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By jnavary, August 11, 2011

What information should I have on hand when I make a report of animal cruelty?

Try to gather the following information before submitting a report of animal cruelty:

A concise, written, factual statement of what you observed—giving dates and approximate times whenever possible—to provide to law enforcement.

Photographs of the location, the animals in question and the surrounding area. However, please do not put yourself in danger! Do not enter another person’s property without permission, and exercise great caution around unfamiliar animals who may be frightened or in pain.

If you can, provide law enforcement with the names and contact information of other people who have firsthand information about the abusive situation.

Remember, never give away a document without making a copy for yourself!

 
Can I remain anonymous when I file a complaint about animal cruelty?

Yes, you can, and it is better to file an anonymous report than to do nothing—but please consider providing your information to the agency taking the complaint. These agencies have limited resources, and the case is more likely to be pursued when there are credible witnesses willing to stand behind the report and, if necessary, testify in court about what they may have witnessed.

 
If I report my suspicions that a neighbor is committing animal cruelty, and that person’s animal is taken away and put in a shelter, isn’t the animal worse off?

It’s important to understand that reporting cruelty is always the right thing to do. Because of the burden it places on the system, animal control officers do not want to remove an animal from a home unless absolutely necessary. If an animal is taken from his or her owner, there was a substantial problem. A seized animal will have the chance to get the necessary help, whether that help is nutritional, medical or behavioral. Also, if an intervention by law enforcement leads to a conviction, you may inadvertently have helped spare other animals from the same abuse: in many states, convicted animal abusers are barred from owning pets.

 
Is there anything specific I can say when I make a report of animal cruelty to persuade law enforcement to take it seriously?

Yes—let them know that you are taking the incident seriously. Make it clear that you are very interested in pursuing the case and that you are willing to lend assistance however you can. Although law enforcement agencies must pay attention to anonymous reports of serious crimes, including animal cruelty, they are more likely to follow up on cases where there are credible witnesses willing to stand behind the report and, if necessary, testify in court about what they may have witnessed.

Provide law enforcement with a concise, written statement of what you observed, giving dates and approximate times whenever possible. If you can do so without entering another person’s property without their permission, you may wish to photograph the location, the animals and the surrounding area. If you can, provide law enforcement with the names and contact information for other people who have firsthand information about the situation.

How should I follow up on my report of animal cruelty?

When you report animal cruelty, it’s a good idea to keep a careful record of exactly whom you contacted, the date of the contacts, copies of any documents you provided to law enforcement or animal control, and the content and outcome of your discussion. This will make following up much easier.

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By Mike Jones, August 5, 2011

Most dogs really enjoy digging around in soft dirt. You want to have a beautiful yard and a nice garden and your dog comes along and ruins it all. It is a big disaster that you can hardly keep up with. You want a nice yard but your dog wants to have fun digging around. What is the best way to handle this problem?

Dogs are natural-born diggers. Some breeds are actually bred to dig out certain prey so this digging conduct is instinctual for them. If your dog is a natural digger it may be more challenging but there are some things you can do to contain the digging.

It is important for your dog to engage his curiosity, learn about and explore his surroundings. But most people want a nice yard too. You must contain his digging or even stop it entirely if you want to keep your yard beautiful.

Digging Dog

Dogs sometimes dig because they are bored. They need entertainment. He may be experiencing separation anxiety because you are away. Maybe he is trying to dig out an escape route so he can leave the yard. He may even be digging for something as simple as controlling his own temperature. He may be too hot and trying to cool off or he may be too cold and trying to warm-up.

You can get your dog to reduce or even stop his digging patterns. First make sure that he has enough time with you and gets enough exercise and playtime. You can also make sure that he has toys that he enjoys. Frequently dogs will try to bury bones so if you give your dog bones to chew on make sure you replace them with chew toys or rawhide bones.

