Man hospitalized after trying to save family Rottweiler from house fire

Whitehall, PA - Last night,  Peter DiStefano ran into his burning home in an attempt to save his dog, a 90 pound Rottweiler named Diamond.

When firefighters arrived, they discovered DiStefano on his front porch - his arms splayed out beside the body of Diamond.

DiStefano, who was not breathing when first responders arrived, was taken to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The dog he valiantly tried to save did not survive.

Click Here for Full Article

Paralysed Rottweiler learns to walk again after swimming lessons

A paralysed rottweiler has made an amazing recovery – thanks to swimming lessons.

Bear, a six-year-old Rottweiler, was left unable to walk after falling down the stairs last November.

Owner Katherine Lanson, 49, was warned his injuries were so severe he might have to be put to sleep. But Katherine, from Chorlton, refused to give up and another vet diagnosed compression of the spinal cord.

She discovered hydrotherapy could help and took Bear for weekly swimming sessions at hydrotherapy pool for dogs at boarding kennels Mypetstop in Denton.

Now, almost a year on, he is able to walk again.

Full Article Here - menmedia.co.uk October 21, 2011

Pet Serial Killer Could Target Humans Next, Texas Police Fear

The victim count is at three for an unknown killer in Texas who has been targeting pets belonging to a Houston family. The three slayings, a Collie, a Rottweiler and a Horse, unfolded over the past week and a half in separate incidents -- and as the killings escalate, police worry the perpetrator may target humans next.

Full Article - October 15, 2011

Female Rottweiler found dead in kitchen after tortured to death

A police officer has told a court of the revolting smell in a house where he found a dead dog in a pool of blood on the kitchen counter and feces were strewn over the floor of the home and the Rottweiler was lying on the bench under some clothing.

Dusko Culibrk, 26, is accused of torturing the dog to death in May last year and abusing two other dogs who were found at the home he shared with his parents.

The dog's muzzle was bleeding and had scars and ligature marks as though it had been tied shut.

Culibrk was arrested several hours later and the animals were removed by rangers.

The man's parents maintained they were the dogs' owners and had repeatedly approached the RSPCA to reclaim the two living dogs.

It was noted the sister had called triple-0 and said her brother killed the dog.

But Culibrk told the court his sister had been overseas and could not have made the call.

The case continues today.

Complete article here. September 27, 2011

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/dead-dog-found-in-kitchen-court-told/2304813.aspx

New Jersey Man indicted in Killing of Police Dog

New Jersey - A Camden County grand jury returned an indictment against the Skyler Robinson, 21, of Washington Township, accused of hurling Shultz ( a 3 1/2-year-old German shepherd) ", a police dog onto a highway last year after allegedly robbing a Chinese takeout shop and then killing the dog during the subsequent police chase.

In May the state Legislature passed "Schultz's Law," which increased the punishment for killing a police dog to a mandatory five-year prison sentence without chance of parole, up from a three-to-five-year term.

Evan Scotese, 20, of Washington Township, also was indicted.

The eight-count indictment against the two men includes three counts of robbery and single counts of conspiracy and aggravated assault - one of the cooks was punched during the robbery.

Robinson also faces counts of killing a law enforcement animal and resisting arrest.

Full Article - philly.com Posted on Wed, Jun. 22, 2011

PA - Puppy lemon law may get new teeth - April 14, 2011

Puppy lemon law may get new teeth. The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee voted to send a bill (SB27) strengthening the state's 14-year-old puppy lemon law to the Senate floor. The bill, which failed to get a vote last session, comes in response to ongoing complaints about consumers buying sick dogs from breeders and pet stores. Sen. Stewart Greenleaf’s bill would strengthen the law in a number of ways in order to better help consumers recover losses from a seller of a sick dog.

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee voted to send a bill (SB27) strengthening the state's 14-year-old puppy lemon law to the Senate floor. The bill, which failed to get a vote last session, comes in response to ongoing complaints about consumers buying sick dogs from breeders and pet stores. Sen. Stewart Greenleaf’s bill would strengthen the law in a number of ways in order to better help consumers recover losses from a seller of a sick dog.

Here's what it does: Extends a consumer’s right to seek reimbursement under the Puppy Lemon Law for incurable as well as curable illnesses. Medical conditions such as hip dysplasia would now be covered.

Extend from 30 to 90 days the time period in which a congenital condition may be certified by a vet in order to recover any losses from a seller. Also, the time period for a veterinarian to certify an illness is extended from 10 to 14 days.

The definition of “unfit for purchase” currently means any disease, deformity, injury, physical condition, illness or any defect which is congenital or hereditary and which “severely affects” the health of the animal. The bill replaces “severely affects” with “a significant adverse effect on” the health of the animal. Greenleaf (R., Montgomery) says by ensuring the health of dogs that are sold in Pennsylvania the bill will help crack down on puppy mills.

Source: Philly Dawg April 14, 2011

American Veterinary Medical Association Launches MyVeterinarian.com, an Online Search Tool for Pet Owners

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pet owners searching for a veterinarian need look no further than the American Veterinary Medical Association's MyVeterinarian.com.

Only a mouse click away, MyVeterinarian.com provides pet owners with detailed information about veterinary practices from around the country. Whether they're welcoming a new pet to the home, are moving into a new home themselves or are looking for a veterinarian while out of town, pet owners can rely on MyVeterinarian.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

"What makes MyVeterinarian.com superior to other online veterinary search tools is the amount of information we provide about each practice on our site," said Dr. Larry Kornegay, AVMA president and a companion-animal practitioner from Houston, Texas. "There aren't any other sites that give you as much information in one place."

Visitors to MyVeterinarian.com simply type in a zip code if they're looking for a veterinarian in a geographic area. The list that's provided contains everything a pet owner needs to know: The clinic's name, address, phone number and business hours; the medical services provided; the species of animals served; and the names of the veterinarians on staff. Practices can also list their website address, and a map is available to show the clinic's location.

Pet owners can also search the site for specific health and pet-care related topics, such as what clinics might offer dermatologic or behavior services, for example, or where boarding and training is available. A link on the site to the AVMA's Animal Health page provides access to valuable information related to general pet care, emergency and first aid resources, and many other pet-related topics. Access to all of the information on MyVeterinarian.com is free.

"Thousands of practices are listed on MyVeterinarian.com, and we're adding more every day," Dr. Kornegay said. "Pet owners who visit our site can be assured that they are getting information from a trusted source that represents more than 81,500 veterinarians across the country."

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. The AVMA is celebrating Vet2011, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the first veterinary school in Lyon, France.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association

RELATED LINKS
http://www.avma.org
http://www.myveterinarian.com/avma/vclPublic