National Bite Prevention Week
National Bite Prevention Week kicks off today. Check out this video from a really wonderful group called Prevent the Bite.
Even orangutans say Thunder Up!
Toba, an orangutan at the Oklahoma City Zoo, is making this face because she found out Metta World Peace is coming to town. I feel that way, too, Toba. I feel that way, too.
Another Michael Vick dog recovery
Look at this wonderful pup:
Watch this video about how this dog went from Michael Vick’s fighting rings to loving therapy dog. It makes my heart happy.
2012 Pupnic in the Park
Mark it down people. It’s going to be adorable and free.
The annual Pupnic in the Park will be from 1 to 4 p.m. April 28 at Ross Park, NW 62 and Ross. (The rain date is April 29.)
The shindig will include a parade and contests for costumes, tricks, size and look-alike cuteness. Vendors will be there, and there will be dog obedience demonstration. My dogs will not be part of that.
Dogs should be leashed. For more information, go to www.Pupnic.com.
Is your dog the next Toto?
Norman charity Hands Helping Paws wins grant
The Animal Rescue Site has announced that a Norman chairty is part of its first round of grant winners for 2012. Hands Helping Paws recieved $1,000. The website partnered with Petfinder.com to help voters choose the top 69 charities for the first round of voting in the Shelter + Challenge. There are three more rounds this year. The website is funded by the GreaterGood Network, a nonprofit organizaiton.
What’s poisoning pets? Medicine
The ASPCA has announced the top poisoning agents of pets, and human medicine takes two of the top three spots. The Animal Poison Control Center took 165,000 calls last year, and about 1 in 4 were related to medicine. Here’s the ASPCA’s top 10:
- Prescription medicine for humans.
- Insecticides.
- Over-the-counter medicine for humans.
- People food. The top culprit: chocolate. Don’t celebrate Valentine’s day by making your cat throw up.
- Household items. This includes things like paint and fire logs.
- Veterinary products.
- Rodenticides.
- Plants.
- Lawn and garden products.
- Automotive products.
The ASPCA’s poison control line is open 24 hours a day at (888-426-4435).
Tiny okapis? Little giraffe? Yes, please!
If you haven’t read about the cuteness happening at the Oklahoma City Zoo yet, it’s time. In a half-word: adorbs.
Humane Society points fingers at pork producers
The Humane Society of the United States alleges two Oklahoma pork producers of treating their animals inhumanely. Here’s a video about it. It’s pretty sad.
Oklahoma representative asks for stronger poaching laws
This press release came out of the House of Representatives this week. It’s strange to think poaching still happens in America, but it does. Very interesting.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation by state Rep. Pat Ownbey would deter poaching by increasing the fine and mandating that poachers lose their hunting and fishing licenses.
“The current minimum fine of $50 for poaching is so weak that there’s not much point in even enforcing it and a repeat offender is treated the same as a first-time offender,” Ownbey, R-Ardmore, said. “I had a constituent whose horse was shot by a poacher who was illegally hunting deer on the property. This might not have happened if current laws provided for a stricter poaching penalty.”
House Bill 2573 would increase the minimum fine for poaching to $100 and mandate the loss of the poacher’s hunting and fishing licenses for one year. The legislation makes the penalty for a second offense a fine of $500-1000, six months in county jail or both.
“Poaching is a big problem across the state and our current law does a poor job of protecting landowners’ rights. It is costing people money and I think repeat offenders should face stiff penalties that might make them think twice about their behavior,” Ownbey said. “It’s time to put a stop to this illegal activity.”
House Bill 2573 will be eligible for a committee hearing when the Legislature reconvenes on Feb. 6.
