Results tagged “dogs”

About 50 dogs rescued from puppy mills in Utah and overcrowded shelters in Missouri arrived in Long Island on Friday, where they will be put up for adoption before the holidays. The pooches, which were saved from filth, abuse, and the risk of euthanasia in September, enjoyed a special Thanksgiving meal of "canned turkey with potatoes and carrots; duck and sweet potato dinners, and bagged pheasant" at their layover in Chicago before flying to New York.

The Long Island woman suspected of forcing her children to help kill 20 dogs and bury them in her backyard lost custody of her kids yesterday. A family court judge ordered that Sharon McDonough's children be turned over to foster care or to the suspect's 21-year-old son, Douglas McDonough, who first alerted the anti-animal-abuse TV show "Rescue Ink" of the "concentration camp" for animals.

                            

While the humans get the big Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village on October 31, canines have a series of Halloween Parades to participate in. This past weekend, there dogs were decked out in elaborate costumes in both Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side and Tompkins Square Park in the East Village. Take a look at these awesome costumes—our favorite is the Hulk Dog, if only because she endured getting dyed green! Update: We learned that Hulk Dog is an Olde English Bulldogge named Fanny—she got 2nd place for her costume.

First off, there is an Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists. Last week this group had a trade group gathering in Nashville, and CityRoom reports that "while much of the talk at the seventh annual Pooper Scooper Convention, as usual, centered on business, it also featured the yearly tribute" to the death of the pooper scooper. That's right, the instrument in which the law is named after is nearly extinct.

                     

As we mentioned last week, the first annual Meet the Breed event—featuring 160 purebred breeds of dogs and 41 purebred breeds of cats—was held at the Javits Center. And people weren't able to walk a foot without in any direction without saying, "Awwww." Enjoy these photographs by Katie Sokoler.

                     

This weekend, the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers' Association are joining forces at the Jacob Javits Center this weekend to allow the public to Meet the Breeds. There will be 160 purebred breeds of dogs and 41 purebred breeds of cats on the scene—"each in its own designated booth, decorated to reflect the heritage of the breed, its characteristics and unique attributes as a pet." We went to the press preview yesterday and got to meet some of the animals—they seem pretty excited about this weekend!

The dog owners of the outer boroughs have oddly always seemed to have less outdoor space for their canines than those in Manhattan; or maybe they just speak up about it more. Either way, the Brooklyn Paper reports that dog owners of the South Slope "have commandeered a small park near the Prospect Expressway for a dog run" and are now angling to make it official.

The folks who put on this weekend's Pup Crawl, which we mentioned in our newsletter last week, sent us some photos we just couldn't resist posting! (If you have glow-in-the-dark leash envy, you can pick up your own here.) They also tell us that through their event, which brought dogs and their owners across Brooklyn Bridge—taking it over from cyclists and pet-free pedestrians, they "raised more than $3,000 for local animal shelters."

Since the New York City Housing Authority implemented a ban on pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers in public housing projects last April, at least 113 pets have been turned over to centers run by Animal Care and Control, and 49 have been euthanized. Tenants and animal welfare groups are outraged about the ban, which also prohibits any dog expected to weigh more than 25 pounds when grown.

Somehow a simple "dog bites dog" headline has garnered nearly a week of news coverage. Actor Gerard Butler (or his "people" as it were) is refusing to give up any vet records (including a bill) or photos showing his pug Lolita was bit by a Queens couple's greyhound, called Mayfly. The couple says Butler threw their dog against a fence during the incident, and told them it should be "put down." WABC talked to Fred Varecka (Mayfly's owner), and he told them, "[Butler]'s in damage control mode right now to try and protect his image." A few more new details: there were two greyhounds, and Varecka says one of them, "lunged at the pug and barked but my wife had good control of the dogs." When they asked him to leash his pug, Butler walked away and they followed him, and that's when Butler hulked out; "In a matter of seconds he slapped the dogs face, dog went flying up against the fence."

