New York Tails - The Magazine For The People and Pets of New York

Dog Theft -- Finally New York Says It's a Crime

2009-12-22T07:14:00.001-08:00

Hi guys. Sorry I've been away for a while; lots of stuff (some good!) going on, mostly with the print magazine part of this blog (www.newyorktails.com) and other lines of communications we use to keep you informed. Pre-New Year's resolution is to keep blog more up-to-date. Thanks so much for your continued support!

Also, I should mention that the little Chinchilla whose name this blog is in (Mistress Chilli Chinchilla) passed away a few months ago. It has taken me this long to even write these words. I know it sounds bizzare, but that little rat meant a lot to me. We were together for a long time. She lived somewhere between 12-15 years, which I'm told is a decent age for a chinchilla, but of course not long enough for me. So in her honor, I'm going to keep her name on the blog for a bit more. I hope you'll allow me this indulgence.

Anyway, on to the news.

I got this release (below) from the American Kennel Club today. I am really happy to finally see that dog nappers are actually on their way to be taken seriously. I suspect the incident where the dog was actually grabbed out of the little girl's arms (not in New York) may have done it. That becomes a serious 'mugging' where people can really get hurt. And they also mention a dog who was recently 'napped' in Brooklyn as a prompt. This is particularly important this time of year, not just because people may be trying to steal 'presents' (ie, a dog) for whoever, but also as we have to chain our dogs to parking meters and other street furniture while we go about our errands.
Kudos to our own state rep, Brooklyn-based Joseph Lentol, for having the courage to craft this legislation. Please support his efforts by clicking the link and contacting him.

Few things I would change about the AKC release below. First off, of course, adoption should be your first option. AKC talks about demanding your puppy's papers, etc., which means a purebreed dog. Not judging you, but, seriously, do we have to mention that adoption should be your first option again? I have met some absolutely wonderful, beautiful purebreed dogs that drop your jaw re how the heck they ended up in a shelter (not that any dog should end up in a shelter.) But you know what I mean. There are also many purebreed rescue groups if you have your heart set on a particular breed.
Also, yes, while microchips may be a good option now-a-days, don't forget about tags, licenses, and collars. Not everyone has the right equipment to scan for a microchip (the programs are not universal) or even have it cross their mind that a dog may have one. Also, a collar and tag means 'someone loves me!' so would-be thieves may just walk on buy. Finally, they are a visible, audible 'bell' of sorts. Always good to have.

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB CAUTIONS OWNERS AS
PET THEFTS CONTINUE TO RISE; STATE LAWMAKERS CONSIDER MAKING ‘DOG-NAPPING’ A SERIOUS CRIME

– AKC Appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America Highlights Prevalence of Trend and Reminds Owners to Keep Pets Safe –

New York, NY – The American Kennel Club® continues to remind pet owners to heed warnings about an alarming rise in “dog-nappings.” State houses across America have taken notice and are proposing laws to toughen penalties for those who steal pets.

Since last year, when AKC® first noted concerns about the prevalence of pet theft, more dogs are disappearing. Through November 30, 2009, the AKC has tracked more than 115 missing pets via incidents reported by news media and customer reports. In 2008, the AKC tracked a total of 71 thefts. (emphasis mine)

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.”

“Each week I am reading about reports of pet theft from all around the country,” said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “Some owners, desperate to find their beloved pets have contacted us, wanting to know what they can do to help get their ‘family’ members back. It’s not just about the financial value of the dog for any of these people. It’s an emotional attachment that can’t be replaced by getting another dog.”

Julie Austin of Idaho told Local News 8 that she was shocked when her 11-week-old puppy was stolen right out of the arms of her 5-year-old daughter while she was sitting in a public park. The Austins filed a stolen pet report with the local police. Fortunately, after they alerted the media and the police received a tip about their pet’s whereabouts their puppy was recovered living at someone else’s home. The alleged thief was recently charged with a misdemeanor possession of stolen property.

As a majority of owners view their dogs as valued family members, the value of pets in people’s lives are being recognized by legislators across America. Recently in New York, following the disappearance of a Siberian Husky in his Brooklyn district, New York Assemblyman Joseph Lentol vowed to introduce dog-napping legislation which would make the theft of a companion animal a felony offense with up to four years in jail depending on the circumstances. (emphasis mine)

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.

Regardless of the reason thieves are taking pets, whether to sell to unsuspecting local buyers or over the Internet or keeping them for personal use, these criminals need to know that pet owners are becoming more proactive by keeping pets close to them and also microchipping their pets ahead of time so that when these dogs turn up at shelters or veterinarian offices they can be scanned to find their rightful owners.

In response to this continuing trend, AKC offers the following advice to prevent your “best friend” from being the target of a crime. See more about pet theft on the Good Morning America Web site.

PREVENTION
In the Neighborhood
Don’t let your dog off-leash – Keeping your dog close to you reduces the likelihood it will wander off and catch the attention of thieves.
Don’t leave your dog unattended in your yard – Dogs left outdoors for long periods of time are targets, especially if your fenced-in yard is visible from the street.
Be Cautious with information – If strangers approach you to admire your dog during walks, don’t answer questions about how much the dog cost or give details about where you live.

On the Road
Never leave your dog in an unattended car, even if it’s locked – Besides the obvious health risks this poses to the dog, it’s also an invitation for thieves, even if you are gone for only a moment. Leaving expensive items in the car such as a GPS unit or laptop will only encourage break-ins and possibly allow the dog to escape, even if the thieves don’t decide to steal it too.
Don’t tie your dog outside a store – This popular practice among city-dwelling dog owners can be a recipe for disaster. If you need to go shopping, patronize only dog-friendly retailers or leave the dog at home.

RECOVERY
Protect your dog with microchip identification – Collars and tags can be removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip. Thieves will not know the dog has a microchip until a veterinarian or shelter worker scans it so keep contact information current with your microchip recovery service provider.

Lost Pet Alert - AKC Companion Animal Recovery is the exclusive pet recovery service working with helpmefindMYPET.com to help owners locate stolen or lost pets. Once you report your dog missing an e-mail alert is sent to area vets, shelters, and animal control agencies, within a 50-mile radius, to notify them to be on the lookout. For more information, enroll your pet in a 24-hour recovery service and sign-up for the Lost Pet Alert visit www.akccar.org.

If you suspect your dog has been stolen – Immediately call the police / animal control officer in the area your pet was last seen and file a police report. If your dog has a microchip, ask to have that unique serial number, along with the dog’s description, posted in the “stolen article” category on the National Crime Information Center.

Canvass the neighborhood – Talk to people in the immediate vicinity where your pet went missing for possible sightings of the actual theft.

Have fliers with a recent photo ready to go if your dog goes missing – Keep several current photos (profile and headshot) of your dog in your wallet or on an easily accessible web account so that you can distribute immediately if your pet goes missing.

Contact the media – Call the local TV station, radio station and newspaper and ask to have a web post put out about your missing pet.

DON’T BUY STOLEN PETS
Don’t buy dogs from the internet, flea markets, or roadside vans –There is simply no way to verify where an animal purchased from any of these outlets came from. Web sites and online classifieds are easily falsified, and with roadside or flea market purchases not only do you not know the pet’s origins but you will never be able to find or identify the seller in case of a problem.

Even newspaper ads may be suspect – Adult dogs offered for sale at reduced prices, for a “relocation” fee, or accompanied by requests for last minute shipping fees are red flags. Dog owners who truly love their animals and are unable to keep them will opt to find a loving home without compensation for re-homing the animal.

Seek out reputable breeders or rescue groups – Visit the home of the breeder, meet the puppy’s mother, and see the litter of puppies. Developing a good relationship with the breeder will bring you peace of mind when purchasing. Contacting breed rescue groups can also be a safe alternative if you are looking for an adult dog.

Demand proper papers on your purebred puppy – Ask for the AKC Litter Registration Number and contact AKC customer service at 919-233-9767 to verify registration authenticity of your purebred puppy.

Pit Bulls (and other large dogs) In the Projects -- Once Again, New York Tails Scoops the Competition

2009-09-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

We can't scoop them all the time--all of us have day jobs or other obligations, after all. (But imagine what we can do if this was our full-time job/s! Anyone want to sponsor us as an independent, nonprofit news organization?)

The current hard-copy issue of New York Tails Magazine, which has been out and about for several weeks now, published a story called "NYCs Pit Bull Problem -- And Why You Care" by our wonderful writer/reporter Courtney Kistler. We've also been following this story in general since way back in May, because my nose for news told me to stay on the trail of this one.
Today, (September 23, 2009) the New York Times has covered the story.

Like I said, we can't break them all, but when we do, I admit I get some smug satisfaction out of it, especially if we're on top of it before the mainstream press. :)

Here is the article you can find in the current issue of New York Tails Magazine. (If you haven't subscribed yet, now is a great time to do so. Just visit our website at http://www.newyorktails.com/ to find out how.) We do distribute a limited number (very limited) number for free at various locations but we really depend on readers like you, much like public television or NPR, for support.
We are an entirely volunteer operation. And remember, New York Tails Magazine is the ONLY local pet news publication and has been serving you since 2002. Please help us continue to do so by subscribing today.

So, without further ado:
New York City’s Pit Bull Problem – And Why YOU Care
Written by Courtney Kistler
Edited By Diane West
Large dogs are a common in New York City’s projects, but a new provision may change that. Residents and others speak out about how this new law will change, or has already changed, their lives and the lives of their dogs. But citywide, New York City’s already overburdened shelter system may feel the effects of a flood of these now ‘banned’ dogs being surrendered by New York City Housing Authority residents (NYCHA) who fear of losing their apartments.

East River Houses resident Samuel* walked
his two Rottweilers, ‘Addy’ and ‘Nelson’, from
105th Street and First Avenue to another
nearby development, the George Washington
Houses, one recent summer afternoon. Once
there, he let the two large, seemingly tame
dogs off their leashes for some exercise in
the courtyard. Almost immediately, a woman
begins arguing with him. She is afraid of the
dogs and demands Samuel put them back
on their leashes.

Samuel refuses. His dogs have never hurt
anyone, he tells the angry woman, and they’re
under control. After a few more minutes of
arguing she walks away cursing.

“I can’t win,” Samuel shrugs. By his own
admission, he is an intimidating sight. Sixfoot
five, dark skinned, tattooed, and flanked
by two large dogs, he says he’s an ‘easy target’
for both public housing residents and police
officers alike.

“Kids as young as ten years old, looking to
become Crips or Bloods, flash red or blue
bandanas and threaten to ‘blast’ me because
they think I’m a cop. And the cops? They
think I’m fighting my dogs and doing other
bad things, and they won’t leave me alone.”

Add to the kids and the police one more
group who will have Samuel and other public
housing residents under a more watchful
eye-The New York City Housing Authority
(NYCHA).

On May 1st, the Housing Authority, which
is responsible for overseeing some 178,489
apartments throughout five boroughs,
imposed a 25-pound weight limit on family
dogs, almost half of the 40-pound weight
limit instituted seven years ago. Additionally,
the new rule specifically bans pit bulls,
Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinchers from
public housing, period. Residents may either
have one pet dog or one pet cat but not both.
All pets living with public housing residents
must be registered with NYCHA. And, like all
dogs in the city, they must also be licensed.

“Dangerous Dogs”
The new weight and breed rules do not apply
to service dogs or to residents of Section 8
subsidized apartments, which NYCHA does
not manage. But those who have had dogs
over 40 pounds since 2002 and did not
register them with the housing authority
at that time may now face eviction. Some
residents have already been told to remove
their dogs.

“Over the years, we had been getting an
increasing number of complaints about
problems associated with dangerous dogs;
dogs that are used for fighting, dogs that
are attack dogs, and dogs that are not
being handled and trained properly by their
owners,” says NYCHA spokesman Howard
Marder when asked what prompted this
latest change.

Many New Yorkers, NYCHA and non-NYCHA
residents alike, were taken aback by the public
housing authority’s seeming haste to put
the new weight and breed bans into effect.
In addition to some initial glaring missteps,
like the publication of a list containing the
names of 27 so-called ‘dangerous breeds’
(which included the likes of Boston Terriers)
the new rules seemed to contradict a New
York State law which has long prohibited
state municipalities from making laws which
ban the ownership of specific dog breeds.
To that, Mr. Marder says, “NYCHA is not a
municipality. Therefore the rule does not
apply.” However, he says, NYCHA met with
city animal advocacy organizations prior
to implementing the new rule because “we
didn’t take [this] change lightly.”

Residents, Animal Groups Taken By
Surprise
“In no way shape or form did they [the
Housing Authority] consult with us prior to
coming up with this list, and we categorically
reject breed discriminatory legislation,”
says an angry Jane Hoffman, President of
the Mayor’s Alliance For NYC's Animals and
founding member and Chair of the NYC
Bar Association Committee on Legal Issues
Pertaining to Animals. “They only put out a
notice to their tenants about a month before
May 1st, and it came to our attention when
residents started calling us in a panic.”

The Mayor’s Alliance and other city animal
rescue organizations have a strong interest
in the potential repercussions of NYCHA’s
weight-and-breed ban. Since its founding
in 2002, the Mayor's Alliance has been the
recipient of millions of dollars in grant money
from Maddie's Fund, a national animal resuce
fund created by software developer David
Duffield in memory of the family's Schnauzer,
Maddie. The Mayor's Alliance anticipates
spending (and raising) a total of $24.4 million
by 2016 to help reach their stated objective:
reaching the day "when no New York City dog
or cat of reasonable health and temperament
is killed merely because he or she does not
have a home.”

