Texas Bulldog Owner Wins Verdict Against Hartz Mountain Pet Products

Posted March 9, 2010 By aschae and has no comments yet.

Source: ConsumerAffairs.com, Mar 9, 2010

A 72-year-old dog owner has won what may be a landmark decision against the country’s leading maker of pet care products and fueled the ongoing debate over the safety of topical flea and tick treatments.

A Texas jury awarded Frank Bowers $4,440.75 in the small claims court action he filed against Hartz Mountain Corporation. In this David-versus-Goliath court battle — believed to be the first small claims court action of its kind — Bowers alleged that Hartz Ultra Guard Pro Flea and Tick Drops caused the death of his beloved Olde English Bulldog, Diesel.

The six-member jury deliberated less than 30 minutes before reaching a unanimous decision in favor of Bowers, who was widely considered the underdog in the case.

“When the bailiff walked in the courtroom and said we have a unanimous decision, I nearly passed out,” said Bowers, who represented himself in the court action. “The jury said ‘we find Mr. Bowers’ integrity outweighed what was presented by (Hartz) attorney. He lost an animal of value and all costs he’s out are awarded to him.’”

“I just literally went numb,” Bowers added. “I caught up with three jurors in the hallway after the hearing. All I said to them was: ‘thank you, thank you, thank you.’ And they just said: ‘we did our job.’”

Hartz told ConsumerAffairs.com that it believed the case was “without merit,” but did not appeal because of the time and cost involved.

Sense of justice

For Bowers, the jury’s decision brings closure and a sense of justice to an emotional issue that started at 8:30pm on August 7, 2008. On that warm summer night in Texas, Bowers applied Hartz Ultra Guard Pro Flea and Tick Drops to the 14-month-old, 68-pound, Diesel.

“I nipped off the top of the tube and put it on his back,” Bowers recalled. “I precisely used it as directed – nothing more, nothing less than directed.” By early the next morning Diesel had become gravelly ill.

“I went to my garage to work and I smelled this odor from excretion,” Bowers said. “Diesel was laying on the floor. He was shaking and having spasms of some kind. And he was passing a horrible odor of diarrhea.” Bowers called his daughter, who told him to immediately take the ailing dog to the vet.

Diesel’s health continued its rapid decline during the ride to his vet’s office, Bowers said.

“He continued to have bowel movements on the way. When we got to the vet’s office, he couldn’t walk. They got one of those stainless steel tables and took him back to an exam room.”

The veterinarian asked Bowers a battery of questions about Diesel, including one that caught him off guard.

“The vet asked me if I’d put any flea treatment on him,” Bowers said. “And I said: ‘yes, last night.’ I told him what it was and went back to the store to get a tube to show him.”

The vet, he said, took one look at the Hartz Ultra Guard Pro Flea and Tick Drops and shook his head. “He said: ‘Oh, my God. He’s going to have kidney failure.’”

By 4 o’clock the next morning, Diesel’s kidneys had shut down.

“He was in total renal failure,” Bowers said. “The vet wanted permission to euthanize him. I said you know what’s best and I don’t want any animal to suffer. “I picked Diesel up around 7am and took him out in the country and buried him on my daughter’s 10 acres.”

This painful chapter in Bowers’ life happened in less than 35 hours – from the night he applied the flea and tick drops to the morning of Diesel’s death.

He wanted answers

Bowers wanted answers. He wanted to know why Diesel’s health deteriorated so quickly.

The plain-spoken Texan went straight to the source. He called Hartz.

“But they did not care to discuss this with me,” Bowers said of the company’s customer service representatives. “They insinuated that I did something wrong. “At that point, I said my dog is dead and I need you pay. It’s about $4,000.”

Hartz balked at his suggestion, Bowers said.

“They said we won’t pay that, sir. It’s a risk you take when you use our products. I asked for this person’s supervisor, but she hung up on me.”

Bowers then sent the company a letter about Diesel’s death.

“I got no response,” he said. “This irritated me. They acted like I didn’t exist.

“About two months later, someone (from Hartz) called me and told me it was my fault (that Diesel died) or neglect that caused the death and they were not responsible.”

