janet St. James and her beloved border collie, Emmy, happened on Saturday morning.
"I was walking my 14-year-old dog as I always do on Saturday mornings in the neighborhood behind ours, and as we turned a corner, I saw an un-collared pit bull run down the street," St. James recalled. "It looked like it was chasing something, then saw us and came straight at us."
St. James said she tried yelling at the pit bull to stop. "It paused for an instant, and then it attacked us," she said. "It got my dog in a classic choke hold. My dog was screaming and I was screaming for anyone to come help us."
A neighbor ran down the street and hit Jettie with a tire iron. He retreated, but Emmy was badly injured and Janet had been bitten.
Police said this was not Jettie's first attack.
Animal Control was called to the neighborhood in January to investigate another dog being attacked by a pit bull, but they could never find the animal in question.
Animal Control officers contacted that dog's owner after the Saturday attack. She came to the Grapevine Animal Shelter and has now positively identified Jettie as the aggressor in her attack.
Grapevine police Sgt. Robert Eberling said those two incidents led the city to deem the dog "dangerous." The owner has 10 days to appeal the ruling, and it appears that she will.
"This is what makes me mad. " There should be no question what should happen to this dog, in my mind," St. James said. "This has nothing to do about pit bulls. It's not a pit bull issue, it's a dangerous dog issue."
Eberling says Grapevine laws mirror state law, and no breeds are banned within the city limits.
If the owner of the pit bull does officially appeal, and a judge agrees to give her custody, she would be forced to follow strict guidelines, including housing the dog in a new kennel with high fences and a combination lock. The kennel can have no space for the dog's nose or mouth to poke through, and no space for a person's hand to reach in.
The owner would also have to take out a $100,000 insurance policy, and would also be forced to put a muzzle on the dog any time she takes it off her property.
If she moves the dog from the Grapevine city limits, she must notify the city of the new address and animal control officers in the new city must also be notified.
Police said the woman has been known to foster or rescue large breed dogs. She has not yet been cited for any violation.
Mar 26, 2012. Todd Leskanic. Robeson County Animal Shelter reopens following distemper outbreak. ST. PAULS - The Robeson County Animal Shelter reopened March 19 following a distemper outbreak that began last month.
The shelter, on Landfill Road
The county veterinarian recommended euthanizing any dog running a fever above 102 degrees or showing distemper symptoms, which include runny nose, discharge from the eyes, coughing, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
The disease attacks a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems and can be prevented with a vaccine. But vaccinated dogs still can carry and shed the disease for up to three months.
Shelter officials believe the dog that started the outbreak was adopted Feb. 2.
Because symptoms of the disease can take up to two weeks to manifest themselves, any dog that had been in the shelter since late January could have been exposed, including the 218 dogs that were adopted during February. Many dogs that had been adopted had to be euthanized.
Last year, the shelter had a similar outbreak after a dog entered the shelter with the disease. Only nine dogs out of 70 survived the quarantine, which lasted about three weeks.
Shelter officials have said they believe warmer temperatures and wind caused the disease to re-emerge.
Mar 26, 2012. Todd Leskanic. Robeson County Animal Shelter reopens following distemper outbreak. ST. PAULS - The Robeson County Animal Shelter reopened March 19 following a distemper outbreak that began last month.
The shelter, on Landfill Road
The county veterinarian recommended euthanizing any dog running a fever above 102 degrees or showing distemper symptoms, which include runny nose, discharge from the eyes, coughing, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
The disease attacks a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems and can be prevented with a vaccine. But vaccinated dogs still can carry and shed the disease for up to three months.
Shelter officials believe the dog that started the outbreak was adopted Feb. 2.
Because symptoms of the disease can take up to two weeks to manifest themselves, any dog that had been in the shelter since late January could have been exposed, including the 218 dogs that were adopted during February. Many dogs that had been adopted had to be euthanized.
Last year, the shelter had a similar outbreak after a dog entered the shelter with the disease. Only nine dogs out of 70 survived the quarantine, which lasted about three weeks.
Shelter officials have said they believe warmer temperatures and wind caused the disease to re-emerge.
March 25, 2012. Scott Smith. Dangerous-dog ordinance gets council hearing
Board will consider the measure Monday evening.
After months of discussion, the Kokomo Common Council is ready to move ahead on a new animal control ordinance.
Council members received a copy of the draft ordinance this week, in advance of Monday’s council meeting, 7 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.
The measure largely concentrates on potentially dangerous dogs, and would replace the current ordinance, which has been in place since 1982.
Under the new ordinance, decisions on impounding and destroying dangerous dogs would be left to the discretion of whoever the city contracts to perform animal control services. Currently, the city contracts with the Kokomo Humane Society.
Council attorney Corbin King said the new ordinance doesn’t directly address the issue, but said there shouldn’t be any lingering confusion over which agency is in charge of dangerous animals.
As the debate over changes to the city’s animal control practices started last year, council members received mixed messages as to whether the humane society or the Howard County Health Department had final say in impounding or destroying animals.
“That was a total miscommunication of [the health department’s] role. All they had to do was check for rabies, and there hasn’t been a case of rabies in something like 50 years,” King said. “I think it was clear, once [the roles] were explained.”
The measure would make it illegal to harbor a “dangerous dog,” defined as a dog that has “aggressively bitten, attacked or endangered” a human, or which has been bred for dog fighting.
The new law would also place restrictions on the owners of “potentially dangerous dogs.”
A dog could be deemed potentially dangerous if it engages in any unprovoked behavior that causes a person to perform a defensive action, assuming the animal is off his or her owner’s property.
Any dog that bites a human, unprovoked, could be deemed potentially dangerous, even if the bite doesn’t cause serious injury. A dog that shows aggression toward a person could be considered potentially dangerous, even if it doesn’t bite.
A dog that attacks and injures another domestic animal, or runs loose, or chases or menaces a person, could also be considered potentially dangerous.
Such dogs would have to be kept inside a secure enclosure on the owner’s property, marked with “Beware of Dog” signs. If a potentially dangerous dog would be taken off the owner’s property, it would have to be muzzled, and the owner would have to submit to having the animal microchipped and photographed, to make it easier for the Department of Animal Services to identify.
Finally, the measure would place restrictions on tethering animals, requiring that the leash or tether be less than a certain weight, and at least 10 feet long, and that the animal could access shelter, food, water and shade while on the tether.
Violations could be punished by civil fines starting at $250 and rising to between $500 and $1,500 for a third offense.
The new ordinance would also eliminate the city’s current dog licensing requirements.
King said council members felt the public was largely ignoring licensing, and didn’t feel licensing was an effective way of encouraging responsible pet ownership.
“If you weren’t going to enforce it, and you were hoping to get people to register in good faith, well, those are the good pet owners,” King said. “If you’re trying to make people responsible dog owners, registration wasn’t something that was going to help you reach that goal.”
• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 765-454-8569 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting or via email at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com
March 24, 2012. William C. Wadsack. Area shelters clear of parvo
A reported case of canine parvovirus infection — commonly referred to as parvo — in Fannin County
A recently adopted puppy was found to have the virus following an examination by a veterinarian.
“Every dog we get comes in unvaccinated, and we tell people they need to take them to the vet to get checked out,” Gilbert said. “We have no idea what they have.”
Parvo is a highly contagious viral illness that can infect dogs, with the most common victims being puppies between the ages of six weeks and six months old. The common form of the virus sees an infection in the intestine and exhibits symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, vomiting and lack of appetite.
“Parvo is the scourge of publicly owned and private shelters,” Grayson County Health Department Director John Teel said. “What often happens is a young dog that’s healthy in every aspect can be brought home, and if it’s not checked by a veterinarian, either through a stool test or blood test, that virus can infect the dog and it can result in death.”
A second form of the virus can also manifest in a cardiac form that attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies and can often lead to death.
“When it first came out in the late 70s, there was no dog that had any protection to the virus,” Dr. Leldon Locke, of the Animal Health Clinic in Sherman
Following regularly scheduled vaccination guidelines for puppies is the best prevention for parvo. Vaccination in young puppies has greatly reduced the number of cases.
