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Video: Fox with jar stuck on head asked for help
June 18th, 2013
In this amazing video, a fox approaches a pair of humans for help in removing a jar stuck to his or her head.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Georgia animal shelter filled with homeless pets and too many are dying
June 13th, 2013A Georgia animal shelter is overwhelmed with homeless pets and many have and will lose their lives if people don’t wake up in the community.
One county spokesperson interviewed in the report is right when she says this is not an animal problem. It is clearly a people problem.
But when will the people causing this problem in so many areas of the country wise up? Or when will they be held accountable for being one of the key sources of this problem?
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Former TransCanada employee has harsh words for company’s practices
June 13th, 2013A former TransCanada Corp. employee testified last week about the company before a Canadian Senate committee and used phrases such as a “culture of noncompliance” and “coercion” and “deeply entrenched business practices that ignored legally required regulations and codes” and “significant public safety risks” – according to an articled posted Tuesday on the Huffington Post website.
And of course, all of this related to the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline that would carry tar sands oil from Canada, through the US and on to the Gulf Coast. After the hearing, Evan Vokes told the Huffington Post – “It’s organized crime, in my opinion.”
Big Oil’s safety record across the board and over many, many years is poor at best – from the Exxon Valdez to the Gulf Oil Gusher to another recent pipeline spill to many other spills and disasters in the United States and worldwide.
Who could honestly say they’d want work done around their homes by companies with sort of track record? But because it’s Big Oil, some people and some politicians will give them a pass every time. Remember in the few years leading up to the Gulf Oil Gusher how many politicians praised Big Oil as having a great safety record. That turned out to be huge strike out.
I tend to not trust people who get it all wrong to this extent. We should all be concerned with what could happen with the Keystone XL Pipeline. And because it might not be running through your state, it doesn’t mean you should not be concerned.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Good News: Proposed horse slaughterhouse hitting roadblocks
June 11th, 2013The proposed slaughterhouse in New Mexico has reportedly hit a roadblock due to environmental regulations. So it seems regulations to protect the environment can have a duel purpose – in this case to save horses from extreme suffering.
At the heart of the issue is a permit required under the federal Clean Water Act, one needed for discharging waste into water. It might be a technicality in this case. But we need is something to stop horse slaughter without the need for technicalities.
We need a firm, federal ban – today. And we need regulations in place ensure that individuals who breed horses for activities such as horse racing are required to care for each one over the course of their natural lives – or turn over guardianship to others who will care for them.
We have a system in place now where far too many horses are being bred for some profit-making venture and then discarded when they are no longer of “value” to that venture.
In this case, let’s hope more logical and compassionate heads prevail and a ban is put in place before the first horse is sent through the New Mexico facility.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Suffering and death on greyhound tracks in Florida and Texas
May 30th, 2013More reports of injuries and deaths are coming out of greyhound race tracks in Florida and Texas. I’m sure we’ll hear the tired excuse from insiders, claiming the percentages are not so bad.
So we’re expected to ignore suffering and death because a lot of races are held and the math doesn’t seem so bad to those who look the away – where suffering occurs. People who care tend to show concern for the dogs; not so much on percentages.
The suffering is real, as we see from the following video footage from Gulf Greyhound Park in Texas:
(Warning: The images are graphic and are not intended for all viewers.)
The Herald-Tribune out of Florida reports on a conflict between the Sarasota Kennel Club and GREY2K USA. It seems officials at the racetrack told GREY2K they were going turn over injury records. But now the SKC is withholding the information, because they claim a GREY2K representative was rude on the phone.
The dogs at greyhound racetracks would trade in their suffering, along with the constant risk of death or severe injuries for just “rude” behavior.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Study: Living with dogs is good for you
May 28th, 2013A recent study suggests living with dogs is good for you. Exposure to the bacteria that dogs bring into your home could be good for your body’s overall defenses.
I believe it. In fact, I think being out in the woods from a young age or just being exposed to more stuff like this can help your body learn to fight it off.
The LiveScience article posted on Huffington Post has all of the details and links.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Legislative news out of Alabama and Texas
May 26th, 2013The Waco Tribune-Herald reported last week on a proposal to require most Waco, Texas pet guardians to have their pets spay or neutered and microchipped. The proposal came from the city’s Animal Welfare Advisory Board.
The proposal would prohibit keeping or selling intact animals unless the owner is registered with the city as a breeder or the animal is younger than 4 months or medically unfit for sterilization.
And there is some really good news out of the Circle Road animal shelter, where the monthly rate of euthanasia for homeless animals dropped from 45 percent last December to a reported all-time low of 16 percent in April.
In Alabama at last report, a bill that would increase the criminal penalties for acts of animal cruelty just needed the Governor’s signature. Under the law, a Class A misdemeanor those found guilty could serve up to a year in jail and face a $1,000 fine.
Extreme acts of torture to animals could become Class C felonies, according to Fox 10 TV.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
104 dogs rescued from Mississippi puppy mill
May 22nd, 2013The Humane Society of the US recently took part in yet another puppy mill raid, this time under a joint effort with the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office and the Humane Society of South Mississippi.
More than 100 dogs were found living in horrible conditions. The HSUS reports decomposing bodies of adult dogs and puppies were found. Charges are pending in the case.
Lydia Sattler, Mississippi state director for The HSUS was quoted as saying:
“I was sickened by what we found today. No animal should have to suffer in such atrocious conditions. We are thankful that the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office and the Humane Society of South Mississippi acted so quickly to address the situation and that we were able to assist with rescuing these animals.”
Tara High, the executive director of Humane Society of South Mississippi:
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic“These are some of the worst conditions that I’ve ever seen. To think that these animals have lived like this, it’s a testament to their fortitude that they could survive. We’re glad that we were able to respond to help these dogs as soon as possible. We are also thankful to our community for helping us adopt out animals so we could make the space for these needy dogs.”
Oklahoma tornado survivor finds her dog buried under rubble during TV interview
May 21st, 2013Within the devastation in the aftermath of the Oklahoma tornadoes, a woman finds her lost dog, buried under the pieces of her leveled home.
It’s a great reunion caught on video, but the TV crew could have been a bit more helpful.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic
Opponents of puppy mill bills say the craziest things
May 14th, 2013Try as I might to avoid commenting on another person’s competence, sometimes I just … can’t … seem … to …. avoid …. it.
As previously noted, a puppy mill bill is working its way through the North Carolina General Assembly. The provisions are very basic and include standards of care that everyone should provide for ALL pets.
The debate in the NC House took a disturbing route last week when Rep. Michael Speciale (R-Craven) tried to claim the requirements in the bill were too ambiguous:
“‘Exercise on a daily basis’ – if I kick him across the floor, is that considered daily exercise?” said Speciale. “’Euthanasia performed humanely’– so should I choose the axe or the baseball bat?”
Thankfully, Rep. Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan) responded by rightfully depicting Speciale’s take as “disgusting” and “disrespectful.”
WRAL reports he tried to defend – if you can call it that – his comments. If not for his defense, we might consider he was merely making a point that the provisions are not strong enough. But Speciale’s intentions seem more on the side of blocking protections for dogs housed in puppy mills.
PACK MENTALITY BLOG: Compassion - teamed with Science and Logic