Pit Bull or Not?
A pit bull terrier bit a little girl from Muskogee this week, so pit bulls are back in the headlines.
We spoke with the folks from Oklahoma Bully Breed Rescue last year, and rescue founder Dawn Pamplin talked to us about how difficult it is to actually identify a pit bull. (Listen to the show here.)
I took this test on the Web to see if I knew what a pit bull looks like. I finally found the pit bull on my third try. It seems that many times people think a dog might be a pit bull when it isn’t. Check it out and see how you do!
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
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Dramatic Chipmunk
Of course everyone knows there are tons of animal videos on Youtube. Seems like whenever we have a strange pet story in our paper, it quickly becomes one of the most read stories on NewsOK. People love their animals, they love to read about animals, and apparently they love watching animal videos.
Case in point, this five-second clip of the Dramatic Chipmunk.
Admittedly, it’s a curious and kind of funny clip, but it has been viewed almost 10 million times on Youtube. It’s even spawned several parodies, including this Bond-themed one, a Star Wars parody and a Kill Bill version.
Some of the most-viewed videos on Youtube have animal themes. The Battle at Kruger is one of the most riveting videos you’ll see online (warning: graphic animal-on-animal violence), depicting a battle between a pride of lions, a herd of water buffalo and two crocodiles in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. It’s been viewed more than 35 million times.
Keep your eyes open for more videos from the Pet Show, though don’t expect us to pit our pets against each other in a battle to the death.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Progress made in bird deaths case in Oklahoma City
An investigation into the deaths of 187 baby barn swallows is complete. Investigators with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department turned their files over to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Here’s hoping that U.S. Attorney John Richter recognizes animal cruelty when he sees it.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pet Show – Creepy crawly tour visits Oklahoma City
Listen to our Pet Show podcast! We talk about National Work Like a Dog Day, which is Friday, Aug. 1. The Working Group is made up of smart, strong dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. The boxer, the most popular of the Working Group, is the sixth most popular breed, according to AKC. We decided that boxers have two main jobs: boxing and slobbering.
We also discussed the latest animal news:
- - Knut is having difficulty adjusting to polar bear life.
- - Someone stole a shark. Yes, a shark.
- - Authorities are still investigating the mauling death of a 2-month-old in Tulsa.
We had a special guest on our show this week. Instead of an expert visiting us in the studio, we took the studio to the expert! We visited the Companion Animal Parasite Council Road Show in Bricktown. We visited with Dr. Mike Paul, executive director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council, and Dr. Dwight Bowman, a parasitologist with the CAPC. It’s fascinating (if not gross) info.
Staff Writer Carrie Copeprnoll
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That’s enough cats, lady
Sadly, stories about cat hoading are common. There’s the woman who had 28 cats in her home near St. Louis or the family with 43 cats in their Springfield, Mass., home. But news out of Indiana this week is mind-blowing.
Authorities seized 212 cats from a condemned home (shown here) in Leo-Cedarville, Ind. The woman had told authorities earlier she had about 40 cats. She was allowed to keep five animals. One escaped. The other 206 were taken to the pound and eventually put down. Most weren’t socialized. Most were ill and inbred. The woman said all the cats – yes, all of them – were descendent from one male and two females she had a few years ago. (This is another reason why animals should be spayed/neutered. The Oklahoma City area has lots of options, like the SPOT Clinic or SNAP.)
Animal hoarding is dangerous to both animals and people, according to the Humane Scoiety of the United States. For many, it’s a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Hoarding typically has three tell-tale signs, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- - The owner has so many animals he/she is unable to feed, clean or care for them.
- - The owner doesn’t respond when animals become ill or die.
- - The owner doesn’t respond when the crowding and living conditions become so bad it’s unhealthy for animals and people.
Report any suspected animal hoarding to the authorities immediately. In Oklahoma City, contact the Animal Welfare Division at 297-2255.
