Petville

Kentucky Derby's euthanized horse - not enough attention?

The tragic euthanizing of Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles after she broke both ankles Saturday opened much for debate - some of it on how much attention the story is getting. She had finished ahead of 18 colts in the race. Then, as she continued her gallop after the race’s finish, both her front ankles broke almost simultaneously. As millions of horrified viewers watched, she was euthanized on the track, loaded into a trailer and hauled away.

Eight Belles’s death shortly after finishing second raised a question about how to cover parallel stories of winning and heartbreak. Unlike the coverage of Barbaro’s breakdown at the 2006 Preakness Stakes where Bernardini’s victory was the minor story, Big Brown kept all of the spotlight with little attention on the fallen filly.

Not too long ago, it was frowned upon for sports writers or reporters to criticize horse racing or to comment on the humane treatment issues.

Angered by the death of Eight Belles, New York Times columnist William Rhoden asked, "Why do we refuse to put the brutal game of racing in the realm of mistreatment of animals?" He asked, "At what point do we at least raise the question about the efficacy of thousand-pound horses racing at full throttle on spindly legs?"

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, issued the following in a statement - "Here are some of the historic problems. Drugging of injured horses to keep them running, which makes vulnerable horses more susceptible to breakdowns. Racing horses too young. Because the marquee events feature three-year-olds, these horses must start racing at the tender age of two years, and that's well before their skeletal systems are sturdy enough to endure the pounding from the rigors of the race track. And then there are the problems coming to light more than ever – problems related to breeding. Breeding too many horses, and waiting for someone else to clean up the problem. And breeding them for body characteristics that make these animals vulnerable to breakdowns, especially those spindly legs underneath these stout torsos.”

First place winner Big Brown returned $6.80 on a $2 bet. Which story should take precedence?

 

Baby Boom Time for Wildlife

Human Intervention Can Cause Tragic Results for Wildlife Babies, According to The HSUS

Wildlife baby season is officially here, which means that more people may come face-to-face with newborn squirrels, deer, rabbits, birds, raccoons and skunks now than at any other time of year. The HSUS receives a substantial increase in frantic calls in April from homeowners who have stumbled across wildlife babies in yards, attics, sheds and garages.

According to Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife for The HSUS, "Baby season coincides with a rise in temperatures, spring cleaning and yard work. With all of that human activity, many people will stumble across baby wildlife. The critical issue is that  some newborns, depending on the species,  are left alone for certain periods of time and people automatically assume these creatures need human help if the mother is nowhere in sight. However, this is not always the case. Most people have very good intentions, but all too often human intervention can result in orphaned wildlife."

When baby wild animals need human help:

Mississippi Passes Law to Combat Hog-Dog Fighting

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour signed a law outlawing hog-dog fighting, which passed the state legislature with strong bipartisan support on Monday. This lesser-known variant of animal fighting consists of setting trained attack dogs loose on trapped feral pigs to kill them in a timed contest. The pigs are often stripped of their tusks, leaving them defenseless.

Hog-dog fighting had previously been banned in 2006, but the prohibition was set to expire this year. The legislature has continued the ban through 2012.

"We applaud Mississippi lawmakers for rightly continuing the prohibition on  hog-dog fighting, a vicious blood sport that has plenty of animal cruelty, but no socially redeemable value," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The HSUS.

H.B. 947 was sponsored by Rep. Joseph L. Warren, D-Mount Olive.

Under the new law, those guilty of hog-dog fighting face a maximum fine of $1,000 and/or a maximum imprisonment of six months.

DNA test reveals mutts’ canine heritage

[click cartoon for detail]
For years, owners have been able to get dogs tested to prove they are the offspring of parents that breeders said they were. In the new testing, DNA markers that help tell breeds apart are checked against the thousands of DNA samples to find out Fido’s ancestry.

A new test unveiled late last month by Virginia-based Mars Veterinary uses DNA from blood samples taken by veterinarians and sent to a lab in Lincoln, Nebraska. Within four to six weeks the genetic puzzle is solved for the dogs’ owners.

The method can test for 134 of the 157 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. The company plans to have data for all the breeds by the end of this year, said Paul Jones, a scientist in England who led the method’s development.

The cost of a cheek-swab test is $65; the cost of the blood test is up to vets but could range between $100 and $200. There are limitations. Because DNA gets more muddied with each generation, great-grandparents are the oldest relatives that can be mixed breeds themselves in order to secure a reliable answer for the mixed breed in question.

Rescued Iraqi dog flown to America

Life in Iraq can be tough on a dog. Count Nubs among the luckiest. He got out thanks to a San Diego-based Marine, Maj. Brian Dennis, who befriended him and then had him flown home.

Dennis, who is based at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, is serving along the border between Iraq and Syria, where he is helping to train Iraqis. It's rough terrain. Nubs and other dogs lived in an old Iraqi fort and survived on food scraps.

Nubs ran wild and Dennis grew fond of him. Dennis didn't think the relationship would last. He's in a war zone, after all. When Dennis and his team were ordered to move 70 miles away, he figured life with Nubs was over.

It wasn't. Nubs somehow tracked the Marines to their new location, showing up two days after they did. Dennis was amazed. He was convinced then that he couldn't leave this dog behind. He wrote home, saying he wanted to take Nubs back to the U.S.

Friends rallied, raising more than $3,500, and the wheels were put in motion.

Yesterday, after a couple stops along the way, Nubs flew to his new home in the U.S.

(Note that military policy prohibits having pets in war zones, and Dennis was given four days to get the dog off the base or kill him. Read more about Nubs' adventures in Iraq here.)

Expensive Hollywood Pups Traced to Pet Mills

LOS ANGELES—An investigation of Pets of Bel Air, an upscale pet boutique on the edge of Beverly Hills, reveals that employees have routinely deceived customers by falsely claiming that all puppies sold at the store, which is frequented by Hollywood celebrities, are raised by private breeders and that they don’t use puppy mills.

In fact, HSUS investigators uncovered evidence that many of the puppies sold at Pets of Bel Air come from puppy mills in the Midwest—factory-like operations where the dogs are kept in barren cages and treated like production machines.

