Pets in the paper – poacher goes down
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Poacher sentenced in killing of tame deer. (Newalla)
- Zoo taking entries for art contest. (Oklahoma City)
- Bill updates: Pet breeders. (Capitol)
- Dogs keep watch for squirrel menace. (Yukon)
- NewsOK Etiquette blog: Neighbor has loud dogs.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – the new breeds in town
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Three new breeds to be shown at Westminster. (New York)
- Zoo takes confiscated elephant. (Ohio)
- Pilot whales euthanized. (New Zealand)
- Blog: Pedigree joins Carrie Underwood.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Dognappers run amok!
Apparently dog thefts are on the rise. Through last month, the American Kennel Club has tracked more than 115 stolen pet stories this year. The group only heard of 71 thefts all of last year. Here’s some more info from AKC:
The FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which tracks stolen property nationwide, currently lists 200 stolen dogs, according to Steve Fischer, FBI Spokesperson. According to Fischer, “Dogs listed in our database must have permanent owner-applied serial numbers, such as those from embedded microchips. Unfortunately not all dogs have permanent ID, so we know this is only a fraction of the number of missing dogs.”
Earlier this year, a bill was introduced in Texas which would have made it a state felony to steal a pet, including the family dog, with a possible two years in prison if convicted. California and Delaware have tried to regulate roadside pet sales as a way to combat the trafficking of stolen pets to unsuspecting consumers.
Keep your pet safe:
- Keep your dog leashed.
- Don’t leave your dog alone in the yard, in your car or tied up outside a store.
- Have your pet microchipped.
What to do in a worst-case scenario:
- Call the police.
- Search the neighborhood.
- Post fliers. (This is why it’s important to have a current photo of your pet!)
How can you curb pet theft:
- Don’t buy dogs from the Internet, flea markets or roadside vendors. (Better yet – ADOPT!)
- Use reputable breeders and adoption agencies.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – THE RETURN!
I’m sure all of you have both noticed and cared that I’ve been gone for the past six weeks. (It’s OK. I know you haven’t.) But now that I’m back from maternity leave, so the daily feature Pets in the Paper. Wahoo!
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Oklahoma City hunter gets 180-pound deer at Arcadia Lake. (Arcadia)
- Pooches get ready to put their best paws forward. (Oklahoma City, page 17a)
Not much for the first day back. Maybe tomorrow!
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
OSU helps save 80 dogs
Check out this heart-warming story out of Stillwater from folks at OSU:
When the Payne County Sheriff’s office called the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences on Thursday, Sept. 17, and asked if they could help with approximately 80 dogs and cats rescued from a rural home, faculty, staff and students stepped up to help.
“The Sheriff’s Department alerted us that the animals were coming,” stated Dr. Michael Lorenz, professor and dean of the veterinary center. “We called in veterinary technicians, students and eight veterinarians who were not on call. The animals arrived in the late evening.”
“I was on the phone with one of the ICU technicians and when I heard what was going on, I came in to help,” said Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia).
Because the animals are the subject of legal action and serve as evidence, the intake process included identifying and photographing each animal. Detailed records were maintained for medical and legal purposes.
“We had eight teams each comprised of students/veterinary technicians and one faculty veterinarian,” added Hudson.
“The animals were abused, neglected and poorly nourished,” said Dr. Mark Neer, director of the veterinary center’s Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “While they can’t be adopted until legally released, the plan was to put them in foster care.”
All animals were treated for internal and external parasites including sarcoptic mange, which is a type of mange caused by mites burrowing in the skin especially of the head and face. All adult dogs received Rabies vaccinations and puppies were vaccinated for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza.
“It was absolutely amazing to see everyone swing into action,” stated Dr. Jill Brunker, Small Animal Internal Medicine. “People were assigned to a station and we rotated the animals through receiving, triage and treatment. Interns, residents, technicians and fourth year veterinary students worked with one common goal—help these mistreated animals.”
“We were able to do something on a large scale to help the animals and the community,” said Dr. Todd Yeagley, Small Animal Internal Medicine and Surgery Intern. “It was sad to see so many dogs that had suffered such horrible abuse.”
According to Hudson within two hours 80 animals had been examined.“We were careful to do everything right so that the Sheriff’s Department would have what they needed. Even after all the dogs had been processed, the students recognized that the dogs needed to be bathed to help make them more comfortable and then we still needed to clean up to get ready for the next day, so they stayed,” continued Hudson.