You can also try clicker training to prevent digging. Anytime you see your dog in the act of digging use the clicker and a command that tells him “no”. Reward him when he stops digging. You will need to be consistent but clicker training can work.

You can also try to fill his hole up with undesirable things. You can fill the hole that he has been playing in with garden mulch, sticks, pine needles and so forth. When he comes back he will dig and find the undesirable things in his hole and he will stop digging. You can also bury a balloon that will pop in his face as he digs. This will not hurt him but it will scare him and he may stop the digging. Some trainers also recommend putting dog poop into the holes as the dog will no longer want to play after he finds his own poop!

You can try to make a spot in your yard specifically for his digging. This will take the most time and patience but it may be the best solution if your dog is just a natural digger. You can reduce your dogs digging behavior with some time and patience but be gentle because he is just being a dog.

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By jnavary, July 30, 2011

Heatstroke is a deadly condition that can kill your beloved canine companion, even with emergency treatment. As with most health issues, prevention is the key to helping your dog through hot summer days.

Heat, humidity and other factors that can kill
Most people know that the interior of a car on a hot summer’s day can be lethal. However, your dog needs you to know more than that to keep him safe in the deadly sun. Even on cooler days, the temperature inside an automobile can rise quickly as a result of direct sunlight.

Days when the temperature rises to 90 degrees or higher, especially with high humidity, are especially hazardous for your pet. Humidity interferes with animals’ ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When humans overheat, we sweat. The process of the sweat drying carries excess heat with it. However, dogs only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body on hot days.

Your Dog’s Cooling System
To rid themselves of excess heat, dogs pant. You may notice that a hot, panting dog has an enlarged tongue. This occurs so that the tongue has an increased surface area to dissipate heat.

When panting, air moves through the nasal passages picking up excess heat from the body. As it is exhaled through the mouth the extra heat is carried along with it. Although this is a normally efficient way to control body heat, it can be severely overtaxed during periods of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.

The shape of a dog’s nose can affect the ability to regulate heat. Brachiocephalic (pug-nosed) dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke since their nasal passages are smaller. As a result of this smaller surface area, their  panting is less efficient for cooling. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating as extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities. Age can also be a factor in an animal’s tendency to overheat–very young puppies may not have a fully developed temperature regulating system while older pets’ organ systems may not be functioning at 100 percent, making them prone to heat-related damage.

Cracking the windows is simply not enough!
So where are the danger zones? The most obvious is your car. It can become a death trap even on a mild sunny day when the sun’s rays can raise the car’s temperature to well above 120 degrees. Never, ever leave your pet inside the car. If your dog can’t come with you when you get out of the car, then leave him at home.

Leaving dogs outdoors without shelter from the sun is just as dangerous as leaving them inside a hot car. Be sure they are not left in a cage in the hot sun, on a chain in the yard, or outdoors in a run without sufficient shade or air circulation.

Symptoms of Heatstroke
Symptoms of heatstroke include rapid panting, bright red gums, an elevated heart rate, warm dry skin, vomiting and a vacant or anxious expression.

beagle panting

Act Decisively as Heatstroke can be deadly!
Heatstroke is a true medical emergency – if not properly and quickly treated the condition can quickly result in coma and death. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. An animal with heat stroke must have its body temperature lowered quickly. Most effective is immediate immersion in cold water. If unavailable, hosing the dog down with a garden hose may be effective. Ice packs should not be used because overcooling may occur.

The skin should be massaged gently, and the legs flexed frequently to encourage blood circulation. While this is being done, it is essential that the pet be transported to a veterinary hospital as quickly as possible. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again. Once your pet is in a veterinarian’s care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to treat possible brain damage.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
If your dog lives outdoors, ensure adequate shelter from sun/midday heat. Outdoor kennels should be well-ventilated and in the shade. Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that cannot be tipped over and check/refill regularly. Avoid excessive exercise on hot days. If your dog’s coat is long or thick, discuss with your veterinarian if grooming should include a shorter haircut.