DOG FIGHTER DOWN THANKS TO OUR FORENSIC VET

Looks like the South Carolina legal system is keeping dog fighters on a tight leash. We applaud the vigorous prosecution of Phillip Michael Maffei by Allen Myrick and Dale Scott of the South Carolina Attorney General's office, on felony charges of dog fighting. The Colleton Co. man was found guilty on all four felony charges related to this crime, and the ill treatment of animals at his home in Walterboro, SC, from where state and local law enforcement officials removed at least 10 pit bulls, as well as dog fighting training paraphernalia, last year. Maffei was sentenced to three years in prison, in addition to three years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.

Dr. Melinda Merck, forensic veterinarian with the ASPCA, was asked to assist in the investigation of this case by the South Carolina Attorney General's office. While in court, she testified on her analysis of all the evidence, including evidence she collected from the dog fighting pit in her role as "animal CSI." Her expert testimony, including testimony on the blood spatter and DNA evidence, directly linked several of the defendant's dogs to the dog fighting pit and endeavor. It is extremely rare for a forensic veterinarian to be allowed to testify on DNA evidence in such a case—this task is usually left to conventional DNA experts.

"We are extremely pleased that the Attorney General's office prosecuted this case so vigorously," said Ed Sayres, president & CEO of the ASPCA, "and that one of our staff was able to make such a vital contribution to the prosecution of this case. We applaud the South Carolina legal system in seeing that justice was done for the animals."

"Dogfight is not only illegal, it is an extremely disturbing and violent practice," said Dr. Randall Lockwood, senior vice president, Anti-Cruelty Initiatives & Legislative Services for the ASPCA. "It is gratifying that justice was served after so many animals suffered as a result of this man's cruelty."

And so, another victory for the ASPCA; our mission continues to provide the effective means of prevention of cruelty to animals, and is the major focus of its Anti-Cruelty Initiatives department.

Protect Nonhuman Primates—Support the Captive Primate Safety Act

Quit monkeying around and lobby a little! All you have to do is visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center, where you can click on this form and send a letter to your U.S. senators and representative asking them to support and cosponsor the Captive Primate Safety Act. You’ll get to see a copy of your letter before you send it. It’s nice and simple—the work has already been done for you! Just click and send, and you’ll be doing a great thing for our primate friends. Below are details of this important legislation:

The Captive Primate Safety Act
Sponsor(s): Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
ASPCA Position: Support
Action Needed: Send a letter to your U.S. senators and representative urging them to support the Captive Primate Safety Act.

The Captive Primate Safety Act would bar interstate commerce of nonhuman primates for the pet trade, including monkeys, apes, marmosets and lemurs. This vital legislation would protect the public and captive primates from the dangers that result when these exotic animals are sold as pets.

Nonhuman primates pose a number of dangers to the public. First, they carry viruses and diseases that can be transmitted to humans, including Ebola virus, Herpes B virus, monkeypox, simian immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Because of these health risks, it already is illegal to import nonhuman primates into the country for the pet trade. However, primates already in the United States may be moved in interstate commerce and sold as pets. The Captive Primate Safety Act will close this loophole in current law.
Second, primates typically do not make good pets because they often become aggressive as they get older and stronger. As infants, they may appear cooperative and easy to handle, but as they grow, they can easily overpower humans and may lash out unpredictably when frightened or frustrated. Biting and scratching are normal behaviors for these animals, and their large teeth can inflict serious injury.

In addition to the dangers nonhuman primates pose to the public, they often do not receive proper care when they are kept as pets. Captive primates require specific diets, companionship of other nonhuman primates and large enclosures that allow for climbing and swinging. Unfortunately, most pet owners do not meet these needs—and as a result, captive primates often live in inadequate conditions.

Please take action now by urging your U.S. senators and representative to support and cosponsor this important legislation.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE

Got a blog or MySpace profile? Now you can add our new “Fight Animal Cruelty” banner. Help us spread the message; simply copy and paste this code into your profile, and your friends will know that you support the safety and happiness of animals.

Copy and paste: <a href="http://www.aspca.org/cruelty"><img alt="ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Resource Center" src="http://www.aspca.org/images/content/pagebuilder/636211.jpg" border="0" /></a>

This is the banner that will be displayed:



To see more of our available banners, check out our MySpace page.