Bowers contacted a few attorneys to see if they’d take his case. “But none wished to be bothering Hartz as there was not enough money,” he said. The determined pet owner, however, didn’t give up or back down.

He took matters into his own hands and represented himself in court, specifically Small Claims Court, Precinct 3, in Travis County, Texas. Consumers in the Lone Star State can seek damages of up to $10,000 in their small claims court proceedings. Texas also allows jury trials in small claims court actions.

“I filed papers in small claims court,” said Bowers, who lives in Austin, Texas. “But the court called me a while later and said I needed to re-file my case because Hartz did not respond.”

Bowers filed his case again on July 28, 2009. “And this time, Hartz did respond to the court,” he said. “The court sent the company a registered and non-registered letter about my case. An attorney contacted the court and said she represented Hartz.”

The court wanted Bowers and Hartz to resolve the case through mediation. But that process wasn’t too productive, Bowers said.

“I looked at the girl (Hartz’ attorney) square in the eyes and said: ‘do you have a check for this amount — $4,400?’ She said no. I said ‘then this mediation is over. At this time, there is nothing to negotiate.’”

Bowers and Hartz’ attorney then went back and talked to the judge.

“The judge said we’ll have to reschedule for another appearance,” Bowers said. “But I told the judge that I wanted a trial by jury. She said that’s your privilege. The attorney (for Hartz) didn’t like it. She wanted to settle this between her and I.

“Here I am — 72-year-olds old. I have a high school education. I don’t have a law degree. But I still wanted a trial by jury. The judge asked me if I thought I could get a jury verdict in my favor and I said I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

Day in court

Bowers’ day in court finally arrived on January 12, 2010.

Before the trial, each side had a chance to question a pool of potential jurors.

“I chose not to ask them any questions,” Bowers said. “But Hartz’ attorney kicked a few potential jurors off because they had pets. She also asked the jurors if they’d had any problems in the past with pet medications. She didn’t want any pet owners or people who had problems with pet medications on the jury. There were also no vets on the jury.”

In the end, a jury of three men and three women heard the case.

“The trial took less than two hours,” Bowers said. “I wasn’t able to tell the jury everything I wanted to.”

The judge, for example, wouldn’t allow Bowers to enter into evidence any of his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents about the adverse reactions dogs and cats have experienced from topical flea and tick products. The vets he wanted to call as witnesses also couldn’t make it to court that day.

“I had no witnesses,” Bowers said. “I was riding the brass rail by myself.” And he was up against Hartz’ savvy attorney, who he learned had taken a special course on flea and tick products to prepare her for the case.

“Hartz had all kinds of statements about flea and tick products and they had everything notarized so it could be entered into evidence,” Bowers said. “I didn’t know I needed to do that (get documents notarized). Hartz had statements from their vets, too.”

During the trial, Hartz also cross-examined Bowers about Diesel’s death. He’s glad they did.

“That’s when I got in the information that they wouldn’t let me enter,” Bowers said. “I entered it by blurting it from the witness box. The attorney asked me a question like ‘how did I know it was Hartz that killed my animal?’ And I said Hartz has killed many other animals.

“The attorney was screaming to get me to shut up and I just kept talking,” Bowers added. “The judge then told me to shut up. At that point, I looked at the judge and said ‘I’m sorry.’ And then I looked at the jury and smiled.”

Used as directed?

Hartz’ attorney also suggested that Bowers didn’t apply the flea and tick drops as directed.

“They screamed that over and over,” Bowers said. “But I precisely used it as directed.”

Hartz and other makers of fleas and tick products often cite the misuse of these treatments for adverse reactions. Pet owners, they say, may put a flea and tick product intended for a dog on a cat. Or they may apply too much flea and tick product on their pets.

Last summer, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center also studied its data on topical flea and tick products. That study revealed the likelihood of severe adverse reactions was significantly less when dogs and cats were treated according to directions.

“From the data we have collected, the adverse reactions tend to be mild, like skin sensations and stomach upset,” the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen said after the organization released its study. “We don’t have very many cases of true neurological issues when these products are properly used.”