Reporting suspected animal cruelty is everyone’s responsibility, even if we may feel guilty reporting a friend, neighbor or relative. The deaths of these 206 cats in Indiana could have been prevented if someone would have spoken up.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Catch of the day
Imagine a relaxing father-son fishing trip at the lake. You get a nibble, start reeling it in, then this comes out of the water.
Jose Chavez and his father were reportedly using a chicken liver as bait in an Arizona lake when they snagged an alligator gar. The predtors, which are illegal in Arizona even to keep in a tank, have razor-sharp teeth and look like something you’d find at the natural history museum.
I think I’ll stick to fishing for striper and catfish. This thing scares me.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Authorities euthanize dog that bit, killed baby
The Labrador puppy that killed a baby at this Tulsa home was euthanized, authorities report.
Police are releasing more details about the case, but the bigger picture still isn’t clear.
The boy, Zane Alen Earles, was only 2 months old. The names of the parents, ages 17 and 18, are being withheld. Testing of the infant’s body could take up to three months.
Listen to our Pet Show podcast or read our post about advice for parents with pets.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Giving for Veterinarians
Future veterinarians will benefit from $1 million in donations to Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
University officials announced today gifts and grants from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, the McCasland Foundation, the Patricia Henthorne Estate and the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation.
The money will create two endowed professorships and one chair within the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences and will help several areas including small animal internal medicine and bio-medical laser surgery.
A release from the university states that endowed faculty positions help universities attract the best candidates for positions.
Here’s hoping plenty of future veterinarians benefit from this generosity.
Staff Writer Dawn Marks
Vet talks about Tulsa mauling death
Dr. Rick Hufnagel of Westbrook Animal Hospital came to our podcast studios Monday afternoon to talk about the mauling death of a Tulsa infant. He talked to us about warning signs, prevention and what to do if you or your child is bitten by a dog. Listen to our special edition podcast.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Advice given to dog owners in wake of Tulsa infant death
A 2-month-old infant died Monday morning after the baby was mauled by a young Labrador retriever, authorities are reporting.
Labs are the most common registered dog in the country, according to the American Kennel Club. They account for 15 percent of all dog registries, according to the AKC 21st Century Dog Owner Study. “The gentle, intelligent and family-friendly Labrador Retriever … continues to be the most popular breed in the United States,” according to the AKC Web site. “Because of his even temperament and trainability millions of Americans own a Labrador Retriever as a pet.”
But even the friendliest animals have the capacity to bite. Half of all children in America will be bitten by a dog by their 12th birthdays, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Dogs can be afraid of or threatened by new family members. Martin Guerra of DogManngers.com says pet owners must prepare their dogs for a new baby and then continue honing behavior after the child has arrived. Here’s what Martin suggests should be done before the baby even arrives:
- - Train your dog to obey basic commands.
- - Eliminate any nipping tendencies.
- - Introduce your dog to as many babies as possible.
- - Allow your dog to sniff a blanket the baby has been using at the hospital.
While all dog bites and attacks cannot be prevented, parents can educate older children about animal safety. The ASPCA offers these tips:
- - Don’t make prolonged eye contact.
- - Don’t tease.
- - Don’t approach chained dogs.
- - Don’t touch dogs running loose.
- - Report loose dogs.
- - Don’t scream or panic if a dog approaches.
- - Stand still if a dog approaches.
- - Don’t touch or approach an eating dog.
- - Don’t touch or approach a sleeping dog.
- - Ask an owner’s permission before petting a dog.
- - Allow a dog to sniff the back of the hand before petting.
The ASPCA also offers these tips about choosing a pet that’s right for your family. You can also read about how to socialize young pups or how to stop nipping and biting before it becomes a danger.
Look for a special Pet Show podcast with Dr. Rick Hufnagel of Westbrook Animal Hospital in Edmond. The podcast about vicious dogs and safety will be posted Monday afternoon.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