KEEP THAT CUTE CAT AWAY FROM ME!

Have you been following the story of Oscar, the cat who predicts death in the nursing home where he resides? He curls up on residents’ death beds during their final hours. Oscar has gotten lots of media attention. In fact, the ASPCA's Dr. Randall Lockwood spoke about Oscar on CNN earlier today. He shared his marvel at the wonderful, intuitive, brilliant creatures. We hear about this sort of thing more with dogs, so it’s lovely to have the focus be on a cat!

Oscar just goes to show how amazing cats really are. They always show us how much we tend to underestimate them, and just how much more there is to learn about them. Watch out—cats may take over the world one day! They sure are smart enough.

Not only is he smart and sensitive...Oscar is one gorgeous cat, too! Although, he's the only cat I've ever said I wouldn't want to find on my bed...

DOG FIGHTING RESOURCES

We’ve added new dog fighting information to our website. Dog fighting is currently receiving much attention from the media. However, this has been a problem we’ve been up against here at the ASPCA for over a hundred years.

For information on the history of dog fighting and the laws surrounding it, please visit our Dog Fighting FAQ.

We’ve also added a Dog Fighting Glossary, complete with photographs, for our readers who would like to learn more about the specific methods used in training dogs for combat. Read up to find out what a “Jenny” or a “slatmill” is used for.

ASPCA REVEALS ACTIVE ROLE IN MICHAEL VICK INVESTIGATION

Yesterday the ASPCA revealed that it is currently assisting in the federal investigation against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three other individuals, who were indicted on July 17 by a federal grand jury in a Virginia dog fighting venture.

At this time, the ASPCA cannot offer any additional details in order to protect the integrity of this investigation and the ongoing criminal process.

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit the ASPCA anti-cruelty resource center.

ASPCA RESPONDS TO FEDERAL INDICTMENT OF MICHAEL VICK

As reported by the Associated Press earlier this week, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with competitive dog fighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines. The 18-page indictment further alleges that the dogfighting operation was started in Vick’s Surry County, Virginia, home in 2001, where multiple dogs were found dead earlier this year.

Says the ASPCA’s Dr. Randall Lockwood, Senior Vice President, Anti-Cruelty Initiatives & Legislative Services, “The violent actions described in the indictment are extremely disturbing, but it is important for the criminal justice system to be allowed to take its course. Hopefully, the evidence gathered in this case will tell the true story of what happened to the animals who suffered and died.”

Vick is scheduled to appear in a Richmond federal court next Thursday, July 26. If convicted of all the charges, the 27-year-old football star could face up to six years in prison.

ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres says, “It is gratifying to see federal authorities taking an active role in investigating dog fighting, which is a felony offense in 48 states, and something that we in the animal welfare world take extremely seriously. Federal charges in dog fighting are extremely rare, and we applaud the authorities for giving this crime the attention it deserves.”

To read the ASPCA’s official statement on the indictment, please visit http://www.aspca.org.

For more information on dog fighting on our website, click here.

BROADWAY BARKS 9! —A SMASH HIT!

The dogs and cats of New York took center stage on Saturday, at Broadway Barks 9!, an adopt-a-thon hosted by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore. Dozens of Broadway stars presented the adoptable animals from 24 shelters around the city—and every one of them insisted theirs was the best!


ASPCA Officer Annemarie Lucas, of “Animal Precinct” presents Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore with the ASPCA’s $50,000 check, drawing big cheers from the crowd!

With help from the cast of new musical “Xanadu,” who presented the ASPCA’s animals to the crowd, 15 of our animals were adopted at the event—9 cats and 6 dogs!


This pup was the A’s first adoption of the day!


In this video, Mary Tyler Moore thanks sponsor ASPCA and introduces Officer Annemarie Lucas.

The crowd consisted of Broadway fans and animal lovers. When one actor presented a dog who had to leave his home after eight years because of an allergic new baby, there were shouts from the audience such as “But the dog was there first! Why was he the one to go?” We assume they were joking…or, maybe, uh, half joking!