“We are concerned from a policy standpoint,
as we’re trying to make New York a no-kill
city,” Ms. Hoffman says “We knew this [NYCHA]
policy would cause an increase in shelter
intake and the 25-pound weight limit would
make it difficult for public housing residents
to adopt from Animal Care and Control
(AC&C). Seventy percent of dogs who come
into the shelter system, according ot the
AC&C website, are pit bulls--one of the three
breeds now banned from NYCHA projects.

The Domino Effect
It is impossible to say exactly how many
animals have already ended up at the AC&C,
the city’s animal shelter system, as a result of
the new NYCHA rules. But if early predictions
are correct, the number of dogs turned in
could be substantial.

According to Debora Bresch, ASPCA's
Legislative Liaison in Government Relations,
six percent of all dogs available for adoption
from the AC&C were adopted by public
housing residents between January and April
2009, a total of about 172 dogs. Under the May
1st NYCHA rules, 107 of these 172 dogs - over
60% - are not supposed to be there, making
them prime candidates to be returned to
the city’s shelter system.

Early attempts to discourage city housing residents from
surrendering their animals before knowing
what their rights are under the new rules
include the distribution of a memo in several
languages at each of the city’s shelters. (The
English version of the memo can be accessed
here: http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/
press/memo2009-06-08-English.pdf )

There were 4,656 dogs and 1,264 cats
registered as pets of housing authority
residents when the May 1st policy went into
effect but, Mr. Marder says, NYCHA did not
keep records of them by breed. However, he
says, NYCHA will use its “limited resources to
address lease violations such as this as well
as all other lease violations or Quality Of Life
infringements or crimes as it is made aware
of them.”

Pit Bulls In the Projects
Public housing residents are among the first
to admit pit bull fighting and animal abuse
are common within certain housing projects
and must be stopped. But several interviewed
for this article feel the new NYCHA rule is too
broad and unfairly affects people and pets
who never have, nor would, do anything
criminal with animals.

One of those fighting against NYCHA’s new
pet rule is 26 year-old Marquis Jenkins,
community organizer for a tenant advocacy
group called the Good Old Lower East Side
(GOLES). Mr. Jenkins has been circulating
and gathering thousands of signatures for a
petition against the new policy. At the crux
of his efforts is a request that NYCHA “halt
any and all evictions in association with the
[new] pet policy”.

Supported by Councilwoman Rosie Mendez,
Chair of the New York City Council’s
Subcommittee on Public Housing, Mr. Jenkins
asserts that nearly all the dog owners that
have joined the fight against the policy with
GOLES have received a letter from NYCHA--
the first step of the eviction process. Some
have refused NYCHA management’s request
to remove their pets. Their next step is to
schedule a hearing at the NYCHA head offices
at 250 Broadway.

Back uptown at the George Washington
Houses, 70 year-old resident Gladys and her
seven year-old pit bull, “Dream”, say they’ve
had run-ins with NYCHA long before the May
1st rule went into effect. When Dream was still
a puppy, Gladys says, a resident complained
to the Housing Authority that Gladys’ dog
was vicious. Gladys found herself not only
having to prove allegation false in order to
keep Dream, but to keep her apartment as
well.
“So I took pictures of her
playing with people, with children, and I got
a petition, because all [the] people are crazy
about her.” Eventually, NYCHA ruled in her
favor. A public housing resident for 38 years,
Gladys says she’s received a written notice in
the mail regarding the pet policy change but
is unconcerned. Dream is registered, spayed,
with vet certification, and although over 40
pounds, is exempt from the weight limits
because she is considered a type of service/
therapy dog for Gladys.

Gladys says she took Dream as a four-month old
puppy from her niece, because “I didn’t
want her to fall into the wrong hands. My niece
was being offered hundreds of dollars for this
puppy.” People willing to purchase Dream at
such a large price, she believes, were looking
to either breed her or use her for fighting – or
both.

Gladys’ friend, Moncit*, agrees. She’s
witnessed firsthand what she believes were
people training dogs for fighting.
“Last Summer, right there,” Moncit recounts,
pointing to a large tree in the courtyard, “is
where I saw a rope hanging. A pit bull was
holding onto it with his jaws, swinging from
this rope, while a man was whipping it with
his belt over and over again.

“This used to be a breeding ground for pit
bulls,” says Marietta, who has lived in public
housing for 52 years and currently lives at
the Washington Houses. Up until about two
years ago, she says, the problem was easy to
see. “They used to fight dogs wherever – it
did not matter. In the street, on the sidewalk,
right here in this yard,” she says. She is
standing in front of the same area Samuel
had let his Rottweilers run earlier that day.
The housing authority’s ban on pit bulls and
other breeds often favored by dog fighters
does have some unlikely supporters, however.
One of them is Emelinda Navarez, a life-long
resident of the South Bronx and founder of
Earth Angels Canine Rescue. Over 45 years, Ms.
Navarez estimates she’s rescued over 6,000
pit bulls in and around her neighborhood.
Another is Stacy Alldredge, a Chelsea
resident who has a dog training business
and has worked at animal shelters as well as
been involved in animal rescue for more than
two decades. Both Emelinda in the Bronx and
Stacy in Chelsea think the NYCHA ban on pit
bulls may be the right thing to do.

Other advocates, who don’t support the ban,
nonetheless acknowledge there is a problem,
problems which have not necessarily ceased
since implementation of the new policy.
On July 8th, police called to check out a
disturbance at the Stanley Isaacs Houses East
94th Street shot and killed a pit bull during
the melee, according to a Daily News report.
Weeks later, a 19 year-old boy was arrested
for throwing a young pit-bull mix off a roof in
Brooklyn’s Red Hook housing development.
And on September 29th, a trial will begin
against seven men who were arrested during
a police raid of an East 179th Street building
where the basement and yard was allegedly
used to carry out an organized dog fighting
operation. (See the homepage for the NYC
Anti-animal Fighting Campaign (http://
stopdogfightingnownyc.wetpaint.com) for
more details.)

As residents have attested, there is no
doubt that mistreatment, recklessness, and
irresponsible behavior when it comes to
animals in public housing take place and
causes quality of life issues. Whether or not
the NYCHA ban on pit bulls, Rottweilers,
Dobermans, and dogs over 25 pounds will
put a damper on these things, which have
created the problems that Mr. Marder says
residents have complained about, remains to
be seen. As the 90 day grace period has just
past, New York Tails will keep a close eye on
NYCHA’s enforcement of its new policy and
its effect on the city shelter system, as well as
progress by those who are part of the effort
to repeal the rule.

As for Addy and Nelson, just a few weeks after
being interviewed for this article, Samuel
relinquished the pair to Manhattan AC&C on
110th Street, saying that he is trying to save
up money to move away from New York and
cannot do so while also providing for the
animals. Luckily, the pair were removed from
the shelter by a Rottweiler rescue group and
eventually found a new home in Vermont.

Only first names of public housing residents have
been provided to protect their privacy.
Next week: Animal advocates Emerlinda Navarez and Stacy Alldredge, from two very different parts of the city, explain why the large breed dog ban in the projects may ultimately end up protecting the dogs.

Past Coverage:
May 12, 2009
Exclusive Interview: NYCHA On the Pit Bull and Other Large Dog Ban In Public Housing
http://newyorktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/first-nycha-casualties-begin-to-show-up.html

June 10th, 2009
First NYCHA ‘Casualties’ Begin to Show Up At City Shelters – New York Tails Magazine Investigation Underway
http://newyorktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/first-nycha-casualties-begin-to-show-up.html

Wave of Dog Surrenders Possible In Wake of NYCHA Dog Breed/Weight Ban (June 24th, 2009) http://newyorktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/wave-of-dog-surrenders-possible-in-wake.html

May 12, 2009
Exclusive Interview: NYCHA On the Pit Bull and Other Large Dog Ban In Public Housing
http://newyorktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/first-nycha-casualties-begin-to-show-up.html

June 10th, 2009
First NYCHA ‘Casualties’ Begin to Show Up At City Shelters – New York Tails Magazine Investigation Underway
http://newyorktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/first-nycha-casualties-begin-to-show-up.html

Wave of Dog Surrenders Possible In Wake of NYCHA Dog Breed/Weight Ban (June 24th, 2009)
http://newyorktails.blogspot.com/2009/06/wave-of-dog-surrenders-possible-in-wake.html

A Shelter in Every Borough? State Supreme Court Says So

2009-09-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

Now THIS is an interesting story on a number of levels! I'll just recap briefly here and let the court papers and press releases speak for themselves with maybe a snarky comment from me here and there.

Brief recap: for some time, one of my favorite rescue groups in New York, Stray from the Heart (I love them all, but there are a few that stand out) has been petitioning the city to, in short, obey and implement it's own law. That law (ordinance, what have you) introduced almost ten years ago pretty much said that each of the city's five boroughs had to provide shelters for dogs and cats throughout the city. Currently there are only three: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Queens and the Bronx have 'intake shelters' where animals are pretty much dropped off but no full facility--including a place where people can meet and possibly adopt them--exists.
Long story short, Stray From the Heart (SFTH) took the city to task to obey it's own law in this regard. The city (and in this case it would be the Department of Health primarily, which oversees Animal Care and Control) balked with a number of excuses, from interpretation of the law to SFTH's standing as to bring such a point to court.
Well, guess what? As of late last week the New York State Supreme Court ruled that, yes, indeed, DoH, you have to obey the law and you have 60 days to come up with how you're planning to do it!

This story has many interesting, moving parts. Of course the main subject is in itself interesting, but consider these extra factoids as well:
1.) Here's the recent court order, which gives a pretty good recap of the issue. The document you really want to read is the one from September--that will get you up-to-speed one what's transpired since January of this year between SFTH and the DoH. Kudos to the Parke Avenue law firm of Kaye Scholer LLP, by the way, for taking on the city. No matter which way your opinion sways, that does take a pair of eggs.
2.) Note that on the court order you'll see Dr. Thomas R. Frieden named as a Defendant in the case. Interesting on two fronts: number one, Dr. Frieden was appointed by President Obama as head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention back in May 2009. So he's got other things to do. Secondly, however, now that I think about it--don't you think as part of the 'vetting process' when Obama makes an appointment that stuff like this comes out, ie, that you are a named defendant in a rather serious case that involves whether you are obeying the law? Sheeh, other potential members of the President's men (and women) have been torpedoed for less, no? Yet the mainstream press let that one slide.
3.) The job of new 'defendant' in this case falls to another Tom, Thomas Farley, who is now head of the NYC Department of Health 'and Mental Hygiene' (what, by the way, does that mean? Brain flossing?) Ironically, he started his career at the CDC, which Frieden now heads, and specializes in infectious diseases. My favorite job title for him that he'd held in the past was 'Epidemic Intelligence Officer.' I'm not kidding, look at the bio. This may come in handy if New York gets hit with the H1n1 flu ("swine flu") this season. Who knows what those nasty microbes are planning--maybe they are even hiding weapons of mass destruction.
4.) As you read here first, the head of the AC&C, Charlene Pedrolie, will no longer be the head of the AC&C come mid-October. If the city is supposed to come up with a plan for how it will obey it's own pet sheltering rule 60 days from the court order that brings us to, what, mid-November or so? (Maybe Charlene is getting out just in time; as I write this, there are a number of names being bandied about for her replacement.) In any event, there's going to be lots and lots of activity going on at the city's shelter system/s in the next two months, so stay tuned.

Give the links above a click and let me know what you think of all of this.

Rabies Alert -- Yes, Even In Manhattan!

2009-09-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Dog owners in particular (and those who let their cats go in and out of the house) -- head's up. There definitely must have been some kind of bumper crop of raccoons this year, I must have ran across (almost literally sometimes!) a dozen this summer in Central Park, right near the Bridle Path/Reservoir edges. Makes sense--perfect meeting of leafy trees and a large water source, and an occassional discarded sandwich or power bar from the garbage.

Definately a time to use some judgement when letting dogs off-leash in a wooded area,, especially at night, and if you are taking care of a feral cat colony or have an indoor-outdoor cat.

Generally racoons and bats and other nocturnal beasties remain just that--nocturnal. If you see them meandering around during the daytime that is a good indication they may be sick. Stay away.