“It’s like anything,” Dr. Locke continued, “if you do your preventative care, which is vaccinating on time, we don’t see much of it then.”
While vaccination is the best method of prevention, there’s still a chance the infection could spread.
“Parvo is a part of life at an animal shelter,” Teel said. “You could go a year without a case, but if you bring one in — even with an intense effort to prevent infection — the disease can spread through the population of the shelter very swiftly.”
That doesn’t seem to be the case in Bonham, as Gilbert said the infection hasn’t spread amongst the other animals in the shelter.
“It was fine when it came in, but we had it for a very short time,” Gilbert said of the puppy found to be infected. “It was an owner surrender and had no shots at all. The people that surrender the animals, they usually don’t know how to take care of them.”
Generally, the virus is transmitted by contact with a previously infected dog or ingestion of an infected dog’s stool. Researchers have found that the virus can live in ground soil for a year and be resistant to weather changes and most cleaning products. Household bleach is the only disinfectant known to kill the virus.
“If the area isn’t treated with a strong disinfectant, the virus can survive for days or weeks,” Teel said. “Veterinarian bills to hydrate young dogs at an animal shelter could run in excess of $1,000 per animal. I’ve heard stories of a shelter having to euthanize all the dogs under a year old because city government shelters just don’t have the funds to pay for the vet bills.”
Gilbert said his animal shelter gets a dog with parvo “every now and again,” but they haven’t seen one in a while. The Bonham Animal Shelter is presently open and has animals available for adoption.
Dr. Locke explained that there are rigid protocols that come into effect if an infected dog is brought into his clinic.
“We have an isolation ward and we’re real strict on isolation,” Dr. Locke said. “Because it’s a communicable disease, we have to take special steps.”
Parvo can be diagnosed with a physical examination by a veterinarian with tests including urine analysis, abdominal ultrasounds and biochemical tests. A sample of the dog’s vomit or stool is usually helpful in making a diagnosis.
“Occasionally some dogs, (such as) Dobermans seem to have a little less than that robust immune system,” Dr. Locke said.
There are several dog breeds which are especially vulnerable to parvo, those include rottweilers, pit bulls, Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinschers, German shepherds, Alaskan sled dogs and English springer spaniels.
Once an animal contracts parvo, there is no cure for it as it’s a viral infection. Treatment usually includes intravenous fluid and nutrition therapy to help battle dehydration and diarrhea.
“We see it more in younger dogs and older dogs,” Dr. Locke said. “But it can affect dogs of all ages.”
Following recovery from parvo, an infected dog will still have a weakened immune system and could easily catch other illnesses. Dogs that survive parvo will also be a contagion risk to other dogs for at least two months. Dogs that recover usually develop a long-term immunity against the virus, but future infection is still possible.
“We see parvo regularly in this area,” Dr. Locke said. “It’s here. It’s pretty much an endemic disease now.”
March 23, 2012. Pit Bull Attacks, Bites 11-Year-Old Girl Riding Bicycle In Street
The girl was treated for at least three bites on her arm and leg. The dog was put down by its owner and was to be tested for rabies.
The incident occurred Monday evening at 6:12 p.m. near Ash and Main streets.
The dog, which was on a chain, was captured and taken to the animal shelter where it was quarantined.
The father of the girl said the dog was on a chain when it bit his daughter while she was riding her bicycle in the street.
According to Brownwood
The girl’s injuries included a one-hal inch cut behind her left knee, a 2-inch cut on the outside left knee, and a one-quarter inch cut next to the larger cut along with puncture wounds on her arm. The leg wounds required nine stitches, and the puncture wounds were glued.
A man came to the animal center the next day looking for his pit bull. The owner lives next to where the dog bite took place, police said. He was issued a citation for animal at large and given his options regarding the dog, to quarantine it or to have the dog put down and tested for rabies at the city of Brownwood
The owner chose to have the animal put down and tested, police said.
March 21, 2012. Jana Barnello. Pitbull Attacks 7-Year-Old, Family Wants Answers.
A 7-year-old Ringgold boy is recovering from a pit bull attack. His parents say it could've been prevented, if animal control dealt with the dog earlier.
7-year-old Tanner Eaves will be OK, but he has some pretty serious injuries from a dog attack on Monday. According to his parents, this dog has attacked before, and even after Tanner's attack, the owner got to keep his pet until we started asking questions.
Tanner says he and a friend were playing fetch with the dog at a house on Sparks Street in Ringgold. Tanner chased down the ball, and says the dog wasn't far behind.
"I got there first and then the dog head butted me," Tanner told us.
The dog knocked him over, and bit Tanner's face, side, and groin. He had to have surgery, and spent the night in the hospital. The dog, got to stay at home, under a 10 day quarantine.
"With this serious of an injury, I feel like the dog should've been picked up at the pound and held at the pound," said Tanner's dad, Gerald Eaves.
Eaves said this dog has attacked before, and has spoken to the owner. We tried to, as well, but no one answered the door.
When we went to Catoosa County Animal Control on Wednesday afternoon at 3:45 for a copy of the incident report as well as why the dog wasn't taken into custody, they told us to file an open records request. The Eaves family received a phone call at 4:09 p.m. from animal control telling them the dog is now at the shelter.
Eaves said if that's what happened in the first place, he wouldn't be angry.
"I felt like my son didn't matter. That, that dog is more important. That dog attacked a kid. Not one kid, but several kids," said Eaves.
We filed an open records request with Catoosa County to get the incident report and any previous records on the dog. They told us the woman who normally handles those requests is out of of the office, so we'll have to wait to get the records until the proper personnel returns to work.
March 20, 2012. 4 rare white rhinos die suddenly in Australian zoo
SYDNEY (AP) — Four rare white rhinoceroses have died in recent weeks at an Australian zoo after displaying mysterious neurological problems such as stumbling, officials said Wednesday.
The Taronga Western Plains Zoo near the New South Wales state city of Dubbo said in a statement that it had begun a veterinary investigation to pinpoint the cause of the deaths and is working with rhino specialists in Africa and North America .
The four rhinos — Izizi, Aluka, Intombi and her daughter Amira — began showing signs of neurological problems two weeks ago, an unnamed zoo official told Australian Associated Press.
The first rhino died soon after the symptoms became apparent and the fourth died over the weekend, the official said.
The zoo's general manager, Matt Fuller, said in a statement that no other species at the zoo had been affected by the illness and the surviving rhinos, which have been placed in quarantine, are healthy.
"The rhino keepers and veterinary staff know and care for every individual in the herd, so this has been a huge shock, and we're all very sad and supporting each other through this difficult time," Fuller said.
Intombi and Aluka were brought to the zoo from the Kruger National Park in South Africa
Their ages ranged from around 7 to 16 years.
The investigation has ruled out exposure to toxins, bacterial infection, snake venom and organ failure as causes of death.
Fuller was not immediately available for comment on Wednesday.
March 20, 2012. The Associated Press. Ex-Smithfield animal control officer sentenced in dog’s death
Brady Robbins, 25, was also sentenced Monday in 1st District Court to community service, a cognitive thinking class and $200 restitution.
Robbins pleaded guilty in February to misdemeanor evidence tampering and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges for not moving the dog to a new cage after picking it up on a Thursday in June. He found the dog dead in its kennel when he returned to work after the weekend.
Robbins says he disposed of the body but wrote in a police log that the dog was sent to a shelter.
He later resigned. The Herald Journal reports he apologized at sentencing.
Mar 20, 2012. Akron
AKRON--The dog suffers serious injuries, but remains untreated because the owner can't afford vet care.
Linda is unemployed and about to be evicted from her home. She has no money for vet bills and treatment for Sadie could cost up to one thousand dollars.
Sadie was injured at Firestone Park. It's a place where people, pets, bicycles, and strollers must coexist. Last Saturday was the exception.
A young cyclist collided with Sadie. The lead rider thought Sadie was to blame and hit the dog with his bike three times.
"In all these years, her faithful companionship, the love she shows to people. She means the world to me," Pepera said.
