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In Eau Claire, the weekend went to the dogs, with breeds from all over the Midwest competing for the title of best in show.
More than 500 dogs were packed into the Expo Center to compete in the Indian Head Kennel Club of Eau Claire's All Breed Dog Show. It's the fourth time the club has hosted the show in Eau Claire. The show not only offers breeders competition, but a way to do business.
"Breeders can meet people looking for a puppy and get them the information to do so or looking to in the future," show chairman Steve Sorenson said. 110 different breeds were represented in the competition.
Dog Training
The Moore County Kennel Club just concluded another successful two-day AKC Sanctioned Dog Show and, as a prominent judge was heard to remark, "This is where it all begins."
The road for many Westminster and Eukanuba champions starts in a similar setting that occurs all over the United States and also in foreign countries. A kennel club like the local MCKC, holds one-, two- or three-day shows that give all sorts of canines and their handlers, owners and special stylists a chance to "wet their feet" in the world of dog showing and obedience. In this grassroots manner, the dogs are prepared for even bigger events as they earn their ribbons and points along the way.
Steve Watson, club president, remarked that he is constantly amazed by the way the club pulls it all together; the hard work and the months of planning are unimaginable. Judges must be found, and they have some of the best at their shows, which in turn brings in exhibitors anxious to show under a "top judge."
The AKC oversees all shows, and rules are strictly adhered to, in every way.
"MCKC is lucky to be here in the Sandhills to have such an excellent venue in which to hold their annual event," says Watson. "If the weather cooperates, one can't find a better outdoor spot to prance around the prize pooches."
MCKC has additional projects that go on along with the shows themselves.
This year there was the usual Micro Chip Clinic offering an extremely low price for locals to chip their critters. Every year the club has used the Vet Tech students from Central Carolina Community College to assist in the clinic.
"This year there were 12 very enthusiastic and helpful young women, who are first year vet tech students," says a spokesman. "Dr. Jim Watson and Dr. Melissa Israel, two of the attending veterinarians, were complimentary of the young women, who they said were great with the nervous and jumpy dogs."
The technicians also collected the fees and assisted folks filling out the forms. This year, the techs also helped in the Obedience Ring, a wonderful experience for both VT's, the judges and club members working with them.
Obedience Judge Don Young said he was impressed by the way two young VTs had to learn in five minutes just what an Open A ring was all about, and how they instantly became good ring stewards. There was the rally equipment to put up and take down and dogs to watch who tried to leave the ring.
"Vet Tech Lennie Hunt said that it was a wonderful experience for her that she will no doubt not forget soon," says the spokesman.
The micro chip clinic chair, who arranges for the VTs each year, said that she couldn't have done it without the help of VT Sam Corhran, who helped coordinate her fellow techs and was helpful in many ways. This year's participants include Rosa Barrera, Lennie Hunt, Belinda Mades, Kobi Berger, Sam Corhran and Lori Ritchey (Saturday), Rhonda Hulon, Carole Nilsen, Rebecca Thornton, Corrine Smolinski, Jamie Watson, and Mindy Gill (Sunday).
"To see these young people, on their day off, volunteering to help and pitching in with any chore handed to them was inspiring," says the spokesman.
Club member Maryann Phillips arranged for the presence of two of Fort Bragg's Military Working Dogs and their three handlers to be on the grounds at Saturday's show. The 42nd Military Police Detachment Canine Section was well represented as they went through their paces for the large and enthusiastic crowd. The ever vigilant and clever Belgian Malinois dogs, "Bad" and "Jopes," put on an explosives and drug demonstration.
The three young soldiers, Staff Sgt. James Cooey, Staff Sgt. Marvin Slade and Sgt. Rob McCaulley stayed afterward to answer questions.
"Many people came up and thanked them for their service to our country," says the spokesman. "This is such a positive experience for both military and civilians to get to interact, and the young men couldn't have been nicer. They even posed for pictures with their newfound fans, including the vet techs."
