All Creatures Great and Small

[Julia]

I certainly understand the necessity of training them and it should be compulsory for all big dog owners to undergo some sort of education and evaluation re dog training, maybe even have to hold a licence. The number of people seriously injured and killed each year by vicious dogs is a disgrace and the incompetent owners of these animals should be held seriously to account, and I don't understand why our councils and governments are so reluctant to act.

Local councils are often hampered by State legislation which is where the changes need to occur. We can all make representations to our local member on this.
The Local Council here is actually very good in that they respond immediately to calls about attacks. I had a very unpleasant incident about a year ago where (yet again) a huge mastiff cross came tearing out from a backyard when a teenager opened the gate without first securing the dog. We were walking on the footpath alongside busy main road. It chased my dog out into the middle of the road, cars swerving everywhere, and pinned her down. It was nearly twice her size and she was helpless. Nothing I could do except yell for the owner, who finally realised what had happened, rushed out and had to kick his dog viciously before being able to haul it off and drag it back inside.

I notified the Council and they were straight on to it. Owner didn't deny what had happened and was apologetic.
They don't have the power to remove the dog unless my dog had actually been killed or very severely injured but can take the option of declaring the offender a "Dangerous Dog". This means it has to be housed behind six foot high fences with self locking gates and wear a muzzle in public. A lot of these offending creatures are owned by people who are renting so they are not going to make alterations to the property, hence many such dogs are in fact relinquished and put down. Still all really window dressing rather than tough action.
If I were making the laws about dogs like this, it would be one attack and the dog is gone.

For anyone interested in understanding more about how dogs function and how different they are from humans, Martin McKenna has a great book "What's your Dog Telling You?" He dispels many of the myths we like to believe.
This video is an interesting example of how differently dogs perceive being hugged from the way we relate to it. Obviously it's an expression of affection for us, but the dog sees it quite differently.
(Don't be put off by Martin McKenna's rather odd appearance and manner. He knows a lot about dogs.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGCtv-WCqIw

 

[Chris45]

Thanks Tink

I had a very unpleasant incident about a year ago where (yet again) a huge mastiff cross came tearing out from a backyard when a teenager opened the gate without first securing the dog.

You have certainly had some very nasty experiences!!! I've read reports in the papers about people who have had to watch their little dogs being ripped apart by these vicious dogs and I can only imagine how horrific it must be for them. I can certainly understand the case for single women, but I really wonder why some families feel so insecure (no offense intended) that they need to get such aggressive dogs. Maybe I'm being naive but I sometimes wonder if our fear of crime isn't a bit overblown.

If I were making the laws about dogs like this, it would be one attack and the dog is gone.

Absolutely agree AND the owner should be heavily penalised for his negligence!

But care needs to be exercised because occasionally I hear stories like this:
http://modifiedk9.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/police-respond-to-vicious-dog-in.html

Today I received a call while on duty about a vicious dog chasing kids. When I came on the scene, I noticed people yelling out their windows at the dog.

I'm certainly not a fan of pitbulls, but I'm guessing the dog was probably being tormented and if the cop had just pulled out his gun and shot it, it would have been very unfair!

I think I've been very lucky in that my only other bad experience was with a large Shepherd (I think) who used to charge his front gate barking viciously every time I walked past his house and scare the daylights out of me. After about the third time, I noted the address and started to compose a letter to the council but then the dog disappeared ... I don't know why ... but I think it was another rental property.

This video is an interesting example of how differently dogs perceive being hugged from the way we relate to it. Obviously it's an expression of affection for us, but the dog sees it quite differently.
(Don't be put off by Martin McKenna's rather odd appearance and manner. He knows a lot about dogs.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGCtv-WCqIw

He's quite a character, and very entertaining, and makes a good point and if I were a dog (and even as a human) I think I'd feel quite threatened being smothered like that.

It also seems wrong to be putting your face up so close to a dog. Wouldn't that also be threatening? Hugging and kissing dogs just doesn't seem right to me and I'm not keen when they jump up on me either, especially big dogs.

Little Pat seems to enjoy having his neck massaged and his tummy stroked (doesn't everyone?) and I remember one time he was lying on his back at arms length on the couch, in what I took to be a submissive position, and I was slowly massaging around his front legs and chest and he was looking at me with half closed eyes as if to say, "Oooooh that feels sooooo good." He was just loving it!

I must get on to building those gates!!!

 

[CanOz]

Was looking for a vet in Shanghai and came across these guys...look at the story about Lucky, the little dog thrown from the 18th floor that survived when a pop star found him and took him to these guys for a patch up that lasted 80 days...

What i would do to the guy that chucked him out off the 18th floor...:frown:

http://www.doctorsbeckandstone.com/

 

[Chris45]

What i would do to the guy that chucked him out off the 18th floor...:frown:

Assuming the dog was thrown and didn't fall accidentally ... what a despicable act of cruelty!!!

Let's hope Huang Yong makes up for the evil act of the previous owner, and may he have the best of success in his career.

