Results tagged “animals”

       

The Bronx Zoo opened on November 8th, 1899 with 843 animals (there are now over 4,000). Upon its 110th birthday, the Daily News lists off 110 other things you should know about the place (leaving out the time they caged a Congolese pygmy for a "Human Exhibit").

A Long Island woman is suspected of torturing and killing as many as 20 cats and dogs — some of them belonging to her neighbors — before burying them behind her home. Animal control investigators unearthed the "gruesome pet cemetery" on Saturday behind 43-year-old Sharon McDonough's Suffolk County house after discovering five malnourished dogs kept in cramped cages inside the residence. According to WPIX, "McDonough frequently involved her children in the animal killings by asking them to hold pets down as she tortured them." Neighbors whose pets have gone missing showed up at McDonough's home hoping to identify their animals. "A couple of people have lost pets," neighbor Angelo Zotto, 70, told the Daily News. "They were up here today with pictures of their pets showing them to the SPCA, wondering if theirs had been found in the backyard."

Some residents of the Upper West Side are outraged that a new business called Pet Fashion, mostly selling overpriced leashes and whatnot, is selling dogs from a puppy mill. The store, on Columbus Avenue between West 87th and 88th streets, often puts attention-getting pups on display in the front window, but West Side Spirit reports that "these dogs come from puppy mills, and the store is not welcome in the neighborhood."

Who can't use a little cute animal "news" on a Monday? Prospect Park Zoo recently introduced "a trio of new yellow footed rock wallabies in the Australian Walkabout on Discovery Trail," and they sent us this photo of one of them with a pumpkin! Since the WCS loves giving its animals pumpkin treats around Halloween, even the snow leopard had some fun with one at Central Park Zoo recently:

The animals scored another point against the humans at JFK this past Sunday. Reportedly a mouse (eek!) was running rampant around a Delta aircraft waiting to depart for London. Upon being spotted, the captain refused to operate the flight, "fearing the rodent might gnaw through some critical wiring and put the entire aircraft at risk high over the Atlantic." And now we have a new reason to fear flying.

Animals sure are having a big news day; the latest word is that the city is getting some pressure put on it to construct full-service animal shelters that reach all five boroughs.

We've confronted many an animal on the JFK Airport tarmacs: geese, dogs, turtles. But the area is filled with other adorable beasts just waiting to cause delays. Right now, it's looking like the next enemy could be... the jackrabbit. The City Birder got the inside scoop on the unofficial zoo from Robert Horvath, who's in charge of keeping the runways clear.

Despite rumors of animal layoffs, the Bronx Zoo has actually added two new animals: the first hyenas they've housed in 30 years. CityRoom reports that the brother and sister were shipped from the Denver Zoo in May, and are now available for viewing. They note, "The hyenas are also part of a managed program. The 17-month-old twin cubs were born on March 3, 2008, in Denver to parents named Ngozi and Kibo. The female hyena’s name is Kubwa, Swahili for 'Big,' because her head is bigger than her brother’s. The male’s name is Kidogo, Swahili for 'Small.'" They are being housed next to the African wild dogs, who allegedly used to be confused for hyenas by visitors, even though the Zoo curator says hyenas are more closely related to cats. Yes, just think of them as 250 lb, 4-foot-tall cats.

Following a press conference PETA held yesterday at which time they released footage of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus employees beating animals, the feds have now said they will investigate the matter. The Daily News reports they will try to find out if the circus has violated the Animal Welfare Act. With crystal clear footage of trainers beating on animals, one even punching an elephant in the face, you would think this investigation would be a short one. In response to all the unwanted attention, a spokesman for the circus sent us along this canned comment packed full of denial:

It is no surprise that PETA would once again release misinformation about Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Ringling Bros. believes that the recent video produced and distributed by PETA is questionable in its context regarding the portrayal of the animal handlers at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Ringling Bros. is a fully licensed traveling exhibitor and from January through June of this year, the alleged time covered in the video, this particular Unit was found to be in compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

Continue reading "Feds Investigate, Ringling Releases Statement On Animal Abuse"

From the wires: A marine unit has reported seeing a pod of dolphins off the south end of City Island!! (Maybe they heard how much Remy Ma likes Sammy's?) About 150-200 dolphins were seen in the Long Island Sound yesterday; the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation told Newsday they were "acting normally"—and chasing herring—but reminded people to stay 150 feet (or more) away from them. Update: The marine unit says the dolphins appear to be "confused" in the Long Island Sound—poor dolphins!