Bowers, however, repeatedly told ConsumerAffairs.com that he used the Hartz flea and ticks drops as directed when he applied them to Diesel. He also told us the court didn’t give him the chance to cross-examine any of Hartz’ witnesses during the trial. “I wasn’t asked to,” he said. “I asked the judge why I could ask any questions and she said ‘that’s procedure.’”

The jury, however, wasn’t swayed by the witnesses or documents Hartz used in its defense.

After deliberating for less than 30 minutes, the jurors ruled in Bowers favor.

“I didn’t know what to think when I heard that,” he said, adding the $4,440 he won covers the cost of Diesel and the dog’s vet bills. “I was dumbfounded.”

Bowers is convinced the jury sided with him because of one issue that surfaced during the trial: whether the chemical Phenothrin, which is in Hartz Ultra Guard Flea and Tick Drops, is the same or similar to the chemical Permethrin. Bowers said he argued that, according to his “carnal knowledge,” those two are the same chemical compound.

“I kid you not, that is the thing that saved my case,” he said.

Hartz vehemently disputes that contention, saying those are completely different ingredients.

“The trade name for Phenothrin is Sumithrin,” the company’s spokeswoman, Anne Isenhower, told ConsumerAffairs.com. “Permethrin is a completely different ingredient that Hartz does not use in any of our on-animal products in the United States.”

Hartz also downplayed Bowers’ allegations and the jury’s decision. “This case was without merit and the allegations weren’t supported by evidence (presented in the trial),” said Isenhower, senior vice president, with GolinHarris, Hartz’ public relations firm. Hartz, however, did not appeal the jury’s decision because of the time and cost involved to pursue such action, Isenhower said.

Asked if Bowers’ case marked the first time a consumer has successfully sued Hartz over one of its topical flea and tick products, Isenhower said: “Yes, we believe so. We are not aware of any verdict against Hartz flea & tick drops.”

She had an identical comment when asked if Bowers’ case was the first small claims court victory against Hartz. “Yes, we believe so. We are not aware of any verdict against Hartz flea & tick drops.”

Safety defended

In spite of the jury’s decision, Isenhower defended the safety of Hartz flea and tick products.

“We’ve conducted extensive analysis of the adverse event reporting on our products as well as all topic treatments in the market,” she said. “Although Hartz is the leader in flea and tick retail sales, we are less than three percent of all adverse effects reported to the EPA in 2008 for topical dog flea and tick treatments.”

The safety of topical or “spot-on” flea and tick products has come under “intensified” scrutiny by the EPA for the past 11 months.

The agency started that probe last April, saying it had received more than 44,000 reports of adverse reactions associated with spot-on flea and tick products.

“Adverse reactions reported range from mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures and, in some cases, the death of the pet,” the EPA said.

Data delayed

The agency told ConsumerAffairs.com that it planned to release its findings last fall. The EPA, however, has since delayed that release date.

“Due to the large amount of data and the complex technical issues associated with the review of the data, our report is not ready for public release,” the agency’s spokesman, Dale Kemery, told us in December 2009. “We anticipate publicly releasing the document in early 2010.”

The EPA will post its findings about topical flea and tick products, and any regulatory action it may take, on its Web site.

In the meantime, animal experts recommend pet owners consult their veterinarians about which flea and tick product to use on their dogs or cats.

Beware

Back in Texas, Bowers warns pet owners to be “earthly” aware of any topical flea and tick products they put on their animals.

“I think I’ll utilize just plain soap and water,” he said. “I use Head and Shoulders shampoo on my dogs now. I bathe them every time I see them scratching. “We used to get Myrtle Bush when I was a child growing up in Louisiana,” he added. “It was a natural killer of fleas.”

Bowers is also keenly aware that his legal victory could have ripple effects in courtrooms across the country. He suspects his case may serve as a rallying call for other pet owners who’ve seen their dogs or cats suffer burns, blisters, seizures, neurological problems, or even die after using topical flea and tick products.

His case, he said, may open the floodgates for similar lawsuits nationwide.

“I think this case will make pet owners wonder why they have not gone forward with their cases in small claims court,” Bowers said. “And if they do, my advice to them if get a trial by jury; I would never accept a non-jury trial.”