Pets of Bel Air employees stated that Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Denise Richards, Demi Moore and Robin Williams are among the store's celebrity clientele. In addition to selling puppies and other animals, the boutique also sells pet supplies and offers grooming services.

Wayne Pacelle, the president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, unveiled the results of the undercover investigation at a press conference at Los Angeles Animal Services. A six-minute video report chronicling the months-long investigation is posted at humanesociety.org.

Progressive introduces Pet Injury Coverage

Progressive Corp. is providing collision coverage for customers' dogs or cats at no additional premium cost. It will pay up to $500 if a customer's dog or cat is hurt or dies in a car accident.

"Progressive's long history of product and service innovations proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks," said Geoff Souser, product manager, Progressive. "Providing injury insurance for customers' pets that they otherwise wouldn't have is just one example of this."

Typically, if a person causes an accident, their car insurance policy provides benefits for pets in the other person's car, but the person's own pets are not covered. Progressive is not aware of any other car insurance company that provides this type of first-party coverage for pets.

Animal cruelty charge for sitter who overfed pig

Michelle Schmitz, of Winona, Minn., feeds her pot-bellied pig, Alaina, a healthy snack of banana Monday, Nov.5, 2007, at her sister's house in Winona. The pig, which ate its way from 50 to 150 pounds while in the care of a sitter, has lost 15 pounds since being returned to Schmitz one week ago. Schmitz wanted to press charges after the animal gained 100 pounds while under a pet sitter's care. The pig is back on a strict diet and has already lost 10 percent of her weight. (AP Photo/Winona Daily News, M Carlo)
full story

Hunter recovering after being shot by dog

Sometimes you have to say "Good Dog!"

In Iowa a hunter is recovering after he was shot in the leg at close range by his dog, who stepped on his shotgun and tripped the trigger, an official said Tuesday.

James Harris, 37, of Tama, was hit in the calf Saturday, the opening day of pheasant season, said Alan Foster, a spokesman with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“He had surgery and is doing pretty well,” he said. “He took between 100-120 pellets in about a 4-inch circle to his calf.”

Harris was listed in good condition Tuesday, officials at University Hospitals in Iowa City said.Harris was hunting with a group about three miles north of Grinnell. The group shot a bird, and when Harris went to get it, he put his gun on the ground and crossed a fence. As he crossed the fence, his hunting dog stepped on the gun.

Heroic Cat and Dog Among ASPCA Winners

NEW YORK, November 1, 2007—A Golden Retriever performs the Heimlich maneuver; a cat saves her owners from carbon monoxide poisoning; a young girl protects horses from slaughter; a firefighter rescues pets from burning buildings; a Southern deputy investigates animal cruelty; a baseball manager establishes a non-profit for companion animals; and a Pennsylvanian takes on homeless pets and puppy mills—these seven animals and people were honored for their heroic deeds at this year’s ASPCA^® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City.

The ASPCA’s annual ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon was held on Thursday, November 1, from noon to 2 p.m. at New York City’s historic Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center. It recognized individuals who have worked on behalf of animal welfare as well as animals who have engaged in acts of heroism during the past year. A special Presidential Award was also presented to WNBC-TV Anchor Chuck Scarborough, an ASPCA supporter and philanthropist who also serves as the event's master of ceremonies.

“The Humane Awards Luncheon is our way of recognizing the important role animals play in our lives, the significance of the human-animal bond, and the people who make animal welfare a central part of their lives,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Following a nationwide call to the public for nominations in June, an ASPCA-appointed committee identified finalists in seven categories, and these winners are the best of the best.”

The 2007 ASPCA Humane Award winners are:

Study links house dust to cat illness

A new federal study suggests that household dust containing a common flame retardant may be linked to an increase in cats getting sick from overactive thyroids.

That could be a warning sign for how young children could get exposed to the chemical, said Linda S. Birnbaum, director of experimental toxicology at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and co-author of the study.

The small study looks at chemical flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were used in foam, plastics, furniture, electronics, fabrics and carpet padding. The sole American manufacturer in 2004 agreed to phase out the types of PBDEs included in the study because of concern about toxicity in animals. But PBDEs remain in American homes.

The study of 23 cats found the older felines with high levels of certain types of PBDEs tended to have overactive thyroids, the researchers reported online Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Hyperthyroidism is treatable in both cats and humans. In cats, the disease started soaring in America in the late 1970s and 1980s, soon after PBDEs became common, according to the researchers.

full story

Trouble is now worth $12 million

Real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley left $12 million in her will for her dog Trouble but cut out two of her four grandchildren entirely.    

Helmsley, the "Queen of Mean" who was famously quoted as saying "only the little people pay taxes" before going to jail for tax evasion, died August 20 at 87.

The 14-page will was made public in Surrogate's Court on Tuesday and reported in New York media on Wednesday, with the New York Post headlining the story "Rich bitch," referring to the female dog.

Trouble, a white Maltese, will be cared for by Helmsley's brother Alvin Rosenthal, who was left $10 million.

Two grandchildren, David and Walter Panzirer, will be left $5 million each as long as they visit their father's grave at least once a year -- Helmsley's son, Jay Panzirer, died in 1982 -- and her chauffeur will get $100,000.

"I have not made any provisions in this will for my grandson Craig Panzirer or my granddaughter Meegan Panzirer for reasons which are known to them," Helmsley wrote.

The will calls for Trouble to be entombed alongside Helmsley and husband Harry Helmsley, who died in 1997, in their $1.4 million mausoleum, for which Leona Helmsley set aside $3 million for upkeep including annual cleanings.

A spokesman for Helmsley declined to comment on the will.

Helmsley was convicted of evading $1.7 million in taxes in 1989 and served 18 months in federal prison.

At trial a former housekeeper recounted that Helmsley had once told her: "We don't pay taxes. Only little people pay taxes." Helmsley denied making the statement.

Much of her estimated $4 billion fortune is tied up in Helmsley Enterprises, which will be controlled by five people, Walter and David Panzirer, Rosenthal, Helmsley's lawyer and a Helmsley adviser, the New York Post reported. Other proceeds from the sale of her estate are destined for a charitable trust.

NFL Quarterback Vick to plead guilty in dogfighting case

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal that could send him to prison, ending a federal dogfighting prosecution that jeopardizes his pro football career, a Virginia newspaper is reporting.