Pepera says the cyclist got back on his bike and road away. She did contact police, but says they could not pursue an investigation without more information about the alleged attacker.
"I've been icing, massaging and wrapping the leg. I give her aspirin and am seeking help all over," Pepera said.
Sadie is not just a pet, but a service dog to Linda who is herself disabled. For once in the nine years together they need each other equally.
Sigler Animal Hospital has opened an account for those who would like to donate to the dog's care.
The hospital is taking credit card donations over the phone. Call 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 330-724-9019 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting during business hours.
The clinic is located at 295 E. Waterloo Road, Akron, Ohio.
Maech 18, 2012. Animal attacks have eastern Wake pet owners on edge
CLAYTON, N.C. — A vicious attack on a miniature horse last week, coming just days after a wild animal seriously injured a chocolate lab, has animal owners in eastern Wake County on the lookout.
Leslie and Ken Presson's miniature horse named Mr. Butters was attacked a few feet from their Clayton home last Monday morning.
Leslie Presson was home at the time but didn't hear anything. The first the couple knew of the attack was when they found the horse covered in blood.
"This was an unlucky little horse that sustained a lot of trauma," said equine surgeon Matthew Gerard, with the North Carolina State University Animal Veterinary Center.
Even the horse's blanket was torn apart. "These straps are triple Velcro, very hard to open. This one was completely broken," Ken Presson said.
The couple rushed Mr. Butters to the N.C. State veterinary hospital.
Veterinarians say the miniature horse lost about 25 percent of his blood, necessitating a transfusion. The horse is on IV antibiotics to prevent its wounds from getting infected. It is expected to take two to three months to recover.
"He's very special to us," Leslie Presson said.
The Pressons have suspicions about what attacked their miniature horse.
A day later, Ken Presson saw two dogs leaving the woods near the house and heading toward the area where Mr. Butters was attacked.
"My guess is they were coming back to finish the job," he said.
It's not clear if the incident is related to the attack by a wild animal on two dogs in a pen outside a Wendell home on March 10. A chocolate lab was seriously injured. Its owners believe it was attacked by coyotes.
North Carolina wildlife officials say they have not seen a big increase in the number of coyote sightings.
They urged people to keep their small pets indoors as a precaution.
Mar 14, 2012. Ali Rockett . Ill dog prompts Robeson County Animal Shelter to remain closed
ST. PAULS - The Robeson County Animal Shelter will remain closed until Monday because of an outbreak of distemper that has killed more than 60 dogs during the past two weeks.
Shelter officials imposed a 14-day quarantine Feb. 29, but another dog spiked a fever and developed a cough, which are symptoms of the disease, Monday. As a result, the shelter will remain closed through this weekend.
Lori Baxter, the shelter's manager, said two adult dogs and several puppies are all that remain of about 60 dogs that were housed at the shelter when the quarantine began.
"I'm hopeful that we're going to come out with these dogs healthy," Baxter said. "It's a huge loss."
At the recommendation of the county's veterinarian, Dr. Curtis Locklear, any dog that has a fever over 102 degrees or shows distemper symptoms is to be euthanized. Symptoms include a runny nose, discharge from the eyes, coughing, fever, vomiting and diarrhea.
There is no treatment for the highly contagious disease, which attacks a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems. Distemper can be prevented with a vaccination, but even vaccinated dogs can carry and shed the disease for up to 90 days.
Baxter said the puppies at the shelter are due for their second round of shots Thursday, which she hopes will keep them healthy.
The shelter's staff identified a dog they believe caused the outbreak. The dog was adopted out Feb. 2. Symptoms of the disease can take up to two weeks to manifest, which means that any dog that has been in the shelter since Jan. 27 could have been exposed, including the 218 dogs that were adopted during February.
"Lots of dogs have been put to sleep because they showed symptoms," Baxter said. "Lots of dogs that were adopted out have been put to sleep, have died or are very bad off right now."
Baxter said Locklear will reassess the dogs Monday to see if the shelter will open.
Last year, the shelter had a similar outbreak after a dog entered the shelter with the disease. Only nine dogs - a adult and eight puppies - out of 70 survived the quarantine, which lasted about three weeks.
Baxter believes warmer temperature and wind have caused the disease to re-emerge.
The shelter will not take in any animals during the quarantine period except those that pose a public threat, such as "bite" dogs
Mar 2012, 3 Coyote Attacks in Two Days in Peoria
It happened in the far northwest valley near the Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road
Coyotes are typically afraid of humans, so a flurry of attacks like this is rare.
All the victims were relaxing or sunbathing in their yard when the animals approached.
“I was sitting on this chair reading,” says victim Roberta Caravello. “I didn't see a thing, didn't hear a thing until my leg got bit.”
Roberta Caravello had no idea the animal was approaching. She was able to get away, but had to get 4 stitches and rabies shots.
“Those big eyes, I still can’t forget it. He just had his mouth really hard and his teeth, the teeth were really big. And it was scary.”
Caravello’s was the first of three coyote attacks in the neighborhood in just the past two days. Wildlife experts believe the coyotes likely live in the neighborhood.
“Not only were they not provoking the animals, there is no evidence that they were feeding the animals, but they were not engaged in behavior that the animals would have considered threatening. They were lying down... things like that,” says Peoria Police spokesperson Jay Davies.
After the first attack, police chased a coyote into the nearby wash and shot it. Arizona Game and Fish has been out in the area as well.
They're trying to track down the offending coyotes and so far, they've killed one too.
Coyotes are regularly spotted around homes here. Now a community meeting is planned to help them deal with the problem.
“Everybody is aware now. They are looking around when they are outside,” says Caravello. “The coyotes are coming in the yards and it is very uncomfortable. I don't feel comfortable sitting in my backyard anymore.”
According to Arizona Game and Fish, the animals they removed are going to be tested for rabies.
They recommend people keep their doors closed, avoid the animals, and definitely don't feed them.
March 4, 2012 | SHEENA MCFARLAND The Salt Lake Tribune. Off-duty animal control officer shoots dog in West Valley City off-leash park
An off-duty animal control officer shot and wounded a dog that was attacking his puppy at an off-leash dog park in West Valley City on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred at Millrace Park, 1155 W. 5400 South, just before 1 p.m. A full-grown bull terrier had attacked the puppy, which is of an unknown breed, said Lt. Tracy Wyant of the Taylorsville Police Department. The bull terrier had the puppy by the neck, and the owners of the two dogs attempted to pry them apart.
When that failed, the owner of the puppy, who is a concealed-weapons permit holder, took out a .40 -caliber hand gun and shot the bull terrier. Both dogs were taken to nearby animal hospitals and both are expected to live.
The shooter works for West Valley City animal control, Wyant said, which normally handles animal-control issues for Taylorsville. Due to the conflict, Salt Lake County animal control will investigate whether the bull terrier is a threat to other dogs or people. Taylorsville police are handling the investigation of the shooting, he said.
There have been discrepancies in the timeline of events and threats that may have been made during the interaction, but police have interviewed several independent witnesses, Wyant said. Charges have not been filed pending the investigation. smcfarland@sltrib.com
March 2, 2012. Myra McCain. Dog attacks officer, suspect mid-chase
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Animal Control officers are still trying to get more information from an owner of a pitbull that attacked a police officer and the suspect he was chasing, but they are refusing to cooperate, according to the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD).
According to the FWPD, the incident happened Friday when Officer Mark Brown was on patrol and tried to stop Byron Redmond for a traffic violation on Winter Street, but police said Redmond got out of his vehicle and ran from the officer.
Brown ran after Redmond until they got to 4429 Winter Street, when police said Redmond jumped a fence.
While the two ran through the property, a pitbull attacked both of them.
Despite the attack, the chase continued to the 4500 block of Lillie Street when Redmond was finally caught.
During the arrest, police said officers found marijuana, cocaine and paraphernalia in his car.
Officer Brown and Redmond were both treated for dog bites to the leg and thigh area. Brown also required surgery as a result of his injuries.