The amount of money consumers can recover in small claims court varies by state. And some states do not allow trials by jury in small claims court. ConsumerAffairs.com has a comprehensive small claims court guide.

Categories: Flea/Tick Preventatives, Health, Legal, Pet Loss/ Grieving, Recent News, Recommended Reading
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Author Exposes The Abuse and Suffering at Puppy Mills in New Book

Posted March 7, 2010 By aschae and has no comments yet.

Source: kfbb.com, Mar 6, 2010

Imagine forcing your dog to live his or her entire life in a small wire cage, with no toys or comfort and little hope of survival. Believe it or not, that is what life is like for dogs that live in puppy mills across our nation and right here in Montana.

It is the topic of a new book written by one local woman. Dozens of people gathered at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Great Falls Saturday, to attend a book signing with local author, Carol Bradley. Her new book, “Saving Gracie” is a true story about her dog’s rescue from a puppy mill in Pennsylvania.

The book follows Gracie, a cavalier king charles spaniel, who is worn out from bearing puppies at a puppy mill and her journey into a loving new family. Gracie’s story explores the disturbing world of large volume kennels but also takes a look at the generous people who helped her along with way.

Bradley says, “The book kind of peels back the curtain on puppy mills. These dogs suffer from a variety of diseases. They often live in dark barns filled with rats and venom. They sometimes are starved. It’s incredible the ways the dogs are treated considering how expensive the puppies wind up being.”

The book was inspired by the Camp Collie case that took place in Montana back in 2002. That is when a tractor trailer packed with neglected collies was discovered as it passed through the border station near Shelby. Local residents ended up caring for close to 200 collies until their owners were convicted of multiple counts of animal cruelty and the dogs were finally free to be adopted.

Saving Gracie is available on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or any web site where books are sold.

Carol Bradley is an award-winning former newspaper reporter who studied Animal Law as a 2004 Nieman Fellow at Harvard. She spent 26 years covering the U.S. Congress and state legislatures in Tennessee and New York, and writing features and investigative stories for the Great Falls Tribune.

Bradley has written about many aspects of animal welfare, including horse slaughtering, rodeos, animal hoarding, and animal cruelty. She grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee and lived in Nashville, Knoxville, New York and Washington D.C. before moving to Great Falls, where she now lives with her husband, Steve L’Heureux, and their two dogs. Saving Gracie is her first book.

Categories: Abuse/Neglect, Health, Puppy Mills, Recent News, Recommended Reading
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Happy Tails Publishing Searching for Submissions

Posted January 19, 2010 By aschae and has no comments yet.

Happy Tails Books publishes compilations of stories from people who have adopted dogs. Their breed-specific “Lost Souls: Found!” series showcases the love and joy these adopted dogs bring to their new homes in an effort to raise awareness of, and funding for dog rescue organizations.

Happy Tails Books is currently working on books about Chihuahuas, German Shepherds, Pugs, Boxers and mixes thereof, and they’ve asked me to share their information in case you’d like to submit a story about your adopted dog(s). Guidelines and a submission form are located at http://happytailsbooks.com/submit.htm. You can send in a complete story about your dog (600-1200 words), a paragraph about something sweet or funny he/she did, a training/health challenge and how it was solved, a poem, or a recipe. They are also looking for high resolution, professional-quality photos for the front and back covers. Be sure to list the rescue you are associated with in the submission form (if applicable – dog don’t need to be from a rescue, they just can’t be purchased from a pet store or breeder), as rescues earn points from each story submitted or book purchased, and then the points turn into a donation at the end of the year.

Contact Info: Kyla Duffy, Happy Tails Books, Editor In Chief. 303-807-0412, kyla@happytailsbooks.com Boulder, CO

Categories: Adoptable Dogs, Children & Dogs, Funny Dog Stories, General Training, Health, Herding Dogs, Human/Canine Bond, Products Worth Sharing, Puppy Mills, Recent News, Recommended Reading, Rescue, adoption
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Animal Wellness Magazine ~ Natural Health & Nutrition CD

Posted May 25, 2009 By aschae and has no comments yet.

Categories: Health, Herbs, Homeopathy, Misc Resources, Natural Remedies, Products Worth Sharing, Recommended Reading, Vaccines, natural remedies
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I rescued a human today.