Can your canine climb the corporate ladder? Tomorrow is the 10th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day, so get your pups prepared to push some papers (or to get fawned over all day by your co-workers). The event is in celebration of man's best friend, as well as an encouragement for the dog-less amongst us to adopt. While thousands of companies participate, including Disney, be sure to clear your canine cubicle mate with your boss beforehand! The Daily News talked to a Carroll Gardens resident who brings her dog into Johnson & Johnson from time to time—she told them, "It's very therapeutic to come over and pet him, and it's good for the dog. He's the office stress-reliever." If you brings yours to the workplace, be sure to send us a photo or tag your photo with "Gothamist" on Flickr... and remember to take the pup out for happy hour after the 9 to 5! Or at least give him a treat and some extra belly scratches.

The Bronx Zoo wasn't joking around when they released a video of a porcupine being fired following some major budget cutbacks. The NY Post is now reporting that "the institution is closing four exhibits and shipping hundreds of creatures to zoos and aquariums around the country," including deer, bats, lemurs, antelopes, foxes and, yes, porcupines. Human lay-offs are also on the way.

       

The Ringling Bros. brought their circus through Manhattan last night, as they headed to Madison Square Garden to set up shop through April 13th. While many were on hand to see the elephants walk through the city, others showed up in full force to protest the circus and their acts of cruelty towards the animals. If you're in the latter group, today you can attend "The Greatest Showdown on Earth: New York League of Humane Voters vs. Ringling Bros. Circus," which is an exciting name for a press conference being held outside of MSG at noon.

A New Yorker Talk of the Town piece investigates a fear that's been plaguing Upper West Side dogowners: Dognappers who prey upon beloved pooches (especially petite ones) in hopes of a payday. One dog owner explains, according to lore, "There's a two-man team, with one in a gray hoodie on a bicycle who comes by and slices the leash with a razor, then goes away with the dog. The other guy calls you up later on and says, 'Hey, I found your dog! What's it worth to you?'" While others have heard about this team and their dastardly M.O., even heeding advice like, "Don't leave your dog outside Starbucks. And don't use leashes that people can slice through," and keeping a careful eye out for bicyclists, the police at the 12th Precinct say there have been no dognapping reports in the past few weeks. A Brooklyn College poli-sci professor tries to explain the paranoia through the lens of the financial crisis, "A small dog creates a tremendous amount of emotional attachment, but at the same time it is a luxury item--and that's being taken away."

      

The Bronx Zoo animals have been frolicking in the city's first substantial snow. Here are some photos of the furry ones, including a few shots of the adorable snow leopards. (You're welcome.) In other Bronx Zoo news: José the beaver is back for the holidays, after a year-long hiatus; they say he's even "chomped down his own Christmas tree."

With all the excitement over the appointment of the First Puppy-Elect, the Post has two very adorable suggestions. Last week President-elect Obama acknowledged that the family was looking for a hypoallergenic dog, due to daughter Malia's allergy, but they would prefer to get a shelter dog. A dog at Port Washington's North Shore Animal League fits the bill: Gisepy, a "sweet and energetic...10-pound Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix." And the Animal Lovers League in Glen Cove suggests Kody, "a poodle mixed breed," who is "smart, playful and willing to please." Aw, and another hypoallergenic pup from the North Shore Animal League--Ruffo, a poodle featured on NBC Nightly News for its First Dog story--was recently adopted!

The 10th grade schoolteacher who was fired for calling his students "filthy animals who belonged in a f---ing zoo" has opened up to the Daily News. Last week Steven Clarke's lawsuit against against the Education Department was thrown out, with Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Shafer ruling that the principal at the Global Enterprise Academy was justified in terminating Clarke because "he had verbally abused students."

Happy Halloween! Warning: These videos of various animals at the Wildlife Conservation Society's facilities may be too distractingly cute.

