From Salon.com

An Olympic disgrace

The current spotlight on China’s human rights record fails to illuminate its cruel and inhumane treatment of dogs and cats.

By Ted Kerasote

Caged dogs photographed on a motorway on the outskirts of Beijing. Reuters/Reinhard Krause

March 24, 2008 | On my first trip to China I met a dog who was a dead ringer for Lassie. He lived with a dozen other dogs at a remote training camp for Olympic skiers in Manchuria, where a friend and I were spending a few days as we explored the area’s backcountry skiing. In return for food and lodging we gave the Chinese athletes some clinics in American ski techniques.

The dog quickly became my friend. He would twirl happily in my arms before I headed up the slopes each morning and would be waiting for me when I returned. Dropping to my knees, I’d play tag with him, and he’d wag his tail so hard that his entire body would shimmy. The Chinese skiers paid no attention to the dogs.

On the day before we departed, at lunch, our translator stood and called the mess hall to silence. “To thank our American friends for showing us so much about skiing,” he announced, “our chef will prepare a special dish tonight.” He nodded to the head coach, who waved his hand toward the door. Two of the Chinese skiers, standing at the ready, opened it with a flourish, and the white-aproned chef stepped inside, holding aloft my friend, the collie, by his tail. He had been gutted from throat to groin.

Stunned, I couldn’t say a word, but that evening when a large platter of dog meat was put in the center of our table, I regained my voice. My ski partner, a better cultural ambassador than I, gingerly took a few bits of the dish with her chopsticks. I declined. “Please thank the head coach,” I told our translator, “but I can’t. I have too many friends at home who are dogs.”

I shall never forget the man’s face. His mouth fell open and his eyes darted nervously from side to side. “Please translate what I said,” I asked him, “just as I said it.” When he did, the faces of the coaching staff took on the same astonished look. They stared at me in disbelief and something else — pity.

It was my first encounter with some of the profound difficulties encountered in translation, not merely getting the words right, but also trying to bridge the gulfs that separate two cultures’ long-held beliefs, everything from appropriate food, to the physical space between people when they talk, and — often the most difficult to negotiate — how we treat our fellow beings.

When it comes to dogs, the gulf between China’s beliefs on how dogs should be treated and those of the liberal democracies remains wide. In fact, it’s as wide as the ocean that separates China and the democracies on the issue of human rights. But whereas China has received ample feedback on its human rights record in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics — abetting genocide in Sudan, imprisoning dissidents, and conducting an ongoing religious persecution of Tibetans, which has flared into violence once again — very little has been aired about its treatment of dogs as well as cats: 2 million of them brutally killed each year for the international fur trade, according to undercover investigations done by the Humane Society of the United States.

Of course, one can say that some of these dogs and cats are being killed primarily for food, as was my friend the collie, their fur sold as a byproduct of Chinese culinary tastes, and so what’s all the fuss? Asians eat dogs and cats; Americans and Europeans eat cows; and each of us can point a finger at someone else’s gastronomic cruelty: the prisonlike conditions in American factory farms, the Japanese whaling, the French force-feeding of ducks and geese to produce foie gras.

What seems particularly dismaying, though, about China’s treatment of domestic dogs and cats is that these mass killings are perpetrated against two species that share our hearth and home and with which humans have had a long, familial and affectionate relationship, albeit an ambivalent one. Around the world, people have loved dogs and cats but eaten them in hard times. China’s record has been no different on this score. Pekingese and Shih Tzu were honored members of the royal court; Shar-Pei were bred for fighting; chow chow were routinely turned into food and clothing.

Today, this ambivalence remains entrenched in China, even though famine has been eradicated. Dog and cat can be found on restaurant menus throughout the nation. Yet, dietary mores are changing. The Chinese Companion Animals Protection Network, created in 2004, has launched a nationwide campaign to stop eating dogs and cats, making the point that many of these animals are pets, stolen from their families and shipped to slaughter.

Whatever the origins of these dogs and cats — pets, strays, or animals bred specifically for food and fur — their deaths seem astonishingly cruel when judged by the standards of modern abattoirs or North American animal shelters, which end the lives of 2 to 4 million dogs each year by gassing or lethal injection. It is this — the mind-boggling and unnecessary suffering that these Chinese dogs and cats undergo — that strikes me as deplorable, no matter what one’s feelings about eating species that have been our longtime companions.