Vick will plead guilty to felony conspiracy next Monday, defense attorney Lawrence Woodward told the Virginian-Pilot, of Norfolk, Virginia.

The newspaper reports that the plea will help Vick avoid additional federal charges.

"Mike's accepting full responsibility," Woodward told the newspaper. "He's going to do everything he can personally and professionally to make this situation right."

Federal prosecutors had offered a deal recommending an 18- to 36-month prison sentence. Vick's attorneys were trying to reduce that to less than a year, two sources told CNN on Monday.

It was not immediately clear whether Vick's attorneys have heard back Monday from National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell's office. They wanted to clarify Vick's career options before entering into any deal with federal prosecutors, the sources said.

Vick's three codefendants in the dogfighting case have accepted agreements to plead guilty in exchange for reduced sentences.

If Vick doesn't accept a deal, he could face additional charges in the case on Monday, when a grand jury convenes in Richmond, Virginia.

The NFL is considering what, if any, sanctions they should impose on the 27-year-old suspended Atlanta Falcons player.

Court documents released last week showed that two of Vick's alleged partners said he helped kill dogs that didn't fight well, and that all three men "executed approximately eight dogs" in ways that included hanging and drowning.

The dogs were killed because they fared poorly in "testing" sessions in April at Vick's property in Virginia where the dogfighting venture was based, according to documents released following plea agreement hearings Friday for Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, and Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta.

 

Amazon selling materials promoting animal fighting?

"How to Select, Breed, Train and Manage Fighting Dogs, With Points as to Their Care in Health and Disease"

When I saw this page on HSUS to protest the sales of animal fighting materials on Amazon.com, I really hoped that it was some exaggeration... or at least hoped the online bookseller giant would have removed any item promoting animal fighting.

With the high profile indictment of NFL star Michael Vick, all eyes and ears are sensitive to the promotion of animal fighting. And they should be.

While searching through Amazon.com, I've found several books dedicated to the history of dog fighting or cock fighting, one which includes the description above, but is also written in 1888. The cumbersome title is actually "The Dog Pit - Or, How To Select, Breed, Train And Manage Fighting Dogs, With Points As To Their Care In Health And Disease - 1888 (History Of Fighting Dogs Series)"

It sounds like the last part of the title was most likely added on with its republishing, to point out it's a history reference, not promotional. I didn't read it, so I can not give an opinion on how modern society may interpret it. The accompanying description reads:

Book Description
Originally published in 1888, this book is extremely rare and much sought after in its original format. It has now been republished in a modern edition by Read Country Books. Includes 12 black + white wood block print illustrations of famous dogs of the day. It contains a great deal of scarce information on the development of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the pit dogs of the day.Contents Include How to Select, Breed, Train and Manage Fighting Dogs, With Points as to Their Care in Health and Disease (contains) The latest Revised Police Gazette Rules with Portraits of Famous Fighting Canines, and Numerous other Illustrations also, full Account of the Great Battle for the Worlds Championship, between Pilot, of New York, and Crib, of Louisville. By An Expert Of Thirty Years Experience.

Another worrisome publication available at Amazon is Gamecock magazine. Described as "Articles on gamefowl, poultry diseases, sport results..." it sounds appalling.  Many  animal enthusiasts have already voiced their opinion on Amazon - at this writing it has over 70 user reviews with statements of disgust.

Should Amazon sell these items?

Rescued dog chained to train tracks now adopted

An ailing dog that was rescued after being chained to some railroad tracks in Dallas has a new home today. A McKinney family has adopted the black Lab-chow mix dubbed "Spike" by animal welfare officials who've been caring for the dog.

A Union Pacific train conductor - on July 24th - noticed the dog chained to some adjacent tracks.
Two trains were stopped so an employee could free the malnourished animal.

Spike has now been placed with the Mike Watson family, who arrived today with their own pet - an Alaskan Husky - to see if the two dogs would get along.

So far, so good.

Nike sacks Michael Vick; Let's hope NFL follows suit

Last week, activists lined up outside of the Atlanta Flacons' training camp, NFL headquarters and even Niketown to demand Quaterback Michael Vick be banned from playing and stripped of his commercial endorsements, due to his alleged involvement with dogfighting.

A federal grand jury in Richmond indicted him and three other men on charges related to their alleged operation of a dogfighting ring based at a property Vick owns in southeastern Virginia.

Vick was charged with competitive dogfighting and conducting the venture across state lines. The 19-page indictment alleged Vick was highly involved in the operation, alleging that he attended fights and paid off bets when his dogs lost. It said he also was involved in the executions of dogs that did not perform well.

If convicted, Vick could face a total of up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. He could face additional discipline by the NFL, even if he is not convicted.

Recognizing that social responsibility and conscience come before profits, Nike announced on Friday evening that the company dropped accused dogfighter Michael Vick. Their statement said in part, "Nike has suspended Michael Vick’s contract without pay, and will not sell any more Michael Vick product at Nike owned retail at this time."

The HSUS has set up a form you can send to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, demanding to keep Michael Vick off the field. Click here to send your opinion.

The Incredible Hulk of Hounds

Meet Wendy, the dog whose appearance is a long way from the usual long, lean and sleek look of her breed.

She was born with a genetic defect which has left her looking like the Incredible Hulk of Hounds.

While her head, heart, lungs and legs are the size of those of a normal whippet, her gene defect means she is "double muscled".

She weighs twice as much as she should - and has bulging neck muscles, burly shoulders and haunches like a baboon. And unlike ordinary whippets known for their lithe and narrow frame, this four-year-old pedigree doesn't just have a sixpack stomach, she has a 24-pack.

The Incredible Hulk: The dog made of muscle

Sadly, her mixed-up genes mean she may have a shorter life expectancy than most breeds. But while she may look oddly menacing, her doting owner Ingrid Hansen claims the giant pooch likes nothing better than clambering up on to your lap to have her back scratched.

"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," she said.

"She's healthy and happy. That's all that counts.

The whippet, who lives on a farm in Victoria, Canada, has been the subject of an American genetics study. Although the dogs are customarily bred for hunting, racing and showing, Wendy enjoys a slower pace of life.

