Dog kills four-year-old boy in Liverpool : Monday 30th Nov 2009

A four-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a dog in Liverpool

A dog killed a four-year-old boy today (Mon 30th Nov). It also hurt a 63-year-old woman who tried to stop the attack, police said. Police were called to a house at Wavertree (Liverpool) in the early hours and found the dog in the front garden of the house in an "agitated state." The child suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene, while the woman was taken to hospital.
"This is a tragic incident and a full and thorough investigation will be carried out into the circumstances surrounding this young boy's death," Chief Superintendent Steve Ashley said in a statement.

The dog was destroyed.
A neighbour, who heard what she thinks was the dog being shot, said dangerous dogs are a problem in the area.
Gillian Watson, 46, said: "I heard a gunshot at about 2am this morning and I presume that was when they put the dog down.
"It's such a terrible thing to happen to a family."
"There are lots of dangerous types of dog around here. You always see young lads with pit bull dogs roaming around."
"I have a dog myself and when I take him for a walk sometimes it's quite terrifying because you think your dog is going to be attacked."

A number of residents have complained to the local housing association about the problem of dogs, according to another neighbour who did not want to be named.
"About 12 months ago one of them tore a pet cat to pieces in the middle of the street," he said.
"You see them all the time, they're huge animals and it is very threatening."

Police are now trying to identify the type of dog involved and have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boy's death.

The 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act prohibits the possession of certain types of dogs that are bred for fighting.
Nearly 200 illegal dogs were seized or handed over to police in the Liverpool area in the months after a pit-bull terrier killed a 5-year-old girl near the city in 2007.

29th Nov 2009 : Dogs diagnosed with swine flu in China

Dogs diagnosed with swine flu in China: report (AFP via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)

Two dogs in Beijing have tested positive for swine flu in the second case of animals catching the disease in China along with pigs in the northeast, Chinese media said Sunday.

The A(H1N1) virus detected in the dogs was 99 percent identical to the one circulating in humans, the state-run Beijing Times reported, quoting China's agriculture ministry.
The news comes 10 days after four pigs in China's Heilongjiang province were diagnosed with the virus, which specialists said might have been caught from humans, the report said.
Countries including the United States, Canada and Chile have already reported cases of animals being infected with the A(H1N1) virus.
A cat in the US state of Iowa was diagnosed with swine flu at the beginning of the month in the first known case in the world of the new pandemic strain spreading to the feline population.
The World Health Organisation has called for closer monitoring of farm workers and animals for influenza A viruses following the reported cases.
Citing an official at the Beijing municipal agriculture bureau, the report said the dogs probably contracted the virus from human sufferers who were in close contact with the canines.
"Dogs can infect nearby dogs after they catch A(H1N1) flu," the unidentified official was quoted as saying.
The agriculture ministry and the Beijing agriculture bureau were not immediately available for comment.

Paul O'Grady's pet dog Buster dies

Buster, the dog belonging to TV host Paul O'Grady, has died.

Buster, a regular on Paul O'Grady's Channel 4 show, could be seen perching on Paul's desk throughout the programme.
He was 14 years old and had been ill with cancer. Sadly, he was put to sleep yesterday.
A friend of the chat show host said: "Paul is absolutely devastated. It all happened suddenly. Buster had been suffering and in a lot of pain. Putting him down was the kind thing to do."
Buster was retired from the show last week. Paul is expected to pay tribute to his pet on next Monday's programme.
A message on Twitter said late last night: "Hate to tell you this folks but Buster died tonight. A magnificent little dog who had one hell of a life. I'm beside myself. x"

Buster was taken in by Paul after he found the dog abandoned on a motorway.
The Shih Tzu / Bichon Frise cross became a huge hit with fans of the chat show.
Two of his other dogs, Olga and Bullseye, now feature regularly instead.

Buster was obviously a much-loved pet dog.
We would like to express our deepest sympathy for Paul's loss.

One stray dog impounded every hour

One stray dog impounded every hour

PRESS ASSOCIATION Wednesday, November 18 07:39 am

A stray dog is impounded by local councils every hour in Northern Ireland. Skip related content
Last year alone 3,192 animals were put to sleep - more than Wales and Scotland combined, Ian Paisley Jnr said.

Puppy breeders told a meeting of the agriculture committee of MLAs at Stormont a registration scheme was needed to make it easier to trace dogs.

Mr Paisley said: "One stray every hour a year are pretty appalling figures for a community which claims to love its pets."

Aside from the welfare implications he said the taxpayer was bearing the burden.

"There is a huge issue of cost to the ratepayer in terms of controlling animals," he added.

In 2007 there were 8,767 dogs impounded, equal to one every hour, the agriculture committee chairman said.

Michael McKay, chairman of the Canine Breeders of Ireland, said proper registration of animals was the answer.

"The vast majority of people would register into the system. The dog population would have traceability so when a stray is picked up it would immediately go back to its owner. 95% of the problem would be fixed immediately."

He said puppy breeders had unfairly attracted a poor reputation through trial by media following recent scandals where dogs were not properly looked after. Mr McKay said they stood to make around £1,000 for a properly looked after puppy and there was no incentive to mistreat it.

Dog News 13th November 2009

Dog News 11th Nov 2009 ~ You saved 3,172 animals

Today I receive this e-mail from Fred O'Regan, CEO International Fund for Animal Welfare

You saved 3,172 animals

Two kittens, just a few weeks old, stranded on the roof of a small wooden hut. Scared, dehydrated and emaciated - they survived by drinking what little rainwater they could find until help arrived.

A mother dog and her puppy fight for survival on top of an abandoned shack submerged in ten feet of water. Lethargic, ribs showing through their skin, they refused to give up hope.

A baby duck snuggles into the lap of his rescuer after being pulled from certain danger.

These are the stories of animal typhoon victims in the Philippines. The stories of the animals you saved.

Over the course of sixteen days on the ground, IFAW's Water Rescue Team reached over 11 flooded communities (15 villages) after Tropical Storm Ketsana struck. We helped more than 3,000 animals by feeding, treating and rescuing those in most need. That's nearly 200 animals each day!

One local villager told us how lucky he felt that we were there to help the animals, because they are so often forgotten in tragedies like these. And I feel just as lucky to have you behind us.

Sadly, since I first contacted you, yet another typhoon has struck the Philippines. I've already committed a grant of US$16,000 to help our partners at the Philippines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) care for animal victims of this latest storm.

Can you please help me save the animals still suffering in the Philippines and around the world with a donation? Close to 87,000 people are still homeless and their pets will need shelter well into the new year.

With heartfelt gratitude,


Fred O'Regan
IFAW CEO

3,172 Animals RescuedThanks to YOU Donate Now to Help More

Dog News 10th November 2009

Dogs A-Z: Bonfire Night ~ Great fireworks, BUT my greyhound was terrified! Bach Rescue Remedy came to the rescue!

Dogs A-Z: Bonfire Night ~ Great fireworks, BUT my greyhound was terrified! Bach Rescue Remedy came to the rescue!