“The students and staff worked until the wee hours of the morning,” added Lorenz. “Oklahomans can be extremely proud of the veterinary team. Despite the horrific scene, the group performed at a high professional level. I am very proud of their dedication and competence.”
“Dr. Neer and everyone at the veterinary hospital could not have been any kinder to the animals or been more hospitable to the people who came to foster them,” stated Garry McKinnis, Payne County Undersheriff. “I have 18 of them at my house. My wife and I took four female Dachshunds and their puppies. We wanted to be sure they received the right care until they are able to be adopted.”
Some of the dogs had to be soaked to loosen the debris matted in their hair and eventually were clipped. According to Brunker, a single dose of medicine usually cures the sarcoptic mange. The parasites should be gone in a few weeks followed by treatments at regular intervals.
“I have seen dogs like that before but one at a time,” said Brandy Kastl, fourth year veterinary student from Sapulpa, Okla. “Never so many at once—it was overwhelming.”
“It was pretty sad, especially the high number of dogs involved,” continued Matt Stone of Springfield, Ill., also a fourth year veterinary student. “We were happy to help the animals.”
“That’s what we do,” added Kastl.
Authorities at the veterinary center report that all dogs and cats involved in the rescue have been placed in foster care as of Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, 2009.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – D-Boy is the man
Check out these (five million!) animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Pit bull is “People’s Hero” for taking burglar’s shots. (Oklahoma City)
- What’s new at the zoo? (Oklahoma City, page 16a, Saturday)
- Pet policies revisited. (nationwide, page 1b, Saturday)
- Southwest Airlines to add new fees for pets, unaccompanied minors. (nationwide)
- Redemption and Michael Vick. (NewsOK Religion and Values blog)
- Summer break can cut adoption of pets. (Stillwater, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Muskogee)
- Dog owner stabs worker. (Oklahoma City)
- Head to the bat cave. (Freedom)
- National Geographic hosting photo contest. (nationwide)
- Use caution to prevent dog bites. (nationwide)
- Reptile study keeps Tinker on track. (Midwest City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – columnist says Vick should play
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Berry Tramel: Give Vick another chance.
- Butterflies spread their wings at zoo. (Oklahoma City)
- Animal adoption event set. (Midwest City, page 2d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – a million stories
Wow! We have lots of catching up to do when it comes to sharing our animal stories in The Oklahoman. Here are the stories that have run from Saturday through today -
- Fish kill said to be natural. (Woodward)
- Cattle drive honors late announcer. (Claremore)
- Couple plan appeal of horse decision. (Coweta)
- Milk glut squeezes farmers, buyers. (Missouri)
- Livestock tracing plan is not a hit with some. (Washington)
- Free fishing at lakes June 6-7. (Oklahoma City)
- Fun for kids at Bass Pro. (Oklahoma City)
- Dog training classes set. (Oklahoma City, Tuesday, page 1d)
- Partial welcome given mutts in AKC contests. (Texas)
- Home notes: Mind your wild neighbors.
- Zoo’s rhino getting used to new digs. (Oklahoma City, photo shown here)
- Dog event scheduled. (Oklahoma City)
- Junior zookeepers preparing to learn. (Norman)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Vick dog in Oklahoma update
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Former Vick dog finds new life here. Fighting still a problem in some areas, experts say. (statewide, photos below)
- Training pups to help people is no easy task. (Oklahoma City)
- Kids can ride in style. (Yukon, page 1d)
- Zookeeper camp offers hands-on fun. (Norman)
- Pet Tales: Mischievous dog a real Diamond. (El Reno)
- Know when pet needs prompt vet care. (nationwide)
- Big catch reels in funds for the MDA. (Lake Thunderbird, page 3d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – puppy mill bill held up
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Puppy mill proposal stalled by Senate committee. (state capitol) (Read more about the puppy mill bill here.)
- Primate skeleton may tell old tale. (New York)
- Pet costs can be burden, surprise in hard times. (local column)
- Critters in the classroom. (photos below)
And read this story now on NewsOK.com:
- Michael Vick leaves Kansas prison for home confinement in Virginia. (Read more coverage of Michael Vick on the Pet Show blog here.)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
