[PET OHANA]
|
This is the time of year when there are top 10 lists for memorable events during the year. Here are some of the top animal oriented stories here and on the mainland: Cat attacks top 2001
animal storiesBy Hawaiian Humane Society
1. Pet Ohana debuts. After the Star-Bulletin moved to new offices, with a new publisher and format, the Pet Ohana column was introduced in April. Since then, readers have learned about everything from tiny microchip IDs to Oahu's low-cost Neuter Now program through the collaborative effort of the Humane Society staff and the Star-Bulletin's At Home section. We hope you find the columns interesting and informative and we welcome suggestions.
2. Cat bites dog. Certainly one of the most unusual stories happened in mid-July. Deena Frooman was walking with her dog to the Moiliili Star Market when they were attacked by five or six feral cats on Kaialiu Street. Both the woman and dog were scratched. Homeless cats normally shy away from human contact and the event was called "very unusual" by Linda Haller, director of shelter operations at the Hawaiian Humane Society. It was surmised that the cats felt cornered when suddenly confronted by the dog as they were feeding in a confined area.
3. Dangerous dog law passes. The City and County of Honolulu added a regulation about dangerous dogs to its ordinances on July 1. The law increases penalties for injuries to people or domestic animals, which is a petty misdemeanor. Dog owners can be fined from $50 to $2,000, imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. In addition, any person injured by a dog may bring a civil action against the dog's owner. As reported by the Star-Bulletin's Rosemarie Bernardo on June 15, Eve Holt, spokeswoman for the Hawaiian Humane Society, said, "Our hope is that pet owners will understand that it's all about training, care and behavior that could make a dog become aggressive."
4. Cockfighting pursued more vigorously. Cockfighting is illegal in most countries and in 47 states, including Hawaii. According to a July 27 Star-Bulletin editorial, the fines were "... a pittance compared with the stakes often involved in gambling associated with the barbaric activity." Introduced by City Councilman John Henry Felix, legislation that increases fines and makes it easier to prosecute was signed into law by Mayor Harris on Nov. 26. The Hawaiian Humane Society produced a media campaign to raise awareness that cockfighting is cruelty and that it is against the law. Honolulu police raided cockfights several times during 2001.
5. Maizie is lost, and then found. While in the care of a pet sitter, Maizie, a 4-year-old terrier was lost on June 28. Maizie's owner Virginia Rose was brokenhearted, then the Star-Bulletin ran a story and photo of the missing dog which helped the dog return home again, though it took almost a month. A family had found the dog and wanted to keep her, not knowing it is against the law. The Star-Bulletin article led to a tip that resulted in the dog's return home. Any lost or found pet should be reported to the Humane Society as soon as possible; call 946-2187, Ext. 285, 24 hours a day.
6. More off-leash dog parks. The City Council approved a bill on Aug. 1 authorizing the parks director to establish off-leash parks around Oahu. The Parks and Recreation Department hopes to establish no less than two parks in each of the island's four parks districts. Expected to open in 2002, the city's first off-leash dog park is planned for a section of Moanalua Community Park near Moanalua Gardens.
7. Chaminade cat colony dwindles. Thanks to cooperation between cat colony caretakers and Chaminade University staff, the population of feral cats at Chaminade is now down to about 40 adult cats. Eight years ago there were more than 150 cats roaming the campus. The feral cats have been trapped by caretakers, sterilized at the Humane Society at no charge, then released to the same colony where they are cared for and live without reproducing.
8. Justice for Leo. In San Jose on July 13, Andrew Douglas Burnett was convicted of hurling Leo, a bichon frise, to his death on a roadway. Cheers filled the standing-room-only courtroom as Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Kevin J. Murphy imposed the maximum term allowed under California law, three years in state prison, for the animal cruelty conviction. The June 2000 crime outraged animal lovers worldwide. "The crime in this case involved a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness," said Judge Murphy. "It's a case that needs to be dealt with harshly." Burnett was also ordered to serve three years' parole and pay $2,400 in restitution and fines.
9. Dogs and cats help after WTC attack. About 100 therapy dog teams from the Delta Society, Therapy Pet International, and the Good Dog Foundation traveled to New York to offer support to rescue workers and the families of victims after the disaster at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Even a few therapy cats were in attendance. These pets are trained to provide comfort, a kind touch, a sympathetic ear, and a moment of companionship to those traumatized by a horrific event. Sometimes animals are able to connect with people who have otherwise cut themselves off and won't respond do anyone else.
Also helping in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York City are teams of search and rescue dogs and their handlers. Using the dog's foremost sense, its nose, the search-and-rescue dog has the ability to sniff out human scent in all sorts of conditions. There is no modern technology that can come close to performing this type of detection. Equipped with not much more than booties to protect their feet, these dogs bravely search through broken glass and twisted metal debris, working as part of a team with their human handlers.
10. Murder and arson. At the beginning of this peaceful holiday season, the Kailua sky lit up as a deliberately set fire destroyed a barn and brutally killed two beloved horses at Maunawili Farm. "It's so sad to think that a person could or would do this to any living thing," said Dr. Rebecca Rhoades, owner of one of the horses who was killed. Rhoades is offering a reward and Honolulu Police Detective Robert Carvalho is investigating the crime. Anyone with information is asked to call him at 529-3873.
The Hawaiian Humane Society is at 2700 Waialae Ave. If you have lost or found a pet, call 946-2187, Ext. 280. The Web site is www.hawaiianhumane.org.
Click for online
calendars and events.
