Straight Leg Shepherds group offers support, information Joanne, Tammy, Jean, Parker and Layna are the proud owners of eight rescued German Shepherd dogs with rear leg deformities. Over the past couple of years, they have heard of more dogs with the same anomalies, mainly German Shepherds, but also in other purebreds and mixes. The cause of this problem is unknown, but is thought to be a motor neuron disease (neurological problem) affecting only the rear legs. They have formed an organization called "Straight Leg Shepherds" and are very interested in hearing about other dogs, especially German Shepherds, with the same/similar problems as their dogs. They would like to provide information, help and support to shelters, rescue groups and potential adopters as well as gather information to help the veterinary community better understand this problem.
If you know of any dogs like theirs, they would love to hear from you at: urgent@straightlegshepherds.org
To check out the website, go to: www.straightlegshepherds.org
Study finds owner income affects spay/neuter rate for cats The single most influential predictor of whether or not a cat is altered is the income level of his or her owner. Over 90% of cats in households earning $35,000 or more per year were neutered, compared to 51% of cats in households earning less than $35,000. As a recent study points out, it’s not pet cats (the only ones who would be affected by a mandatory spay/neuter law) who aren’t being altered; it’s unowned strays. And cats represent the largest group of animals being killed in shelters.
N.C. Residents: Puppy mill bill needs your help to clear next hurdle! Legislation to help crack down on puppy mills in North Carolina is pending in the State Senate Finance Committee and The Humane Society of the United States is asking for your help to get the bill passed.
Your state senator, Anthony Foriest, serves on this committee, and it is critical that your senator hear from constituents like you who support the bill. S. 460 would require licensing and inspections of puppy mills and require that humane standards be created and followed in these facilities.
TAKE ACTION Please make a brief, polite phone call to Sen. Anthony Foriest at (919) 301-1446 to urge a YES vote on S. 460. When you call, remember to leave your name and address so it is clear that you are a constituent.
Things to watch for when dealing with a breeder Never buy a dog online. No responsible breeder will ship you a dog sight-unseen.
Never pick up your dog from a public place. If a breeder won't let you see where your puppy was born and bred, they are probably trying to hide something.
Don't be fooled by registration papers, such as those issued by the American Kennel Club. They do not guarantee that your new pet is not from a puppy mill.
Check your local shelters if you are looking for a pure bred. Statistically, one in every four dogs in a shelter is pure bred.
Source: Cori Menkin, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Under the Jail Candidate: Firefighter kills dogs to keep from paying to have them boarded while on vacation A Columbus firefighter bragged to fellow firefighters that he took his two dogs to the basement, tied them up and blasted them with a rifle so he and a girlfriend could vacation without paying to board the animals. He then dumped their bodies in a trash bin.
He had adopted these two dogs from the local humane society, who had a standing offer to take the animals back.
He received a 90-day jail sentence (worked out in 10-day stints over two years) and had to pay $4,500 in restitution for animal cruelty.
Joanne, Tammy, Jean, Parker and Layna are the proud owners of eight rescued German Shepherd dogs with rear leg deformities. Over the past couple of years, they have heard of more dogs with the same anomalies, mainly German Shepherds, but also in other purebreds and mixes. The cause of this problem is unknown, but is thought to be a motor neuron disease (neurological problem) affecting only the rear legs. They have formed an organization called "Straight Leg Shepherds" and are very interested in hearing about other dogs, especially German Shepherds, with the same/similar problems as their dogs. They would like to provide information, help and support to shelters, rescue groups and potential adopters as well as gather information to help the veterinary community better understand this problem.
A Columbus firefighter bragged to fellow firefighters that he took his two dogs to the basement, tied them up and blasted them with a rifle so he and a girlfriend could vacation without paying to board the animals. He then dumped their bodies in a trash bin.