We thank the hundreds of people who endured the hot weather and came to show the animals some lovin’. Our puppies played so hard that by the end of the event, they were fast asleep! To view more photos from the event, click here.

ASPCA LAUNCHES THIRD MOBILE SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC

Today, we added a third mobile spay/neuter clinic to our fleet during a special ceremony at the ASPCA headquarters in Manhattan. The new 685-square-foot mobile spay/neuter van was generously donated by the Stephen M. Sander Foundation and will increase the ASPCA's ability to help control New York City's pet overpopulation, as well as provide medical assistance for countless New York City residents.

The new mobile spay/neuter clinic is one more example of how the ASPCA is helping New York City in its goal of becoming a humane community. In 2003, the ASPCA helped fund the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, a coalition of more than 120 animal shelters and rescue groups, and in 2006, the city of New York, for the first time in its history, placed more than 50 percent of animals in city shelters into new homes.

With the new mobile clinic, the ASPCA hopes to spay/neuter more than 18,000 cats and dogs annually. The truck features amenities for veterinarians, vet techs and clients.

"The ASPCA is the single largest organization providing free and low cost spay/neuter to needy pet owners in New York City's five boroughs," said ASPCA President Ed Sayres. "We're also growing one of the largest mobile spay/neuter program in the country, and are proud to play an active role in taking New York City towards its goal of becoming a humane community."

For 10 years, the ASPCA's Mobile Clinic Outreach Program has offered free and low-cost spay/neuter surgery to New York City pet owners in need via two fully equipped mobile veterinary clinics. The mission of the outreach program is to put an end to the tragic euthanasia of healthy animals in New York City by addressing the animal overpopulation crisis at its source--in the heart of the city's local communities. Recognizing that many of the most serious overpopulation and animal health crises arise in neighborhoods with limited access to veterinary care and education on animal issues, the program brings these services directly to those communities. In 2006, the ASPCA's mobile clinics provided over 12,000 free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries to cats and dogs.

Bernadette Peters Joins the A to Ring NASDAQ Opening Bell

Today was a special day for the ASPCA-- we were invited to ring the opening bell (right) at NASDAQ (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System). During the festivities, the ASPCA announced its sponsorship of the ninth annual Broadway Barks!, which takes place tomorrow in Times Square’s Shubert Alley, and the ASPCA logo appeared on the NASDAQ jumbotron marquee located at Broadway and 43rd Street in the heart of Times Square (below).



Bernadette Peters’ and Mary Tyler Moore’s passion for animals led to the formation of Broadway Barks!, a star-studded, annual dog and cat adopt-a-thon benefiting New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. The event is produced by Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS and sponsored by the ASPCA, with additional sponsorship by the New York Times,Pedigree® and RCA Small Wonder. It attracts thousands of theater fans and pet lovers, and features more than 24 animal shelters and rescue groups from the New York City area. (See post below.)

The ASPCA’s Executive Vice President of Operations, Stephen Musso, spoke briefly about the efforts of the ASPCA’s Mission: Orange campaign, and lauded New York City’s Animal Care & Control milestone of 2006, where euthanasia at city shelters fell below 50 percent for the first time in the city's history.

Ms. Peters spoke of her own experiences adopting shelter pets, including her dog, Kramer, from the ASPCA, and encouraged the audience to support New York City’s homeless animals and attend the event.

Also on hand were the organizers and producers of Broadway Barks 9!, including Patty Saccente, Scott Stevens and Judy Katz, as well as executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola. Heidi Leonard of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, ASPCA volunteers Harriet Levine and Susan Huegel and ASPCA staff were also present.

The ASPCA’s opening of the market was broadcast on Bloomberg, Bloomberg Brazil, CNBC, CNBC India, NDTV (New Delhi), Business News Network (Canada) and CNBC.Com.

Photos:
© Copyright 2007, The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

More Photos from Coffeyville and Iola Flooding

Last week we wrote about the ASPCA’s animal rescue efforts during the flooding in the Midwest. The ASPCA was among the first to respond to help provide rescue and relief efforts to animals stranded or left behind. The following are some heartwarming photos of rescued animals whose homes were destroyed by the flooding. Many of them were abandoned by their families.