She spends her days prowling around the fields, chasing other dogs and horses and sleeping on her owner's bed.

more photos here

N.J. dog crowned world's ugliest

Pictured here is Elwood, who weighs in at just 6 lbs and was rescued as the result of a New Jersey SPCA investigation. Yesterday he won the title of World's ugliest dog of 2007.

Elwood, dark colored and hairless — save for a mohawk-like puff of white fur on his head — is often referred to as "Yoda," or "ET," for his resemblance to those famous science fiction characters.

"I think he's the cutest thing that ever lived," said Elwood's owner, Karen Quigley, a resident of Sewell, New Jersey.

Quigley brought Elwood out to compete for the second year at the annual ugly dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair. Elwood placed second last year.

Most of the competing canines were also Chinese Crested, a breed that features a mohawk, bug eyes and a long, wagging tongue.

Quigley said she rescued Elwood two years ago. "The breeder was going to euthanize him because she thought he was too ugly to sell," said Quigley.

Beyond the regal title of ugliest dog, Elwood also earned a $1,000 reward for his owner.

Man claims to own a "racist dog"

This one definitely caught our attention...

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A Belgian businessman rejected a Nigerian job applicant because the businessman said his own dog was racist and would bite non-whites, Belgian media reported Saturday. The 53-year-old man Nigerian told De Standaard newspaper he arrived at the Belgian's wrought-iron business and was immediately confronted by the barking dog.

The Belgian turned the man away before he could even enter, and wrote on his labor office letter that he could not hire the man because of his color, adding there was a risk the dog would bite him.

The local labor office has concluded that the Belgian was racist and has removed him from its list of potential employers.

"My dog is racist. Not me," the Belgian told De Standaard.

The Nigerian, who has lived in Belgium for 32 years, said it was not the first time he had been rejected for a job because of his color, although other employers had been more subtle.

He told the newspaper that he did not wish to lodge a formal complaint because he did not wish his family in Nigeria to hear about the case.

Dog Food Produced in Manassas, VA Recalled

A pet food maker Wednesday recalled some of its dog food sold exclusively at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. because of concerns about possible salmonella contamination.

The recall issued by Brentwood, Tenn.-based Doane Pet Care Co. is unrelated to recent pet food recalls connected to tainted Chinese proteins used in some pet food production.

Only a single batch of 55-pound bags of Ol' Roy Complete Nutrition dog food is being recalled. The dog food was produced at a plant in Manassas and distributed to 69 Wal-Mart stores in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Ohio. Forty of the stores are in Virginia.

The company recalled the dog food after the Food and Drug Administration detected the presence of salmonella. People handling the food could potentially be exposed to the bacteria, along with pets that eat the food. The company said no illnesses have been reported.

Affected bags have the code 04 0735 1 and a "best by" date of April 13, 2008.

Doane Pet Care is a division of the privately held, McLean-based Mars Inc. manufacturer of candy and pet foods.

Consumers with questions can call 800-624-7387 or find further information at http://www.doanepetcare.com

Dog attacks cause halt to mail service in Detroit area

So far this year, dogs have attacked at least 34 postal employees in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties near Detroit, MI, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Last year, there were 124 such attacks in the metro area, officials said, stressing that attacks pick up during summer months.

The problem got so severe that the postal service indefinitely halted mail delivery in an area surrounded by four streets in northwest Detroit near Livernois and 8 Mile in mid-April. Shannon LaBruyere, a spokeswoman for the Postal Service's southeast district of Michigan, said she couldn't remember mail ever being cut off because of dog attacks.

Some residents along the blocks of Greenlawn, Woodingham, Chippewa and Pembroke are enraged; others are inconvenienced but understand the problem.

Animal control officers have picked up five loose dogs in the area since April 13, said Bruce King, director of environmental services for the Detroit Health Department. We've had 15 visits to the neighborhood since April," King said Tuesday. "And we plan to shadow the postal workers when mail delivery resumes."

Keeping carriers safe

The U.S. Postal Service can refuse delivery to your home for various safety concerns, including:
• Icy walkway or walkway in disrepair.
• Dangerous steps or unstable porch.
• Loose dog

More info here

London Soccer manager refuses to hand over dog

Since the last post was centered on a sports figure, I figured this one to be an appropriate follow-up, only in this case we can feel some empathy for the man in the headlines.

Chelsea soccer manager Jose Mourinho's trouble with authorities began when his wife called Tuesday evening to say police were trying to seize their Yorkshire terrier over an alleged violation of Britain's strict quarantine laws, according to The Sun newspaper.

Mourinho left Chelsea's Player of the Year awards and rushed home, where his wife had refused to let police take the animal and had gotten into an argument with officers. Mourinho then argued with the officers himself, leading to his arrest for obstructing police, although no charges were filed. In the meantime, the little dog disappeared.

Now, officials are looking for the fugitive terrier, and Mourinho, whose outspoken criticism of opposing players, coaches and referees made him one of the most polarizing figures in English soccer, is once again at the center of a controversy.

Scotland Yard said the dog was to be seized under the Animal Health Act of 1981 and the Rabies Order of 1974. Britain's animal quarantine laws only allow dogs into the country after they have obtained a "pet passport," a six-month process that involves rabies vaccination, tick and tapeworm treatment, blood tests and other steps.

Even pets born and bred in Britain need a passport if they are returning from abroad.

NFL Quarterback Investigated for Alleged Dog Fighting

The Humane Society of the United States today released a statement in reaction to the news that Michael Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, is being investigated for alleged animal neglect and possible dog fighting connections.

Yesterday, a search warrant was issued for a property owned by Vick, in Surry County, Virginia. According to reports, law enforcement authorities discovered dogs in a state of apparent neglect and malnourishment. The Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce was on the scene. Officers discovered up to 70 dogs, many with wounds and scars believed to be from dog fighting, according to sources.

"The Humane Society of the United States has heard troubling reports for some time that Michael Vick has been involved in organized dog fighting, and we fear that this investigation may validate that very disturbing allegation," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "We urge law enforcement to aggressively investigate this matter, and we further believe that anyone who harbors dogs for the purpose of fighting, deserves to be fully prosecuted their crimes. Dog fighting is a barbaric activity that causes immense animal suffering and fosters violence in our communities.  Our nation should have a zero tolerance policy for any form of staged animal fighting."