Police said the dog was not injured and the owners were asked to remain at the scene with the dog until Animal Control officers could arrive to investigate further.
When Animal Control officers arrived at the scene to talk with them, they found that someone had removed the dog and refused to cooperate with them.
FWPD said officers are still trying to find the dog and its owners are still refusing to cooperate Friday afternoon.
March 2, 2012. Iowa makes it crime to lie to record animal abuse
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is the first state to make it a crime to lie to get onto a farm to secretly record animal abuse.
Republican Gov. Terry Branstad signed a law Friday that makes lying on a job application to get access to a farm facility a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,500. A second conviction carries tougher penalties.
Animal welfare groups called on Branstad to veto the bill, saying the videos are needed to make the public aware of what they consider cruel practices.
But Branstad's action wasn't a surprise. Iowa is the nation's leading pork and egg producer, and the governor has strong ties to its agricultural industry.
He signed the measure in a private ceremony and issued no statement.
February 29, 2012. Eric Pfeiffer. Grizzly bear charges at Alaskan tourists
A wild Grizzly bear suddenly charges at a group of Alaskan tourists. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the incident.
The group of 10 tourists was visiting Katmai National Park and was taking part in what was billed as a safe viewing of the Grizzly bears in their natural habitat, according to the Daily Mail. But one of the bears suddenly charged from its stream directly at the tourists, who were forced to sit in silence, lest they upset the bear further and provoke a potentially deadly attack. At one point, the bear reportedly got close enough to a tourist to sniff his hooded sweatshirt, before returning to the stream.
'We had a safety class beforehand about what to do if we encountered a bear," tourist Larry Griffith, 59, told the Daily Mail. "All the bears were catching fish when this particular bear circled our group several times, wanting us to leave his fishing spot. This was not supposed to happen. Our guide said he saw this as a bluff charge, trying to scare us, which he did! We were all in shock but were happy that no-one in our group jumped up, ran away or screamed for their lives."
Last December, a photograph by Michio Hoshino purportedly showing an impending fatal attack from a brown bear shortly before Hoshino's death went viral. However, although Hoshino was in fact killed by a brown bear in the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia in 1996, the picture was quickly revealed to be a hoax by the website Snopes.
February 28, 2012. KEVIN HOWE Herald. Pit bull attacks common, animal control officers say
Three incidents in one day in Salinas
Three violent incidents involving pit bulls in one day in Salinas is a statistical anomaly, said animal control officers, but dog attack cases involving the pit breeds and other large dogs are common.
In the three cases Saturday, one dog is being held at Salinas Animal Services under quarantine, another was treated at a pet hospital for a gunshot wound and the third has been returned to its owner, said police Cmdr. Dave Crabill.
What happens to dogs taken into custody after an attack depends on their attitude and whether an owner reclaims them.
Crabill said the three Saturday incidents began about 5:30 a.m. when officers responded to a report of a vicious dog attacking another animal on Maple Street.
The dog was found on a front porch, blood dripping from its mouth. When it charged one of the police officers, another officer drew his gun and shot it, Crabill said.
That dog was reclaimed by its owner after being treated, said Cynthia Burnham, executive director of Salinas Animal Services.
"That dog did not bite anyone," she said, adding that animal control officers are trying to determine if the dog hurt another animal, possibly a cat.
At 7:40 a.m., a 57-year-old woman was walking her poodle in the 200 block of Osage Drive when a pit bull ran through an open gate and attacked her dog, police said. She and her dog were injured and the pit bull is being held in a 10-day quarantine to determine if it is rabid, Burnham said.
What happens after that, she said, depends on whether an owner comes forward to claim the dog. Otherwise, it will be euthanized.
At 11:30 a.m., a patrolling officer saw a pit bull attacking a Chihuahua at Northgate Village on Cherokee Drive. Both owners were present and exchanged information, Crabill said. The pit bull was released to the owner. The woman walking her Chihuahua was not injured, and her dog was taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
"It's not a typical weekend in Salinas," Burnham said.
The two most common breeds received at the Salinas animal shelter on Hitchcock Road and the SPCA for Monterey County shelter on Monterey-Salinas Highway are Chihuahuas and pit bulls, said Burnham and SPCA Executive Director Greg Tiscornia.
Chihuahuas are No. 1, pit bulls are No. 2, Burnham said.
"Thank you, Paris Hilton and 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua,'" Tiscornia said. "Any dog that appears in movies or social media, everybody wants to go out and buy one.
"They're not thinking further than image or vanity. When they see what the temperament is, they say, 'I didn't want that,' and bring it to us."
Pit bull buyers "buy them for macho," he said. "They can't carry a gun, so here's a silver bullet on a leash."
Pit bulls — there are several breeds, including American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bulldogs and Staffordshire bull terriers — are not inherently aggressive toward humans, Burnham said, and they aren't the only dogs that can be vicious.
"It's not to say we don't get nasty dachshunds or Chihuahuas," she said, "but with larger dogs it's a safety issue."
If pit bulls are trained as guard or attack dogs, they can be very aggressive, she said.
"It's not just genetics. They are very big, strong dogs. They have a high prey drive. They can be aggressive with smaller animals," she said. The same is true of huskies, she said.
"But there are very nice pit bulls and very mean Labradors," she said. "There are a lot of pit bulls in Salinas."
Many are given to the shelter because the owners have lost their home to foreclosure and landlords won't rent to pit bull owners, and homeowners' insurance providers penalize owners, Burnham said.
Chihuahuas, on the other hand, show up as strays, and if they have no tags or microchip implants, they are adopted out or euthanized. Most of them, however, are reclaimed by owners, Burnham said.
Pet owners who go from living in their own house to renting frequently come in to the SPCA shelter with "small mammals, all sorts of breeds of dogs and cats, because they're moving from a home that's been foreclosed," Tiscornia said. "Too many rentals are very restrictive — insurance companies are not favorable to pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Dobermans, breeds they consider a potential liability."
But, he said, "it's our position that every dog can bite. Perhaps the most dangerous dog is an unneutered male, chained in a backyard."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reports about 4.5 million dog bite cases in the United States each year, Tiscornia said, and one in five bite victims needs medical care.
"The larger, more muscular breeds get the most attention," he said, "because they do the most damage."
The SPCA safety-tests dogs for aggressiveness, Tiscornia said, and won't adopt one out that doesn't pass. Those are euthanized.
The latest wave of dogs brought in are poodle crossbreeds, he said.
"People think they won't be allergic to them, but it's not true," he said. "Crossbreeding doesn't make the dogs hypoallergenic."
As for outlawing pit bulls, Tiscornia said the SPCA opposes breed-specific legislation.
"If they outlaw one breed, then another breed pops up: Dobermans, German shepherds, Rottweilers," he said. "The common feeling among many people who are up close and personal with them is that a great pit is a great dog, but just looking at one, you're not going to know which is which."
Kevin Howe can be reached at 646-4416 or khowe@montereyherald.com.
February 26, 2012. Animal Control investigating two dog bites in Bullhead City
BULLHEAD CITY — Bullhead City Animal Control is investigating two recent dog bits.
On Feb. 16, at approximately 5 p.m., a 55-year-old female victim was walking her two small dogs near the desert area off Corwin and Vanderslice Road when three large dogs off a leash attacked her dogs.
The female victim received a bite to her finger and her dogs were also injured. Her beagle suffered a laceration to the neck and an ear was partially ripped off. Her dachshund had a puncture wound to the neck. The three dogs are described as large white dogs with black heads. The male owner came to the scene and left with the three dogs in a gray-colored Dodge Ram with the license plate covered by a black trash bag. The victim’s dogs were treated at a local veterinarian.
On Feb. 19, at approximately 2:40 p.m., a dog bit a mother and daughter while they were walking on Dorado Drive. The two females, age 45 and 69, were treated at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center for bites to their wrists.
The dog is described as a tan and white pit bull/Labrador mix.
If you have any information about these incidents or the whereabouts of these dogs or owners, please call the Bullhead City Animal Control
February 14, 2012. BBC. Lioness attack kills South Africa zoo keeper
A lioness has attacked and killed a 65-year-old South African zoo keeper at a farm owned by Johannesburg Zoo.
