community news - [ Government and law ]

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- When is a dog not a dog?
 
When it's a greyhound in Kansas.

It may sound like a punchline to a joke, but it's true. Two years after the Parimutuel Racing Act was passed in Kansas, the law protecting pets in the state was changed to exclude greyhounds from the designation of dog.

"A greyhound ought to be a dog in the state of Kansas," said Kevin Neuman, of Overland Park.

Neuman and his wife, Sherri, have fostered and adopted greyhounds for 11 years. They are also active in a greyhound placement organization for retired racers.

"We fell in love with the breed. They're definitely a dog . They're a great dog," Neuman said.

Monday, he went to Topeka to try to change the law.

The National Greyhound Association, based in Abilene, Kan., disagrees. The executive director called the change unnecessary and said greyhounds aren't bred for pets, and therefore, shouldn't fall under pet protection laws. keep reading...

HELLO EVERYONE! Dog Food is not available for purchase in Iraq. It costs $50 to send a bag on your own, but the Las Vegas Humane Society is pooling funds to get food at a discounted rate. I donated $10 through the Las Vegas website...it's tax deductable!

Click here to read the whole story
LAS VEGAS -- The commander of an Army Reserve detachment is begging friends back home to send food for Iraqi police dogs.

"The dogs are starving and urgently need dry dog food," Capt. Gabriella Cook, commander of the Las Vegas-based 313th Military Police Detachment, said in a Dec. 28 e-mail reported Wednesday by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"Some of them have already died," Cook wrote. "Half of them are sick. We have no way of buying actual dog food here." 

If you would like to help feed the dogs, you may send checks to the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society. They are working with several companies to ship food to the animals as soon as possible.

"PetSmart has donated a pallet of food, and we hope PetCo will do the same," Judith Ruiz, president of the Las Vegas Valley Humane Society said.

Ruiz said several companies have donated food and that with the money, the Humane Society will be able to buy more dog food at a discounted rate and will also pay for shipping to Iraq.

"All funds will go directly for the animals," Ruiz said.

The Humane Society is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. So your donation will be tax deductible.

Send donations to:

Las Vegas Valley Humane Society
Funds For Dogs In Iraq
2250 E. Tropicana
Suite 19
Las Vegas, NV 89119
DONATE ONLINE

I received this message from my friend Jessica…

Please, everyone! Take Action! www.nochancearkansas.org

Zeus, pictured left, sports his new police gear: a bullet-proof vest.

The body armor is designed to protect his backbone and vital organs and is flame retardant. Not to mention, Zeus looks pretty cool and intimidating.

read more from Ananova...

Bravo British Police for protecting you four-legged finest!

51 year old Valerie Archer or Norfolk, England kept 74 animals in the 3-bedroom farm house she shares with her brother and sister.

After being convicted of over 13 separate charges f animal abuse, her rights to keep animals, as well as her siblings, have been stripped for life.

more from Ananova...

Editor's Note: This article is extremely disturbing. Please be advised.

Japanese fishermen have previously been successful in concealing the brutal massacre of dolphins near their shores.

That was until Animal Activists camped out on cliffs for weeks to catch the slaughter on tape.

Because the fishermen lure the dolphins into shore side coves, they are not protected under international regulations. Japan is one of the few fishing nations that still support the killing of whales and dolphins. more...

Canada's Nootka Sound has a guest that has worn out his welcome.

The 4 year old orca named "Luna" has been in the inlet for a little over 2 years, and since then has caused some damage. He enjoys cozying up to boats. Recently, Luna was observed "bouncing" a sea plane.

The U.S. federal government has pledged $100,000 to help move Luna.

More from WDIV Channel 4...

Every wonder how dogs get to the battle field? They "drop in" just like any other paratrooper.

This Indonesian special forces team is preparing for a visit from President Bush.

more on these special dogs...

Panleukopenia symptoms include diarrhea, lethargy and vomiting. This deadly virus was once referred to as "cat plague" because it had previously devistated cat populations. Vaccinations are available from your vet.

Michigan Humane Society shelters in Rochester Hills and Westland are reportedly not accepting cats from pet owners as a precautionary measure.

That policy is expected to remain in place until officials determine if there has been an outbreak of the deadly panleukopenia virus in the area, according to The Oakland Press.

read more on this important bulletin from WDIV Channel 4...

The New Baltimore Police Department needs help with the cancer treatments for one of its officers. "Cubby" has assisted in over 290 arrests and is the department's only canine.

He's been going through expensive cancer treatments, as much as $600 per visit, and they have been working well.

Cubby's not out of the woods yet so the Police Department is having a fundraiser to help put the cancer into remission.

Find out how to help...

The RSPCA and ISPCA are mounting a joint investigation on a shipment of greyhounds bought in Ireland and then trucked & ferried 18 hours to Spain. view footage of the investigation

Cages were too small preventing the dogs from completely standing and each contained two dogs so only one could lay down at a time. Temperatures reached 104 degrees in the cages.

Only one water break was taken on the entire trip, and only four of the 40 were taken out of their cages for exercise.

The Irish Ferries' company guidelines prevents cats and dogs transported for commercial purposes from being checked during the duration of the journey. The owner of the Irish Ferries was unavailable for comment.

more form Ananova...

editor's note: ACTION = REACTION! I have included links to the transportation company above. Write them and demand change!

The owner of the dogs, living on Detroit's East Side, was found dead on Sunday morning.

Concerned neighbors could hear the dogs barking and scratching inside the home and threw food inside on Tuesday.

The Michigan Humane Society investigated and was in the process of getting a warrant when animal control cut a lock to get inside.

There was some initial question as to the proper procedure and which organization should perform the rescue, but the two have been turned over to the Humane Society.

They may be up for adoption soon. more from WDIV Channel 4...

The Singapore government is killing about 45 cats a day.

Cathy Strong, president of the Animal Lovers League, said over 2,000 would be sent to Noah's Ark animal shelter in Johor, Malaysia.

About 100 cats already are on their way and have been placed in quarantine. The rest would follow in the coming days, she said.

"We are trying to save as many as we can," she said. "Volunteers are taking turns, they are about to collapse from rounding up the strays."

more from Ananova...

A retired Southgate Councilwoman is petitioning the city to award medical care to retired police officers, including K9s.

Hero, pictured here, (photo from WDIV Channel 4) served 10 years on the police force and now suffers from nose cancer and arthritis. His ailments are directly related to his service on the police force.

The Southgate mayor feels that money should be spent in other ways.

The city councilwoman is collecting signatures to get the issue on the November ballot...

More from WDIV Channel 4...