Safely tucked away, he watches the rescue action.




If you are forced to evacuate, please take your pets with you. But when you can't, the best alternative is to alert rescuers to live animals still in the home, as this household did. You can order a free Pet Safety Pack, which includes window decals, here.



Wet, but safe.




Cat in flooded home waits to be rescued. Happily, she was!


Sad eyes observe the flooding from a secure spot.

To find out how to be ready if a disaster comes to your area, please check the ASPCA's main website. And, don't forget to join us next Friday in our live, moderated discussion on disaster readiness with Sandy Monterose.

START SPREADING THE “MEWS”: CHECK OUT BROADWAY BARKS! THIS SATURDAY!

Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore will host the ninth annual Broadway Barks!, an event sponsored by the ASPCA that features stars of both animal shelters and the stage. Dozens of actors from current Broadway productions, including Tony Award-winners David Hyde Pierce and Angela Lansbury, will present adorable adoptable animals to the public. The dog and cat adopt-a-thon will be held Saturday, July 14, at Shubert Alley.

Broadway Barks 9!’s mission is to find permanent homes for shelter animals, and will provide important information on spaying/neutering, pet identification and the plight of homeless animals in the city. All proceeds and donations will benefit the shelters attending the event. So scoot over to Shubert Alley, see some stars, and maybe you’ll go home singing show tunes with a new little friend.

* Shubert Alley is located between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and 8th Avenue.* Event is from 3:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Celebrity presentations of pets begin at 5:30 P.M.
For more information (including a list of actors who will be attending the benefit), please visit http://www.broadwaybarks.com/

ASPCA Honors Beloved Children's Author

The ASPCA presented the Roger Caras Achievement Award to Jean Craighead George on June 25, at the American Library Association Conference in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual Henry Bergh Children’s Book Awards. This prestigious award, established in 2005, honors an outstanding individual or organization that has inspired children and has made a contribution to the animal community through literature, actions and other media.

Jean Craighead George is the beloved author of over 100 books, and is best known for her children’s classics, including Julie of the Wolves and My Side of the Mountain. George eloquently says on her website, “I write for children. Children are still in love with the wonders of nature, and I am too. So I tell them stories about a boy and a falcon, a girl and an elegant wolf pack, about owls, weasels, foxes, prairie dogs, the alpine tundra, the tropical rain forest. And when the telling is done, I hope they will want to protect all the beautiful creatures and places.”



Roger Caras Achievement Award winner Jean Craighead George (left) with Jill Caras (wife of Roger Caras) and the ASPCA’s Dr. Stephen Zawistowski.

Visit our online bookstore to view and purchase current and past Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award winners.

Horse Behavior Q & A: Putting the Brake on "Break"

Hi, Dr. Weiss! I was wondering, is it too late to break in a six-year-old gelding? He is halter-broken and groomed regularly.
—Cassie

Don’t worry, Cassie, it’s not too late to teach your horse how to be ridden. You should have no problems teaching him.

By the way, I would love to use this opportunity to share a little pet peeve of mine: the word “break” when discussing training horses to be ridden…which “breaks” my heart! You see, the term comes from the phrase “breaking [his] spirit,” which is not what we want to do in any way, shape or form. We are simply teaching him or her to accept a rider. By removing the term “break” from our horse vocabulary, we can help decrease the likelihood that someone with little understanding will feel the need to break a horse’s spirit.

Nutrition Q & A: Horse Meat in Pet Food

I understand that horse meat has been used as an ingredient in certain pet foods. If this is true, how can I make sure I’m not feeding pet foods to my cat and dog that contain horse meat?
―Rena

The use of horse meat in foods for human and pet consumption is frowned upon in the United States, Rena. As a result, almost all horses slaughtered in the U.S. are shipped overseas for consumption, which decreases the chance of horse meat being included in products manufactured here. However, if you’re curious about a product's ingredients, the best thing to do is thoroughly check the label. The FDA requires that all ingredients be listed on pet food labels. Foods that list "meat by-product meal,” as one of their ingredients can contain any number of meats, so you may want to watch for that and instead, choose foods that include "chicken by-product meal,” or are more specific with their list of ingredients.