"The club is thankful for the local veterinarians who commit themselves months in advance to spending their weekend off helping out as vets on site for the two-day show," says the spokesman. "Along with running the Micro Chip Clinic, the vets are on hand in case there is an emergency on the grounds. Without cooperation such as this from local people it would be impossible to put on a show."
Veterinarians came from Pinetree Hospital, Critter Fixer Mobile Veterinary Service, Carthage Animal Hospital, Seven Lakes Kennels, Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Southern Pines and after hours, Small Animal Emergency Services.
Emily Partain, a young lady previously featured in The Pilot, competed in both Junior Showmanship and Puppy Breed categories. "Westwood Pretty In Pink," a Rough Collie, known as Sadie, and Emily, a West End Elementary School student represented them very well at the show. Emily and Sadie placed second each day in Open Junior.
On Saturday, in breed, she took a fourth in the Herding Group in the Puppy Group competition, and Sunday they placed second in the Herding Group and again in the Puppy Group. Jane Forsyth, assistant chairman for the show, said that the world of dog showing likes to see young people coming up and encourages them to participate.
Show Chairman Patty Pace remarked about the work involved in setting up the entire show grounds, arranging for food, the buying of trophies and coordinating of the awards.
"The selling of the programs, and getting advertisers for those programs -- all this is a heap of work," she says. "More work done before the actual event includes all of the publicity from posters to newspaper and TV stories."
Is all this work, in the name of dogs, worth it?
"The answer is a resounding yes," says Pace.
Nona Burrell is a member of Moore County Kennel Club, lives in Pinehurst with two cocker spaniels and two cats. She may be reached at nburrell@nc.rr. com.
Dog Training
KANSAS CITY (AP) - In his hospital bed, Alan Hill closes his eyes and can still see the pit bulls that nearly mauled him to death more than a month ago.
The developer's wife, Connie, says her 59-year-old husband often cries and does not want to be left alone. Still on a feeding tube, he doesn't see any progress in his recovery, she says.
Speaking with reporters for the first time since her husband was attacked, Connie Hill has a horrifying story to tell. She hopes it is enough to convince local leaders to ban the breed.
"Those dogs were eating him alive," Hill said Friday. "He said they were just chewing his skin."
Alan Hill had just finished mowing a lot he owns in Independence on May 4 when he was attacked by the three dogs. As they dragged him through the vacant lot like a rag doll, he tried fighting them with his hands, but it didn't work.
He later told his wife that his only hope was to crawl beneath his Jeep, which was parked nearby. But the biting and tugging continued.
When he finally got away and into the vehicle, he called 911 and told a dispatcher he was dying.
If he hadn't been so physically strong and in good health before the attacks, he probably would have.
"If that wasn't the case, he wouldn't have made it to the hospital," said Charles Beggs, trauma medical director at Liberty Hospital, where Hill remains. "He would have bled to death in the field."
Hill arrived at the hospital unconscious and in shock, Beggs said, and remained on the brink of death for days.
Beggs said he didn't know how long Hill would remain hospitalized but added that the rehabilitation process will be long and he will have to overcome psychological scars.
Hill was one of at least three people attacked by the three dogs that early May day. One man who was mowing a few blocks from Hill's property and another who was walking up the street nearby also were attacked. Both have been released from the hospital.
Police believe the owner of the dogs was Paul Piper, 43, who faces 10 municipal charges, including three counts of failure to control a dangerous dog.
Authorities think Piper and a woman were living with the dogs at a house that was supposed to be vacant. They believe the two had left the dogs at the house and the animals got loose.
Police found and destroyed all three dogs after the attacks.
Hill's family plans to present a petition with more than 1,000 signatures to the Independence City Council tomorrow night in the hopes of having pit bulls and other dogs that attack banned.
Dog Training
Lady is purebred and lives in a fine home. Tramp is a mongrel who lives on the streets. Their mismatched romance blossoms.
The Disney animation is terrific and the dining scene ' near the garbage can of a spaghetti restaurant ' is a classic. There are also some good songs, several of them sung by the late Peggy Lee, who also provides voices.
