Walk Fido

Fido Findings

News from the dogosphere:

• The protests for Congo, a 2 1/2 year old German shepherd who was sentenced to death for mauling a gardener, are getting heated. Many supporters of the German shepherd hold that it is the gardener's fault, not the dog's. The gardener confronted the dog with a rake, then ran to the dog's owner and pulled her to the ground in fear...something that would provoke many dogs to believe their owner is in danger and protect them accordingly. While Congo has escaped euthanasia for the moment, the judge in the case is receiving death threats.
• Bad Rap describes a pit bull comment we hear every day when we walk our own and it frustrates us to no end.  After getting angry about it, they've decided to make a kids and pit bulls calendar.
• Michael Vick surrenders in dog fighting case...it's about time.
• Fresh from the L.A. Auto show, dogcars.com highlights the latest cars that have dogs very much in mind and in design.
• Pet Connection offers a look back at the nightmare year of pet food recalls, and offers the final results of a study on what actually went so wrong.
• The Bark highlights a very disconcerting "lemon law" for dogs that are deemed not up to snuff by their new owners. Why oh why oh why isn't there a lemon law for dogs so they can complain to the appropriate authorities and return their owners for better ones?

A Change in FDA Policies on Food Safety

While we are still mortified when we think of the recent recall of so many dog & cat foods our heads are still spinning, we're pleased to learn that something is being done.

"Under separate safety plans detailed by the Bush administration Tuesday, safety certification would be required for imported foods at risk. Foreign makers of toys and other common consumer products, too, could seek voluntary certification that they meet U.S. product safety standards in exchange for expedited entry into this country.

The plans are designed to toughen the way the government polices the $2 trillion worth of imports that arrive on U.S. shores each year from 150 countries - an import total that is growing.

The plans were developed in response to a spate of recalls over the last year involving not only contaminated fish and toys decorated with lead paint, but also toxic toothpaste, chemically spiked pet food ingredients, leaden novelty jewelry, defective tires and other goods."

We'd argue that such laws should have been in place....what...years ago, but we'll have to settle for better now than never.

Breed Specific Legislation & Rottweilers

The December 2007 issue of  Dog World has a great feature on Rottweilers.  One particular passage caught our attention:

"Like racial profiling for dogs, breed discrimination and breed profiling have had a profound and deeply negative impact, and unfortunately, it is the dogs that ultimately pay the price.

Joan Klem says, 'Breed-specific legislation is the greatest challenge to the breed today. This leads to breed-specific insurance.' Moreover, she adds, BSL is unconstitutional. She predicts that this will come to a test in the courts."

Indeed. We can't say it enough - breed-specific legislation is not the answer. We're pleased to see Rotties getting some fair coverage in the media...even if it is dog media.  It has to start somewhere!

Some Rottie fun-facts:

• They're from Rottweil, Germany (hence, the name!)
• Their job was to guard cattle & other dogs
• They're in the working dog family (lots of exercise!)
• They're very intelligent, strong and courageous

Mandatory Spay/Neuter Law

The pros and cons of the mandatory spay/neuter law (AB 1634) are being debated all over town.  Most animal advocates believe that a mandatory spay/netuer law is needed, that by reducing the number of animals born, we can reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters and must eventually be put down.  The controversy over the bill lies in how such a bill would be enforced.

Different viewpoints from key animal advocates on the issue:

• Ed Bok of LA Animal Services makes the case for mandatory spay/neuter
• Walter Moore, LA mayoral candidate weighs in
• Best Friends Network wonders if such laws that target everyone will really reduce shelter intake and euthanasia rates
• Save Our Dogs examines some of the health effects of spay/neuter and key guidelines on when it is best to spay/neuter, including age guidelines
• KC Dog Blog outlines the case against mandatory spay/neuter

What do you think?