Edmond K9 dies of cancer
Astor, a Edmond Police Department drug and tracking dog, died during cancer surgery. He was 7.
His handler was Neil Martin.
We interviewed one of Astor’s former handlers, Sgt. Tony Hill, in early 2007. He spoke with us about his work with Astor and the bond between handlers and their animals. Listen here.
Astor will be missed.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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Woodward vet saving animals; Pryor woman saves skunks
In case you missed it in the paper today, check out at story about a Woodward vet who has started a rescue in his clinic. It’s a neat story – and it has an Oprah element! And as if that weren’t enough animal news, you can also read a story about a Pryor woman who runs a wildlife refuge for everything from skunks to rabbits.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Raffle benefits pets in Oklahoma City area
Wild Birds Unlimited and Best Friends of Shelter Pets are teaming up to raise money for metro area animals. Two lucky winners will each receive a pair of fancy pant binoculars, shown here.
Tickets are $1 each or $10 for a dozen. You can buy them at Wild Birds Unlimited, NW 63 and Western, or on the Best Friends Web site.
Our best friends over at Best Friends do lots of work throughout the metro, namely supporting the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program and their free pet ID program.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Del City officer responds to dog’s death
Listen to Pet Show! Daniel Bingham, an animal control officer with the Del City Police Department, joined us to talk about how police and animal control officers respond to reports of vicious dogs. He also discussed the case of two Del City officers shooting a dog early Sunday morning. The dog was accused of chasing a man and attempting to bite him. We also offer some tips for staying safe around dogs.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
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One bushel of bananas, hold the deadly spider
A grocery store in England was shut down recently after a Brazailian Wandering Spider,
the world’s deadliest species of spider, was found under a box of bananas.
A worker spotted the creature, listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s most venomous animal, as she was stacking boxes of bananas and noticed protruding black, hairy legs.
Those bit by the Brazilian Wandering Spider usually die within an hour. The spider has a 4-inch legspan and often hides in shipments of bananas, which has earned it the nickname “banana spider.”
Brisith animal welfare authorities responded and eventually captured the spider, which was very aggressive. Authorities considered keeping the animal to let it pose for photos, but it was deemed too dangerous and was euthanized.
The store was closed for several hours while officials made sure there were no other spiders in the banana shipment.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Police kick in door to find bird was making distress calls
Police in Trenton, New Jersey, kicked in a door after receiving 911 calls and hearing a woman’s voice calling for help.
Problem was, the voice wasn’t a woman’s. It belonged to Luna the cockatoo.
Apparently the bird was saying “Help me, help me,” so loudly that neighbors thought a woman was in trouble and called police. Police heard the same voice, along with a barking dog, when they arrived, so they kicked in the door with guns drawn.
The 10-year-old blue-eyed cockatoo has apparently drawn attention from the cops before. Her owners say Luna once imitated a crying baby all day, prompting neighbors to complain about an abandoned child. Police and protective services found only the bird when they arrived.
My girlfriend collects birds and has a blue and gold macaw named Melvin. Melvin imitates her voice, and I have to say he is spot on. I’m not surprised police could mistake a bird’s voice for that of a real person.
No word yet on calls to authorities that someone named “Polly” wants crackers in the apartment next door.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Tulsa woman shot people while on Chihuahua search
There are lots of ways to find a lost dog. Put up posters. Call the animal shelter. Fire a gun into a crowd.
Some of these ways are more effective than other.
A woman in Tulsa was looking for a missing Chihuahua early Sunday morning, police said. The woman approached a crowd of people standing outside a home and asked if they had seen the dog. They said they hadn’t. She then returned and asked again; again the people outside the house said they hadn’t seen the pup. The women then started to walk away but turned around and fired a pistol into the crowd multiple times, police said. Two people were shot; one took a bullet to the leg and one was only grazed. The gun-firing Chihuahua owner hasn’t been arrested yet.
So, just in case you were wondering, shooting people isn’t a good way to find a dog. The Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for finding a lost dog:
- - Contact animal control and animal shelters.
- - Search your neighborhood.
- - Put up posters and put notice out online.
- - Don’t give up.
But if you do give up, please give up your firearms.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Get the tissues ready
This is just an amazing story and video that will likely make the tears flow for many animal lovers, including my Pet Show co-host Carrie Coppernoll.
In 1969, two British men who were roomates saw a lion cub for sale. They adopted the lonely cub, taking it home to their flat and letting it exercise on the grounds of a church with permission from the vicar.
The cub, which they named Christian, quickly grew too large, and they decided to re-introduce him to Africa. The plan was a success. A year after Christian was released, the men decided they wanted to visit him. Christian was now the head of his own pride and wildlife experts warned the men he would not remember them now that he was wild, and they would be in danger. They visited anyway. This was what happened when they found him. Sorry for the sappy music.
- Staff Writer Bryan Dean
Who to take with you – your spouse or your dog?
I love my fiance. I love my dog. What if I only could choose one to take with me to a deserted island?
It’s a tough call.
No, but seriously, I think I’d choose my future husband. I think so.
Apparently, I’m one of the few. About 2 of every 3 Americans would choose their dogs instead of their spouses, according to a survey by PetPlan, an insurance company. This statistic shocked me – not only a majority, but a high majority. But then again, how could you turn down one or the other? This is a photo of my fiance and my dog. Look at those poor, sad faces. I don’t think I could leave either one behind.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Oklahoma City pet of the week
Maggie, a 5-year-old setter mix
Maggie will be a joy to have in any dog-loving home and will provide lots of companionship. She’s a 5-year-old setter mix. Maggie is housebroken and good with other pets. She had to be shaved down when she entered the shelter because her coat was so badly matted. Maggie was treated for heartworms by the shelter’s veterinarian. She would like to thank the Healing Hearts Fund for paying for her treatment. Her number at the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is 65305.
The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter is having a special event, Fall in Love with a Shelter Pet, during the month of September, and the adoption fee for cats and dogs has been reduced to $25. This includes spay or neuter, shots and health check. Pictures of many of the adoption pets can be seen at www.okc.petfinder.com and www.okc.gov. The shelter, 2811 SE 29, is open from noon to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for adoptions, and from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week for receiving. For more information, call 297-3100.