HSUS Facts:

• Other sports figures have been arrested for dog fighting including NBA's Qyntel Woods, and the NFL's LeShon Johnson.
• Boxer Roy Jones Jr. is a known cockfighter.
• There are reports of animal fighting crimes nearly every week in the United States. In March alone, raids in Ohio and California yielded dozens of arrests, the seizure of 64 dogs, 300 birds, $30,000 dollars in illegal gambling proceeds, guns and an explosive device. 
• Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states. Cockfighting is illegal in 49 states, with Governor Bill Richardson signing a bill to ban cockfighting in New Mexico last month.  Only Louisiana allows legal cockfighting.

While Vick said he's not involved in dog fighting, a website shed light on his apparent interest in breeding through a business known as "Mike Vick K-9 Kennels."

The site, VicksK9Kennels.com, said Vick specializes in breeding registered puppies ranging from rare pit bull terriers to "the highly intelligent and powerful Presa Canario." It also contains a disclaimer that none of its dogs were used for fighting.

President Signs Landmark Animal Fighting Legislation

From HSUS: President Bush signed into law a bill that will help law enforcement rid the United States of dogfighting, cockfighting, and other forms of animal fighting.

Dogfighting and cockfighting crimes are rampant in the United States, with individuals arrested every week in scores of locations under state laws. The vast underground networks generate pervasive animal cruelty, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, public corruption and even violence and murder. The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which passed Congress with large bi-partisan support, will give law enforcement a stronger tool to crack down on this illegal activity.

The law takes effect immediately. It provides felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities, including commerce in cockfighting weapons. It will make it much harder for criminals who engage in dogfighting and cockfighting to continue their operations. Each violation of the federal law may bring up to three years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine for perpetrators.

Cockfighting is outlawed in every state except Louisiana, although there is mounting pressure in that state to ban the practice. Many states still have misdemeanor penalties for cockfighting. The federal law slaps felony penalties on interstate cockfighting trafficking, and this should provide an enormous deterrent for the tens of thousands of people involved in this criminal industry.

More info at HSUS

Filler in Animal Feed Is Open Secret in China

As American food safety regulators head to China to investigate how a chemical made from coal found its way into pet food that killed dogs and cats in the United States, workers in this heavily polluted northern city openly admit that the substance is routinely added to animal feed as a fake protein.

For years, producers of animal feed all over China have secretly supplemented their feed with the substance, called melamine, a cheap additive that looks like protein in tests, even though it does not provide any nutritional benefits, according to melamine scrap traders and agricultural workers here.

“Many companies buy melamine scrap to make animal feed, such as fish feed,” said Ji Denghui, general manager of the Fujian Sanming Dinghui Chemical Company, which sells melamine. “I don’t know if there’s a regulation on it. Probably not. No law or regulation says ‘don’t do it,’ so everyone’s doing it. The laws in China are like that, aren’t they? If there’s no accident, there won’t be any regulation.”

Melamine is at the center of a recall of 60 million packages of pet food, after the chemical was found in wheat gluten linked this month to the deaths of at least 16 pets and the illness of possibly thousands of pets in the United States.

No one knows exactly how melamine (which is not believed to be particularly toxic) became so fatal in pet food, but its presence in any form of American food is illegal.

The pet food case is also putting China’s agricultural exports under greater scrutiny because the country has had a terrible food safety record.

In recent years, for instance, China’s food safety scandals have involved everything from fake baby milk formulas and soy sauce made from human hair to instances where cuttlefish were soaked in calligraphy ink to improve their color and eels were fed contraceptive pills to make them grow long and slim.

For their part, Chinese officials dispute any suggestion that melamine from the country could have killed pets. But regulators here on Friday banned the use of melamine in vegetable proteins made for export or for use in domestic food supplies.

Yet what is clear from visiting this region of northeast China is that for years melamine has been quietly mixed into Chinese animal feed and then sold to unsuspecting farmers as protein-rich pig, poultry and fish feed.

full article here

Prozac approved for dogs with separation anxiety

Beef-flavored tablet will treat dogs suffering separation anxiety

Man’s best friend may have a new best friend after Eli Lilly and Co. won U.S. approval to sell its former blockbuster antidepressant Prozac to treat misbehaving mutts.

The drug, repackaged into a chewable, beef-flavored tablet to be called Reconcile, was officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs in conjunction with behavior modification training, the drug maker said on Wednesday.

The product gives new life to a drug that was once Lilly’s most lucrative medicine before it lost patent protection several years ago and sales evaporated in the face of generic competition.

full article here

Cat saves family from poisonous fumes

The cat jumped on the bed, meowed wildly until owner woke and called 911

NEW CASTLE, Ind. - A cat helped spare a family from death by carbon monoxide poisoning by jumping on the bed and meowing wildly as fumes filled the home, the owners said.

Eric and Cathy Keesling said their 14-year-old cat, Winnie, played a crucial role in saving their lives March 24 after a gasoline-powered water pump in their basement caused the odorless but deadly gas to build up.

About 1 a.m., the domestic shorthair began nudging Cathy’s ear and meowing loudly.

“It was a crazy meow, almost like she was screaming,” said Cathy, who hesitated to get up until Winnie’s caterwauling and jumping persisted.

When she finally climbed from bed, she realized she was nauseous and dizzy and couldn’t awaken her husband. Because he had undergone minor neck surgery the previous day, she decided to call 911 but was so disoriented she had trouble dialing.

Paramedics found the couple’s 14-year-old son, Michael, unconscious on the floor near his bedroom. The Keeslings were taken from the home in oxygen masks, treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and soon recovered.

Cathy Keesling said Winnie acted similarly last summer when tornadoes tore through the area, 45 miles east of Indianapolis.

A dog food that leaves almost no waste

A Dutch firm claims to have eliminated the problem of dog poo by creating a dog food that leaves almost no waste.

Developers Jos van der Linden and Nanette Waldorp say 90% of the food, called Energique, is absorbed into the dog's body.

They claim remaining 10% comes out the other end as a smell-free dry pellet that can be picked up by hand in a tissue.

According to research by the University of Utrecht, a dog will normally need to go three times a day, but with Energique it only needs to go once a week.