Posted November 16, 2008 By aschae and has no comments yet.

I rescued a human today, by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Written by Janine Allen
www. RescueMeDog.org

Thank you Janine for this beautiful essay!

Categories: Abuse/Neglect, Heros, Misc Blogs, Recommended Reading, Rescue
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Bark Busters Offers Tips for Safely Bringing Home a Shelter Dog

Posted October 27, 2008 By aschae and has no comments yet.

World’s largest dog training company offers tips for people bringing home a shelter dog

Source: Englewood, Colo. (PRWEB) October 27, 2008 — From dogs evacuated during hurricanes and abandoned to shelters, to the thousands of racing greyhounds disposed of every year, shelters are overflowing with dogs waiting to be rescued. Shelter dogs come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and it is important to know how to help a dog make the transition from a shelter to a new home. To help families who are willing to rescue a shelter dog, Bark Busters – the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company – provides guidelines to better manage the adoption.

“Dogs need order and leadership,” said Liam Crowe, CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA. “They are pack animals, so you must be the ‘pack leader’ to ensure that your dog knows that you’re the boss. Dog owners may not know the temperament of their shelter dog, but they can make the transition from shelter to home easier, faster and more rewarding by having a set of house rules.

The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition:

Before You Bring Your New Dog Home:
Hold a family meeting to create rules about caring for the dog. Will he be allowed on the couch, the bed, and in all rooms of the house? Where will he sleep and eat? Who will be responsible for feeding? Who will walk him and clean up after him? As a family, you must all be consistent with your decisions or you will confuse the dog, typically resulting in the dog making his own rules and causing unnecessary tension, which can lead to undesirable behavior.

Have the necessary items your dog will need from the start: ID tags, a collar and a 6 foot leash, food and water bowls, food, dog toys, a crate and bedding, and basic grooming tools.

Plan to bring your new dog home on a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. You will want that time to get to know each other and to establish rules and a trusting relationship.

Just before you bring your dog into the home, take him for a walk to tire him out a little. Walks are not only good exercise, but they also serve as a training tool and an opportunity to establish yourself as the pack leader.

Establish Ground Rules in the First Days:
At first, limit your dog to one room or area. Allow him time to familiarize himself with the smells and sounds of his new home. Try to limit your time away from home those first days; your spending time with him will help him to become more comfortable in his new home.

Keep your dog on leash for the first few weeks so you can immediately teach him what behaviors are and are not acceptable.

Expect housetraining accidents. Your dog is in a new territory and is establishing a new routine, so accidents probably will happen. Review housetraining information available from the shelter, your veterinarian or your local Bark Busters trainer. The key is to be consistent and maintain a routine.

Dogs instinctively like to den, and a crate makes the ideal place for your dog to sleep and get away from household hubbub. A crate also makes housetraining and training easier, but limit the amount of time the dog is crated. The crate should be roomy enough to allow your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. An alternative to a crate is to confine him in a dog-proofed part of your home, such as a laundry or mud room. You can use a baby gate or dog gate to block off the area from the rest of the house.

Most shelter dogs have been given basic vaccinations and many have already been spayed/neutered. It is important that your dog is examined by a veterinarian within a week after adoption for a health check.

For the first few days, limit guest visits to allow your dog to get comfortable with his new family. When you do have guests, ask their help in training your dog by instructing them to not pay attention to him until he has calmed down. One way to communicate this request is to post a sign on your front door informing visitors that you have a new dog in training.

A Trained Dog Makes for a Happy Human-Canine Bond:
Get guidance for training your dog. A well-trained dog is a happier dog and a joy to have around.

Dogs need a pack leader. If they don’t have one, then they try to become the leader, which can create numerous behavioral problems. Thus, you–and all people in your home (other than children under 12)–need to be the pack leader. Practice obedience training, set rules and apply them calmly and consistently, and praise your dog’s good behavior. He will see you as his pack leader and will bond more quickly to you.

It is amazing how quickly dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not. Dogs have a language of their own, and once we understand it, we can communicate better what we expect of them.