Tonight's Might-See II: "The Evidence," 9 p.m., ABC.
In a change of plans, ABC has inserted one of its unaired episodes of "The Evidence."
This is an OK cop show, straining to differ from other OK cop shows. Orlando Jones and Rob Estes star, tossing in some fun banter.
Martin Landau has a key role as the medical examiner who recites the evidence. Anita Briem, a successful actress in Iceland, plays an assistant.
Other choices today include:
"CSI: NY," 7 p.m., CBS. A man wearing a Superman costume is found dead.
Hockey, 7 p.m., NBC. Here's the sixth game of the Stanley Cup championships. Carolina, leading three games to two, could wrap it up tonight. Edmonton needs to win two straight.
Dog Training
The city of Blackfoot has gone to the dogs, as the biggest dog show in the state gets underway at the Bingham County fairgrounds.
There are nearly 1,200 dogs competing and they come from all across the nation.
The canines test their skills in events like confirmation, agility and obedience, and they are all hoping to become the top dog.
Jane Guidinger, Show Chairwoman "We probably have dogs here from 40 of the 50 states, clear from the east coast, dogs have come for this event."
For the past 23 years, the Pocatello Kennel Club and the Eagle Rock Kennel Club have sponsored one of the top dog shows in the nation.
Linda Guihen, Confirmation Handler: "Many of the top dogs in the country come out here to compete."
Dogs like Zack...
Linda Guihen, Confirmation Handler: "That's short for Champion Summer Love Zack Attack. He's the number one sheltie in the country and was last year also."
Zack came all the way from Florida to compete in the confirmation competition.
Jane Guidinger, Show Chairwoman "Confirmation is where the dog is judged according to breed standard."
Linda Guihen, Confirmation Handler: "When you have a top dog, you want to compete against the best and beat them."
And that's what Zack did, the 4 year old sheltie won top dog in his division.
But there is more to the dog show than just the well behaved confirmation.
Linda Guihen, Confirmation Handler: "We have agility, we have obedience trials, we have rally trials all going on at the same time."
In the agility trials, dogs and their handlers must race through a series of objects.
Linda Guihen, Confirmation Handler: "Agility is like a dog obstacle course."
Dogs try to make it through the course as fast as they can.
Suzanne Belger, Agility Handler: "You compete against yourself and the clock, not against each other."
But the dog show is not about winning or losing, it's about the experience with man's best friend.
Suzanne Belger, Agility Handler: "The most important part of coming here is having fun with your dog and being with friends."
The dog show is still going on for the rest of the weekend, competitions start at about eight in the morning and go until about six on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
Dog Training
Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track imposes quarantine, reduces racing schedule as doctors struggle to stem rampant infection
Naples Daily News
No dogs in. No dogs out.
An upper respiratory illness that has incapacitated dogs at tracks across the state is hitting hardest in Southwest Florida, forcing a self-imposed quarantine at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track in Bonita Springs.
According to the state, 15 dogs at the track have died from the infection, accounting for all but two of the deaths in Florida reported during the outbreak. Another 25 to 30 animals are sick.
Florida Division of Pari-Mutual Wagering officials say all but one track in the state have a quarantine in an effort to stem the spread of the highly contagious condition.
The Jacksonville Kennel Club and the Flagler Dog Track in Miami also have reported illnesses.
The ailment is believed to be kennel cough, an infection that is common among large populations of dogs that see a lot of turnover. Animal shelters and similar facilities often struggle with the sickness. Coughing spreads the bacteria that leads to the condition, leading to its name.
The Bonita Springs track announced Thursday it would cut back on races for a week or longer to give the greyhounds time to rest and recuperate.
It also has canceled its matinee performance today.
The Florida Division of Pari-Mutual Wagering, which oversees 15 tracks across the state, confirmed the dogs also are quarantined.
Reports of the most recent illnesses at the track come almost exactly a year after a smoldering fire at the facility claimed the lives of 17 dogs and forced dozens more into early retirement.
Kristen Ploska, spokeswoman for the agency, said the isolation began Wednesday. She was not sure how long the dogs would be sequestered.
