Genesee County Animal Control Adds Insult to Injury

A Mt. Morris, Michigan, (Genesee County) animal control shelter killed the "wrong" dog. The shelter staff lethally injected a family dog that was being held only for observation.

The kill shelter has offered that the family adopt another dog from their shelter, and charge the family only for the spaying or neutering.

The Genesee County Animal Control staff can join others in The Dog House for their gift of adding insult to injury: essentially penalizing a family by having them reimburse the county for monies they wouldn't have had to spend if the county had not made a mistake in the first place.

Read the story at the WDIV web site.

Marine Throws Puppy Off Cliff

You would think that the U.S. military could use some good PR just about now. But no. A video has surfaced showing a Marine Lance Corporal throwing a puppy off a cliff, while the camera person (it's believed) comments on the meanness of it.

Just a fake video? No. The Marines know the officer in question and are not releasing his name pending further investigation. The video had been running on YouTube, but is now down. If you do a search on the site for "marine puppy," several videos will show. However, when you click on the video to play, this is what shows on a banner at the top of the page: This video has been removed due to terms of use violation. You can still see the video of the smiling soldier (with other smiling soldiers) at the web site Dumpen Maar. You can also sign a petition titled Stand Against Puppy-Killing Soldiers at the Care2 petition site.

Ugly and mean. You think that these people are here to protect us, but such cavalier attitudes toward life make you question the focus of their missions or, at the least, their competency in enforcing it.

Addendum (thanks to my spouse): This particular marine is a punk, not a warrior. A true warrior uses his skills and knowledge when appropriate; a true soldier is not gratuitously violent. Unfortunately, this guy chooses to misrepresent the mission of military colleagues.

Addendum 2: Some of the video viewers are suggesting that perhaps the puppy was dead, since it was limp, and that it's yelp was dubbed in. detroit dog thinks not. The puppy was indeed limp, as young pups do when picked up by the scruff of the neck. But the puppy still had a lot of muscle tone there. Have you ever seen a dead rabbit or other dead animal in an upright position? All of their legs hang as straight down as is possible given their angled joints. This pup's legs and paws were still held up. Also, the video quality appears to be that of either a small camera or a cell phone camera. I can't imagine that someone would go through all the trouble of inserting a yelp sound for an otherwise worthless video.

Thanks to my friend KE at Lusting WanderLuster for bringing this issue to my attention. You can read the news story Video appears to show Marine abusing puppy at CNN.

In The Dog House: Ellen DeGeneres

This morning I watched the first few minutes of Ellen DeGeneres' show, and she had this to say about the Iggy the dog issue. "...it's gotten out of hand.... I want nothing, nothing more than that dog returned to that family. But you don't resort to violence. So anybody out there, please stop that. Please don't threaten or do whatever." Then on to the next subject.

Gee, real strong words. Disappointing.

She's referring to the multitude of death and arson threats against the rescue group from which she'd adopted the dog "Iggy."

What gets me is that Ellen does not take responsibility for her actions, and blames the rescue group for the child not having the dog. Ellen did not abide by her contract, so the group reclaimed the dog as was their legal right; it was not her right to give away the dog.

More importantly, I believe, is that Ellen is not interested in what's best for the dog; she's interested in relieving the disappointment of her hairdresser's daughter. She doesn't say anything about what is best for the dog, and doesn't acknowledge that the rescue group, which is contractually responsible for the dog, is only doing what they believe is best for the dog - which is their mission. If Ellen DeGeneres hadn't made the mistake of giving the dog to her hairdresser, the kid wouldn't be upset; now the child has learned that it can hurt when someone gives you something that was not theirs to give.

Sobbing about all this on TV is really abominable. How could Ellen have been so thoughtless to believe that as a celebrity her public plea - which could only be to exert public pressure on the group (she could have kept this a private matter, without the media hype) - would not have negative repercussions for the rescue group? Since I can't believe that she's actually that stupid, I'd have to say that she was stupidly manipulative. And having a long, drawn out drama about the situation can't be in the best interests of the child.

Tough lessons.

Ellen DeGeneres moves into The Dog House, a place where several weeks ago I'd never have believed she'd reside.

Mike Vick: Rules and regulations, who needs 'em....