A Bright Future:
Hats off to you for bringing home a shelter dog! Your patience and training will help to create a bond that will reward you both for years to come. With the right balance of discipline, understanding and affection, your shelter dog will become a loyal, grateful and loving companion.

Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists, such as Liam Crowe, are renowned authorities in understanding, correcting and managing dog behavior. The Bark Busters training system can successfully train any dog, including a puppy. The company’s natural training technique leverages the same communications methods–body language and voice control–that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. All training takes place right in the home where most problems generally occur. In every market where Bark Busters is established, a majority of veterinarians familiar with the technique recommend the company’s services.

About Bark Busters:
Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, nearly 400,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. With 250+ franchised offices in 42 states and more than 400 offices in 10 countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers guaranteed lifetime support. SPCA International selected Bark Busters dog behavioral training services as the “Best of the Best” in its category. No other training company or dog trainer received such a distinction. To fetch a trainer in your area, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.BarkBusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs’ behavior.

Contact: Lauren Rerucha 303-921-1155 laurenrerucha@barkbusters.com

Categories: General Training, Recommended Reading, Rescue
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If dressing up pet causes it stress, don’t do it

Posted October 25, 2008 By aschae and has no comments yet.

Source: NewsJournal By JACQUE ESTES, PET PROJECT

My grandpuppy Kodi and I have something in common. Neither of us wants to wear antlers, cupid outfits or bunny ears to commemorate various holidays. But as Halloween approaches, I can only wonder what costume Rachel, my daughter-in-law, will try to convince the 2-year-old Welsh Corgi to wear.Rachel is not the only pet owner who likes to dress her pup up. I have friends who have tried to dress up not one, but three dogs for their family Christmas photos. It is always humorous as none of the dogs wants to sit still for the photo, much less with reindeer antlers or Santa hats perched on their heads. In recent years the photo attire has been toned down to holiday scarves which seem to be more acceptable to the frisky canines.

So in an effort not to alienate loved ones and friends, and the rest of you who may actually have an animal that enjoys the attention they get while wearing a silly costume, I will not judge this practice. I will only make some suggestions to preserve your pet’s well-being, if not his dignity.

Animals who resist being put in a costume shouldn’t be forced to. They are not going to look cute if they are spending the night rolling around on the ground trying to free themselves. With the exception of those pets who seem to enjoy hamming it up — and yes there are some — dogs and cats forced into a costume can be stressed out and can hurt themselves trying to prevent the costume from going on, or in an attempt to get it off.

When dressing an animal up, it is important to make sure the costume is the right size and fits properly. Only use costumes designed for animals, not old baby doll outfits. Animal costumes often have Velcro closures that will allow the costume to fit snuggly but not constrict and can be quickly removed if necessary. The animal should be able to move freely in the outfit without falling out of it or tripping over decorations, and it should not restrict his ability to see, hear, bark or meow.

The best guideline is to use the same common sense you would for a toddler when selecting a costume for your pet. Elastic bands and small decorations should be avoided as they can cut off circulation and be ingested.

Try the costume on the dog before Halloween when you are less likely to be in a hurry. This will give you an idea of how your pet really feels about being dressed up and give you an opportunity to make sure the outfit fits properly, doesn’t distress him or result in unusual behavior. A dog that doesn’t want to be dressed up may resort to more aggressive behavior and nip or bark and not be worth the bother or fun for anyone.

I haven’t mentioned cats as much. Although I have seen the occasional cat willing to be dressed up for “tea,” most are not such good sports. Forcing a cat to do something they don’t want can easily result in a lot of hissing and scratching and you having to change your costume from a fairy princess to a zombie to incorporate the bandages you will need to stop the bleeding. Cats don’t like to wear collars and leashes, so a full costume most likely will not be well received.

Dressed or au natural, all pets should be watched carefully Halloween night, kept away from candles, candy and the front door. It is never a good idea to take your pet along with you to parties or trick or treating. The extra commotion, strange sights, sounds and smells may end up being the “trick” that lasts long after the last goblin has gone home.

And Kodi, be a good boy. It only lasts one night.

Categories: Recommended Reading
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Pit bull owner: Breed gets bad rap

By aschae and has 1 comment.

Source: Times Daily By Bernie Delinski, Staff Writer , Published: Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.