Joe Ramanata, who had worked for the zoo for more than 40 years, was taken to hospital but was declared dead on arrival, the zoo said.
"He was either feeding or cleaning an enclosure when he was attacked by a lioness," zoo spokeswoman, Letta Madlala, told the AFP news agency.
The 11-year-old lioness was tranquilised after the incident.
Ms Madlala said zoo managers planned to meet and decide on the fate of the lioness, AP news agency report.
She said Mr Ramanata was an experienced animal handler.
The incident happened on Parys Zoo Farm, a breeding farm in the Free State Province, about 120km (75 miles) south-west of Johannesburg.
Another spokeswoman for the zoo, Louise Gordon, said the incident may have been down to human error as it appeared that one of the enclosures was not locked at the time of the attack, reports South Africa's Pretoria News newspaper.
Police are have opened an investigation into the death.
Feb 13, 2012. AFP. Humans blamed as shark attacks 'double'
Sharks killed twice as many swimmers and surfers last year than in 2010, with the increase due largely to a growth in tourism and changing shark patterns due to global warming.
There were 12 deaths in 46 shark attacks in 2011, a mortality rate of more than 25 percent compared to an average of under seven percent in the last 10 years, according to statistics from the University of Florida.
Countries that recorded shark attack deaths included Australia with three fatal out of a total of 11 attacks; South Africa, two fatal out of five; the French island of Reunion, two deaths in four attacks; and Seychelles with two attacks both of which ended in death.
Other countries with non-fatal shark attacks included Indonesia (3), Mexico (3), Russia (3) and Brazil (2).
Three locations not normally associated with high numbers of shark attacks -- Reunion, Seychelles and New Caledonia -- registered a total of seven attacks with five fatal outcomes, according to Burgess. "Those areas were not traditional area for tourism in recent years," the scientist explained.
"Over the last decade, more and more tourists have been going there... So we are getting more people coming to places where there are sharks, and the local communities are not prepared for the number of people going into the water at this time."
He added that medical facilities in these areas may not be developed enough to provide treatment in emergencies of this type.
In addition to the influx of tourists, the effects of global warming has meant sharks migrating to regions where they were not normally seen.
Last August, authorities even in the far east Russian reported three non-fatal shark attacks in the Primorye region -- not a normal location for the predator.
The United States experienced the most shark attacks last year with a total of 29 out of 75 reported around world, but suffered no fatal cases, George Burgess, an ichthyologist from the University of Florida, which published the "International Shark Attack File," told AFP.
"In the US and in Florida, where the most shark attacks occur in the US, we have seen a decline over a 10-year period," he said of the fatalities
According to Burgess, this could be a result of the economic crisis of recent years, which has reduced the number of tourists coming to Florida beaches.
He noted that the United States had done a "good job" to ensure safety in areas where sharks and humans get together.
Burgess said the reduction in the number of fatalities had been made possible due to good beach safety personnel, reliable emergency care, and the availability of many good hospitals and other medical facilities.
"As a result, when trauma occurs, when there are serious injuries in the water, we can get the people to the hospital quickly," he said.
Still, the number of fatal shark attacks remains very low compared to other causes of death, Burgess observed.
The number also appears lower still compared to the 30 million to 70 million sharks killed by humans each year, noted the scientist. The shark killing, he said, was a "tragedy."
A third of all shark species, including the Great White, are threatened with extinction because of overfishing and demand in Asia for their fins, to which people wrongly attribute aphrodisiac properties.
FEBRUARY 7, 2012. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE. Tigers attack tourist bus in China
BEIJING - A group of tourists visiting a wildlife park in eastern China had a narrow escape after Bengal tigers attacked their bus, puncturing its tires and destroying the windscreen, state media said Tuesday.
A worker in charge of the enclosure at Jinan Wildlife World in Shandong province was at lunch when the incident happened last Saturday and it took officials 10 minutes to open a gate so the tourists could escape, reports said.
None of the 27 tourists on the bus were injured, but the driver's hand was hurt when the tigers jumped on the vehicle and broke the windscreen, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Terrified visitors hid under their seats as a group of up to eight tigers bit the vehicle's tires, destroyed its windshield wipers and broke windows, the Global Times reported.
Attempts to call police failed because there was no mobile phone reception, it added.
"We are deeply sorry for the accident," Wu Yanfei, deputy manager of Jinan Wildlife World, was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
The park has launched an investigation into the attack and compensated the tourists, Xinhua said.
China says it has nearly 6,000 endangered tigers in captivity, but just 50 to 60 living in the wild in its northeast.
In the 1980s, China set up tiger farms to try to preserve the big cats, intending to release some into the wild.
But the farms have come under the international spotlight, with some conservation groups saying they use the cats for their body parts, while media reports have exposed poor conditions at zoos and animal parks.
A number of attacks on humans by captive tigers have been reported in recent years.
Last year, a tour bus driver was mauled to death by a Siberian tiger at a breeding centre in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang after he got out of his vehicle to check on a mechanical problem.
In 2010, a zookeeper was killed by a Bengal tiger at Shanghai Zoo after apparently forgetting to lock the animal's cage.
January 27, 2012. Keoki Kerr. Exclusive: Facebook video prompts animal cruelty investigation
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaiian Humane Society has begun an animal cruelty investigation after receiving a complaint about a video posted on Facebook that shows two dogs attacking a pig in a small, confined space.
A man told Hawaii News Now he discovered the video on Facebook and turned it over to Animal Rights Hawaii and the Hawaiian Humane Society Wednesday. The video shows several teenage boys at a property in Waianae putting the dogs in a pen with the pig, presumably trying to train them to hunt pigs in the wild.
The dogs go after the pig, biting it in the face, ear and mouth area while the pig squeals in pain. One of the boys, identified by a relative as a 17-year-old high school student, jumped into the pen and held the pig by its haunches, so it was unable to move as one of the dogs bit its face and ears.
"I was horrified, but sadly, not surprised, because we know that this goes on," said Cathy Goegell, president of Animal Rights Hawaii. She wants hunting with dogs to be banned statewide.
"Hunting with dogs is extremely cruel and the process of training the dogs is horrible," Goegell said. "This is what some people, some twisted people, consider fun."
The video also shows the dogs in danger, as the terrified pig fights back, and one of the canines falls on his back.
"We opened a case yesterday and have been working intensely on this investigation," said Jacque LeBlanc, community relations director of the Hawaiian Humane Society.
Humane Society investigators spent several hours at the Waianae property Thursday and interviewed four suspects as well as the pig's owner, LeBlanc said.
Investigators cited a 20-year-old man with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. The citation, which requires he appear in court, carries a maximum $2,000 fine and/or up to one year behind bars.
Cases against three juvenile teenage boys will be forwarded to the juvenile unit of the city prosecutor's office, LeBlanc said.
The two dogs were surrendered to the Humane Society for medical examinations, she said. The video showed what appeared to be scars on the back of one of the dogs.
The pig's owner, who's an uncle of one of the suspects, told investigators he was at work, didn't know what happened and was "mortified" when he found out about the incident, LeBlanc said.
The pig is in good condition, she said.
The case does not amount to a felony because it did not cause serious bodily injuries to any of the animals, LeBlanc said.
The suspects violated the animal cruelty law because they intentionally tortured and tormented the animals, she said.
"We are taking this case very seriously. Intentional cruelty to animals and the lack of empathy of these people is disturbing," LeBlanc said.
Experienced pig hunters said the boys were improperly training their hunting dogs, because they need to learn how to find and track pigs in the wilderness, not just how to bite and attack them.
"That's not the right way to train them," said Rodney Jose of Wahiawa, a pig hunter for 50 years. "The proper way for them to learn is when you send 5- or 7-month old puppies into the wild with older, experienced dogs and they learn from the older ones. You don't just send them in there to beat up on something."
Oliver Lunasco, president of the Pig Hunters Association of Oahu, said, "We don't condone what these young kids do. Even I feel sorry for the pig."