Undercover videos taken for Swiss Animal Protection, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and the Humane Society show Chinese dogs and cats trucked to market without food and water, pulled from their cages, sometimes disemboweled, sometimes bashed on the ground to stun them, then hanged by wires, and skinned alive. These investigations led to a ban on the importation of dog and cat fur from the United States, Australia and a few countries in the Europe Union in the early 2000s. A full EU ban will take effect on Jan. 1, 2009.

These steps haven’t ended the killing. A 2008 investigation by the Humane Society revealed that Chinese dog and cat fur continues to be exported to Russia, where it’s turned into clothing and figurines. Since borders are porous, and only a DNA test can reveal the difference between the fur of domestic and wild species, the trade from China to Russia and on to other countries continues.

Set against the great human persecutions that China supports, the loss of these 2 million dogs and cats may seem insignificant. Nonetheless, each one of them is a life, full of consciousness and joy, as anyone who has lived with a dog or cat knows. Many of them are pets, mourned by Chinese families. It’s one more shadow cast by the Olympic flame.

This is cruel. What the Honolulu police are doing to these homeless people and their dogs is cruel and it’s harassment. They can dress it up and use whatever codes they want, but they want to confiscate the dogs and, ultimately, make the homeless people leave. From reading the article it doesn’t seem to matter if the homeless people register their dogs and bring them into compliance with the law or not. The police just want the dogs gone. This is how authorities treat the most vulnerable people in our society. Why can’t they keep their dogs? Sometimes a dog is the only friend a homeless person has. And these people say they need the dogs for protection. Would the police rather the homeless be robbed or killed than allow some dogs in the park?

Knowing that this is the way the Honolulu authorities treat the homeless would make me stay away from the island. I don’t spend my vacation dollars in places that mistreat dogs or the homeless.

From the Honolulu Advertiser.

Honolulu police seize dogs of park homeless
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Wai’anae Coast Writer

Annie and John Pau live in a tent at Wai’anae’s Sewers Beach with their dogs, Baboo, bottom, and Hey You. Annie Pau recently locked herself in the couple’s car with the two dogs so police couldn’t confiscate the animals. The couple say they rely on their dogs to protect them from thieves. JEFF WIDENER | The Honolulu Advertiser

Honolulu police, supported by the Hawaiian Humane Society, have confiscated dozens of dogs in recent weeks from homeless encampments along the Wai’anae Coast as part of a beefed-up effort to enforce city park laws.

Homeless tent dwellers, who value their dogs as companions and protectors, contend the dog sweeps are unfair and place a hardship on people who are struggling to get by. But police say the dog sweep campaign, which began in early January, is in response to complaints from the community about dog attacks, unsanitary conditions caused by the animals, and the growing population of beach dogs.

HPD’s Maj. Michael Moses said the dog sweeps are part of a stepped-up effort to enforce rules governing city parks along the Wai’anae Coast, such as park closure hours, no-drinking laws and parking lot restrictions.

Included in the statutes is one that states, “It is unlawful for any person to permit any animal to enter and remain within the confines of any public park.”

“We’re responding to community concerns about the increasing dog population in our parks,” said Moses. “There is the issue of loose dogs, and some people have been attacked. Some say they’ve been bitten. And, of course, others are concerned about the health aspects — dog feces, and fleas and all that stuff.”

For those whose dogs are taken, it can be a traumatic event.

Shina Gomes, of Wai’anae’s Sewers Beach, returned to her tent on Jan. 16 to find that her dogs had been confiscated while Gomes was away baby-sitting for friends.

“I was very upset,” she said. “I cried. It was like someone had kidnapped my kids.”

HPD Officer Michael Kahikina, community policing officer for the Wai’anae Coast, said his team, working with the Hawaiian Humane Society, has swept more than three dozen dogs from the beaches since the campaign began.

Kahikina said the law provides for people to walk their registered dogs in a park. But once a dog is chained to a stake or is otherwise restricted to park grounds, it is in violation of the law.

“That’s a no-no,” said Kahikina. “Once we see the dogs, we take them. The law for the city parks is that any animal cannot remain on park grounds.”

Gina Baurile, community relations coordinator for the Hawaiian Humane Society, said a society security officer accompanies police on dog sweeps. She said the Humane Society’s role is supportive only and the organization does not schedule any sweeps. Unregistered dogs will be confiscated, but the society does not take registered dogs as a matter of policy.

“We don’t want to separate an animal from its owner,” she said.