Ahhhh...The Weekly Vick. Throw the guy a bone; throw away the key.

As if he didn't have enough problems already, self-confessed dogfighting ringleader Michael Vick more recently tested positive for marijuana use. As a result, Judge Henry Hudson has ordered that Vick abide a curfew and be electronically monitored until his December sentencing date. One of the conditions of Vick's federal release was that he "refrain" from possession and use of illegal drugs. You need a judge to tell you this?

Vick's indifference to laws and rules (forget about morals or ethics) is both reckless and defiant. His behavior begs the question: Does he care? He's essentially blown his career and its financial perks. He's a poster boy for wasted opportunities. (He's a poster boy for lots of stuff lately.) He's involved in drugs, gambling, intentionally malicious animal cruelty. It appears he doesn't care for his own life, much less any other life. Perhaps his December sentencing should include weekly therapy sessions.

bleah.

Additionally, reports are surfacing that Vick's Bad Newz Kennels might be linked to the April murder of a North Carolina pit bull breeder. Over 30 pit bulls were found at the victim's residence; the dogs were put down as it was evident they were bred and trained for fighting. Records found in the home list some dogs with the same names as those found in federally seized records from Vick's kennel.

And, last but not least, Vick has just been indicted on state (Virginia) charges related to dogfighting.

To read a CNN story about Vick's failure of a drug test, click on this link. To read the Sports Illustrated version, click on this link.

To read a Washington Post story about Bad Newz Kennels' possible connection to a NC murder, click on this link.

In The Dog House: Port Orchard, WA: Dogs to be euthanized for killing cat

The City of Port Orchard, Washington, is set to euthanize four dogs because they killed a neighbor's cat.

While it's easy to understand being angry because your cat was killed, it's rather over-reaction to put down the dogs for doing what most dogs do: act on their prey drive. Some dogs don't have one, others have them fierce. This seems like it was akin to chasing down a squirrel or rabbit, which dogs do.

I suspect the City wants to put down the dogs because they are part pit bull, specifically pit bull and husky. Is this not over the top? When the City Animal Control showed up, the dogs sniffed the truck and jumped in of their own accord. That's a sign of a vicious dog?

How did this story make the news? Because the owner "broke the dogs out of jail," so to speak, and has been arrested.

What might be a better reaction by the City is to enforce that the dogs be confined to their yard, or the neighbor's cat be confined to it's home.

The dogs are set to be killed tomorrow. Write Port Orchard City Hall at this email address: cityhall@ci.port-orchard.wa.us

You can put these obtuse people (City Animal Control) in The Dog House.

Read the article on KIROTV.com by clicking on this link.

In The Dog House: NBA Knicks' Stephon Marbury

New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury is defending Michael Vick and dogfighting, and equating dogfighting with hunting.

Somebody please kick Marbury out of the NBA on the grounds of stupidity while defending acceptance of inhumanity. Or just stupidity. In the meantime, give the guy a dictionary.

Hunting deals with the pursuit, capture, and killing of wild animals for the purpose of food/clothing and the like and which are supposed to have an opportunity for escape. (Sport; except in cases where jerks partake in "canned" and internet-aided 'hunting,' which is known to use domesticated animals; see 'Obtuse People' label in sidebar for examples.)

Dogs used by hunters are for the purpose of retrieving game.

Fighting is for the purpose of physically overpowering (as in win-lose). Put the word "dog" before the word "fighting" and there you have it: two dogs pitted against each other for the purpose of one dog "winning." (Generally, for the purpose of gambling humans.)

What's really sick about Marbury's statement is that the sentiment is popular and shared by those that are otherwise portrayed as role models of 'success'. (To say nothing of populations that are neither famous nor affluent.)

Marbury can keep Vick company in The Dog House.

ugh.


Want to send Marbury a message? Click on this link to send an email to his booking agent at All American Talent & Celebrity Network.

Stupid Cop Leaves Police Dog in Overheated Car

An Arizona police officer went home and "apparently forgot" his police dog in his vehicle, and the temperature in nearby Phoenix is reported to have been 109F that day. The dog, of course, died.

It's beyond me how people forget there are other living beings in a car with them, especially a large dog. Aren't cops supposed to know better?

Almost too ugly for words; read the story, courtesy of KPHO News.