"It takes time to train a dog properly, sending them out with older trained dogs," said Lunasco, a Waialua resident who's been hunting pigs for more than 50 years.
"We try to put the pig out of its misery as soon as we can," he said.
Perhaps the most disturbing part of the video features the pig squealing in pain as one of the dogs bites its mouth.
A source said there are several things about this case that may complicate and slow the investigation.
First, the video posted by a 17-year-old boy on his Facebook page, was not time and date stamped, and has since been removed from his site, a source said.
The city prosecutor's office is working with the Hawaiian Humane Society to investigate the case.
"If our office determines the juveniles should be charged, a charging document is filed with the family court probation office," said Dave Koga, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. "The probation office then determines whether the matter will go to trial or be resolved in another manner, such as community service, restitution, counseling or participation in youth outreach programs."
"Obviously, this is in violation of the cruelty to animals law," Goegell said, because she said it's "baiting," using one animal as "bait" to train other animals.
"Baiting has gone on for centuries. Bull baiting, bear baiting. But this is the 21st century and in Hawaii, we don't need to have our young people learning how to be cruel to animals," said Goegell.
January 27, 2012. MENIFEE: Owner speaks out about golf-club attack that killed Chihuahua
A day after deputies say her Chihuahua was fatally injured by a neighbor wielding a golf club, the little dog’s owner spoke out.
Sitting in her Menifee living room Friday afternoon, Barbara Hitchman, 68, cried as she described a sleepless night waiting to learn the fate of her 8-year-old Lily.
The 6-pound dog died about 5 a.m. Friday at a Murrieta emergency veterinary clinic.
“He’s a wicked, wicked man,” she said of the neighbor deputies say clobbered the dog.
Larry Edward Jaurequi, 58, was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty after fatally injuring the dog with a blow from a golf club Thursday afternoon, a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department news release stated. Jaurequi was released from jail Friday on $5,000 bail.
No one answered the door at Jaurequi’s home Friday afternoon.
Lily and Benji, a poodle mix, got loose Thursday from Hitchman’s home in a 55-and-older gated community near Antelope and Newport roads, sheriff's officials said. The dogs were running near Summitrose Drive and High Ridge Circle about 2:15 p.m., when Jaurequi came out of his garage and walked into the street carrying a golf club and, for no apparent reason, struck the Chihuahua, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Corp. Courtney Donowho.
Witnesses told deputies he struck the dog as if driving a golf ball off its tee, sending the animal flying through the air, a sheriff's news release said. He was preparing to take another swing when witnesses intervened, the release said.
The dog’s injuries including a lacerated liver, a broken leg and head trauma, Donowho said. Hitchman arrived in time to see Jaurequi walking away with the golf club.
Donowho said there did not appear to have been any history of the Chihuahua bothering Jaurequi or problems between the two neighbors.
Sitting in her living room Friday with her husband and her surviving dog, Hitchman said she had never seen Jaurequi before.
“I don’t know him,” she said. “I don’t want to know him.”
Hitchman said she had been doing work around her house and didn’t notice at first that the dogs had escaped.
“I suddenly realized how quiet it was,” she said.
When she couldn’t find Lily and Benji under the bed or in the backyard, she went looking for them around the neighborhood in her car. Hitchman found them a few blocks away, arriving moments after Lily was struck. Jaurequi was walking away and Lily was sitting “like a statue,” her eyes glazed over, Hitchman said.
“I said, ‘Lily, Lily, what’s wrong?’ And she didn’t move,” Hitchman said.
A man standing nearby told her to take the dog to a veterinarian.
“He said, ‘He’s just tied into it with a golf club,’” and gestured toward Jaurequi, Hitchman said.
Hitchman said she yelled at Jaurequi.
“I said, ‘What kind of a monster are you?’ I said, ‘You are the most disgusting creature on God’s earth!’”
“He said, ‘Huh! She tried to bite me!’” Hitchman recalled, shaking her head.
“She’s not vicious,” Hitchman said. “She was tiny.”
As she drove the wounded dog to the animal hospital, Hitchman said, “I kept talking to her. I said, ‘Don’t die, Lily. Don’t die.’”
Hitchman said she learned from witnesses later that Benji, who had been mistreated by a previous owner, ran away when Jaurequi came at the dogs with the golf club. But Lily, who was raised by Hitchman from birth, just sat there, she said.
“She didn’t know he was going to hit her,” Hitchman said.
“I tell you, he needs help,” she said of Jaurequi. “He’s sick. He’s sick in his mind.”
Hitchman choked back tears as she described the fawn-colored Chihuahua.
“She was the sweetest little thing,” Hitchman said, “She was like my baby. She was such a good little girl. I’d say, ‘It’s beddie-time now.’ And she’d go right to bed. She was a little angel.”
January 19, 2012. Rhino attacks vehicle on NH37
Guwahati, Jan 19 (PTI) In the second incident within a week, a rhino strayed out of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and attacked a vehicle on National Highway 37 in Upper Assam's Golaghat district today, official sources said. The full-grown male rhino strayed out of the park along the animal corridor and attacked the vehicle which was substantially damaged though none of the three passengers were injured. The rhino was, however, injured as blood stains were found on the car but it moved back into the park.
The vehicle was on its way to Golaghat from Guwahati. This is the second incident of a rhino straying out of the park within a week with the animal injuring two persons in neighbouring Jorhat district on Tuesday. The one-horned rhinoceros come out of the Park in Golaghat district, lost its direction back and moved 45 km away into Jorhat district. Being chased by people the pachyderm entered Napomua village, about 15 km from Jorhat town, and attacked two farmers injuring them.
January 19, 2012. Sky News Third Australia Shark Attack In Three Weeks
An Australian swimmer is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a tiger shark in what is the country's second attack in two days and third this month.
The 26-year-old man was snorkelling in a lagoon in Western Australia's Coral Bay when the 3m (10ft) shark bit into his arm, leaving him with severe wounds.
Royal Flying Doctor Service spokeswoman Joanne Hill said a doctor was assessing him, but his injuries were not life threatening and he was in a stable condition.
The man, who is a tour operator, was due to be flown to Perth for further treatment.
Tiger sharks are one of the most aggressive species and have been responsible for deaths in the past.
The attack comes a day after a surfer was bitten by a shark at a beach near Newcastle on the east coast, in scenes witnesses said were "like Jaws".
Tattoo artist Glen Folkard, 44, was catching waves off Redhead Beach when a 2m (6.5ft) shark, thought to be a bull shark, attacked him in front of dozens of stunned swimmers.
Witnesses said the animal took a large chunk out of Mr Folkard's thigh as well as his board before dragging him under the water.
He managed to shake himself free and, with the help of fellow surfers, paddled back to shore trailing blood as the shark circled. He was then taken to hospital where he is said to be stable after surgery.
Even though Redhead Beach is "netted", lifeguards have not confirmed whether there were shark nets in the water at the time of the attack.
"It was kind of like Jaws, you know, the scene at the start... where everybody's pulled out of the water and it's a hot day and the water's inviting," a witness, named only as Peter, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"His (Folkard's) skin was really grey, he obviously lost quite a lot of blood."
Another witness, Tony James, added: "It's just hit him and took him under for a bit. He's managed to get to the surface but I saw it start to follow him."
Bull sharks are a medium-sized species known for their aggression and tendency to attack humans.
Around 500 people were on the popular family beach at the time, with about 100 in the water, according to reports.
Rescue helicopters conducting air patrols spotted several large groups of sharks nearby and beaches in the area were closed.
They reopened less than 24 hours later
But they reopened less than 24 hours later, although jet ski and helicopter patrols were continuing, as the schools of baitfish that are thought to have drawn the sharks close to shore moved further out to sea.
On January 3 another surfer was bitten on the arm by a shark off North Avoca beach, also on the east coast.
Fatal attacks are rare in Australia, with just 27 people killed in the past 22 years.