The exception is a registered dog that appears to be lost or abandoned, which the society will take. Owners of dogs with collars, ID tags or micro chips have nine days to claim their pets before the animals are made available for adoption. Unregistered strays are kept for 48 hours before they are put up for adoption, she said.

Naturally, anyone who has cared for or kept an unidentified dog is free to claim such an animal, said Baurile — provided the person is willing to pay the $60 adoption fee, which includes registration and tags.

That’s what tent dweller Gomes did after her year-old poi dogs, Bear and Mink, were confiscated by police while Gomes was away.

Gomes said she was stunned that police had unleashed the dogs and taken them.

“I came back to find out my dogs were gone,” said Gomes. ” … I went down to the Humane Society and got them out. I had to borrow from my auntie to have them registered and all that. I don’t have the money. And then the police came back a week later to take them again.

“I said, ‘Wait a minute — you can’t take my dogs. They’re legal. They’ve got tags.’ And he said this doesn’t have anything to do with that.”

Police issued a citation to Gomes for violating the parks dog rule, but left without taking her pets.

“The dogs are our protection against thieves,” said Annie Pau, who locked herself and her two dogs, Baboo and Hey You, in her car and refused to leave when police attempted to confiscate the animals the same day they ticketed Gomes.

Pau’s husband, John, stood near the couple’s tent and watched the encounter.

“The officer said, ‘Either I take your dogs or I’m going to take your husband.’ And I said, ‘Then take my husband. I hope you’ve got a cage big enough for him.’ ”

Cooler heads prevailed and police left without the dogs or John Pau.

Still, Kahikina said the dog sweeps will continue. And to make that point clear, he said police are even reminding beach dwellers when it’s going to happen.

“The bottom line is the dogs cannot stay,” said Kahikina. “And although we don’t need to, we’ve been letting the people in the parks know that, hey, come Wednesday, at around 11 a.m., we’re coming in.

“We’re giving them a heads up.”

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.

When a dog breaks a leg in an accident, its awful. There usually isn’t any blame placed on the owner. If a dog breaks a leg because of a stupid habit, and the owner knows better, the dog suffers needlessly. Hopefully the owner learns a lesson.

Last night a friend called, saying her dog Brandy was in the animal hospital. She tearfully explained. When she takes their dog along for a ride in the car, the dog is placed in a safety harness, to prevent injuries if involved in an accident. She also uses her own seat belt to protect herself. Brandy is a sweetheart of a dog. She’s a MM breed, (mishmash.) The cute dog has long legs, short body, floppy ears along with short wavy golden hair. Her greatest delight, other than food, is to go for a ride in the car. How Brandy rides in the car has often been a cause for many heated arguments between husband and wife.

She buckles Brandy in. He allows the dog to sit with her legs placed in the openings on the steering wheel. She places her front feet on the top of the wheel making it look as if she is driving. He had to peer around her to see. When he goes around corners, the dog’s bottom has to ride the wheel as it turns. He laughs his head off, thinking Brandy loves it. He isn’t laughing now.

He was on the open highway, Brandy had her legs stuck through the steering wheel as usual. A cardboard box flew out of the truck in front of him, heading right for his windshield. He had to make a violent swerve to avoid the box, then another spin of the wheel to keep from hitting oncoming traffic. He heard Brandy cry out. When he brought the car to a standstill, the dog was rigid with pain, one of her legs was at an odd angle. He had to get out of the car in order to lift his dog out. After one howl of pain, Brandy was quiet. She began to shake.

Her owner had never taken basic first aid for humans, let alone dogs. He placed Brandy on the seat, covered her with his coat, then used his cell phone to call the animal hospital, a good forty minute drive. He then phoned his wife, asking her to meet him there.

He arrived with Brandy, carried her inside where she was hurriedly taken into an examination room. She had started to cry. X-Rays revealed one back leg was broken in two places. She would be staying at the hospital. When the vet asked how it had happened, she just looked at the owner is disbelief. She didn’t need to say a word. His wife said it for everyone, “You idiot, you put your own pleasure ahead of keeping Brandy safe, now she’s paying for it!”

Later that night when she called, relaying what had happened. Brandy had needed surgery because her leg was broken in two different places. The vet had told them she would need to put pins or screws into the bone. Her husband was sick with remorse. Brandy will be fine with time. I couldn’t help but think this was one really hard way to learn a lesson.