Is Queens screwing the pooch when it comes to giving dogs access to parks? Last year residents were begging for a dog run at Yellowstone Blvd, and now Long Island City dog owners are being told their pups are banned from Gantry Plaza State Park, which has long allowed them.

It's super cute and super freaky at the same time: Retired Canadian police officer James Symington received five puppies cloned from his beloved German Shepherd, Trakr, who died two months ago. Last year, Symington, who now lives in Los Angeles, won a contest from BioArts International which asked for essays on the "most cloneworthy" dog. Symington wrote about how he and Trakr drove to NYC after the September 11, 2001 attacks; the Daily News reported, "Braving horrific conditions, the pair helped locate the last human survivor of 9/11 under some 30 feet of unstable debris."

The Post has an exclusive about "Brooklyn's canine vigilante"—a man who documents dog owners who illegally let their pooches go leash-free in Prospect Park as well as other parks. Bird watcher Orrin Tilevitz has a website—Committee for Responsible Dog Ownership—that apparently has photos and videos of dogs going free in areas that are not designated as leash-free. One example shows pups off leash at 1 p.m. (off-leash hours are before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m.), plus "After one of the dogs stole food from a baby and smeared our correspondent's friend with his wet, muddy paws, the owner and another dog owner continued into the Ravine with their dogs unleashed, right past a sign that prohibits off-leash dogs in the Ravine." Tilevitz tells the Post he was once attacked by a dog so now he's armed with pepper spray (some other birders also pack pepper spray), "I have become militant, and that itself is the Parks Department's fault" for not enforcing the off-leash rules. Dog owners simply say that their dogs need freedom, but one admitted undercover parks officers busted him and other people for having their unleashed dogs earlier this month.

The word that rhymes with rich has made its way into the trial of Brooke Astor's son. Anthony Marshall, the legendary philanthropist's only son, is accused of forging his mother's signature on a 2004 codicil to her will, giving him outright control of $60 million, an amount Astor had earlier intended for charities. Prosecutors continued to argue that Astor, who died in 2007 at age 105, would never have done that if she were of sound mind, given her distaste for Marshall's third wife, Charlene, who left her minister husband for Marshall. Astor's ear doctor Kevin O'Flaherty testified today, recalling a conversation he had with Astor in 2000, "She was speaking about the (seating) arrangements for dinner...[She said] Mr. Marshall and his wife were going to be there because he liked socializing with her friends. She mentioned she'd rather have Boysie and Girlsie, her dogs, there than her son and that b-i-t-c-h." O'Flaherty, apparently too much of gentleman to say the word, confirmed that Astor actually uttered it. He also said that Astor's mental facilities were "failing" in 2004; prosecutors contend Astor's decline began in 1995.

Wherever Leona Helmsley is now, we imagine she's throwing a fit. Even though the late, famously mean hotelier's will had a two-page mission statement outlining that her $5-8 billion estate go to the care and welfare of dogs, a judge ruled in February that the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Trust could give the money to other non-canine charities. The first round of donations, totaling $136 million, was announced today: $115 million to medical research (including $40 million to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for a digestive diseases center, $25-million to Mount Sinai Medical Center a electrophysiology center, and $10-million to Mount Sinai School of Medicine an inflammatory bowel disease center) while "just" $1 million went to ten animal-related charities (the ASPCA got $100,000). The trust said, "Throughout their lives, the Helmsleys were committed to helping others, through the innovations of medical research, responding to those in need during critical times and in other areas. We now have the privilege of continuing their good works by providing support where it will make a difference."