Direct link located at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2009/pr056-09.shtml

Health Department Reminds New Yorkers to Avoid Wild Animals and to Vaccinate their Pets against Rabies
Second rabid raccoon recently identified in Manhattan

August 28, 2009 – With the identification of a second raccoon infected with rabies in Manhattan in recent weeks, the Health Department is reminding New Yorkers to stay away from raccoons, skunks, bats, stray dogs and cats and other wild animals that can carry rabies. 12 rabid animals have been identified in New York City this year. Eight were found in the Bronx, two in Manhattan (most recently in Central Park), one in Queens (Long Island City) and one in Staten Island (Tottenville). Raccoons are the most commonly reported rabid animals in New York City. Rabid raccoons are a relatively common occurrence in Staten Island and the Bronx, but rare in Queens and Manhattan. Bats with rabies have also been found in all five boroughs.
People and unvaccinated animals can get rabies, most often through a bite from an infected animal. Infection leads to a severe brain disease that causes death unless the person is treated promptly after being bitten. To reduce the risk of rabies, New Yorkers should avoid all wild animals, as well as any animal that seems sick, disoriented or unusually placid or aggressive. Report such animals by calling 311. Animals that have attacked or may attack should be reported to 911.
In 2008, 19 animals tested positive for rabies in New York City. They included 13 from the Bronx (4 raccoons, 7 skunks, 1 bat and 1 cat) and 4 from Staten Island Staten Island (all raccoons), as well as a bat from Brooklyn and a raccoon from Queens.
To protect yourself against rabies:
Do not touch or feed wild animals, or stray dogs or cats.
Keep garbage in tightly sealed containers.
Stay away from any animal that is behaving aggressively or a wild animal that appears ill or is acting unusually friendly. Call 311 or your local precinct to report the animal.
If you find a bat indoors that may have had contact with someone, do not release it before calling 311 to determine whether it should be tested. For information on how to safely capture a bat, visit http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/.

To protect your pet against rabies:
Make sure your dog or cat is up-to-date on rabies vaccinations.
Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended.
Do not try to separate animals that are fighting.
If your pet has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact your veterinarian, and report the incident to 311.
Feed pets indoors.

If you are bitten by an animal:
Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and water.
Seek medical care from your health care provider.
If you know where the animal is, call 311 to have it captured.
If the animal is a pet, get the owner’s name, address and telephone number to give to the Health Department so they can ensure the animal is not rabid.
Call the Animal Bite Unit (212-676-2483) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or file a report online at www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vet/vetegp.shtml.

For information about medical follow-up, call 311 or your medical provider.

For more information about rabies in New York City, visit www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vet/vet5.shtml.

Vet Bills Tax Deductible? Maybe with the HAPPY Bill!

2009-08-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hey! Look at the press release I just got from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). In truth, a staff member gave me a head's up about this several days prior and I've just been too busy to research. But wanted to let you guys know about this. I know it would help me out! After years of joking about it perhaps it might become a reality. (Long way off, of course, and many auxillary issues attached such as the old 'pets as property or family' debate, but the fact it was even introduced is progress.)

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Applauds Rep. McCotter's 'HAPPY' Bill
Date:
Tue, Aug 25, 2009 12:07 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 25, 2009

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Applauds Rep. McCotter’s ‘HAPPY’ Bill

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. – The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), the nation’s leading nonprofit professional pet sitting organization, applauds Congressman Thaddeus McCotter’s efforts to pass a bill to make pet care expenses tax-deductible.

Introduced on July 31, HR 3501, commonly referred to as the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years or HAPPY Act, would amend the IRS code to allow an individual to deduct up to $3500 in a taxable year for qualified pet care expenses. The bill defines qualified as “amounts paid in connection with providing care (including veterinary care) for a qualified pet expense other than any expense in connection with the acquisition of the qualified pet.”

The bill further defines a qualified pet as a “legally owned, domesticated, live animal” and does not include animals used for research or owned or used in conjunction with trade or business.

“This bill will provide pet owners the opportunity to deduct pet care expenses ensuring adequate veterinary care for their pets,” said NAPPS President Monica Leighton, owner of Professional Pet Sitting in Venice, Fla. “During these hard economic times, this legislation is essential because it encourages responsible pet ownership and will potentially reduce the number of pets that are abandoned due to the lack of resources. We encourage all animal lovers to contact their members of Congress and voice their support for HR 3501.”

The bill, which has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, can be viewed at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3501.IH.

NAPPS is dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals. The Association aims to help the pet owning public by fulfilling its vision statement, “To be the most respected authority in professional pet sitting.” It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet owners can benefit from NAPPS’ free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, nationwide referral service, and quarterly teleconferences aimed to educate the pet owning public.

For more information about NAPPS, please visit www.petsitters.org.

okay, so I was a little off about Pennsylvania

2009-08-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

the puppy-mill puppies came in today via North Shore and others. Says 'from the midwest.' All small-type breeds. Usually these get snatched up the quickest.

150 Dogs Begin New Lives Following Puppy Mill Rescue

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (Monday, Aug. 24 , 2009)—Approximately 150 cast-off puppy mill dogs from a number of Midwest states are safe today after being delivered to local rescue groups in the New York area. After thorough medical evaluations, much-needed grooming, and a lot of TLC, they eventually will be available for adoption through local rescue groups.

After a long, cross-country journey, they were delivered this morning to waiting groups here at North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington by Best Friends Animal Society, which arranged for the release and provided transport of the dogs. In addition to North Shore Animal League, three other animal welfare organizations—Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Wainscott, N.Y.; Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, East Hanover, N.J.; and Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association, Ledgewood, N.J.—will provide homes for the dogs until they are adopted.
The rescued dogs included adults used for breeding, adolescents and puppies of various breeds, such as cocker spaniels, Yorkies, Maltese, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzus, shelties and Jack Russell terriers. Dogs such as these are typically killed or sold at mill dog auctions for as little as 25 cents because they are considered unsalable. Instead, they will get a new chance for happy lives.
Joanne Yohannan, senior vice president of operations for North Shore Animal League America, said the rescued animals would be given time to settle in, and will be fed and hydrated after their long journey.

“We first must get the dogs feeling safe and comfortable in their new environment,” Ms. Yohannan said. “Then our staff experts will begin the process of evaluating each animal. These dogs will experience the nurturing and warmth of human contact that they have been deprived of all their lives, which will prepare them for adoption into the loving homes they deserve.

“Rather than being needlessly killed because they were no longer wanted by their breeders, some beautiful dogs are about to begin a new and exciting phase of their lives,” said Kelli Ohrtman, campaign specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, which funded the rescue of the dogs to the New York area through its “Pup My Ride” transportation program.

The rescue and transport of the dogs are part of Best Friends Animal Society’s “Puppies Aren’t Products” national campaign (puppiesarentproducts.com), which also targets the retail end of the puppy mill industry through informational demonstrations at New York puppy emporiums. Since 2008, the peaceful pet store demonstrations have caused some stores to only offer for sale pets that come from rescue groups and shelters.

“Puppy mill dogs comprise a significant percentage of the 4-5 million pets that die in American shelters annually”, said Ohrtman. “The mission of Best Friends Animal Society is to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets. It’s what the public wants and the pet trade industry must change dramatically or it will become a relic of the past.”

Ms. Yohannan said that the Animal League will announce later in the week when the animals will be available for adoption and advised interested individuals to visit the Animal League website, www.AnimalLeague.org for details.

“Once our staff experts have determined that the dogs are ready for adoption, we will be eager to find the perfect homes for each and every one of these wonderful dogs,” said Ms. Yohannan.

Okay, so I was a little off base re the Pennsylvania puppy mill rescue (I think)

2009-08-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

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From:
John Polis
To:
newyorktails@aol.com
Subject:
Rescued Dogs Arrive in New York
Date:
Mon, Aug 24, 2009 4:15 pm
document.write(msg.body);

NEWS RELEASE

150 Dogs Begin New Lives Following Puppy Mill Rescue

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (Monday, Aug. 24 , 2009)—Approximately 150 cast-off puppy mill dogs from a number of Midwest states are safe today after being delivered to local rescue groups in the New York area. After thorough medical evaluations, much-needed grooming, and a lot of TLC, they eventually will be available for adoption through local rescue groups.

After a long, cross-country journey, they were delivered this morning to waiting groups here at North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington by Best Friends Animal Society, which arranged for the release and provided transport of the dogs. In addition to North Shore Animal League, three other animal welfare organizations—Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, Wainscott, N.Y.; Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, East Hanover, N.J.; and Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association, Ledgewood, N.J.—will provide homes for the dogs until they are adopted.
The rescued dogs included adults used for breeding, adolescents and puppies of various breeds, such as cocker spaniels, Yorkies, Maltese, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzus, shelties and Jack Russell terriers. Dogs such as these are typically killed or sold at mill dog auctions for as little as 25 cents because they are considered unsalable. Instead, they will get a new chance for happy lives.
Joanne Yohannan, senior vice president of operations for North Shore Animal League America, said the rescued animals would be given time to settle in, and will be fed and hydrated after their long journey.

“We first must get the dogs feeling safe and comfortable in their new environment,” Ms. Yohannan said. “Then our staff experts will begin the process of evaluating each animal. These dogs will experience the nurturing and warmth of human contact that they have been deprived of all their lives, which will prepare them for adoption into the loving homes they deserve.

“Rather than being needlessly killed because they were no longer wanted by their breeders, some beautiful dogs are about to begin a new and exciting phase of their lives,” said Kelli Ohrtman, campaign specialist for Best Friends Animal Society, which funded the rescue of the dogs to the New York area through its “Pup My Ride” transportation program.

The rescue and transport of the dogs are part of Best Friends Animal Society’s “Puppies Aren’t Products” national campaign (puppiesarentproducts.com), which also targets the retail end of the puppy mill industry through informational demonstrations at New York puppy emporiums. Since 2008, the peaceful pet store demonstrations have caused some stores to only offer for sale pets that come from rescue groups and shelters.

“Puppy mill dogs comprise a significant percentage of the 4-5 million pets that die in American shelters annually”, said Ohrtman. “The mission of Best Friends Animal Society is to bring about a time when there are no more homeless pets. It’s what the public wants and the pet trade industry must change dramatically or it will become a relic of the past.”

Ms. Yohannan said that the Animal League will announce later in the week when the animals will be available for adoption and advised interested individuals to visit the Animal League website, www.AnimalLeague.org for details.

“Once our staff experts have determined that the dogs are ready for adoption, we will be eager to find the perfect homes for each and every one of these wonderful dogs,” said Ms. Yohannan.

Big Batch O'Pups Coming In To North Shore on Monday August 24

2009-08-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

[NOTE: THIS IS AN OPINION PIECE BY DIANE WEST, ER, I MEAN MISTRESS CHILLI, OKAY? THANKS IN ADVANCE-- DW.]

...or, at least it will hit the media by then.

This is interesting, because they've been sort-of 'building up a buzz' about it for the past week or so, sending out a call for volunteers, and even the National Association of Pet Professionals put out a press release saying they're ready to help.

I tried to ask NSAL directly what's up, where the dogs are coming from, background, etc., but no luck. But I wonder if they're going to come from Pennsylvania. Wouldn't bet my life on it, but thinking they might because the Times just wrote this for pretty much no 'immediate' reason, just kind of reiterating old news (important news, but still old)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/us/18dogs.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Almost seems like a 'prep story' so that when the 'big' puppy mill rescue story breaks it will look like they (the Times) are at least on top of the issue. (On top of the the topic?).

In any case, I've put it at the bottom of my extended commentary. They need volunteers, especially those in the pet profession like groomers, vets and vet techs, as well as the usual. All relevant contact information is at the bottom of this post.

I have to say when it comes to the puppy mill thing, and knowing that Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of the hot spots, I am very saddened. What is not emphasized too much--perhaps for very sensitive reasons--is that a number of these puppy mill purveyors are Amish. Remember, the Amish are one of the fantastic anomalies of this century. They live simply with little to no 'modern' conveniences and in many cases are the last of the true subsidence farmers in the United States. They pay no taxes nor get or receive Social Security. In essence, they are following to the best of their ability their faith which tells them to be 'not in the world.'

But when things like this happen crime and punishment and whether you're subject to the earthly laws can get a little murky. Crime happens in Amish country, both by and against the Amish, just like anywhere else. Don't hear about it as much, obviously. And even amongst themselves they have different versions of being 'in' the world. For example, I happen to love 'Amish Country.' (I'm a city girl who every once in a while needs to be surrounded by nature, and when I do so, I go all the way.) Few years back Bill and I were staying in a farmhouse adjacent to a working Amish farm and low and behold--we see an Amish farmer using an 18th century plow (oxen and all!) talking on a cell phone at the same time! Mind freak, indeed! So we asked our hosts whazzup wit dat? And they told us, well, cell phones are allowed because they are not connected to power lines, which are connected to 'the world', etc. Okay, so they found a loophole. To this day Bill still argues with me about that and how that is 'cheating.' Ehh...

Anyway...what was I talking about again? Oh yes, puppy mills in Amish country (and again, not all puppy mills in Amish country are run by the Amish, just happens to be a lot of open space there and a convenient location a few hours drive from a number of major cities.) But when they are run by the Amish, I get very sad. I'm not shy to say that I'm Christian (a very, VERY liberal, VERY poor excuse for one who cringes everytime I see wackozoid Fundies representing all of us--they don't.) I do identify with the basic tenants of the faith, so perhaps it is not for me to judge. But it would seem that one of our pillars of faith is to be 'Good Shepards' of the earth and all of creation; one of Jesus' most beloved parables is the shepherd who goes out of his way to retrieve the one lost sheep, and in other parables He speaks at length about reaping and sowing. Obviously these are not to be taken literally, but it shows that to the people He was speaking to at the time the good practice of these things was very important to living a prosperous and virtuous life.

So personally--and with respect--I just have to question when people who identify themselves as highly religious and pious, like Amish people who run puppy mills (and again, the vast majority of Amish DO NOT run puppy mills) exhibit such inhumane treatment of the living things we are charged with being 'Good Shepards of. The cell phone loophole, okay, it's a stretch, but I can see how you can reason yourself there. This one, not so much.