The pair are now selling Energique, which is totally meat based, as fast as they can, producing it at their pet food factory in Friesland.

Regular dog food only consists of about 15% meat, chicken leftovers, cereal crops and water.

Jos van der Linden said: "The food comes out as it came in, the problem is that a dog's bowel is not made for cereal crops.

"The whole secret behind the success of Energique is the simple approach that dogs, were they not pets, would only eat meat."

The new product is being hailed as a major boost in the fight to cut down on the problem of dog mess on city streets.

The only drawback is the price, Energique costs twice the price of regular dog food, but it has not stopped the company getting orders from as far as the US, Canada and Israel.

Jerky Treats, Pounce and Gravy Train among brands in Del Monte Recall

Del Monte Pet Products Voluntarily Withdraws Specific Product Codes of Pet Treats and Wet Dog Food Products

As a precautionary measure, Del Monte Pet Products is voluntarily recalling select product codes of its pet treat products sold under the Jerky Treats®, Gravy Train® Beef Sticks and Pounce Meaty Morsels® brands as well as select dog snack and wet dog food products sold under private label brands.

A complete list of affected brands and products is on the Del Monte web site.

The Company took this voluntary recall action immediately after learning this morning from the FDA that wheat gluten supplied to Del Monte Pet Products from a specific manufacturing facility in China contained melamine. Melamine is a substance not approved for use in food. The FDA made this finding as part of its ongoing investigation into the recent pet food recall.

The adulteration occurred in a limited production quantity on select product codes of the brands below. This recall removes all Del Monte pet products with wheat gluten procured from this manufacturing facility from retail shelves.

No other Del Monte Pet Products treats, biscuits or wet dog food products are impacted by this recall, and no Del Monte dry cat food, dry dog food, wet cat food or pouched pet foods are subject to this voluntary recall. The affected products comprise less than one-tenth of one percent of Del Monte Pet Products' annual pet food and pet treat production.

Del Monte Pet Products has proactively engaged and fully cooperated with the FDA since the start of its investigation. The adulterated ingredients were used in limited production over the last three months for those items identified by specific product codes. Del Monte Pet Products has not used wheat gluten from this manufacturing facility in China in any other pet products except those described on the Del Monte web site.

Consumers should discontinue feeding the products with the Product Codes detailed below to their pets.

Del Monte Pet Products are 100% guaranteed and all voluntarily recalled products will be refunded.

Del Monte Pet Products customers can contact our Consumer Hotline at (800) 949-3799 for further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining a product refund. If consumers visit our website, they can click on the "Contact Us" button and submit the Contact Us form, including UPC number, product name, Best By Date, and manufacturing code information (located under the Best By date). Consumers may also write to us at:
Del Monte
P.O. Box 80
Pittsburgh PA 15230-0080.

P&G Pet Food Recall for IAMS and Eukanuba brands

From Proctor and Gamble:

We want to comment on the new announcement by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that they have found a substance called melamine in the wheat gluten of recalled products, and not the aminopterin, as earlier suspected by the New York Foods Laboratory.

We can reassure you:

First, there is no melamine or aminopterin in any of our Iams and Eukanuba dry pet foods on store shelves.

In fact, Iams and Eukanuba dry pet foods to DO NOT contain wheat gluten.  Our dry dog and cat foods are made exclusively by P&G Pet Care and not by Menu Foods.

Pet owners can feel safe and confident in feeding all Iams and Eukanuba dry foods, as well as any wet foods that are not on the Menu Foods recall list. Click here to see the specific list of recalled wet pouch and canned products.

We want to review the key actions we’ve taken:

• We immediately worked with retailers to remove from store shelves the small number of our wet pouch and canned products affected by the Menu Foods recall.
• We immediately suspended production of all our foods manufactured at the affected Menu Foods Emporia, Kansas plant.
• We have shared all of our data and continue to cooperate fully with FDA, which is leading this important investigation.
• A task force of prominent North American veterinary health care experts, convened by Iams to review the recall, recently agreed: "Veterinarians and pet owners should feel safe recommending and feeding Iams and Eukanuba dry foods".

We want to stress again that you can confidently feed all of your pets any of our dry foods, as well as the wet foods not affected by the Menu Foods recall. If you have any questions about the recalled products, please click here to see the specific list of recalled wet pouch and canned products.

P&G Pet Care is deeply committed to pet well-being and our top priority is to help you care for your dog and cat family members. We will continue to provide you with meaningful updates. If you have additional questions, not answered on our Web site FAQs, please call us at 1-800-882-1591.

Alpo® Brand Voluntarily Recalled

Alpo® Brand Prime Cuts In Gravy Canned Dog Food Voluntary Nationwide Recall - No Dry Purina Products Involved

March 30, 2007

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company today announced it is voluntarily recalling all sizes and varieties of its ALPO® Prime Cuts in Gravy wet dog food with specific date codes. The Company is taking this voluntary action after learning today that wheat gluten containing melamine, a substance not approved for use in food, was provided to Purina by the same company that also supplied Menu Foods. The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food manufacturing facilities.

Earlier today the FDA announced the finding of melamine in products related to the March 16 Menu Foods recall, and advised Purina of the source of the contaminated supply. Purina then determined that it had received some quantity from the suspect supplier. The company proactively notified the FDA and immediately began this recall process

Purina is confident that the contaminated wheat gluten has been isolated to this limited production quantity of ALPO Prime Cuts canned products.

The recalled 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce ALPO Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can ALPO Prime Cuts Variety Packs have four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date.** This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of the multi-pack cartons.

Purina's 5.3-ounce Mighty Dog® pouch products, manufactured by Menu Foods, were previously withdrawn from the market as a precaution on March 16 as part of the Menu Foods recall. ONLY Mighty Dog pouch products and specific date codes of ALPO Prime Cuts canned dog food are being recalled.

Importantly, no Purina brand dry pet foods are affected by the recall – including ALPO Prime Cuts dry. In addition, no other Purina dog food products, no Purina cat food products, Purina treat products or Purina Veterinary Diet products are included in this recall, nor have been impacted by the contaminated wheat gluten supply.

Consumers should immediately stop feeding ALPO Prime Cuts products with the above-listed date codes to their dogs and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet.