Ethics & Big Money: The SCLC & Vick, Coke, and The Home Depot

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference's honoring and supporting of Mike Vick certainly seems suspicious. Why? At least in part, because (according to the SCLC web site):

• Coca-Cola is a major sponsor of SCLC; Vick has an endorsement contract with Coke
• The Home Depot is a major sponsor of SCLC; co-founder of the The Home Depot, Arthur Blank is also owner of The Atlanta Falcons

Additionally, the SCLC has bastardized the estimable ideals of Martin Luther King, Jr., which it aims to represent, with the statement about Vick by SCLC President Charles Steele, Jr., that "We need to support him no matter what the evidence reveals." What does an attitude like that have to do with civil or human rights? I believe that Mr. King's ideals would not be in agreement with any such statement.

Why doesn't the SCLC honor or support a truly deserving person, rather than defending one that has not presented himself in any way as being of importance in effecting either civil or human rights? Because the SCLC (and the Atlanta & Georgia NAACP) decided to ride the bandwagon that will lead to national media attention.

The SCLC's actions are representative of an increasing culture among powerful Americans that consciously choose to rank ethics second to the media. They deserve to be in The Dog House.

Mike Vick: Morals or Cash?

You would hope the choice would be decency; you would hope the choice would be morals.

Direct from www.atlantafalcons.com:

The Atlanta Falcons issued the following statement regarding the U.S. District Court indictment of Falcons QB Michael Vick Tuesday evening:

"This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months. With today’s news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion.

We are disappointed that one of our players – and therefore the Falcons – is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that.

Obviously, we are disturbed by today’s news from Virginia. However, we are prepared to deal with it, and we will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for and training camp opens next week. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches."

The Falcons still don't get it. Michael Vick is presenting himself - and the Falcons - negatively; no one else is presenting him that way, he did it by himself. The Falcons should seriously reconsider what they believe to be "the right thing" for their club and start thinking about acting on humane morals rather than cash.

Presidential Contender Kennels Dog on Car Roof; Goes for 12-Hour Drive

And he calls it a prime example of "crisis management."

There's a new resident in The Dog House.

Just when there's hope of a Presidential "reprieve," along comes a presidential contender that is thoughtful enough to bring the family dog on vacation - by strapping its kennel to the roof of the car.

WHAT?

Yes, 2008 presidential hopeful Mitt Romney admits to the 1983 incident in which his family dog, Seamus, traveled from Boston to Ontario in a kennel (crate) strapped to the roof of the family car. Seamus, of course, was scared shitless (literally). Romney says the dog enjoyed it. (What dog doesn't like bouncing around on a car roof for 12 hours at 55 miles per?)

Click here to read the article. (ugh)

Or, try this American recipe for presidential jerk (only 12 hours to make!)

• Put a presidential contender (preferably Mitt Romney) in a kennel
• Strap the kennel to the car roof
• Go!
  
• When you notice crap flowing down the back window, pull into a gas station
• Hose down the car and the presidential candidate
  
• Continue on your way
• Half-bake for 12 hours at minimum 60 mph
  

Voila! (May cause nausea or leave permanent aftertaste.)

Here's looking at you, kid

Here's a quickie email I received this morning from my youngest sister, who is blind (her word). She has a cutie Black Lab leader dog named Indigo. She's also a part of a leader dog list-serve. This is from a posting on that list-serve:

Is this what is happening to you, where because you wear glasses, people think you can see? So you don't need your dog?

I have artificial eyes. And yes I had a lady tell me I should be ashamed of myself for using a dog when I could see. I had trained the dog to find all of the ramps in the mall I was at. So we would cruise down the mall as if we knew what we were doing. After so many times (of listening to the woman say this), I finally took my eye out. The lady screamed. When the guard from the phone company came out and asked what was happening, I shared the story. He laughed really hard, telling me that he bet the lady never wanted to cross another blind persons' path.

Ah, the fun having a dog.

Oxymoron of the day: Humanity

Nothing like shooting an animal 8 times then chasing it for 3 hours before finally killing it. This is sport? The really dangerous part of this story is that the 11-year old shooter said "I probably won't ever kill anything else that big."

One could only hope.

Click on this link to read about the up and coming Twit, Jr.