Here is the announcement NSAL has been circulating, so be prepared for the media blitz. Like I said, they're really building up the pre-event blitz:

Operation Puppy Mill Rescue -- NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
As the largest rescue and adoption organization in the world, North Shore Animal League America is often called upon to assist or conduct special rescue operations. Sadly, one of our most common rescue efforts is saving dogs from the horrors of puppy mills.Our next mill dog rescue is scheduled for August 24, 2009 and we're expecting MORE THAN 100 ANIMALS to arrive at our Port Washington, NY headquarters.
We are currently seeking qualified individuals who live in the NY, NJ, and CT tri-state area willing to donate their time and energy to the cause of helping these animals.We are looking for:
New York State Licensed Veterinarians
Experienced Veterinary Technicians (New York State license a plus)
Groomers
Foster Care Guardians
We are also in need of several items to help care for these dogs such as:
New or gently used towels
New or gently used washcloths
New appropriate bones and toys;a list of which can be found here:
To volunteer, please e-mail CassandraF@AnimalLeague.org and put "Puppy Mill" in the subject line.

Time's Up for Charlene Pedrolie, Head of New York City's Shelter System

2009-08-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Breaking News -- Head of New York City's Shelter System To Leave In October
By Diane West and Courtney Kistler
Exclusively for New York Tails Magazine
http://www.newyorktails.com/

Charlene Pedrolie, who headed the city’s public animal shelter system for almost two years, will officially be leaving her post this fall.

While rumors had been swirling for months about Ms. Pedrolie’s departure--voluntary and otherwise--sources close to the situation have confirmed her contract will not be renewed in October.

The AC&C is the largest animal shelter systems in the Northeast, taking in over 43,000 dogs, cats, and other animals each year. A not-for-profit organization since 1995, Animal Care & Control is responsible for the city’s municipal shelter system and operates in all five boroughs.

In 2008, AC&C took in over 40,000 abandoned, abused, or surrendered dogs and cats. About 21,000 were adopted and about 16,000 were euthanized. This is in stark contrast to 2002, when close to 31,000 of the 43,000 animals who arrived at the AC&C that year were destroyed.

Ms. Pedrolie, described as a ‘nationally recognized business consultant’, was appointed executive director of AC&C in October of 2007. She succeeded previous executive director Ed Boks, who was recruited from Maricopa County, Arizona in 2003. By 2005, however, Mr. Boks was head of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. He resigned from that post four months ago.

Ms. Pedrolie ‘s tenure was often the target of much controversy, with former AC&C volunteers and other animal activists going so far as to circulate petitions calling for her removal because of her alleged lack of experience and a perception that she was out of touch with the severity of the intake and euthanasia problems of the shelter system.

A call to her office for comment was not returned.

Who's Money Is It Anyway? Helmsely Fortune Challenged By Animal Groups

2009-08-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Don't have time to write a full, flavorful commentary for you guys just this minute, guys, but I just got back from the press conference with the Big Three (Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA and Maddie's Fund) of the animal welfare/rescue/adoption universe vs. the Leona Helmsley estate. Let's just say it's on now, baby.
Here's what the Helmsley trustees say:
http://www.helmsleytrust.org/news/message-trustees/
Choice excerpts (again, this is what the Trustees say, you can look for yourself on the website)
Did Leona Helmsley intend for this charitable trust to focus on the care and help of dogs, rather than people? Absolutely not. Have the trustees of this vast fortune acted improperly and ignored Mrs. Helmsley's instructions? Again, absolutely not.
Later on...
One final thought. Mrs. Helmsley was not known for reticence. Here, her actions spoke as clearly as the words of the Trust documents. In the eight years between the formation of the Trust and her death, Mrs. Helmsley contributed (as the sole trustee of this Trust and otherwise) over $55 million to charitable causes; of that amount, she made only one gift to a dog-related charity, for one thousand dollars.
And:
Even more telling is this: The claim that the Trust was established for dog-related purposes relies on a document entitled "Mission Statement" signed by Mrs. Helmsley in 2004. Between her signing that document and her death – during which time she alone controlled the Trust – Mrs. Helmsley and the Trust gave over $29 million to charities; of that, the amount she and the Trust gave to dog-related charities was exactly zero.

In other words, what I think they're trying to say is they're doing as she did, not as she said--in her will, anyway.

ASPCA (100K); Canine Companions for Independence (100K); Canine Partners for Life ($100K); Dogs for the Deaf ($100K); Guide Dogs for the Blind (100K); Guiding Eyes for the Blind (Yorktown Heights, NY) 100K; Leader Dogs for the Blind (100K); National Education for Assistance Dog Services (100K); Puppied Behind Bars (100K, New York); The Seeing Eye (Morristown, NJ) 100K.

Below is the press release the Big Three issued, and in general it captures what was said at the press conference today. However--and again, I apologize for not having time right now to write a comprehensive story on the notes I took--they left out a lot of juicy bits. For example, the lawyers for the Big Three pretty much accused the Trustees, in part, as a type of 'sex discrimination' against the wishes of rich women like Ms. Helmsley who have asked for substantial amounts of money to be left to animals, and they cited several examples. (I have to admit this is the first time I've ever heard of someone trying to make an argument that rich, primarily white women are the victims of discrimination. Somehow I think that particular argument is going to be a tough row to hoe.) They also described the Trustees, several times, as having 'disdain' for animal welfare causes.

Anyway, take a look, let me know what YOU think. I stick to my original assessment, which was also echoed in the press conference today--that this has the potential to set precedents on how people's monies are distributed after they die, especially if they are left to 'unconventional' charities, like animal welfare causes.

LANDMARK HELMSLEY LEGAL TRUST CHALLENGE BY AMERICA'S THREE PRE-EMINENT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS (press release issued by Maddie's Fund)

HSUS, ASPCA, and Maddie's Fund Charge That Helmsley Trustees Are Misdirecting Funds Despite Clear Direction from Late Heiress to Help Dogs

NEW YORK (Aug. 11, 2009) -- Three of the country's most prominent animal welfare organizations -- in what they are terming the most significant financial litigation in animal welfare history -- have filed suit in New York's Surrogate Court to intervene in the matter of Leona Helmsley's $5 billion estate.
The groups are seeking to force the Helmsley Trustees to follow Mrs. Helmsley's expressed intent to help dogs. According to the groups, less than $100,000 of the initial $136 million Helmsley grants have gone to dog welfare.
"Mrs. Helmsley's Trust Agreement was clear: Help dogs. And the Trustees have not done this, and instead pursued their own agendas with Mrs. Helmsley's money," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Every person with a will or estate, and every charity that relies on bequest income, should be profoundly concerned about this misdirection of funds."
The three organizations believe that State Attorneys General have a responsibility to protect the wishes of any heir or heiress, and also to protect the entire charitable sector from the whims of trustees who wish to ignore detailed and unambiguous estate planning instructions. In this case, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo failed in his charge to protect these interests.
"Literally hundreds of millions of dollars that have been willed by people nationally, who cared about dogs, have not gone to provide for dogs as was intended," said Rich Avanzino, president of Maddie's Fund. "The ignoring of donor intent in this country has become an unspoken national shame.
With $5 billion at stake this is a game changer. We want to work with the Helmsley trustees to arrive at a figure that is consistent with Mrs. Helmsley's intentions and would change injustices in dog care and welfare overnight.
For instance, even a small fraction of this money makes it possible to virtually empty all animal shelters in America of dogs without homes."
"There has been a sea change in recent years in how we treat animals and the Helmsley trustees don't understand that change," said Ed Sayres, president and CEO of the ASPCA. "Mrs. Helmsley understood the importance of animal welfare and was determined to help. She had a vision for her worldly estate to make our society a better place for dogs and animals, and consequently, people. We want that noble cause to go forward. Dogs give us so much in our lives, and the least we can do is make sure they are not harmed, exploited, or neglected, and the Helmsley estate allows us to do so. It is not an overstatement to say that the fate of dogs in this country could very well rest on the decision of this lawsuit."
The trustees went to court last fall to invalidate Mrs. Helmsley's express wishes, asking the Court to declare that they "are not bound by the expression of Decedent's wishes...."
The Trustees disregarded Mrs. Helmsley's wishes and obtained court sanction for doing so. The process deprived the parties most affected by their decision -- dog welfare charities -- of any fair opportunity to have a say on the issue. Neither the Trustees nor the Attorney General contacted any of these three nonprofit organizations, which are widely recognized as the leading advocates for dog welfare in the country if not the world -- or any other organization that might speak up on behalf of the charitable community that Mrs. Helmsley had a right to expect would receive "special emphasis" in the Trustees' grant-making.
After a judicial ruling without hearing from the only charitable category of recipients specifically listed in Mrs. Helmsley's mission statement, the trustees distributed the initial round of grants from Mrs. Helmsley's trust, blatantly disregarding Mrs. Helmsley's express wishes. The trustees allocated less than .1 percent to dog welfare charities.
"These three leading organizations tried to reach an amicable solution with the trustees; unfortunately, the trustees were unwilling to discuss this with us. Now these organizations are forced to resort to litigation to correct this abuse," Pacelle said. They have filed a motion to intervene and vacate the initial order.

Leona Helmsely's Estate -- Dogs Fighting Over a Very Meaty Bone!

2009-08-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hey, remember Trouble, the snippy little dog that causes a big stir because hotel and real estate queen Leona Helmsley (may she rest in peace) left a sizable portion of her zillions not only to the little white dog (whereabouts unknown) but to 'dogs' in general?

Quick recap: The self-described "Queen of Mean" left a substantial amount of her fortune (I don't remember precisely now, could have actually been 1 billion or even 5 billion) "to the welfare of dogs" (okay, not a direct quote, but it was about as nebulous.) Since then, her heirs (whom she didn't particularly seem to like) have been like, well, maybe we'll give some to the dogs, but not all of it.

As you can imagine, as soon as it was revealed how much money she left 'to the dogs" there was an immediate money-grab by a variety of animal welfare groups, large and small, who were already measuring the drapes for the new wings to their shelters with the money Ms. Helmsley left for the doggies; it was almost comical to see, really.

So here we are a few years later, still no cookies in the dog cookie jar, and apparently, three major humane associations are forcing the Helmsley hand: Check out the press release I just got. Interesting also is the timing they send these things out--I got this late Monday evening, and the press conference is Tuesday at 11am. This means either they're not expecting (or even wanting) a lot of media coverage or I'm just on the 'B' list of media outlets. I bet they'll get a sizable amount of coverage, however. Sadly, the big news in New York has been the helicopter/plane crash over the Hudson but that's winding down now, and in late August the news days get very, very slow. Take a look:

LANDMARK HELMSLEY LEGAL TRUST CHALLENGE BY AMERICA’S THREE PRE-EMINENT ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS

Three of the country’s most prominent animal welfare organizations – HSUS, ASPCA, and Maddie’s Fund – charge that the Trustees of the Helmsley estate are misdirecting funds despite clear direction from late heiress to help dogs.

In what they are terming the most significant financial litigation in animal welfare history, this coalition of animal welfare organizations just filed suit in New York’s Surrogate Court to intervene in the matter of Leona Helmsley’s $5 billion estate.

WHO: Marsha Perelman, Chair, Board of Directors, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Wayne Pacelle, Chief Executive Officer, Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Rich Avanzino, President, Maddie’s Fund

Legal team
Charles Berry, Arnold & Porter
Henry Christensen, McDermott, Will & Emery

WHEN: Tuesday, August 11, 2009
11:00 AM

WHERE: ASPCA Headquarters
424 E. 92nd StNew York, NY 10128

They even provided a call-in number for the media who can't attend.

I've actually been meaning to follow up on this, so they read my mind.

Here's my thought--no matter what you thought or felt about the woman, personally, she has a right to make her will and dispense with her money as she saw fit. If she wanted to give all of it 'to the dogs' then that was her choice. Bitchy, yes, especially when you have living heirs. But who knows, not all of us love our families (let's be honest.) But wrong? Legally, I don't think so. And I think this has the potential to be a precedent-setting case because more and more people are providing for their pets in their wills. There are also people who bequeath their money to various charities as well. Just because it happens to be to dogs, cats, or sea slugs doesn't mean their wishes are any less valid.

Well, let's see what happens. Should be interesting.

Speaking of Cats -- Much Lighter Subject

2009-08-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away, a smart-ass almost teenager sat cross legged in front of a television, her head-banging friends beside her. The room was filled with the nervous smoke of Marlboro's burning in the ashtrays and the tinny smell of empty beer cans that sometimes clattered to the floor like rocks in an hourglass.

It was 1989, and the Grammy board decided it was finally time that Heavy Metal be recognized as the passionate, serious form of music that it is. Among a handful of albums up for the Grammy was And Justice for All, one of Metallica's darkest and best albums and, for many of us, the gateway album into the world of Metal.

Alice Cooper and Lita Ford took the stage and opened the envelope.

Our stereo was cued up to play "And Justice for All" in an acoustic alleluia when the album was announced on television.

We held hands and looked at each other, nervously. The pink feather from the leather clip in my hair was caught in my eyelashes, but I dare not brush it away and lose this moment in time.

"And the winner is...."
"Crest of A Knave" by Jethro Tull.
Silence.
Did Alice just say Jethro Tull?