An Upper East Side man's irksome pets have the neighbors above his backyard asking a question most people hoped to never cross their minds again: "Who let the dogs out?" Today's Post looks into a clash between irritated neighbors and the owner of four dogs (a Jack Russell and three Pomeranians) who claims to be the most penalized pet owner under the city's relatively new noise laws. Rob Ryder has been fined three times over the last thirteen months when nearby residents called 311 for the barking dogs they claim Ryder lets out at 7 a.m., if not earlier. A neighbor above his East 72nd Street brownstone says, "In the spring and the summer, there are people who stick their heads out the window screaming at them, 'Shut your dogs up!' You're never free of these yapping dogs." Since loud pets became a punishable violation in the summer of 2007, 13,557 dog-noise complaints have been lodged through 311. Ryder fired back at those aggravated, "Give me a break! Everybody in this city owns dogs. This is Manhattan. Move to Minnesota if you want quietness."

DJ Honda is known for giving famous rappers a mean scratch, but apparently his pitbulls have a reputation of possessing a nasty bite. The Japanese turntablist and Lower East Side resident is accused of letting one of his unleashed pit bulls eat the face off of a fluffy Yorkshire terrier named Bebe—an injury that required $4,000 in surgery to repair. Bebe's owner, Christine Chin, a celebrity facialist whose clients include Kate Moss and Penelope Cruz, told the Post, "I feel so bullied and so helpless. I said to my husband, 'Should we get a gun now?'" Neighbors of Honda's say that this wasn't an isolated incident, one couple recounting one of the DJ's three pitbulls biting their dog on the neck as he trailed "in pajama trousers with no shirt on." Honda's dog walker denies that the pooches are violent and gives her own account of the Bebe skirmish claiming, "(Bebe's owner) said, 'Is it OK if Bebe says hello to the dogs?' One of my babies said hello and then Bebe snapped and started growling. Then my baby bit her. If Bebe didn't start growling, my dog wouldn't have bit her."

As many families celebrate religious holidays together today, The New York Post has a unique tale of family melodrama as one of their featured stories. Much to the Post commenters' sadistic delight, pets columnist Julia Szabo shares her story of continuing to live with her ex-husband in a 2BR railroad flat for years on account of their six dogs. The couple even continued sleeping in the same bed because as she puts it, "Our dogs are very good in bed, and there were so many of them curled up between us, around our heads and feet (and sometimes on top of one or both of us), that neither he nor I noticed the other's existence." Eventually the animosity between Szabo and her ex grew so great that the two do decide to part, but not before the columnist struggles over what will happen to the dogs. She then brings in an animal psychic to speak to the favorite of her dogs, Angus. Szabo writes, "Angus told me, wordlessly but loud and clear, that although he loves my ex and me equally, protecting John is his duty."

It's almost exactly one year since we first noted the use of dogs to detect bed bugs; today the Times takes a closer look at the growing cottage industry, highlighting the four-month old company Bedbug Finders. The owners use two dogs, Ruby and Pasha; Ruby is a beagle and Pasha is a basenji and "maybe part terrier," according to co-owner Donald Frey. Because of the city's worsening bedbug epidemic—which a City Council committee met to discuss this week—Ruby and Pasha have been very busy sniffing out bed bugs in hotels, apartment houses and schools, where they found the bloodsuckers in gym bags and in children’s books. Co-owner Michael Morin says the epidemic affects all walks of life, and clients have included buildings occupied by famous TV "personalities," and "a big, big university on the West Side—I think you can put two and two together." To keep the dogs sharp, Morin trains them by hiding vials with live bedbugs in them throughout his house. He tells the Times, "My wife doesn’t like it."

       

Yesterday was the first day of the Westminster Kennel Club's 133rd Annual Dog Show (yes, there was some protest). The terrier, hound, non-sporting and herding groups were seen: The top terrier was a Scottish terrier named Ch Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, top hound was a Scottish deerhound named Ch Gayleward's Tiger Woods, the top non-sporting dog was a standard poodle named Ch Randenn Tristar Affirmation and the top herding dog was a puli named Ch Cordmaker Field Of Dreams (videos here).