Hakim Hamici, a veterinarian at the Bonita Springs track, said the virus might have been spread from the Miami track.
A researcher from the University of Florida will arrive today to do post-mortum work on the animals and take blood samples to determine the exact infection that killed them, he said.
The first dog died about a week ago. Nine of the dead greyhounds were from the same kennel, he added.
Hamici described the deaths as sudden.
Another 25 to 30 greyhounds at the track are believed to be sick. Many have a cough, but no fever, he said.
"It spreads very quickly in the air," Hamici said of the bacteria that is believed to be causing the illness. "It is hard to control, like a flu. We're doing our best to try and save them."
Larry Mosher, director of racing for the track, could not be reached for comment.
In a prepared statement, he said the greyhounds' safety is the track's "number one concern."
"By reducing the daily racing schedule, we allow the dogs to remain healthy," he said in the statement.
According to the track, the greyhounds' activity will be reduced to between eight and 11 daily races.
Larry Scrabis, veterinarian at Estero Animal Hospital, said common kennel cough is typically not fatal. Severe cases, however, can lead to pneumonia. Scrabis said the ailment is treated with antibiotics.
How long the illness lasts depends on the immune system of the dog, he said. Some will overcome kennel cough on their own, he said. The bug -- which can carry a persistent cough and high fevers -- is spread through bacteria that live in the nasal passageways, he said.
No one breed of dog is more susceptible to the bug than others, Scrabis said, although puppies, with their still-developing immune systems, are at increased risk.
Several dogs that died at the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track were young, Hamici said.
The summer months have brought kennel cough outbreaks to greyhound tracks in the state in the past.
Dog Training
Most agree that to curb vicious attacks, rules should target owners, not breeds
Dog lovers prepared to fight for their favorite breeds filled a City-County Building meeting room Wednesday, but they encountered few suggestions for a local ordinance targeting certain breeds.
Instead, they heard from other dog lovers, like Gwen Chaney, with the Hoosier Rottweiler Club. She was among those who said it is not the breed that creates aggressive dogs, but people who do it.
"We support strong, reasonable and fair laws," she said. "Problem dogs of any breed are the result of problem owners."
With public attention again focused on aggressive dogs because of three recent attacks, including the mauling of a toddler who remains at Riley Hospital for Children, the hearing was scheduled by the City-County Council's Rules and Public Policy Committee. About 80 people attended.
Additionally, Councilwoman Sherron Franklin, who also attended the hearing, plans to re-introduce an ordinance Monday to increase penalties and require stricter control of dogs by their owners. She had proposed a similar measure last year, but it failed to gain support.
Her proposal does not mention any breed of dog, and it does not ban dogs based on a breed. Instead, it refers to "dangerous dogs" and requires such animals to be confined in fences or structures, and imposes penalties for violations.
After hearing testimony Wednesday, Franklin indicated she likely would move to make the measure even stricter by increasing the penalties. A public hearing specifically on her proposal will be held in July, she said.
Members of Indy Pit Crew, which supports pit bull terriers and aims to educate the public about the dogs, came armed with a three-ring binder of information for committee members.
"It all comes down to owner responsibility,' said Stacey Coleman, president of the group, which was launched in the fall. She advocates statewide legislation regulating dog owners, a crackdown on dog fighting and beefing up powers of animal control officers.
Committee member Patrice Abduallah assured people at the hearing that he does not support breed-specific legislation. He said he understands people who love a breed that some people fear: He breeds Doberman pinschers, another breed frequently identified as an aggressive dog, he said.
Dog Training
They may not seem wild judging from their size 'C and the fact that they live in homes with their owners 'C but this group of small breed pups knows how to party.
Troy resident Renee Kowalec's 2-year-old 'sweet' pug Oliver might be considered the pack's leader. His desire to play with other dogs his size inspired Kowalec to organize a doggie play group for small breeds.
'I've been searching for local pet parks here in the city of Troy and have had no luck,' said the stay-at-home mom. 'So, I've decided to start a doggie play date.'