It was hard to tell, like one of those things you thought you heard but maybe you didn't. Alice said it so quickly and he and Lita exited the stage with such haste that you weren't quite just what had happened.

But it was true.

The silence among the group gathered 'round the television was followed by astonishment, then curses, the boasts and bursts of indignation and anger fueled by too much alcohol in bodies too young to handle it. Against whom or what this rage was aimed at wasn't clear.

It is not that we didn't love Jethro Tull. We did. Having a copy of Aqualung in your record collection (and yes, I do mean record collection) was just like having a dictionary on your bookshelf--you simply had to have it, because when you needed it, nothing else would do, and you found yourself coming back to it over and over again like an old friend who always had the right answer. It was among his many classics, and Ian Anderson was, and still is, a lyrical and musical genius, in his own right and at the helm of Jethro Tull, now for some 40-plus years.

But Heavy Metal he is not.

Between themselves, the two bands seemed to have a good laugh over it. Jethro Tull's record company took out an infamous ad in a famous rock magazine that proclaimed the flute a heavy metal instrument. Metallica would later go on to win and publicly 'thank' Jethro Tull for not putting out an album that year.

But among Metal Heads, Headbangers, and Old School Rockers, it would be yet another pull on the rack of an already strained relationship.

So, when I had the absolute luck to interview Ian Anderson today, 20 years later, I just had to ask about that night. I wasn't going to go there, but I did.

I've interviewed a few of what some would call 'celebrities' in my day, Russel Simmons, Bob Barker, Martha Stewart and other familiar faces, and I must say all have thus far been patient with my nanecent and sometimes fumbling attempts at interviewing them. I'm more of a research-and-write type of reporter. But I have to admit this was the first time that, while I was interviewing Ian, I was keenly aware of two very different people in my head.The woman in the front room was professional, polished, well-prepared, relaxed. The girl locked up in the back room, however, was jumping up and down, screaming "I'm interviewing Ian Anderson! I'm interviewing Ian Anderson! I can't believe I'm talking to Ian Anderson!"

Does such a dynamic go on in the heads of regular entertainment reporters, or, like working in the Godiva chocolate factory, is a candy bar just a candy bar after awhile?

Well, let me know how I did when you listen to it next week. It will be on "Pets in the City" on Pet Life Radio. In the meantime, you can listen to a great interview my colleague and friend Victoria Wells and I did with an up-and-coming new band, Mad Juana. You'll know Victoria's distinctive voice immediately from having seen and heard her on Animal Precinct, Dogs 101 and a number of other projects when her superb training skills and unique insights have been in order. She's also a very talented musician in her own right.

If you've gotten this far you're doubtless wondering what the hell any of this has to do with cats. Turns out Ian Anderson LOVES cats. He calls them by their proper Latin names. He knows their breeds, blood lines, and pivotal places in history. He knows which ones are on the endangered species list. He devotes large sections of his website to talking about them in great detail. And he and his wife have had many a fortunate feline reside at their farm in the United Kingdom over their many years together. The resident favorite right now is a Bengal called 'Rupi' who has her own song.

Cats Were Euthanized In NYC Shelters Since May, In Contrast To Earlier Reports

2009-07-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

Cats Were Euthanized In NYC Shelters Since May, In Contrast To Earlier Reports
Reporting by Diane West and Courtney Kistler
Written by Diane West exclusively for New York Tails Magazine

To adopt the cat pictured here ("Blessing") please see end of article.

A recent radio and online video where a representative of the city's shelter system implied no cats were euthanized for lack of space since this May caused an uproar among a number of shelter volunteers and others who allege they know otherwise.

The report, broadcast by 1010 WINS News Radio on July 26th and by video on the radio station's website, was publicly criticized in a July 28th posting on Craigslist by a person identifying themselves as a former New York City Animal Care and Control (AC&C) worker. Among other things, the writer - who wishes to remain anonymous - called the word 'space' "an interesting term", alleging it is misleading because many cats with health conditions generally considered treatable by the veterinary community were destroyed during the time period in question.

The post hit a nerve with many in the city's rescue community, some who have long harbored similar concerns. They quickly began emailing and phoning the AC&C, the media, and others criticizing the report.

Words such as 'healthy' and 'space' have become loaded terms in the context of euthanization rates at AC&C and the Mayor's Alliance of NYC's Animals' quest to make New York a 'no-kill' city. The Mayor's Alliance, an umbrella group for over 160 local rescue groups called Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) throughout the five boroughs, has long maintained New York City will be considered 'no kill' when "no New York City dog or cat of reasonable health and temperament is killed merely because he or she does not have a home". Read the full Mayor's Alliance no-kill mission and mission statement here: http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/aboutus/index.htm.

"The key word here is healthy," AC&C spokesman Richard Gentles, featured in the 1010 WINS report, said during a subsequent interview. "There are times that animals are on the euthanasia list for space; however they may have underlying health issues." He added: "Just because a cat is on the euthanasia list doesn't necessarily mean the cat was euthanized. Thankfully, many of our New Hope partners take the animals from us and get them adopted." Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance also confirmed that 'no healthy cats' were euthanized during the three-month time period referred to by Mr. Gentles.

However, according to one AC&C volunteer seen on the online 1010 WINS video, animals who come into the system healthy get sicknesses, such as an upper respiratory infection commonly called "kennel cough."

New Hope is an AC&C program which utilizes the network of community-based animal rescue workers who are members of the Mayor's Alliance. The groups are contacted daily by email by the AC&C about animals which are at imminent risk of being euthanized unless they are adopted or "pulled" from the city shelter by a rescue group. Usually, "pulled" means the animal was placed in a foster home and is up for adoption through the rescue. The animal can then be listed on the rescue group's website or petfinder.com page.

The initial 1010 WINS online news video has since been updated to delete the phrase indicating cats have not been euthanized 'because of space' during the past three months. Additionally, the online video's reference to the AC&C giving away 'free cats', which was also criticized by several rescue groups as implying the adoption screening process would be less stringent, has been changed to say "the adoption fee for adult cats has been waived through Labor Day".

The Mayor's Alliance hosts many outdoor adoption events throughout the five boroughs on most weekends, giving potential adopters the chance to meet and greet cats and dogs in a fun, relaxed, festival-type atmosphere. The next adoption event will be on Saturday, August 1st from 9am to 5pm in Prospect Park's Bartel Pritchard Circle. For more information and future adoption events visit www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org.

Pictured Above: Blessing, an adult cat who lost her home after her elderly owner could no longer care for her, was one of the cats featured on the 1010 WINS video. She is available for adoption. A volunteer at the Manhattan Shelter wrote: Blessing (A819586), 7yrs, femaleAt Manhattan shelter since 7/11A volunteer wrote: Blessing lost her home when her 80 year old owner could no longer care for her. She is a very sweet girl with a sad look on her face who sits curled up on her blanket. She was tense when she first arrived, but now she is a mild mannered old gal, who loves to be pet and is easy to handle. She's also a big girl at 12.7 pounds! Sad, heartbreaking Blessing has been waiting for her forever home since July 11th.

Wave of Dog Surrenders Possible In Wake of NYCHA Dog Breed/Weight Ban

2009-06-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

Some city public housing residents are already finding themselves entangled in eviction proceedings since a rule banning Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Dobermans, and any dog over 25 pounds, was enacted May 1st.

"The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has commenced tenancy eviction termination proceedings against [some] residents, although we don't know how many at this point," Debora Bresch, legislative liaison in government relations for the ASPCA says. "We do know that NYCHA residents have relinquished a number of dogs since April '09, some explicitly because of the pet policy." Other residents may have relinquished their newly-banned dogs for the same reason without expressly stating so at the time of surrender, Ms. Bresch says. "Of course, the dogs belonging to residents against whom proceedings have been initiated are at risk - as is any dog in violation of the policy."

The percentage of dogs who may find themselves back in the shelter system after having found homes with families who live in public housing may quickly reach the double-digits if early numbers obtained by New York Tails staff are any indication. Six percent of all dogs available for adoption from Animal Care and Control were adopted by public housing residents between January and April of this year, according to the ASPCA's preliminary count, approximately 172 dogs in total. Under the NYCHA housing rule, 107 of these 172 dogs are not supposed to be there, making them at risk for being returned back into the shelter system. Additionally, the rule states only one dog or one cat is allowed per apartment.

Memos informing tenants of their rights and ways they might be able to keep their pets are available at city shelters in the hopes they might prevent some surrenders. However, in an effort to reach people before they've brought an animal to the surrender point, the ASPCA and others are working with grass-roots organizations and local community groups to distribute the memos throughout public housing residences. Efforts are underway to translate the memos into Spanish, Chinese, and Russian and to publish them in respective foreign language newspapers. A copy of the memo can be found here: http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/nycha-tenants-rights.html. "The purpose of the memo is to help guide residents through these adversarial proceedings," Ms. Bresch says.

Please check back often as New York Tails Magazine continues our in-depth coverage of this story.

First NYCHA 'Casualties' Begin to Show Up At City Shelters--New York Tails Magazine Investigation Underway

2009-06-10T19:20:00.001-07:00

Meet Alee (skinny puppy) and Bustah (older dog.) Both were turned in, according to official owner surrender paperwork, because of the "NYCHA ban." They arrived at the shelter this past weekend. This information is just some of the facts that have been coming to us here at New York Tails Magazine during the course of our extensive investigation into the NYCHA rule and the reasoning behind it. No relying on other people's reports, blogs, or twits here. Lead reporter Courtney Kistler has been in the projects, talking to the residents, getting to know the people and the animals there, and digging up the good, the bad, and the ugly truth from all sides of the debate.

If you haven't ordered your subscription to New York Tails yet, you might want to do so now so you don't miss our Summer 2009issue, where this exclusive investigative story will be featured.

A Flood or a Flicker?
Asked if there has been a notable increase in the number of dogs like Alee and Bustah arriving on the shelter steps since the NYCHA ban, AC&C spokesman Richard Gentles said no. Mr. Gentles said he'd spoken to each of the shelter supervisors recently (there are AC&C facilities in each of the five boroughs, although Queens and the Bronx only receive animals.) "For NYCHA pet owners that come to the shelter, we give them a flyer explaining the process for them to keep their pets," Mr. Gentles said. "This seems to be working because they leave the shelter with their pet."

A memo is now supposed to be posted in, and distributed from, each AC&C shelter and other places where animals are likely to be surrendered telling NYCHA residents that they may have a right to keep their pet, hopefully averting a surrender. This is the memo:
NYCHA Resident’s Rights
http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/press/memo2009-06-08.pdf

Right before (or concurrently with, it's unclear to me) this memo was issued, the ASPCA issued press release to the media titled "Revised Pet Policy Threatens Dogs Belonging to NYCHA Residents ASPCA Letter Outlines NYCHA Tenants’ Rights.". The rather strongly worded release went on to describe how the "NYCHA Dog Policy Bites" (direct quote). Both Laura Maloney, ASPCA Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty, and Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, were quoted in the release stating their strong disagreement with NYCHA's policy.

While well-intentioned, I'm not sure any of this is going to work. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

Here's why.

Many of the people who live in the PJ's (projects, ie, NYCHA housing) are loathe to 'rock the boat' when it comes to their apartments. Having a low-cost, relatively livable apartment anywhere in this city (I include all five boroughs in this) is as good as hitting the lottery. Couple that with the highest unemployment rates in decades and fear of losing one's job (if it hasn't been lost already) and even people who absolutely love their pets are apt to make the hard choice of giving up their pet. Many of us who are more fortunate are quick to condemn people who make this choice--an apartment over a pet--but we have options. Lots of people in NYCHA are a paycheck or disability check away from homelessness. Guess what they're going to choose.

Secondly, there are a fair number of people in the PJs for whom English is a second language, Spanish and Chinese are currently two of the most common. Once again, someone who is afraid of losing their apartment and has a shaky grasp of English is probably not going to be up for a fight if they even have a remote fear of losing their apartment.

Then again, I could be completely wrong. Part of the reason we're in this predicament is because the previous law a few years back banned dogs over 40 lbs. This provision, however, was apparently not enforced too vigorously. There may be the same lax attitude toward enforcement this time around as well toward the over-25 lbs dogs.

We shall see.

From Jailhouse to Oprah: How A Convict, A Dog, and A War Vet Changed Each Other's Lives

2009-05-15T16:05:00.000-07:00

Today I had the honor of interviewing Sgt. Allen Hill for my radio show, Pets In the City on Pet Life Radio. If you haven't done so already, please visit the Pet Life Radio site now, click on my show, "Pets In the City" and subscribe to it. It's so easy and you can download it right to your iPod.

Sounds bites and small video clips about the ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan filter into the airwaves and onto the Web everyday. But they don’t really convey the physical and psychological demands U.S. soldiers endure on a daily basis while serving in one of the most politically and culturally complex wars of our time. Often, these soldiers come back both physically and mentally scarred when they return home. Sergeant Allen Hill, an Iraqi war veteran is one example.