      

Today is the first day of the Westminster Kennel Club's 2009 Dog Show. Over 2,500 dogs in 170 breeds will compete for best of breed, best of group, and yes, best in show over today and tomorrow (best in show judging is tomorrow). Last year's winner was crowd-pleaser Uno, a very adorable beagle.

Yesterday, temperatures dropped to 5 degrees, prompting the Post to proclaim, "New York City is in a Siberian freeze," and break out the Atlas, noting that the temperature was "icier than those recorded in typically frozen cities such as Anchorage, Moscow and even the Siberian town of Irkutsk." WCBS 880 has tips for various issues that can come up during the cold weather, from hypothermia to cracked lips. The Office of Emergency Management has tips for staying warm inside and out (wear layers; get back inside soon!)—and don't forget about keeping your your four-legged friends warm. Consider rubber-soled booties to protect your dogs' paws from the cold and chemicals used to melt ice as well as getting a sweater or jacket for them.

                     

Yesterday afternoon, dog-owners and dog-lovers gathered in Fort Greene Park for the 10th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest. Over 50 dogs entered the competition (yes, each pup got to walk around to show off their costumes), those gathered got to "ooh" and "aww" over the cute canines.

    

Today was the sort of day rain dates were made for. After getting washed out yesterday, Tompkins Square Park had plenty of autumn sunshine for what is claimed to be the country's largest dog costume parade. Thousands of dollars in prizes including six iPods were given away to the owners of the winning dogs.

One Queens couple was busted by the ASPCA yesterday when it was discovered they were housing 33 poodles. The NY Post reports on the world's cutest infestation (with a photo gallery!), saying animal rescuers were called to the elderly owner's home and noted that the dog's conditions were "deteriorating quickly." One rescuer told the paper: "I can't even describe what it was like in there. This was 33 dogs in one home, they weren't going outside and they weren't being walked." The couple isn't facing criminal charges, and one poodle going back to the owners as a pet. The rest of the dogs are now "being groomed and given care at the center before being put up for adoption."

The best part of Halloween is unequivocally being able to dress your pets up in costumes without being dubbed "crazy." This weekend some totally normal humans will be showing off their costumed canines in Brooklyn's Fort Greene Park at the 10th annual Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest. Get there at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday if you want to register your pup, and shortly after if you want to be a spectator. Wonder how many John McCanine and Bark Obama outfits there will be!

Brooklyn dog owners have been at a loss about where to bring their furry friends in the borough, and some new signs reminding them they're not welcome in Prospect Park have locals in an uproar. The Brooklyn Paper reports that the new signs, which states "Dogs are permitted only on the paths around the ballfields," have locals thinking "park officials are arbitrarily enforcing regulations and unfairly targeting their four-legged friends." If your pup is found outside of the designated perimeters, or without a leash, it's a $100 fine. One park-goer says it's frustrating that the park cops "strictly enforce dog rules, but they turn a blind eye to everything else that takes place in the park” -- and ticketing is expected to go up now that the signs are in place. Meanwhile, those raccoons are just walking around like they own the place.

At least one dog flown into Newark Airport from Iraq as part of a stray dog rescue mission was found to have rabies and may have affected other animals, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced yesterday. 24 Dogs and 2 cats were on the flight, organized by Operation Baghdad Pups, a SPCA group that has brought hundreds of stray dogs over from Iraq to new homes in America.

Of course: An organic frozen yogurt called Yöghund, made specifically for dogs with discerning palates, has been tapping into the city's seemingly inexhaustible market of crazy pet owners. Kennel owner Jody Rogers started the company two years ago because she "wanted to come up with a product that would help with relieving stress." Don't laugh; today's dogs face more pressure than ever to stay competitive with all these adorable cats. A Yöghund spokesman in this commercial says that "dogs get into this zone where once they start licking it, they generally don't stop until it's all done." Of course, dogs will also slurp up their own vomit until it's all done. And when it comes to frozen yogurt, the Post finds that four out of five dogs prefer the same thing humans want: Haagen-Dazs.