Kowalec got 10 responses, more than she expected, to an ad she posted for the group. That must mean she's not the only one who wants to socialize her dog without paying for classes or 'pet parties' at doggie day cares.
'I feel that dog owners shouldn't have to pay for their pets to do what comes natural 'C play,' Kowalec said.
She hosted the first play date in her home's backyard on June 10, and the members plan to rotate houses.
'This is what I'm striving for. For fun, down-to-earth people who enjoy their pets, that are interested in having their dog romp around with other canines,' she said 'It's also a great opportunity to meet new friends.'
Kowalec knows that hosting a dog play date isn't without risks 'C but she takes precautions when introducing the dogs and only lets the dogs loose when they all feel comfortable with each other.
'Each dog owner is responsible for their own dog. Any signs of aggression, the owner will be asked to leave,' she said. 'I just want this to be an enjoyable time for all.'
CJ Bentley, manager of pet education center at the Michigan Humane Society, said dogs are much like humans when it comes to being social animals.
'Some dogs really enjoy being around other dogs like some people enjoy being around lots of other people,' she said, but some dogs are 'wallflowers,' who would prefer to be at home.
She said the best time to introduce your dog to being with other dogs is between 3 and 16 weeks of age.
'That's when dogs have the greatest opportunity to learn how to accept new things in their environment,' Bentley said.
For the more outgoing dogs, playing with other dogs, is 'the time of their lives.'
'If your dog is an adult dog and enjoys the company of other dogs, then allowing them to have that playtime would be really good thing,' she said. 'They love to get out there. They can learn how to communicate with each other, and it's very beneficial for dogs both mentally and physically.'
And believe it or not, your dog is likely to remember the new 'friends' he made at the play date.
'The greatest thing is when a dog meets up with a doggie buddy that has the same preferred play style. Once your dog meets some friends, it's a good idea to let them continue to see those friends,' Bentley said. 'There's a comfort level of being with 'good friends.'
If you're hosting a dog play date, consider the play styles of the dogs in attendance. If some like to play rough, group those dogs together, she advised. Don't let a 'doggie bully' 'C one who targets and bothers shyer dogs 'C get in the way of the other dogs' fun, and if your dog seems uncomfortable or afraid, it's best to take him home.
'Pay attention to what your dog is doing to make sure your dog is playing nicely and other dogs are playing nicely with your dog,' Bentley said.
Whether it's a doggie play date, a puppy birthday party, a trip to the dog park or an obedience class for your pup, engaging opportunities for pets are always expanding.
'Because we do love our dogs and they are members of our family, we try to give them opportunities to play and socialize and be out and about because we care about them,' Bentley said.
Dog Training
DECHERD, Tenn. ' Two dogs that were implicated this week in the killing of a Franklin County woman remained at their owner's home yesterday.
Dr. Ephraim Gammada will be allowed to keep the two dogs, mixed breeds that are mostly Great Pyrenees, at his home, and a third dog implicated in the attack, a mixed-breed dog belonging to Ronnie Swann, will remain at the local pound, said James Henry "Bub" Wilkinson, Franklin County rabies control officer.
The three dogs have been linked via forensic evidence to the May 6 mauling of Franklin County library assistant Dianna Acklen, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said this week.
Wilkinson said Gammada's dogs are locked inside a pen on the doctor's property, which is on Knights Church Road, where the Acklen and Swann families also live.
Swann's mixed-breed dog ' which, according to the TBI, fathered Gammada's two dogs ' has been at the pound since the mauling, along with another dog belonging to Swann, a chocolate Labrador retriever that the TBI largely cleared in the case.
Asked why Gammada's dogs are being allowed to stay at home while Swann's dogs remain in the pound, Wilkinson said he had not been told to do anything else with Gammada's dogs.
Acklen was attacked while taking her daily walk on Knights Church Road, where she lived for many years.
Her body was found on the Swann property with 200 to 300 bites from her shoulders down, the TBI stated. She died the same day.