 

[CanOz]

Assuming the dog was thrown and didn't fall accidentally ... what a despicable act of cruelty!!!

Let's hope Huang Yong makes up for the evil act of the previous owner, and may he have the best of success in his career.

yeah, i hope so too. It was "tossed" according to the story.


I'm taking the cats there on Saturday for a check up and shots...hey seem like a good mob.

 

[Chris45]

yeah, i hope so too. It was "tossed" according to the story.

If that was the case, and since they know it fell from the 18th floor, wouldn't it be relatively easy to locate the culprit and prosecute him/her?

They do seem like a good mob, which is very refreshing considering the many bad reports we read about appalling animal treatment in China. Great to know that there are people over there who care. Your cats should be in safe hands.

 

[CanOz]

If that was the case, and since they know it fell from the 18th floor, wouldn't it be relatively easy to locate the culprit and prosecute him/her?

Well that sounds logical doesn't it? So likely no. If thats one thing i've leanred in the 8 years here its to expect the unexpected. They think totally differently than the other 70% of the world. Its like 180 degrees, polar opposite on most things.

If the perp was not connected in anyway or had any relationships then a group of people, or online bloggers could convince the cops to charge...

But in reality the person likely could bribe their way out of it easily anyway.

Singapore is so different, yet the population is 70% Chinese. and soo friendly and courteous. A real nice culture, and well disciplined too, which is what the Chinese need, discipline...heavy equally doled out discipline. Whether in the form of regulation that is policed properly, or just having it drilled into their heads.

China is changing for the better in regards to the treatment of animals, but very slowly.

 

[noirua]

Sea Lion 'Pancho' Steals Trophy Fish From Unsuspecting Fisherman (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/26/sea-lion-pancho-steals-fish-cabo-mexico_n_4166670.html

 

[Calliope]

I'll bet this tiger is still smiling. It's amazing that a tiger raised in captivity intuitively knows to go for the throat. The moral is...don't take tigers for granted. Next thing he will be snacking on Bindi.

There was a young lady of Riga,
Who rode with a smile on a tiger.
They returned from the ride
With the lady inside
And the smile on the face of the tiger

.

 

[Julia]

There was a report this week of Greyhound owners removing the teeth and claws from small animals, eg kittens, rabbits et al, presumably without anaesthetic, to use them as bait for training their dogs. The small animals are mauled to death.

Such sickening cruelty in pursuit of a horrible sport.

 

[MrBurns]

There was a report this week of Greyhound owners removing the teeth and claws from small animals, eg kittens, rabbits et al, presumably without anaesthetic, to use them as bait for training their dogs. The small animals are mauled to death.

Such sickening cruelty in pursuit of a horrible sport.

I was traumatised as a kid when I was told that, it's been going on for decades, I think it must have been mainly stopped by now but it's horrific.

They tie the live rabbits to the lure and let the dogs catch it, that makes them try harder in a race.

 

[Calliope]

And you know it's still the silly season when News.com.au gets to the bottom of science issues like this, yesterday:

GERMAN and Czech researchers studying squatting dogs doing their business found pooches have an "inner compass" that may explain how they find their way home over great distances. When the four-legged friends stop during a walk to defecate or urinate they tend to do so along a north-south axis, provided the Earth's magnetic field is stable at the time.

 

[Calliope]

Two creatures with a touch of class, and easy on the eyes.


MEET the two stars of the Magic Millions: Francesca Cumani and the million-dollar colt.

 

[burglar]

 

[Calliope]

A carpet python that ate a pet dog chained up in its kennel in a Caniaba backyard will not undergo surgery in the near future.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary senior vet Michael Pyne said the snake was in good condition despite consuming a length of chain with the 'possum-sized' dog.

"The snake is fine. He's a very happy snake," Mr Pyne said.

"The chain will stay in until the snake has digested it all. We have to let the food dissolve.

 

[Julia]

How horrible. Who on earth would chain a dog in a kennel? Poor creature.

 

[Calliope]

Another python eats another pet pooch.

As her husband searched their six-acre Whitsundays property for signs of the missing pooch last Tuesday, Ms Grigg discovered a large scrub python curled up on their veranda with a large bump in its belly.

“There was no doubt it was Walter. It was exactly Walter-sized,” she said.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...seshih-tzu-cross/story-fnihsrf2-1226855722282

 

[bunyip]

Here's one of the nicest animal stories you'll see anywhere - and one of the most unique.

http://funnycatsgallery.com/mom-cat/the-cat-and-the-ducklings/

 

[bunyip]

Magpie and pup enjoying a game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoaEBb4IN4Q

 

[Julia]

That's amazing. Thanks bunyip.
There are links to other great dog videos beside that one. Especially lovely is one where a US marine is reunited with the working dog who was his bomb detecting companion in the war.
The dog had been retired, a home found for her, but when the new owners discovered the marine was searching for her they showed their respect for the bond between the soldier and the dog and gave her up.