Tenth grade teacher and proud Cornell alum Steven Clarke (not pictured) lost his lawsuit against the Education Department yesterday. Clarke had been fired from his teaching fellowship at the Global Enterprise Academy in the Bronx after he told another teacher, in the presence of students, that, "My parents did not sacrifice for me to go to Cornell so I could take care of a bunch of animals." He then went on to describe the 10th-graders as "filthy animals who belonged in a f- - -ing zoo." Called on the carpet by the school's principal, Clarke refused to apologize, explaining that he was not speaking to the students directly, and that he was merely responding to one student's instruction to "get the f- - - out of my face." Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Shafer ruled that Clarke's termination was permissible because "he had verbally abused students."

           

Day one of the CFA-Iams Cat Championship feature breed competitions, cats running through the feline agility course, and overall animal adorableness. As promised, this year's cat show had a bit of election year spirit thrown in, as spectators could vote for either a Republicat or a Democat.

      

Over the weekend, animals of all kinds headed to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for the annual animal blessing, which marked the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. Seems like there were a few familiar faces from last year (we're lookin' at you, camel), as well as some newbies. The Columbia Spectator was on hand, and reports that the room was filled with yelps and barks as Reverend James Kowalski delivered the sermon to the pack of unusual churchgoers--there was even a yak and a caribou reindeer!

A number of people who saw at least six dogs were left in a sweltering car--with the windows closed-- were so outraged that they, per WABC 7 Eyewitness News, "liberated the animals and then blasted their owner" on Saturday afternoon.

Human intruders aren't the only worry amongst New Yorkers--now wildlife is encroaching upon residences throughout the city, especially in Brooklyn. Many blogs have been reporting neighborhood sightings, and now the NY Times jumps in with a look at raccoons paying visits to human neighbors.

It's not uncommon to hear about animals being housed in New York apartments -- not just cats and dogs, but tigers and monkeys, oh my. The latest animal house can be found in a 50-story luxury condo complex on the East Side.

For those who want more time with a furry friend than a visit to a dog park can provide, and less of a commitment than a full-time pet would bring, enter: FlexPetz. The company rents out real dogs and opened in New York last October...and yesterday's NY Times article has proof that people are actually using it.

Ms. Stevenson explained why she was a customer: “I’m single and moved here from Scotland two years ago, and it’s been difficult to meet people because everyone in New York just kind of goes about their business. But when I’m walking around with Oliver, I seem to get into so many conversations about him. It becomes a nice way to meet people.”

Another heartbreaking tale of animal abandonment reached our inbox this weekend, but this one could have a happy ending. Here's the story:

While walking my dogs this afternoon I found a cat with magical green eyes, a cat that looks to be a housecat, who has lived her entire life safe and cared for, suddenly now abandoned on the New York winter streets in her cat carrier with the door open left to die.

Continue reading "Abandoned Cat Needs Home"

Georgia, the runaway subway cat rescued by a Con Ed meter reader and two determined MTA track workers, is resting up not just from her 25 days in the subway tunnels, but from surgery yesterday to repair a fractured leg. The doctors at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists waited until yesterday to perform the surgery because Georgia was dehydrated at the time of her rescue and they wanted her stabilized before they performed the procedure.

A video showing Mets star pitcher Pedro Martinez at a cockfight in the Dominican Republican briefly surfaced online, outraging some people. Cockfighting is a popular - and legal - sport in the Dominican Republic, but it's illegal in almost all of the United States.

To be a young harbor seal taking some time from swimming to sun! A young seal was seen hanging out at the 79th Street Boast Basin yesterday morning the Parks Department.

Our heart melted when we read how this adorable kitten made its way to the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition:

BARC Shelter's kennel manager, Jose, made an unusual rescue last Saturday afternoon. A man named Richard thinks he has a kitten under the hood of his Chevy Tahoe. He's driving and has his dog Duff in the car with him. Duff doesn't like other dogs and really doesn't like cats. Richard decides to drive to the shelter. No, not the safest solution, but the kitten we call Chevette is safe and sound if a little greasy. She also needs a home and prefers public transportation, in a cat carrier please!