ASPCA Assists Animal Rescue Efforts During Flooding in Midwest

The ASPCA was among the first to respond to help provide rescue and relief efforts to animals stranded or left behind in homes after major flooding this week in the Midwest.

The ASPCA was deployed on Monday to Coffeyville, Kansas, at the request of Code 3 Associates, Inc., a disaster response agency, and is also working in conjunction with local animal control authorities and under the auspices of the Montgomery County, Kansas, Emergency Operations Center.

On Tuesday, ASPCA personnel helped retrieve pets that were left behind in evacuated homes, including 30 dogs and cats, birds, iguanas, several tanks of fish—even a toad. Water rescue and pet evacuation continued on July 4, with another 30 animals retrieved, many by boat, at the request of displaced owners.

Rescue efforts were complicated by a 42,000-gallon crude oil slick in the Verdigris River at Coffeyville after a nearby refinery was struck by flash flooding.

Approximately 750 residents from 200 homes were evacuated in the area being served by the ASPCA.

Tiffany Mahaffey, Disaster Preparedness Manager for the ASPCA, reported that rescue teams also set traps in areas where many dogs and cats were at large.

Other animal welfare agencies assisting in the disaster include American Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States.

The ASPCA is a member of the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), which is comprised of nine national animal welfare organizations, which include the AHA (American Humane Association), ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Best Friends Animal Society, Code 3, Humane Society of the United States, International Fund for Animal Welfare, National Animal Control Association, Society of Animal Welfare Agencies and United Animal Nations.

As waters recede, animal rescue efforts in the area expect to demobilize by the week's end.



Tiffany Mahaffey, the ASPCA's Disaster Preparedness Manager, cuddles a sweet black kitty who is happy to be alive. This kitten was washed ashore from the floodwaters of Coffeyville. Rescued by two little boys and an ASPCA team, he was dehydrated and on the brink of death. His rescuers gave him fluids and nursed him back to health--they expect him to be just fine!

Good Livin’—Dogs, Big and Small, In the Big Apple

If you have your heart set on a nice, big dog but don’t think you can have one because of your urban living space, we have some good news: you can share your studio with a dog of any size, as long as it’s one of the right breed and temperament.

In a WBAI radio interview, Monday, July 3^, at 8:40 A.M., the ASPCA’s Allison Cardona said, “Some people think, ‘I have a small apartment, so I need a small dog,’ but actually it can be the opposite. Small, loud, barky dogs don’t always make the best apartment dogs because they have so much energy, while a Great Dane might sit around your couch all day and be quiet.”

Here are a few examples of big breeds appropriate for small apartments:

• St. Bernard
• Mastiff
• Great Dane
• Old English Sheepdog

Of course, there are terrific breeds of small dogs who aren’t as “barky,” suitable for apartment living. Examples are:

• Pug
• Chihuahua
• Poodle
• Dachshund

The great thing about adopting from a shelter is that you can find just the right dog to suit your lifestyle. Big or small, these doggies all have lots of love to give. Visit your local shelter or check out the ASPCA’s adoptable animals.

Ask Dr. LaFarge: Making a Tough Decision

My dog Sadie is an American Eskimo, seven years old. I had taken her to the vet because she had difficulty walking. She falls when she tries to go up the stairs, and her back legs cannot support her. She is in a lot of pain, and it breaks my heart. The vet said she has spinal problems and gave her a shot of steroids, but every day she is doing worse. I want her to be at rest.


How do I go about having her leave this world, in the easiest way possible? I think she belongs in heaven.
—Lillian J.


I understand your desire to give your wonderful dog relief from the pain she is experiencing, Lillian. I have an American Eskimo mix, and I know she always tries hard to keep going.


Your local SPCA or your local vet should be able to offer you a low-cost euthanasia. They can also take care of the body for you. Some people are reluctant to go to the vet because they are afraid to be judged as “giving up” on the dog. The opposite is true. You know your dog better than anyone else, and you know when it is time for her to stop suffering.


The vet who cared for her could euthanize her, but you can also ask for a lower-cost option at your local humane society or SPCA. The sooner you go, the less she will suffer. Thank you for being such a good, loving, responsible owner.