The bites on Acklen's body are consistent with the bite of one of the Great Pyrenees-mix dogs owned by Gammada, while the bites of two other canines, a second Great Pyrenees mix owned by the doctor and a mixed-breed dog owned by Swann, are not "as consistent," TBI said.
A reporter who called Gammada's Winchester office Friday was told the doctor was seeing patients at the time. A phone call placed to the office later was answered by a message recording device.
When a reporter visited his home later in the day, a man who came to the gate said the doctor was not at home and was not available to talk.
Gammada has previously told The Tennessean that his dogs were in their pen when he left home the day of May 6 and that they were in the pen when he arrived home that day. ?
Dog Training
The local prosecutor wants to euthanize two dogs implicated in the mauling death of a Franklin County woman, but their owner has declined his request.
"We're going to refuse at this time,' said attorney Bobby Carter, of Tullahoma, Tenn., who is representing Dr. Ephraim Gammada of Knights Church Road in rural Franklin County.
The Gammada family lives a short drive from the home of Dianna Acklen, 60, who died May 6 after being bitten repeatedly while walking down the county road.
Carter said he responded to District Attorney General Mike Taylor's request by letter this week. The attorney said Gammada would not surrender the dogs, a pair of mixed Great Pyrenees, until he has had a chance to analyze the scientific evidence, including DNA, that has been collected in the case.
"We have not seen the raw data on that, and at this point are suspicious of the raw data,' Carter said in a telephone interview Friday afternoon.
"We're holding off for more information. If it turns out, if we're convinced, through DNA evidence or otherwise, that the dogs were responsible for Mrs. Acklen's death, then they're going to be euthanized,' Carter said.
On June 1, forensic dentist Mike Tabor concluded that one of Gammada's dogs participated in the attack on the woman, who suffered 200 to 300 dog bites on her arms, legs and torso. Two other dogs, the second mixed Pyrenees and a mixed breed owned by Ronnie Swann, also of Knight Church Road, were probably participants in the mauling, according to Tabor.
Acklen was found lying in the Swanns' driveway by passers-by, who rendered first aid. Immediately, the Swanns' mixed breed and their chocolate Labrador retriever were taken to the dog pound.
After the release of Tabor's report, the white-and-brown mixed breed was put to sleep. The chocolate Lab, which was cleared by the dentist's examination, was put up for adoption after the Swanns gave up ownership.
Gammada's dogs are named Cuddle and Yorkie. Authorities have not said which one was implicated in Tabor's report as the primary attacker in Acklen's death.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Friday that some of the DNA samples taken from Gammada's dogs have been returned from the laboratory, "but there are some items that weren't tested that may now be as a result of this," bureau spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said in an e-mail yesterday. She was referring to Gammada's decision to contest the district attorney's request.
No one answered the phone at the Swanns' residence Friday afternoon.
Dennis Acklen, whose wife was the victim in this case, said he was unaware of Gammada's response to the district attorney's request. He offered no comment Friday on the new development.
In a previous statement, Acklen and his two grown children announced that they agreed with the district attorney's decision not to file criminal charges against the dog owners, but the family said they wanted the animals involved to be put down.
According to Nashville-based defense attorney David Raybin, implication alone would not give local law enforcement the right to enter private property and take the mixed Great Pyrenees.
"People may feel because the dogs have been accused of killing someone, they could do that. You cannot just go on private property and take animals. It would be a violation of the Fourth Amendment.
"Because the dogs are personal property, then a search warrant is required. A separate proceeding would have to be held for them to actually put the dogs down. That would require an adversarial hearing," noted Raybin.
Prosecutor Taylor was out of town attending a conference Friday and could not be reached for comment on how the case might play out.
Gammada's attorney, Carter, said the dogs in question do not have a history of biting and "have never posed a threat before." Carter said his client maintains that his dogs were in the Gammadas' fenced yard when the family left their home on the afternoon of the attack and were in the yard when the family returned that evening.
"You can't reconcile that with what the state alleges,' Carter said.
"For that reason, and until we see further scientific evidence, we're going to decline to have the dogs euthanized at this time." ?
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