January 16, 2012. Austin, TX, 30-Year Summary of Dog Attack Deaths and Maimings Report is Released by Animal People Editor
Data shows that fatal and serious maulings by pit bulls have greatly escalated in the past 10 years. Furthermore, 39% of the total number of pit bull attacks and 42% of the fatalities have occurred since the 2007 Michael Vick case.
Austin, TX, January 16, 2012 --(PR.com)-- DogsBite.org - Merritt Clifton, editor of Animal People, has released a 30-year summary of his report, Dog Attack Deaths and Maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to December 26, 2011. It has been over 10 years since the CDC published its 20-year fatal dog attack study. Moreover, the 30-year Clifton dog attack report measures a much deeper level than the CDC fatal dog attack study; it tracks serious injuries, maimings and deaths by dog breed.
According to the summary report, 65% of the pit bull attacks resulting in someone being killed or maimed during the past 30 years have occurred during the past 10 years. "This rate increase should startle even the most casual reader," said Colleen Lynn, founder of DogsBite.org. Fatalpitbullattacks.com backs up this accelerated injury rate as well. In the last 8 years of the CDC study (1991 to 1998) pit bulls and their mixes killed 23 Americans. In the 8-year period of 2004 to 2011 pit bulls killed 140 Americans.
The average kill rate for pit bulls during the same 8-year period of the CDC study was 2.8 deaths annually. The average kill rate from 2004 to 2011 was 17.5 deaths annually, up roughly 625%. In the whole 20-year CDC study period, pit bulls and their mixes killed 76 Americans averaging 3.8 deaths annually. This same dog breed has inflicted over 90 deaths in just the past 5 years alone (2007 to 2011). These are death rates only and do not account for serious maulings.
DogsBite.org urges doctors, attorneys, lawmakers and law enforcement officials to take a close look at the 30-Year Summary of Dog Attacks Deaths and Maimings, U.S. & Canada. "All of the numbers from the first 10 years of data collection look like a single year's worth of data from recent years," Clifton states. He added that despite "ramped up" efforts by national animal groups in the wake of the Michael Vick case, 39% of the total number of pit bull attacks and 42% of the fatalities have occurred since 2007.
The 30-year summary and full reports are available for download at DogsBite.org:
http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-study-dog-attacks-and-maimings-merritt-clifton.php
About Us
DogsBite.org is a national dog bite victims' group dedicated to reducing serious dog attacks. Through our work, we hope to protect both people and pets from future attacks. Our website, www.dogsbite.org, was launched in October 2007 and contains a wide collection of data to help policymakers and citizens learn about dangerous dogs. Our research focuses on pit bull type dogs. Due to selective breeding practices that emphasize aggression and tenacity, this class of dogs negatively impacts communities the most. Our website hosts important dog bite studies, U.S. dog bite fatalities and other key bibliographies. In the Legislating Dogs portion of our site, we offer examples of breed-specific laws (state-by-state) and documentation of the constitutionality of these laws. The Victim Realities section provides a glance into the unforgettable stories victims leave behind and much more. DogsBite.org operates out of Austin, Texas and can be contacted via: 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-650-8510 end_of_the_skype_highlighting 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January 9, 2012. Amitabha Bhattasali BBC. Leopard in deadly attack in Indian city of Guwahati
One person has been killed and several others injured in an attack by a leopard in the Indian state of Assam.
The man died after the leopard attacked several people in a densely populated area of the city of Guwahati.
The leopard strayed into the Shilpukhuri area of the city on Saturday and attacked residents, one of whom died the next day of his injuries.
The animal has now been released into the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, forest officials said.
For the people of Guwahati, bomb blasts and other terror attacks were not uncommon till recently, because of repeated attacks by the secessionist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), but a leopard straying into a town is rare, particularly during the day.
Chased out
The leopard was first sighted on Saturday morning near a crematorium in the town.
As the funeral of a Congress Party leader's son was going on, the place was full of dignitaries, ministers and other VIPs.
Police sent them to a safer place and chased the leopard out, but it turned towards the Shilpukhuri residential area.
"First, it jumped across several multi-storey buildings, including a bank, then jumped on to the ground," said Manas Paran, photojournalist for the Sunday Indian magazine and an eyewitness.
Local people armed with sticks and iron rods tried to chase the leopard away. The enraged animal then started attacking locals, Mr Paran told BBC.
Mr Paran kept following the big cat at extremely close quarters to get good pictures for his magazine.
Deb Kumar Das, aged around 50, was one of the first people whom the leopard clawed at. He suffered severe wounds to the head, ear and neck.
He was treated in hospital but later returned home, where he was found dead on Sunday.
Several others suffered the ire of the big cat. One of them, Kripesh Dey, had part of his scalp removed in the attack.
Later, when the leopard entered a shop, locals locked it up. Forest officials and vets reached the scene after some time with tranquilisers and were able to capture it.
"After it was tranquilised and treated in Guwahati Zoo, we released it in the Manas Wildlife Sancturary today", said Utpal Borah, head of the zoo.
This incident has once again brought to fore the conflict between humans and animals in India.
Assam's forest officials say humans are encroaching onto leopard habitats. Residential areas built right in leopard habitats have become vulnerable to such attacks.
This is the second death from leopard attacks in five years.
January 2, 2012. Las Vegas: PETA, owner at odds on fate of retiring MGM lions
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The owner of 40 lions losing their jobs at a Las Vegas Strip casino dismissed a call by an animal rights group to send them to a sanctuary instead of a Nevada ranch.
The reaction from owner Keith Evans came after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote a letter commending the MGM Grand for announcing it would close its lion habitat attraction on Jan. 31.
The glass-enclosed exhibit, which is free to the public, is being phased out as part of a $160 million renovation.
Evans is solely responsible for the care of the animals, according to MGM Grand officials. Evans told the Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://bit.ly/vb2moA ) he has held a U.S. Department of Agriculture license for keeping the lions for 40 years.
PETA officials criticized Evans for a plan to take the animals back to his eight-acre ranch, where he has said he wants to develop an attraction called “The Cat House.”
The officials said the animals wouldn’t have enough space to roam as freely as they do in the wild, and cited two lion attacks as reasons the animals shouldn’t be in direct contact with human trainers.
“In their natural habitats, lions roam many miles of territory, hunt, raise their young, and avoid contact with people,” wrote Delcianna Winders, PETA’s director of captive animal law enforcement. “It is detrimental to the mental and physical health of these animals to be confined to tiny, barren, artificial environments without any opportunity for privacy.”
Winders told the newspaper she recommended a sanctuary operated by the Galt, Calif.-based Performing Animal Welfare Society.
Evans countered that PETA has a bad track record for trying to put lions in sanctuaries. The newspaper did not provide further details.
The $9 million, 5,000-square-foot habitat opened in 1999 at the MGM. Visitors can watch the animals at play through glass on the perimeter, or from inside a glass tube that runs through the enclosure.
MGM officials said they are always looking for fresh attractions for visitors, and the attraction wasn’t the critical element of the casino’s appeal.
“It isn’t carrying the brand of the MGM Grand,” Alan Feldman, MGM Resorts International senior vice president, told the Las Vegas Sun. “The brand rests on many other attributes.”
January 2, 2012.FOX31. Denver Aurora Police: dogs involved in attack at least part pit bull
AURORA, Colo. -- Animal Care officers in Aurora now believe two dogs responsible for a vicious attack on another dog and three people last Friday were at least part pit bull and perhaps purebred, according to police.
The dogs were found dead along E-470 near E. 64th Ave. Saturday morning after apparently being hit by car, said Aurora Police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson.
Authorities are still trying to locate the owner, or owners, who could face prosecution. Pit bulls are banned in Aurora except in cases where they are used as service animals.
Carlson said the necropsy reports would not be available until after the holiday weekend.
On Friday, the dogs attacked a smaller dog in the 19200 block of E. Gunnison Circle and then wounded three people, including the owner of the smaller dog, who tried to intervene.
Two of the victims were hospitalized and the smaller dog was being treated at a local veterinary clinic.
In passing the 2005 pit bull ban, the City Council of Aurora declared that “Pit Bulls tend to be stronger than other dogs, often give no warning signals before attacking, and are less willing than other dogs to retreat from an attack.”