Upon returning home, Sgt. Hill continued to suffer the devestating effects of a major brain injury sustained during his service in Iraq, including lingering stress, depression, nightmares, and anxiety. His therapy dog, Frankie, was trained by an inmate serving time for manslaughter at the Fishkill Correctional Facility in Beacon, New York, just a commuter train ride north of New York City. I spoke with Sgt. Hill and Gloria Gilbert Stoga, who founded the “Puppies Behind Bars” program to train guide dogs over a decade ago, and whose group recently added the “Dog Tags: Service Dogs for Those Who’ve Served Us” program. All three appeared on a recent episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, joined by actress Glenn Close, in a show devoted to the animals in our lives. In addition to sharing how much Frankie has changed his life, Sgt. Hill gave us his thoughts on how the military views and responds to an increasing number of soldiers suffering from mental rather than physical disability.

Military Dogs, Sometimes Viewed As Surplus, Often Euthanized
Talking with Sgt. Hill got me to thinking about not only therapy dogs who help our returning veterans come back into 'normal' civilian life, but the highly-trained military dogs (scouts, bomb-sniffing, guard duty) who serve alongside their human comrades in war-torn areas of Iraq and Afghanistan. (Put aside, for a second, the current controversy surrounding a handful of misguided military troops who may have used angry dogs and other means of torture against prisoners of war. This is indeed a most important issue deserving of vigilance and justice, but it is not the subject here.)

In the past, most sadly in the Vietnam War, combat military dogs were destroyed, put down, euthanized--anyway you put it--after the war ended or their 'services' were no longer needed. I wondered if this was still the case with the dogs serving in the Iraq/Afghanistan war; are they or will they be euthanized when their time is served?

To answer this question, I asked Vietnam War Veteran Ron Aiello, president of the
United States War Dogs Association, who served as a Marine Scout Dog Handler in Vietnam with his own military dog, 'Stormy.' Groups like his exist for just this purpose--to bring, as his website says, 'every soldier home', including K9s.

Some of these dogs, unfortunately, still 'fall through the cracks' according to Aiello, but groups like his try to find as many adoptive homes for former military dogs as possible. Read "Dexter's Story" for a scenario which occurred less than six months ago at href="http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/OPERATIONDexterFlies.html.
There is no official tally for the number of military dogs now serving in various Middle East conflicts (Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and surrounding countries) but Aiello puts the number at about 700 to 800.

Why do some military dogs, after serving their country in various capacities, still end up euthanized when there is no longer any need for their services?

"There was a problem with the system that no one saw until recently," Aiello says. Before deployment, most military dogs are trained at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After they are deployed, whether it be in areas of active conflict or at US military bases in Germany, Italy, Korea or other allies, Aiello and others assumed the dogs were shipped back to Lackland where they would be officially retired from duty and then available for adoption. "We were wrong," he says.

Instead of shipping the dogs back to their home based in Lackland, dogs were typically retired in the country they were based. If they are not adopted in the country in which they were retired it is highly likely they will be destroyed. Additionally, the U.S. military will not pay for the transport of an animal back to the United States, even if their is a willing adopter. Organizations like Aiellos raise money to help cover the cost of bringing them home.

I also asked Aiello if there was another factor contributing to the euthanization of military animals; could it be that they just simply weren't safe to place with a 'civilian' family environment after having been trained for combat?

"We hooked up with Save A Vet because this organizations Is run by dog handlers who will take any of these military K9's that are more aggressive and will retrain these K9's.They are Military or just recently discharge military handlers who can take care of the more aggressive K9. Most everyone that I have been in contact with (civilians) who have adopted these wonderful K9's . Love them to death. One lady told me that she opened the door to her home and the K9 went in an plopped onto the couch like he had live His whole life there. Another one adopted a K9 3 years ago and the K9 just recently passed away. He apply again and now has aSecond adopted K9.

I hope you'll listen to the next episode of Pets In the City on Pet Life Radio and my interview with Sgt. Hill and Gloria Gilbert Stoga of Puppies Behind Bars. And visit the Puppies Behind Bars and the Military Working Dog Adoptions website, too.

Dog Drama on the Deegan!

2009-05-15T05:43:00.001-07:00

From AOL and WABC news (link below.) Original article on AOL includes some rather dramatic video:

http://www.gnn.com/article/loyal-pooch-protects-injured-mother-dog/484199?icid=main|main|dl2|link5|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnn.com%2Farticle%2Floyal-pooch-protects-injured-mother-dog%2F484199

(May 14) - When a 9-year-old female yellow lab-chow mix was hit by a car on a busy New York City highway Thursday morning, her doggy companion ran into traffic to stand guard.The protective pooch turned out to be the injured dog's son. The brown and tan canine would not let anyone near his mother, barking continuously at any oncoming traffic on the Major Deegan Expressway and at the police officers who arrived on the scene to help, WABC reported.

Eventually, the police were able to get close enough to the hurt dog to slide her onto a sheet to transport her to an animal hospital. A vet later said she has a broken leg and possible internal bleeding, but is expected to recover.
As for her loyal rescuer? After his mother was loaded into the police cruiser, the dog ran off. Police gave chase for 45 minutes and were finally able to guide him off the road at an exit ramp. The dogs' owner -- who recognized his wayward pets from news reports -- says the brave boy is safe at home.

The extraordinary scene snarled rush-hour traffic and was caught on tape by news helicopters. Watch the WABC news report and raw video below.
Note: The news report initially identified the hurt dog as male. Police later confirmed that she is female and the mother of the other dog.

Exclusive Interview NYCHA On The Pit Bull and Other Large Dog Ban in Public Housing

2009-05-12T13:50:00.000-07:00

As this is a developing (and ever-changing story) here is an excerpt from a Q & A type interview I had with Howard Marder, spokesperson for the New York City Housing Authority, shortly before the 'breed ban' (pits, rotties and dobies) "officially" went into effect. We are continuing to follow this story through a myriad of public hearings and continued questions from various parts of the community.

Indeed, there are some (as Mr. Marder himself eludes to) that are in full support of the ban. We'll bring news to you on that, too, as it emerges.

Diane West: It is my understanding that New York State has a law banning 'breed discrimination' (counties of New York cannot make a law contradicting this). In other words, a ban on owning pit bulls, etc. How is NYCHA getting around this? Did they meet with state lawmakers about this or is NYCHA exempt from this law, and if so, why?

Howard Marder: The law you refer to, is Article 7 of the Agriculture and Markets law, Section 107 (5). That section prohibits a municipality from regulating specific breeds of dogs. NYCHA is not a municipality. The rule does not apply.

DW: Is this officially called a 'regulation' concerning NYCHA buildings only? What constitutes a building that falls under the NYCHA umbrella? Section 8 and/or other subsidized, such as Mitchell-Lama or others? All boroughs of New York City?

HM: It is applicable in NYCHA owned and operated buildings. It never applied to Mitchell Lama. NYCHA only provides subsidy to Section 8 tenants and does not own or manage the buildings in which the vouchers are used, so it does not apply to them. However, if there is a building that receives Project-Based Section 8, the rule does apply.

DW: How many people is this likely to affect throughout NYCHA residences?

HM: We have no idea because if people are not registering their pets, there is no mechanism for us to do a pet census. Anyone living in a NYCHA apartment today has the ability and responsibility to register their pet under the old policy.

DW: When was this first enacted, and what event/s precipitated it? Were their public discussions or other notices to the public about this poss ible change, and if so, how/where were they announced?

HM: The pet rules came effect with the passage of Federal guidelines requiring all public housing authorities in the U.S. develop their own policies to allow residents to own one or more common household pets. NYCHA’s 40-lb. weight rule was instituted in May 2002. NYCHA announced the change in pet policy to our residents in mid-March by letter to each household and by articles in the Housing Authority newspaper, The Journal.

DW: Why/how did NYCHA come upon the ban of no animals over 25 lbs as opposed to 40lbs? (which documents said was the rule previous.) Is there some kind of study or other reason which made NYCHA decide on this weight?

HM: NYCHA had the 40-lb rule from May 2002 till the present and, in many instances, NYCHA and its residents saw that it did not work. It created a number of problems such as those caused by larger, menacing and dangerous dogs and dogs that the NYPD complained were threatening and vicious. The larger dogs were simply creating a problem because of the density in our buildings with the limited elevator and hallway space by which our residents could traverse. Many of these situations are complicated when there are large dogs.

DW: There is an extensive lists of breeds (full and 'mixed') on the list (below.) How did you decide upon these breeds? In particular you seem to put emphasis on "Pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman , Chow, Boxer, Akita, German Shepherd". Again, is there a particular reason, study or justification for this? Why dogs such as Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers, and several breeds of terrier?

HM: The NYCHA Pet Policy Overview has been updated. (see the link to our website) http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/downloads/pdf/pet_policy_overview.pdf . It now prohibits three breeds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Doberman Pinchers.

DW: There is also a provision for 'one cat per apartment'. Is this correct? So in other words, a tenant may either have one 'approved' dog or one 'approved' cat (not one of each?) Why were cats included in the new regulations? Also, a 'reasonable amount' of other animals (birds, etc.) What is a 'reasonable amount'?

HM: The rules provide for either one dog or one cat, not both. That has been in place since May 2002.

DW: How will these regulations be enforced? Will NYCHA representatives or building agents be looking in apartments or patrolling grounds? What happens if someone is not in compliance?

HM: NYCHA will use its limited resources to address lease violations such as this as well as all other lease violations or Quality Of Life infringements or crimes as it is made aware of them. NYCHA has and will continue to cooperate with the NYPD for any City-initiated enforcement efforts.

DW: Will there be a grace period for people who have animals grandfathered in to get what you are asking them? (ie, licenses, vets/vaccination/etc?) As paying this all at once may be a hardship for some.

HM: As the pet policy overview makes clear, a person just has to submit the registration form before the May 1 deadline to register a pet that hasn’t previously been registered, to register it. Residents will be given a grace period of 90 days after submission of the registration form to comply with other requirements, such as veterinarian examination, spaying and neutering, rabies inoculation and Health Dept. licensing

DW: If one has, say, a pit bull, or Rottweiler, or other right now, they do not have to give it up, but it must be registered. After this animal passes away, it cannot be 'replaced' with a 'new' pit bull, etc., but only a pet on the approved list. (I just want to make sure that people understand whether they have to give up their animal or not come May 1st.) Have you reached out to the shelters and adoption groups in the NYC area re this and its possible ramifications?

HM: Nobody will have to give up a previously existing pet that complies with the old policy (dogs up to 40 lbs and breed restriction) if it is registered before the May 1 deadline. We have had discussions with the ASPCA and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals concerning our pet policy.

DW: Are there exceptions for 'service animals' (even if they are on the 'banned' list? Section 8 residents don't have to pay a fee (but do have to license and vet.)

HM: Verified Service animals are exempt from any breed restriction or weight limit. As mentioned, this does not apply to Section 8 voucher holders living in private buildings.. It does apply to Section 8 project based residents since they are in a NYCHA owned building.

DW: Just FYI-- Are you aware the online-license form has been intermittently down for a few months now?

HM: There is an additional 90 day grace period to comply. As with any rule good faith attempts to comply that are made difficult by external sources are taken into consideration.

Beware of Birder -- Dogs In City Parks Are Being Watched

2009-05-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Mistress Chilli's devoted assistant, Diane, attended a most enlightening meeting of the leaders of many of the dog parks throughout the five boroughs of New York City collectively known as NYC DOG. We came back with a number of great story leads which will keep us busy for a good while. For now, however, kudos to Bob Marino, head of NYC DOG, who gave everyone a head's up on the following front-page headline in the New York Post today:

"Ruff Justice" (an article about Orrin Tilevitz, bird watcher, dog hater)http://www.nypost.com/seven/05102009/news/regionalnews/he_shooed_the_pooch_168519.htm

Mr. Tilevitz is an avid bird watcher who truly feels dogs are the scurge of city parks. He has a particular, eh, bone to pick with the dogs in Prospect Park. Like many parks throughout New York City, Prospect Park avails themselves of designated "off leash hours" (before 9am and after 9pm) where dogs can run off-leash. All other times they are supposed to be leashed, and Orrin is a one-man police force to track these violators down. For some time now, it's been an open secret in Prospect Park that Mr. Tilevitz hides in bushes, behind trees (some reports say even IN trees) to tape violators who have their dogs off-leash during undesignated times in undesignated areas.

Hmmm...how does Mistress Chilli weigh in on this? Well, she'd mentioned that there were rumors of people hiding in bushes and trees a few years back in an article in New York Tails Magazine based on several trusted sources reporting as such. The real question is: does Mr. Tilevitz have a legitamet complaint?

As much as Mistress Chilli loves dogs and has been a supporter of off-leash hours for quite a while, she has to say, yes, he might. She has personally (and often) observed dogs running around off-leash in Central Park outside of the "9 to 9" hours, and in areas where they should not be, such as the bridle path, where an occassional horse may come by (not a good meeting.) She has also seen dog owners who think it is 'funny' to see their dogs run into a pack of pigeons to scatter them, or to chase a squirrel up a tree. So yes, there are some dog owners who just don't get it.

But, then again, there are some parents who just don't get that their little darlings cannot run wild, either. Indeed, Diane was on her way to a friend's mom's wake in Queens yesterday and got plowed by a pig-tailed girl on a pink bike on the sidewalk. As she picked leaves out of her hair from the bush she was thrown into (by the way, the little girl kept going) her mother shot Diane a dirty look and said "well, I tried to tell you to watch out." (!!!!) Now Diane didn't have the best parents in the world in her early years, but suffice it to say if she did such a thing not only would the next thing she'd see would be the knuckle-side of her mother's hand, but she would be dragged to the victim, made to apologize, and probably had her bike taken away for the rest of the summer. She's not condoning this now, but the girl should have been a.) kept under control in the first place and b.) made to apologize and ask if the victim (me) was okay.