Pit bull owner Whitney Fisher readily admits she initially had a fear of the breed.

“To be honest, I was not a pit bull fan,” said the Leighton woman, who received her dog, Hobbes, from her husband’s grandfather.

“I was one of those people who believed the negative stereotype.

But after owning one and seeing the kind of love they are capable of, I saw a completely different side of pit bulls.”

Today is National Pit Bull Awareness Day, an event established by organizations of pit bull fans across the country.

The purpose of the day is to educate the public about the breed and eliminate stereotypes.

“There’s a lot of myths about pit bulls and things they’re capable of,” Fisher said. “There’s no denying the fact that they were bred in early days to be somewhat aggressive.

“But you have to be an extremely responsible owner so you can correct those aggressive tendencies, She said.

Local and national animal control officials often find pit bulls in dog-fighting circles. The animal’s incredible strength and athletic abilities make them naturals for fighting.

“And they have a sheer determination to please their owner,” Fisher said. “If I wanted them to attack other dogs, that’s what they would do because they would think they were supposed to do that. In the dog’s mind, it’s being a good boy by obeying the owner.”

She said she is sickened by the sights of some owners who walk around with pit bulls that have spiked collars and anything else that makes them look tough.

Fisher has done a great deal of research on the breed and learned they aren’t a good breed to train as a guard dog because they have a natural friendliness toward people.

“I think my dogs would walk right out with a stranger and let him take them home, they’re so friendly,” she said.

Colbert County Animal Control Supervisor Kenny Price isn’t surprised to hear that. Just last week, he was called to catch a pit bull that was acting aggressively toward other dogs.

“When I went to catch it, it just rolled over and wanted its belly rubbed,” Price said. “Pits have been bred since the early 1550s to be human-submissive and animal-aggressive.”

He said if a pit bull is bred to fight, it’s as dangerous an animal as he’s seen. He has responded to calls involving pit bulls that chewed through a chain-link kennel because they were so determined to get out.

Price hates the reputation that some cruel owners and breeders have given the dog, and he even admits he wouldn’t recommend the breed to a family with small children because the dogs are so strong.

The key, Price said, is knowing what type of bloodline you’re getting when you get a pit bull.

“With certain breeds, it’s just in their genetics to be animal-aggressive,” he said.

Price said there are several myths out there, including one that a pit bull can lock its jaw once it latches on to something.

“A pit bull’s jaw muscles go to the center of its skull and that gives them more strength,” he said. “Their jaws do not lock.”

Todd Nix, director of community affairs for Florence and a former animal control official, also wouldn’t recommend the pets to families with young children.

Price and Nix agree the breed can be a good pet. The problem, however, is that they are so strong, an attack could be more serious than if a smaller dog is targeted.

And, Nix said, a dog is likely to go after the smallest member of a family.

He said the dog senses a hierarchy in a pack. If a dog stays with a family, the adults are among the leaders of the pack. So, if a dog wants to advance on the scale, it could look toward smaller family members, such as children.

“If a pit bull has been bred to want to go up in the ranks, you can’t tell him not to do that,” Nix said. “All the problems created by pit bulls today are human-caused problems.”

“An attack can happen with any dog,” said Nix, who oversees the city’s animal control office. “Here’s the main thing people need to remember: If it has teeth, it can bite.”

Nix said pit bulls can be some of the friendliest animals you’ll find around people. He cautions, though – with any breed – if a dog tends to growl and snap at an owner or any member of the family, it’s time to get rid of the dog. He said if a dog starts to turn, it typically takes place at around 3 to 7 years of age.

He said a key toward the breed’s reputation is to crackdown on dog-fighting rings. Nix said the pit bull is among the most stolen breeds of any dog. He fears that those dogs, no matter how docile, are being stolen to be trained to spar against other pits.

Fisher said that creates another piece of bad news for the breed.

“Pit bulls are one of the most euthanized because they are so hard to adopt due to their reputation,” she said.

She added, however, that they can be good pets. She noted that only one out of the 53 dogs that were confiscated in connection with the arrest of former professional football player Michael Vick was deemed too aggressive to adopt.

“It’s amazing what these dogs can do when trained,” Fisher said.

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