“The Council finds Pit Bull attacks, more often than other types of dogs, result in multiple bites and attacks of greater severity,” the city ordinance states. (Read the ordinance)
January 9, 2012. Amitabha Bhattasali BBC. Leopard in deadly attack in Indian city of Guwahati
One person has been killed and several others injured in an attack by a leopard in the Indian state of Assam
The man died after the leopard attacked several people in a densely populated area of the city of Guwahati
The leopard strayed into the Shilpukhuri area of the city on Saturday and attacked residents, one of whom died the next day of his injuries.
The animal has now been released into the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, forest officials said.
For the people of Guwahati, bomb blasts and other terror attacks were not uncommon till recently, because of repeated attacks by the secessionist United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa), but a leopard straying into a town is rare, particularly during the day.
Chased out
The leopard was first sighted on Saturday morning near a crematorium in the town.
As the funeral of a Congress Party leader's son was going on, the place was full of dignitaries, ministers and other VIPs.
Police sent them to a safer place and chased the leopard out, but it turned towards the Shilpukhuri residential area.
"First, it jumped across several multi-storey buildings, including a bank, then jumped on to the ground," said Manas Paran, photojournalist for the Sunday Indian magazine and an eyewitness.
Local people armed with sticks and iron rods tried to chase the leopard away. The enraged animal then started attacking locals, Mr Paran told BBC.
Mr Paran kept following the big cat at extremely close quarters to get good pictures for his magazine.
Deb Kumar Das, aged around 50, was one of the first people whom the leopard clawed at. He suffered severe wounds to the head, ear and neck.
He was treated in hospital but later returned home, where he was found dead on Sunday.
Several others suffered the ire of the big cat. One of them, Kripesh Dey, had part of his scalp removed in the attack.
Later, when the leopard entered a shop, locals locked it up. Forest officials and vets reached the scene after some time with tranquilisers and were able to capture it.
"After it was tranquilised and treated in Guwahati Zoo, we released it in the Manas Wildlife Sancturary today", said Utpal Borah, head of the zoo.
This incident has once again brought to fore the conflict between humans and animals in India
This is the second death from leopard attacks in five years.
January 2, 2012. Las Vegas: PETA, owner at odds on fate of retiring MGM lions
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The owner of 40 lions losing their jobs at a Las Vegas Strip casino dismissed a call by an animal rights group to send them to a sanctuary instead of a Nevada ranch.
The reaction from owner Keith Evans came after the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote a letter commending the MGM Grand for announcing it would close its lion habitat attraction on Jan. 31.
The glass-enclosed exhibit, which is free to the public, is being phased out as part of a $160 million renovation.
Evans is solely responsible for the care of the animals, according to MGM Grand officials. Evans told the Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://bit.ly/vb2moA ) he has held a U.S. Department of Agriculture license for keeping the lions for 40 years.
PETA officials criticized Evans for a plan to take the animals back to his eight-acre ranch, where he has said he wants to develop an attraction called “The Cat House.”
The officials said the animals wouldn’t have enough space to roam as freely as they do in the wild, and cited two lion attacks as reasons the animals shouldn’t be in direct contact with human trainers.
“In their natural habitats, lions roam many miles of territory, hunt, raise their young, and avoid contact with people,” wrote Delcianna Winders, PETA’s director of captive animal law enforcement. “It is detrimental to the mental and physical health of these animals to be confined to tiny, barren, artificial environments without any opportunity for privacy.”
Winders told the newspaper she recommended a sanctuary operated by the Galt, Calif.-based Performing Animal Welfare Society.
Evans countered that PETA has a bad track record for trying to put lions in sanctuaries. The newspaper did not provide further details.
The $9 million, 5,000-square-foot habitat opened in 1999 at the MGM. Visitors can watch the animals at play through glass on the perimeter, or from inside a glass tube that runs through the enclosure.
MGM officials said they are always looking for fresh attractions for visitors, and the attraction wasn’t the critical element of the casino’s appeal.
“It isn’t carrying the brand of the MGM Grand,” Alan Feldman, MGM Resorts International senior vice president, told the Las Vegas Sun. “The brand rests on many other attributes.”
January 2, 2012.FOX31. Denver Aurora Police: dogs involved in attack at least part pit bull
AURORA, Colo. -- Animal Care officers in Aurora now believe two dogs responsible for a vicious attack on another dog and three people last Friday were at least part pit bull and perhaps purebred, according to police.
The dogs were found dead along E-470 near E. 64th Ave. Saturday morning after apparently being hit by car, said Aurora Police Sgt. Cassidee Carlson.
Authorities are still trying to locate the owner, or owners, who could face prosecution. Pit bulls are banned in Aurora except in cases where they are used as service animals.
Carlson said the necropsy reports would not be available until after the holiday weekend.
On Friday, the dogs attacked a smaller dog in the 19200 block of E. Gunnison Circle and then wounded three people, including the owner of the smaller dog, who tried to intervene.
Two of the victims were hospitalized and the smaller dog was being treated at a local veterinary clinic.
In passing the 2005 pit bull ban, the City Council of Aurora declared that “Pit Bulls tend to be stronger than other dogs, often give no warning signals before attacking, and are less willing than other dogs to retreat from an attack.”
“The Council finds Pit Bull attacks, more often than other types of dogs, result in multiple bites and attacks of greater severity,” the city ordinance states. (Read the ordinance)
February 14, 2012. BBC. Lioness attack kills South Africa zoo keeper
A lioness has attacked and killed a 65-year-old South African zoo keeper at a farm owned by Johannesburg Zoo.
Joe Ramanata, who had worked for the zoo for more than 40 years, was taken to hospital but was declared dead on arrival, the zoo said.
"He was either feeding or cleaning an enclosure when he was attacked by a lioness," zoo spokeswoman, Letta Madlala, told the AFP news agency.
The 11-year-old lioness was tranquilised after the incident.
Ms Madlala said zoo managers planned to meet and decide on the fate of the lioness, AP news agency report.
She said Mr Ramanata was an experienced animal handler.
The incident happened on Parys Zoo Farm, a breeding farm in the Free State Province, about 120km (75 miles) south-west of Johannesburg.
Another spokeswoman for the zoo, Louise Gordon, said the incident may have been down to human error as it appeared that one of the enclosures was not locked at the time of the attack, reports South Africa's Pretoria News newspaper.
Police are have opened an investigation into the death.
FEBRUARY 7, 2012. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE. Tigers attack tourist bus in China
BEIJING - A group of tourists visiting a wildlife park in eastern China had a narrow escape after Bengal tigers attacked their bus, puncturing its tires and destroying the windscreen, state media said Tuesday.
A worker in charge of the enclosure at Jinan Wildlife World in Shandong province was at lunch when the incident happened last Saturday and it took officials 10 minutes to open a gate so the tourists could escape, reports said.
None of the 27 tourists on the bus were injured, but the driver's hand was hurt when the tigers jumped on the vehicle and broke the windscreen, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Terrified visitors hid under their seats as a group of up to eight tigers bit the vehicle's tires, destroyed its windshield wipers and broke windows, the Global Times reported.
Attempts to call police failed because there was no mobile phone reception, it added.
"We are deeply sorry for the accident," Wu Yanfei, deputy manager of Jinan Wildlife World, was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
The park has launched an investigation into the attack and compensated the tourists, Xinhua said.
China says it has nearly 6,000 endangered tigers in captivity, but just 50 to 60 living in the wild in its northeast.
In the 1980s, China set up tiger farms to try to preserve the big cats, intending to release some into the wild.
But the farms have come under the international spotlight, with some conservation groups saying they use the cats for their body parts, while media reports have exposed poor conditions at zoos and animal parks.
A number of attacks on humans by captive tigers have been reported in recent years.
Last year, a tour bus driver was mauled to death by a Siberian tiger at a breeding centre in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang after he got out of his vehicle to check on a mechanical problem.
In 2010, a zookeeper was killed by a Bengal tiger at Shanghai Zoo after apparently forgetting to lock the animal's cage.