So, how does this relate back to the off-leash dog question? Unfortunately, it only takes one dog and dog owner to come across someone like Mr. Tilevitz to start a civil war. NYC DOG members, by and large, are impressively self-policing and will come down hardest on each other when they hear of an infraction. But not everyone is a member of NYC DOG in New York City, and that's a shame.

Is Mr. Tilevitz overreacting, oh, perhaps just a little bit? I'd say so. He probably should be arrested for stalking and invasion of privacy, and perhaps find another hobby in addition to bird watching. The parks of New York City are, indeed, blessed with wildlife, including wonderful species of birds. Dogs should not be allowed to harrass the birds (nor should anyone else be allowed to harrass the birds, for that matter) and it is incumbant upon the dog owners, or whoever is in control of the dog, to stop them from doing so.

But Mr. Tilevitz, with all due respect, it may be time for you to dig down and examine your dog issues. Hat's off to you for trying to protect the birds of the parks, but you may be getting a wee too obsessed-much?

Update -- No Pits, Dobies or Rotties in NYCHA

2009-04-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

As I said, this is a developing story, so there is already a change.
So the NYCHA at some point (very recently) decided Boston Terriers and the like aren't a threat. However, they contend:

--pets over 40 lbs have not been allowed in NYCHA buildings or subsidized buildings for several years.
--the 'only one dog OR only one cat' rule has been in effect also for several years.
--they have recinded the list of dog breeds they initially published that will not be allowed, however, no Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, or Dobermans will be allowed in the buildings, period. Only current dogs of 40 lbs or less, and, after May 1st, only dogs 25 lbs or less. And no Pits, Rotties or Dobies. Pound restriction also means FULL GROWN, ie, if your Rottie is a 15 pound puppy now and it will be over 25 lbs full-grown, you are in violation.
--people have to fill out a form to register their animals NOW, like, before tomorrow afternoon before the NYCHA office closes. They DO NOT have to have the licence, vet papers, neuter, et al--there is a 90-day grace period for that--but fill out the registration form by asking your building manager.

I'll know more later. NYCHA finally answered my email; I'll take a look.

Not Just Pit Bulls Banned From City Housing -- (Cats and Dalmations, Too?)

2009-04-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

This is a developing story. I've been trying to call NYCHA since last Thursday and Friday to get more details as to how they're getting around the anti-breed discrimination and other things to enact this law.

I am continuing to do research to get it straight from the horse's mouth (NYCHA) as I don't like to perpetuate half-truths. In the meantime, here is the section of the law which spells it out.

Read it carefully and you will see not just pit bulls are under the ban; the number of cats you can have as well as a plethora of other breeds--some that make you go whaaa?--are on the list. I've bolded some of those.

Cats are not exempt--ONE cat per apartment!

Please tell your friends in public housing, or if YOU live in public housing, about this. It starts May 1st. IMPORTANT--this does NOT mean to get rid of your dog by May 1st. Likely your current dog is grandfathered in. But they will be looking for licenses and shots.

Concerned citizesn, please contact your local council person and NYCHA directly (google NYCHA and CALL as well as email) and ask what's going on.

IV. Permissible Pet Guidelines

D. Dogs and Cats Registered with NYCHA on and After May 1, 2009
1. Number of Dogs or Cats: One. A resident may own either one (1)
domesticated dog or one (1) domesticated cat per apartment.

2. Dog Weight Restriction: Twenty-Five Pounds. The weight of a dog based
on the projected full-grown adult weight, may not exceed twenty-five (25)
pounds. [Currently, this weight may not exceed 40 lbs.]

3. Breed or Type of Pet Restriction: The following breeds of dogs, either full
breed or mixed breed, are prohibited:
.. Commonly known breeds: Pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman , Chow,
Boxer, Akita, German Shepherd
.. Other breeds : Akita Inu, Alangu Mastiff, Alano Español, Alaskan
Husky, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentine Dogo, Bedlington
Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bull and Terrier, Bull Terrier, Bully Kutta,
Cane Corso, Dalmation, Dogue de Bordeaux, Dogo Sardesco,
English Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Golden Retreiver, Gull Dong, Gull
Terr, Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Korea Jindo Dog, Lottatore
Brindisino, Neapolitan Mastiff, Perro de Presa Canario (CanaryDog), Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), Shar Pei,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa Inu

(2) Below is the portion of the policy that will assist residents who want to register dogs over 25 lbs. and/or belonging to one of the 33 prohibited breeds (or a mix thereof) prior to May 1st:

IV. Permissible Pet Guidelines
A. Small Pets Not Requiring Registration with NYCHA
Provided they are not prohibited by law, NYCHA permits residents to own
small pets which include small caged birds (parakeets, canaries), fish, and
small caged animals (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) in reasonable quantities, only if their numbers do not create a nuisance or an unsafe or unsanitary
condition. This paragraph does not include dogs or cats.

B. Dogs and Cats Owned Prior to May 1, 2002 and Registered with NYCHA
Prior to February 1, 2003 (“Grandparent Clause”)
Public housing residents who owned dogs or cats prior to May 1, 2002
(ownership must be independently verified) that were registered with NYCHA
prior to February 1, 2003 may keep that specific dog(s) or cat(s), even if the
number of dog(s) and/or cat(s) exceed the one pet limit. These pets are also
exempt from weight and breed restrictions. The pet is permitted if owned by
the resident and registered at a prior development, according to the dates
specified in this paragraph, before transferring to their current development.
Once the specific pet is removed from the apartment it can not be replaced.
Any newly acquired cat or dog must meet current guidelines.

C. Dogs and Cats Registered with NYCHA Between May 1, 2002 to April 30,
2009
1. Number of Dogs or Cats: One. A resident may own either one (1)
domesticated dog or one (1) domesticated cat per apartment.

2. Dog Weight Restriction: Forty Pounds. The weight of a dog based on the
projected full-grown adult weight, may not exceed forty (40) pounds.

3. Breed or Type of Pet Restriction: None.
Once the specific pet is removed from the apartment it can not be
replaced. Any newly acquired cat or dog must meet current guidelines.

VI. Registration of Dogs, Cats and Service Animals
All residents must register with NYCHA their dog, cat or Service Animal on a
one-time basis. If a dog, cat or Service Animal that was initially registered is
removed from the apartment, any new dog, cat or Service Animal acquired must
be registered. Registration is required for all dogs or cats and “Service Animals,”
even if the pet owner is exempt from paying the one–time registration fee. A
previously unregistered dog, cat or Service Animal can not be registered and can
not be maintained in the apartment, unless it complies with the NYCHA pet policy
in effect at the time of registration (e.g., regarding number of pets, weight and
breed restrictions).

The following are required in order to complete registration.
A. Dog, Cat and Service Animal Registration Form
Residents must report the presence of a dog, cat or Service Animal
maintained in their apartments by completing and returning the form, Dog,
Cat and Service Animal Registration, NYCHA 040.505.
The Registration form requires that residents must identify their dog, cat or
Service Animal, specify an alternative caregiver and certify that the pet/animal
will be maintained in accordance with NYCHA’s pet rules.

1. When the Registration Form must be submitted:
• Existing Residents: must submit the Registration Form no later than 30
days after acquiring a dog, cat or Service Animal.

• New Residents: must submit the Registration Form during the rental
interview for any dog, cat or Service Animal they wish to bring in to the
NYCHA apartment. Staff must explain the pet policy to prospective
residents at the time of the rental interview.

2. Subsequent Registrations:
If a dog, cat or Service Animal that was initially registered is removed from
the apartment, the resident must register and submit a new Registration
Form no later than 30 days after acquiring a new dog, cat or Service
Animal.

B. Dog and Cat Registration Fee
Unless exempt as noted below, residents who wish to maintain a dog or cat
must pay a one-time, non-refundable pet registration fee of $25.00, valid
for the duration of the tenancy at NYCHA. Residents must pay the fee in its
entirety at the time of registration. No partial payments are allowed.
Once the registration fee is paid, a resident may obtain another pet/animal
instead of the one initially registered without paying an additional fee,
however, the new pet/animal must be registered with NYCHA and any pet
rules in effect at the time of the new registration, such as number of pets, pet
weight or breed restrictions, apply.

Although required to register their pet with NYCHA, the following residents
are not charged the pet registration fee:
• Residents who reside in senior citizen developments or senior citizen
buildings.
• Residents who reside in Section 8 - Project Based developments.
• Residents who acquire or maintain a verified Service Animal.

C. Dog, Cat and Service Animal Veterinarian Certification Form
Upon receipt of the completed Registration form, staff shall give the form,
Dog, Cat and Service Animal Veterinarian Certification, NYCHA 040.505A, to
residents who wish to maintain a dog, cat or Service Animal.

The Veterinarian Certification form must be completed by a Veterinarian on a
one time basis per any dog, cat or Service Animal registered. The form must
be returned by residents within 90 days of the date that the form was given
to them.

The Veterinarian Certification form requires that a Veterinarian certify that the
dog, cat or Service Animal:

• Is properly licensed according to local law
• Has obtained current rabies vaccinations according to local law
• Has been spayed or neutered

(3) Below is the portion of the policy that will assist residents who want to register dogs over 25 lbs. and/or belonging to one of the 33 prohibited breeds (or a mix thereof) as of May 1st:

All current registration and certification info. applies, but in addition, as noted above, the weight limit is now 25 lbs. (based on projected full-grown weight) and 33 breeds (and mixes thereof) are prohibited under breed. Further: the Veterinarian Certification must note that the dog:

• Is not a prohibited breed as indicated in Section IV, D 3

Glow-In-The-Dark Puppies and Other Weirdness

2009-04-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Got your attention, huh? Yes, we will talk about glow-in-the-dark puppies, but first, a few tidbits for you.

You may wonder why Mistress Chilli Chinchilla is blogging rather than outside 'enjoying this gorgeous day'! (so says every singe radio station I've turned on today.) That's because Mistress Chilli hates--yes, hates--the heat. The sun is okay in small doses (Vitamin D!) but this heat, as far my secretary and I are concerned, sucks. Duh--I wear a chinchilla fur coat 24/4. My secretary, I don't know what her problem is. Probably better that she stays inside--she hasn't looked good in shorts since 1987. Still has a decent rack, though, so once in a while you'll catch her in the occasional tank top.

So, I am done hating on the weather. Here's those tidbits I promised mixed with my general crankiness:

What the (&*(% is up with y'all having everything under the sun (hah, hah) this weekend? Even I, Mistress Chilli, who can hop like a mini kangaroo, cannot jump fast enough. Heads up to you guys--journalists cannot be everywhere at once. Bloggers, yes. Twits (sorry, that's what you are), yes. Journalists--by that meaning flesh-and-blood human beings who spent many years in school and then later many more years taking their beatings and honing their craft--no. Physically impossible. Which makes me think that the organizers of these things don't care about flesh-and-blood journalists attending; they'll just blog about it themselves and give objective reporting their best shot (cough, cough.) Or they just all came to the educated guess several months ago that this weekend, the weekend of April 25th-26th would be the first 'nice' weekend of the outdoor season. Wow, they hit that one on the head this year.

Pick Your Protest
With that said, here's two events going on for those whose tempers flare as the temperature rises. On Saturday and Sunday, Best Friends brings their nationwide protest against pet stores that sell puppies to American Kennels, a tres chic pet store on Lexington Avenue not too far from my alma mater, Hunter College. If you want to join, just stop by with your favorite hand-made sign. Honestly I'm with Best Friends on this one--there is no way (no way) a 'reputable breeder' would ever sell through a pet store. (Although there are people out there who think there is no such thing as a 'reputable breeder' and they are all scum of the earth. Let's table that for a second.)

Serious breeders want to know where there puppies are and who they're with. If you've ever been to a dog show, you know why. Some of these animals can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars. The more ribbons they've won, the higher the price their owners can command for the fruit of their doggie loins. Believe me, people, these guys have a more meticulously researched and documented lineage than Queen Elizabeth. No way are they going to let the pups of their prized pooches be sold willy-nilly. Now, that said, do some breeders dump off their non-show quality pups at pet stores--"overstock", shall we say? Sadly, yes. So even if you do buy directly from a breeder (and the Humane Society of the United States has a checklist for you to check out) you should also ask them what they do with the 'pet quality' dogs they can't sell.

Where I will stop short, however, is when some of these groups use protests like this to jam their foot into the door of a larger agenda of NPOBAE(no pets owned by anybody, ever.) I'm not saying this is (or isn't) the case with Best Friends, but it's a crafty trick other have used with much success.

Still fired up over pet-store puppies? Cool off with a long walk downtown and then get fired up again on Sunday, April 26th, with Queens Councilman Tony Avella, who has emerged as New York's possibly first-and-only "Pet Friendly Party" candidate for Mayor. At high noon, protesters are expected to descend on the steps of City Hall to protest the general state of Animal Care and Control of New York City. (That's p.c. speak for the pound.)

