Firefighters called to rescue a dog stuck up a tree
It’s not very often that you come across an article that makes you laugh out loud. We at Ragazzi News love the spirit and determination of all dog breeds but the idea of a small poodle running up a tree in pursuit of some vermin and then somehow ending up perched on a branch waiting for the firefighters to rescue him with a ladder must have put a smile on a few cats and their owners too.(full article)
Cash needed to help New York Shelters provide basic needs to the animals in their care
It’s serious business when we are talking about our nation’s animal shelters having their budgets slashed thanks to fiscal issues that are effecting just about every state in the union. Today’s story was taken from the Daily News and a Press Release by the AC&C itself. Because they are a legitimate “… 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, AC&C’s primary source of funding is the City of New York. Ragazzi News is sad to report that their support has been ‘drastically cut’ therefore they are reaching out to New Yorkers and asking for donations of any amount. Every dollar helps and provides food, shelter and a longer chance for each pet to find a home.(full article)
Deborah Ross compares her cats and dogs as pets
This is a funny bit out of the UK written by Deborah Ross who muses on the dual ownership of her pet dogs and cats. We at Ragazzi News love all animals and in no way are we trying to validate her remarks. Instead we are sharing her humor in hopes of brightening your Sunday morning!(full article)
Man loses license for 6 months in UK
A 23 year old man driving 5 miles an hour walked his dog by holding the leash out the car window. Police were alerted by a passing bicyclist and pulled the man over and told him to put his dog in the backseat of his car. After giving it some thought police returned five days later to arrest the man who pleaded guilty and suspended his license for 6 months. The driver said that he “accepts it was a silly thing to do and there was an element of laziness (to it). He does not usually drive in a such a manner.”(full article)
Pet CPR can mean the difference between life and death
What Ragazzi life member would not seize at the opportunity to give the “kiss of life” to their beloved pet and bring them back from the brink of demise? A special class is being taught in a few cities in Canada and the U.S. that teachs pet CPR. Some “committed pet owners” may want to go as far as taking a full day course where they cover ‘other pet first-aid instruction on treating bleeding, choking and broken bones.’ And the most compelling part of all? ‘According to the American Animal Hospital Association, 25 per cent of pets that end up in emergency veterinary clinics could have been saved if their owners knew and applied just one first-aid technique.’ (full article)
Many animals have been honored over the years
A British bomb sniffing labrador retriever who helped save lives in Afghanistan was awarded a Dickin medal last week at London’s Imperial War Museum. Ragazzi News is happy to report that many countries around the world honor animals and their heroic acts. We were surprised to learn that letter carrying pigeons were among the past recipients for their service during World War Two. The most famous U.S. winner was a ‘World War I mutt named Sgt. Stubby, served in 17 battles, was wounded in a grenade attack and survived several gassings. Between locating wounded Allied soldiers in the trenches, he even managed to help nab a German spy.’(full article)
Taking the lead: The proposals are among a range of measures to overhaul dog laws
News from the UK is that they are considering new regulations for dog owners thanks to an increase of dog bites. ‘At the moment, dogs which attack people on private property where they are allowed to be – are exempt from the law, despite the complaints from injured postmen.’
Ragazzi News learned yesterday that the UK wants a competence test taken before someone can own a dog and they also want every dog microchipped for identification purposes. Insurance for every dog owner may also be required. Opponents say the new rules along with a possible tax on law abiding citizens is wrong. An RSPCA spokesman said …”the danger is that sensible owners will be out of pocket while irresponsible dog owners will ignore any new rules unless the policing of them is rigorous.” He said, “while the RSPCA encouraged the use of microchips, the system relied on owners keeping the information up to date.”(full article)
Virginia couple’s German shepherd found in Florida
Pamela Holt was shocked to learn that the dog she had adopted as a gift for her husband was found alive and well 3 months after it went missing and that he was over 600 miles away. The 18 month old German Shepherd had a microchip embedded so he was easily united with his family. They were still grieving their pet Deacon’s loss when they received a call from Second Chance Kennel, “He asked me if my dog was missing and I told him that he is missing but that I am pretty sure he was dead,” Holt said.
“He said, ‘No he is not dead. I am looking at him.’ ”
Ragazzi Life News appreciates that the nonprofit group We Help Animals of DeLand, Florida and the West Volusia Humane Society helped this couple reunite with their dog by paying for the pet friendly hotel the couple overnighted in and more.(full article)
A 250-pound blue Great Dane from Arizona gives new meaning to the term “big dog.”
Ragazzi News brings you the latest update from Guinness World of Records which now officially names George, a Great Dane from Tucson who stands at 3 feet, 7 inches “the world’s tallest dog.” The previous winner was also a Great Dane.(full article)
Small dogs may have evolved from the Middle Eastern grey wolf
Ragazzi News brings you a study by The University of California, Los Angeles and recently published in the Journal of BioMed that reveals that small dogs all carry the gene IGF1 which originated from packs of small wolves in the middle east. ‘The team of researchers took samples from grey wolf populations around the world’ and found the Middle Eastern grey wolf is the most likely candidate. ‘The scientists believe people may have preferred smaller dogs because they were easier to house in farming societies where space was at a premium.’(full article)