Purina guarantees all of its products, and consumers can receive the full replacement value of the recalled products. Consumers can visit Purina at www.purina.com or call 1-800-218-5898 to receive more information.

Purina is fully cooperating with the FDA and made the decision to voluntarily recall this product in consultation with the FDA.

** Due to a product name change in early 2007, this voluntary recall also covers one item with the same date code labeled as ALPO® Prime Entrees in Gravy with Chicken, Rotini Pasta & Vegetables.

F.D.A. Now Questions Safety of Dry Pet Food

More on the recent pet food recall...

Scientists with the Food and Drug Administration have linked a chemical to the illness and deaths of cats eating tainted food and raised for the first time the possibility that dry pet food may have been affected as well as wet food.

F.D.A. officials said at a news conference today that they have linked the chemical melamine, which they said is used as a fertilizer in Asia, to the kidneys of the affected cats. Thousands of owners of both cats and dogs who feed their pets wet or dry food have complained that their pets have become ill, but the F.D.A. has not yet determined if those illnesses are linked to pet food.

The agency has recalled a batch of contaminated Chinese wheat gluten that was sent to many pet food manufacturers, including one that makes dry dog food.

But they said they do not know yet if the contaminated wheat gluten has been used to make pet food. And the F.D.A.’s finding was also immediately disputed by the New York State Food Laboratory, the testing facility that announced last Friday it had identified Aminopterin, a rat poison, in samples of tainted cat food.

Because the F.D.A. identified melamine crystals in the kidneys of affected cats, the agency is presuming the illnesses are related to the chemical, said Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the F.D.A.’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

F.D.A officials have not yet released the name of the dry pet food company that received the contaminated wheat gluten, saying it was not clear if any of that gluten had yet been made into dog food.

“We are in the plant right now,” said Michael Rogers, director of the division of field investigations in the office of regulatory affairs for the F.D.A. “At this time, we’re not certain any dry food was made with that wheat gluten. As soon as we find out what dry food, if any, was manufactured, we will announce it publicly.”

Jessica A Chittenden, a spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, said “We don’t think this is the final conclusion. Melamine is not a known toxin. There’s not enough data to show that it is toxic to cats.”

She added: “We are confident we found Aminopterin, and it makes sense with the pathology.” She also said another laboratory, Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph in Canada, had confirmed the presence of Aminopterin in the samples.

But the F.D.A. said they had been unable to find Aminopterin in the pet food samples it had tested. Researchers at Cornell said they were also unable to find any evidence of the rat poison.

“We believe the laboratories involved in this investigation should continue to maintain an open forum to definitively identify the one or more agents that are causing the deaths and illnesses of cats and dogs so that they do not enter the animal or human food chain in the future,” said Patrick Hooker, the agricultural commissioner for the state of New York.

Though Dr. Sundlof said he was not certain melamine was the chemical causing illness in dogs and cats, “at this point in the investigation, we are not focusing on Aminopterin.”

F.D.A. officials announced they had received more than 8,000 complaints from pet owners with sick pets, but they have not yet had “the luxury of time” to confirm all of those complaints are linked to tainted pet food.

Officials did acknowledge, however, that many of the complaints were from owners who only fed their pets dry food.

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted on Menu Foods' Web site. The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

Rat poison in pet food blamed for 17 deaths

[ Dr. Pedro Cisneros examines Pebbles, a 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier who later died from kidney failure after eating dog food that was later recalled, at Collett Veterinary Clinic in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles Wednesday. (AP Photo) ]

A frightening update to our last post on the pet food recall:

Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 17 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don’t know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it.

After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the “cuts and gravy” style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.

The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said.

The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and two dogs.

The latest death, a Yorkshire terrier named Pebbles, occurred Thursday. The dog died of kidney failure after eating some of the food. Her owner, Jeff Kerner, said he was contacting an attorney because he wanted to prevent another pet tragedy.

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted on Menu Foods' Web site. The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17754681/

Pet owners beware: Another pet food recall

Menu Foods Income Fund today announced the precautionary recall of a portion of the dog and cat food it manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches manufactured at two of the Fund's United States facilities. These products are both manufactured and sold under private-label and are contract-manufactured for some national brands.

Over the past several days, the Fund has received feedback in the United States (none in Canada) raising concerns about pet food manufactured since early December, and its impact on the renal health of the pets consuming the products. Shortly after receipt of the first complaint, the Fund initiated a substantial battery of technical tests, conducted by both internal and external specialists, but has failed to identify any issues with the products in question.

The Fund has, however, discovered that timing of the production associated with these complaints, coincides with the introduction of an ingredient from a new supplier. The Fund stopped using this ingredient shortly after this discovery and production since then has been undertaken using ingredients from another source. At the same time, the Fund's largest customer, for which it manufactures on a contract basis, received a small number of consumer complaints and has initiated its own recall.

Furthermore, for the time being, the customer has put future orders for cuts and gravy products on hold. This customer's cuts and gravy purchases in 2006 represented approximately 11% of the Fund's annual revenue. "We take these complaints very seriously and, while we are still looking for a specific cause, we are acting to err on the side of caution" said Paul K. Henderson, President and CEO, Menu Foods. "We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our products maintain the very highest quality standards."

While the number of complaints has been relatively small, Menu is taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution, because the health and well-being of pets is paramount to the Fund. In addition to changing suppliers, for production after March 6, the Fund has increased testing of all raw materials and finished goods. It is also working closely with regulatory authorities and its customers to learn more and will take whatever additional actions are appropriate. The Fund estimates that based on currently available information, this recall could cost between $30 million and $40 million, which will be financed from a combination of internally generated cash flow and bank credit facilities. Furthermore, the Fund is aggressively producing product, utilizing a different supplier for the ingredient in question, to replenish customers as quickly as possible.

In order to determine whether cat and dog food in their possession is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the list of brand names ("listed products" at www.menufoods.com/recall. Products not identified on the website can continue to be used.

Lance Mackey wins Iditarod Sled Dog Race

[AP photo] Three-time Yukon Quest winner and cancer survivor Lance Mackey won the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska late Tuesday, arriving in Nome after nine days of crossing desolate tundra, jagged mountains and wind-swept sea ice.