This one's another mixed bag o'feelings. On the one hand, protesting the AC&C and executive director Charlene Pedrolie is like shooting fish in a barrel (okay, bad analogy.) The AC&C is in charge of euthanizing pretty much every unwanted animal in New York City. Thousands of them. Every year. But that's because other agencies (looking in your direction, ASPCA) 'outsource' this awful activity to them. Kinda like sending out your dirty laundry. Except in this case you don't get your clothes back. Instead, you open your closet and have a brand new wardrobe--every day! Before my friends and colleagues start screaming at me from the A: what am I saying that is not already plastered (albeit less colorfully) on your front door?

On the other hand, the AC&C has not been doing much to prove the protesters' wrong. There was a scary outbreak of some weird canine flu at one of their shelters earlier this year which resulted in the quarantine of not only that shelter, but a large upstate one as well because dogs were transported there. And most recently, they killed a 90-something year-old woman's dog by accident. You can't make up publicity this bad. Do some of the people who are whipping up this protest have a personal axe to grind against the AC&C and its supporters, like the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals and the head of the AC&C herself? Yes, they do. But that doesn't mean problems don't exist. I just hope Councilman Avella, who is generally a nice guy and who is making a dark-horse run for Mayor, doesn't get too bogged down in this particular quagmire. It's a lot deeper than it appears on the surface.

Glow-In-The-Dark Puppies and a Bo Obama Update
Okay, enough local news and my opinions on them. I promised you glow-in-the-dark puppies. Seems like those crazy Korean scientists are at it again. In 2007 they cloned some glow-in-the-dark kitties. Now they've done for dogs what they've done for cats. Here's the quote that got me:
Ruppy (ed note: Red+Puppy, get it?) is transgenic, meaning she has genes from another animal. Scientists said they hope this will pave the way to model human diseases in dogs, whose relatively long life-span could make them better study subjects than other animals.

The creature they crossed her with is a sea anemone. If they do a DNA test, is this animal technically a dogfish? A water dog?

Which segues nicely into the latest about the world's most famous Portuguese Water Dog, Bo "Pseudo-Rescue" Obama. Glam First Lady Michelle tells Black Voices the following about having a new puppy in the house:
"It was like 10 o'clock. Everybody was asleep and we hear all this barking and jumping around," Mrs. Obama said. "The president and I came out and we thought somebody was out there. And it was just Bo. He was playing with his ball. And it was like there was another person in the house.

Um, Michelle? Sweetie? You and the President sleep in possibly the least-private, most heavily protected bedroom in the world. There are people surrounding you 24/7 whose job it is to take a bullet for you. If you think you need a dog to keep robbers and would-be assassins away I am very, very scared about what the Homeland Security budget looks like for the rest of us poor schmucks.

Okay, that's it for me. The sun is starting to turn a corner in the sky and it may soon be safe for me and other typewriter vampires to emerge. It's been a while, so hopefully this lengthy round-up post will keep you occupied for a while. For further reading, I've inserted links for you below. As always, feel free to holla back.

But first, make sure you check out New York Tails Magazine's world-famous Calendar of Pet Events for the tri-state Metro area. We're always posting more on there, so check back often. Just to be safe, bookmark it. Put it in your Favorites. Mail yourself a love letter with a print-out of the URL.

After than, download our very cool interview with The Choke to your iPod with guest host Victoria Wells. Yes, she is the same hot goth babe from Dogs 101. Quite a musician herself, too. She sings our City Pound intro on Pet Life Radio.

American Kennels On Lexington Avenue -- Puppy Mill Protest
An article that sums it up nicely by our colleague at the Daily News, Amy Sacks

Michelle Obama Asks: Honey, Did You Hear Something? Oh, Wait, It's Just The Damn Dog (title mine)

You Crazy Koreans! Glow In the Dark Puppies!
(Now You Have No Excuse for Tripping Over the Dog On The Way To The Bathroom!)

Or To Trip Over The Cat, For That Matter!

Obama's New Dog -- Let Puppygate Begin!

2009-04-12T01:52:00.000-07:00

For your perusal:

First Dog Charile? (A Rather Mysterious Website)
http://www.firstdogcharlie.com/
(Supposedly the website that ‘broke’ the story. Mistress Chilli finds it very interesting that the dog’s ‘original’ name was Charlie, supposedly in his first didn’t-work-out home, and the website is named ‘First Dog Charile.’ Coincidence much? Visit the website and it gets more bizarre.

Who Let the Dog Out? Obama’s Pet ID Leaked Before Debut (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6369634.html

AP – Obamas Pick Portuguese Water Dog
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hbyPtd-WxaAlO17Z6CCE-ZB69dCAD97GMH5G0

White House Readies for Presidential Pup
http://news.aol.com/article/white-house-dog/423774?icid=main|main|dl1|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fwhite-house-dog%2F423774

And, I have my problems with TMZ, but here you go:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/11/white-house-obama-family-dog/

Obama's Pick Portuguese Water Dog (Well, Sort Of)

2009-02-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

UPDATED: Sunday, April 12th -- See Links at end of this post re breaking news on Obama's reportedly new dog...

Ahem. What did Mistress Chill tell you MONTHS AND MONTHS ago re the Obama dog? (See previous post months ago.)

Michele Obama has reportedly told People magazine (the lucky mother + F-word %^##@* elitist media pigs) that the Portuguese Water dog is on the short list as the much-awaiting First Dog. And that it will be a 'rescued' Portuguese water dog. Hopefully President Obama will have better luck picking out a good dog than a Commerce Secretary. (Lately, those picks have been biting him in the butt.)

SO SURE was Mistress Chilli about this that she dispatched Yours Truly to the Westminster Kennel Club earlier this month and had her hunt down, specifically, the Portuguese Water Dog group judging during the day, took some pictures of what these rather handsome animals look like, and even spoke to one of the professional handlers of said breed. You can listen to my interview, see my pictures of two of the Portuguese Water Dogs that competed (one looks like a rather bizzare half-long-hair Dalmation, the other a more traditional brown-and-white color)and hear my coverage of Westminster and conversation with the Portuguese Water Dog handler on Episode 19 of "Pets In the City" (see the scrolling widget on the side of this blog and just click.)

Of course, in the few hours since People broke the story and now, the White House, in typical political fashion, is backing off of the story (ah, Obama, you learn fast) in saying 'no definite decision has been made.' Sheesh.

If David Frei and the organization he represents, the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club, have any say it will be a Portuguese Water Dog and not the alternative choice, a Labradoodle (a cross between a Labrador and a Standard Poodle.) I participated in a 'media press conference' via phone a day or so before the Westminster show and posed the question to him, and you could almost here David curl his lips and growl. He expressed anger that 'people were lying to the President, and I'm pretty sure that's against the law' (pretty much a direct quote!) in telling him that a Laboradoole might make a good choice for the family. I have to admit he did make a good point when he elaborated--that if the dog ended up more "Labrador" than "Poodle" (the Poodle being the more hypo-allergenic part of the hybrid) Sasha and Malia better get the Claritin ready--or be ready to give up the dog, which in itself would create a spectacle.

Sorry I haven't written lately--everything from challenges all of us ink-and-paper publishers are facing hitting me in the head to the heater in my bedroom not working for two weeks, and me sleeping right under a window that might as well have been wide open with the winter wind blowing in. Let me catch up on some things and I'll catch YOU up on some rather interesting happenings in the New York pet world. After you listen to the Westminster podcast give Episode 20 about the shelter systems in New York a listen--pretty eye-opening, and, at least to one high-ranking official here, an explanation of what 'no kill' actually means. Hint: it doesn't mean what it literally says.

UPDATE: Links to first news about the new Obama pup:

First Dog Charile? (A Rather Mysterious Website)
http://www.firstdogcharlie.com/
(Supposedly the website that ‘broke’ the story. Mistress Chilli finds it very interesting that the dog’s ‘original’ name was Charlie, supposedly in his first didn’t-work-out home, and the website is named ‘First Dog Charile.’ Coincidence much? Visit the website and it gets more bizarre.

Who Let the Dog Out? Obama’s Pet ID Leaked Before Debut (Houston Chronicle)
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6369634.html

AP – Obamas Pick Portuguese Water Dog
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hbyPtd-WxaAlO17Z6CCE-ZB69dCAD97GMH5G0

White House Readies for Presidential Pup
http://news.aol.com/article/white-house-dog/423774?icid=main|main|dl1|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fwhite-house-dog%2F423774

And, I have my problems with TMZ, but here you go:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/11/white-house-obama-family-dog/

What the Flock Is Going On Around Here?

2009-01-19T09:37:00.001-08:00

What the Flock Is Going On? Birds Crashing Planes Over the Hudson, Dogs Getting Electric Shocks on The Sidewalks of Battery Park, Major Animal Shelter in Queens Shutting It's Doors, Dog Fashion Police...Oh My!

There I was, minding my own, trying to get some work done last Thursday and then the next 72 hours turned into newsroom chaos. Except in this case the newsroom is little o’Chilli. Luckily I can jump pretty fast, because that’s exactly what I was doing from one event to the next.

A flock of geese (allegedly Canadian Geese) decided to fly into the engines of a airplane taking off from LaGuardia Airport (right near Astoria and Jackson Heights, Queens), blowing at least one of the engines and causing the plane to pancake into the Hudson River. Now, whether the geese flew into the engines or got sucked into it is a matter of opinion, but I’m going to guess any halfway intelligent sentient being seeing and hearing a huge grinding engine in front of them is gong to want to fly the other way if they can. Latest reports say the airplane had just taken off and suddenly a formation of geese was splattered on the windshield of the cockpit and the smell of cooked goose wafted through the air.

Thankfully, everyone escaped from the airplane crash with very few major injuries. (If you have a chance, take a look at some of the photos—it’s pretty amazing. The passengers standing on the submerged wings of the plane looks like Jesus and his apostles walking across the river Jordan.) But the geese, presumably, were turned into duck soup. In true New York Post style, the perpetually hyperbolic paper were calling for all geese to be immediately separated from their heads:

Pluck ‘Em!
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01172009/postopinion/editorials/geese_be_gone_150533.htm

Now I am the world’s biggest chicken when it comes to flying. I absolutely, positively hate flying, which means I probably won’t see a lot of people, places and things before I die. So yes, next time I’m about to (reluctantly) board a plane and I see even one goose in the vicinity I’m going to freak out. But kill them all? Eh…not so much. There are other alternatives, and while some of the ideas may need a little work, it’s a start. I spoke with Patrick Kwan, head of the mid-atlantic region of the Humane Society of the United States about it and while I didn’t agree with everything he said, like I said, it’s a start.

Oh, but I’m just getting started. You know it’s really winter in New York when you hear about the first sidewalk shock of the season—and that’s exactly what happened last week. Guy walking his dog down in Battery Park suddenly got a jolt of electricity that shook them both up pretty badly.

Yes, you read that right. It’s not safe in the skies above New York, and it’s not safe on the street below you, either! Sadly, while this has all the makings of an urban legend, it is not. It happens every year. Blair Sorrel, who for seven years has been waging a one-woman war against stray voltage from the street, has an excellent website called Street Zaps which maps all confirmed incidents everywhere. She’s working really hard to get this bizzaro, deadly problem addressed in an meaningful way, so drop by her website and see how you can help. (It’s not just New York City, either—Miami is also a hot spot.)

Oh, but’s that’s not all. I’m just about to update my blog with these two items when I get this piece of news—Animal Haven in Flushing is closing. This is pretty significant around here because Animal Haven, perhaps right behind the ASPCA and North Shore Animal League, is a very popular and well-known animal shelter and adoption agency. Just a little over two years ago they opened a swanky outpost in downtown SoHo (aptly named “Animal Haven SoHo”) which is part fancy store, part shelter, and part groomer/training facility. But the Flushing spot was where the majority of the animals lived. With the shuttering of the Flushing location, some 150 or so dogs and cats are scrambling for a home. I’m still trying to find out what exactly happened here; in the meantime, some of the preliminaries are answered on AH’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

And, finally, of perhaps importance to both our readers to dress up their dogs as well as those sponsors who create and sell often very high-end clothing—the RSPCA of the U.K. is proposing disiplinary action against people who dress up their dogs. Now, okay, I think they have some validity in their objections. If a piece of clothing doesn’t fit right, or obstructs the dog’s view (like several ‘hoodies’ I saw on the street during the cold snap recently—poor dogs had no idea where they were going) or had little accessories on it that they can chew off and swallow, or fabric that can get caught in a gate, or a very hot dress on a very hot day (you see where I’m going with this) you might want to rethink that ‘cute’ outfit. But in the bitter cold of recent weeks, especially for small, short-haired dogs, well-fitted coats are certainly in order. I sent an email to the RSPCA (I’m not calling England) for a response and got back an automated ‘we’ll get back to you’ message.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4227567/RSPCA-says-people-who-dress-up-their-dogs-could-be-prosecuted.html

There’s a whole bunch of other stuff going on, of course, but these three doozies happened within a 24-hour period in the last couple of weeks. As more info trickles in about each of these I’ll let you know, and, of course, when new stuff comes in as well. If you have any info please feel free to post.

Whew! Now back to my regularly scheduled work. Of course, if one of the Obama girls shows up with a puppy on her arm during Inaugeration Day tomorrow I might just have a nervous breakdown. By the way, Mistress Chilli adds to her prediction: the ‘shelter’ puppy, a Labradoodle or a Portugese Water Dog, will likely come from Chicago or Washington, D.C. rescue group. Again, just an educated guess.