Here’s a timely reminder regarding what NOT to give your dogs in their Easter baskets this weekend. Lay off the Chocolate bunnies and eggs, please.

From This Is Scunthorpe.co.uk

DANGER FOR DOGS

Dog owners in the region are being warned not to kill their dogs with kindness this Easter.

The RSPCA and local vets are urging owners not to give their dogs chocolate treats to feast on, as the traditional Easter egg is toxic to canines.

Sandra Chapman, RSPCA branch administrator for Scunthorpe, said it was important pet owners were vigilant this Easter.

She said: “Chocolate is toxic to dogs and giving them it as a treat is not to be encouraged at all, as it can be a killer, even if particularly small quantities are eaten.”

Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical which is harmless to humans but causes diarrhoea, vomiting, convulsions and even death in dogs.

Sandra said it was often pampered pooches which fell victim to the toxins in chocolates.

“A lot of dogs which are pampered and have owners who share food with them are at risk, especially when owners think a small piece won’t hurt,” she said.

“But the message is that it does hurt and you could end up with a very expensive vet’s bill at the least, and at worst, no dog.”

Of all the chocolate treats available, products high in cocoa powder are the most toxic, followed by dark and then milk chocolate.

Despite being the vice of many humans, chocolate irritates the lining of a dog’s digestive system.

In turn, a dog’s heart rate quickens, causing blood pressure to rise and increases the risk of heart failure.

Theobromine also affects the kidneys, causing dogs to produce more urine, making the animals more thirsty.

The dog’s muscles can also twitch as a result of chocolate consumption, causing restlessness and convulsions.

Sandra said owners should ensure chocolate products were not within easy reach for their pets.

“People should remember if chocolate is left out anywhere in reach there is always a possibility the dogs may help themselves, so it’s important to keep things like that out of the way or there could be serious consequences,” she said.

Local gardeners are also being warned cocoa mulch, which smells appetising to dogs, contains a strong concentration of theobromine.

Bruce Perry, a vet at Ashby Road Veterinary Surgery, Scunthorpe, said: “We tend to get more dogs in around festive periods like Easter and Christmas when chocolate products are being passed around.

“Owners need to ensure chocolate is kept out of reach of their pets at all times.”

Such a sad story. The pictures of Skeeter are so cute. Hoping for the best for him and for the dogs that are still missing.

From the Rome News-Tribune.

Terrier association sets up fund for Turner family and dogs
The family is searching for their missing family pet, Skeeter.
03/19/08
By Charlotte Atkins, Rome News-Tribune Editor

Have you seen Skeeter?: He is Mike Turner’s beloved brown-spotted terrier. Call the Rome News-Tribune if you have seen him or have any information at 706-290-5252. (Flinthill Kennel)

Bonnie and Mike Turner are known worldwide as breeders of American hairless terriers. So the tragic news that Saturday’s tornado took her life, severely injured him and destroyed their Aragon home and kennel has sent ripples of sadness throughout the breed’s community.

Adding to the heartbreak is the fate of dozens and dozens of dogs the Turners are said to have had at their Flinthill Kennel at the time.

Nine have been rescued, but about 30 perished in the storm, and more than 50 others are still missing, including the chocolate-spotted family terrier named Skeeter that Mike Turner has been asking about from his hospital bed.

He had surgery Monday, and nephew Kenny Jackson said Turner “is fine and recovering from his surgery.”

The Turners are founding members of the American Hairless Terrier Association and “loved by all within the breed.”

So friends and members in the AHTA have started a fund for the care of Mike Turner and the surviving dogs.

“So far only nine of their terriers have be recovered and are being taken care of. Many are at the vets for care and will be for many days,” said Richard Hunter, an AHTA member. “We hope that there are more that survived the tornado and are wandering around.”

Hunter said another family pet, RP, was found dead on the Turner property, but he hopes Skeeter — who was in the house with RP and the Turners — turns up safe.

“Miracles do happen,” he said.

Click here to view more images of Skeeter.

HOW TO HELP THE TURNERS

Contributions may be made to the Turner Family Relief Fund via PayPal, the online payment Web site at www.paypal.com. Payments should be addressed to: paypal@ahta.info.

All proceeds will go to the Turner family and/or for the care of their dogs. Be sure to include “The Turner Family Relief Fund” in the “Subject” or “Message Area” when making a contribution.

Contributions may also be mailed to:

Turner Relief Fund

c/o Melissa Kidd

4509 Pete Lane

Trinity, NC 27370