Mackey, 36, finished the 1,100-mile race at 8:08 pm (0408 GMT Wednesday) in nine days, five hours, eight minutes and 41 seconds, the Iditarod website said.

Mackey, born and raised in Alaska, is a Yukon Quest sled dog race champion and the current record holder. It was his sixth Iditarod race.

Mouth-to-Snout Resuscitation

Lucy, a 10-month-old English bulldog, chased ducks into a partly frozen lake near Randy Gurchin's home in Papillion, Nebraska, but quickly became paralyzed in the icy water and briefly went under.

The 50-pound dog was unresponsive and had a blue face and bloody foam around its muzzle when Gurchin (who flew combat missions over Irag and Afghanistan) edged onto the ice.

Gurchin, 51, put his military first-aid training to use. He closed Lucy's mouth, put his mouth over her nose and started forcing air into her lungs and pushing on her chest.

Within minutes, the dog began breathing shallowly and was rushed to a nearby veterinarian.

Doctors soaked Lucy in warm water, injected steroids and muscle relaxants and put her in an oxygen chamber. She has since made a full recovery.

A new drug for your motion-sick dog

Does your dog get car sickness? Well here's a shocker - there's now a drug for your motion-sick dog. Pfizer has been busy... It was just last month we reported on their pill for fat dogs. The FDA said this drug, called Cerenia (also by Pfizer), is the first to prevent and treat vomiting in dogs.

When used in tablet form, Cerenia can prevent vomiting associated with motion sickness.
There's also an injectable form of the drug, known generically as maropitant citrate, that can prevent and treat acute vomiting due to chemotherapy, parvovirus, kidney disease, pancreatitis and other causes.

The FDA notes that severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and death in dogs.

Putting a stopwatch on dog barking in NJ

A town in NJ - one that's only minutes away from Petville's home base - is giving a reason for neighbors to pull the kitchen timer out of the drawer. Later this month, the city council of Clifton is expected to introduce an ordinance setting a limit on how long dogs can bark.

Noisy canines will be defined as those that bark for more than 30 minutes on two consecutive days.

Police have to investigate complaints, and the city Health Department sent 11 letters last year warning dog owners that a summons could be issued if barking continued.

Not surprisingly, getting a summons is rare, because the person who complained must go to court to sign a complaint. Fines for the new ordinance could start at $250.

Salmonella found in frozen cat food

FDA warns pet owners not to buy Wild Kitty brand

The Food and Drug Administration Tuesday warned pet owners not to buy Wild Kitty cat food, a frozen raw product, because salmonella has been detected in some batches of it.

Cats could become infected with salmonella if they eat contaminated food. Humans can also become infected by handling the cat food or touching animals that consumed it, the FDA said.

The FDA said it discovered salmonella contamination during a routine analysis of the company’s cat food. The agency urged consumers to stop buying Wild Kitty chicken with clam food and to dispose of any containers they may already have.

Wild Kitty Cat Food is made by a small company in Kennebunkport, Maine and sold at pet stores in more than a dozen U.S. states. It advertises itself as a raw food that does not include any artificial flavorings or preservatives and is sold in frozen, single-serving and 1 pound containers.

Salmonella can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and serious illness in small children, frail or elderly people, and people with chronic diseases.

Wisconsin musher wins U.P. 200 dog sled race

Tim Calhoun won the 2007 U.P. 200 Sled Dog Championship on Sunday, completing the 240-mile course in 41 hours, 39 minutes and 12 seconds. Calhoun, of Tomahawk, Wis., finished 19th in last year's race. He took home $6,700 of the $26,025 purse.

The U.P. 200 is a competitive, 12 dog, mid-distance sled dog race.  Now entering its 18th year, (always on the third weekend of February), the race started on February 16th, 2007.

The race is approximately 240 miles in length and is a qualifying race for the Iditarod. A maximum limit of 40 mushers were registered for this race and over 15,000 visitors go to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to see the U.P. 200.

At the race's first Checkpoint, which is considered "unassisted," the mushers are required to prepare the dogs' food and water, as well as arrange their bedding with little to no assistance. There are several reasons for an unassisted checkpoint. It makes strategy very important, and provides a distinct challenge for the mushers. Further, since the U.P. 200 is a qualifying race for Iditarod, an unassisted checkpoint is a very good experience for the musher who strives to compete in a distance race.

In the history of sled dog racing, the unassisted checkpoint brings back into focus the time honored tradition of the musher and his/her dogs alone on the trail. Mushing has evolved into an exciting sport which may eventually become an Olympic event. For fans, the unassisted checkpoint allows a glimpse into the unique relationship shared between musher and dog team.

More info here.

Vivi the Whippet: Saga of a Missing Show Dog

We found this touching letter in this year's WKC event catalog. It's from the owners of Vivi, the show dog that went missing after the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. We only think it can help by reprinting it here...

The day after Westminster 2006, "Vivi," the California Whippet Ch. Bohem C'est la Vie, was lost after check-in at JFK airport.

The search for Vivi continued for months. Media coverage was unprecedented, with front page stories in the NY Times and LA Times, two full pages in People magazine, mention of Vivi in Newsweek and almost every TV news show. Footage of her at Westminster was replayed endlessly on screens across America.

In spite of all efforts, Vivi has still not been found. Frequent sightings for several months were confirmed by tracking dogs.

In November, nine months after her disappearance, the NY Times headlined a story about Vivi: "Saga of a Missing Show Dog becomes N.Y. Urban Legend." To us, Vivi is still a living, breathing dog, and we will always wait for the phone call telling us she's been recovered.

Thanks to all who helped: Westminster Kennel Club, the Port Authority of NY, AKC, the American Whippet Club, Honi Reisman and Bonnie Folz who led the search in New York, Denise Flaim of Newsday, a devoted band of volunteers, and dog lovers worldwide who sent thousands of letters, emails, and donations to the Vivi Fund. Excess money is going to "Bobbi and the Strays" at JFK.

It is our hope that all the attention paid to Vivi has heightened awareness of lost dogs everywhere. Please support your local rescue organization!

Jil Walton & Rick Patterson, Owners
Paul Lepiane, Co-owner & handler
Bo Bengtson, Breeder

Puppy Bowl III