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Yet another good reason to stop smoking

Posted on December 9, 2016December 10, 2016 by alexb2448

This vintage typwriter is our featured image.

I know it’s hard to believe, but another year is almost over. That means it’s almost time to start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. And for many smokers, that means it’s time to start thinking about quitting — again.

Eli, the In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot. — In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot Eli catching up on the latest news. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic

Of course, there’s always plenty of incentive to quit. Smoking is a filthy, dangerous habit that affects not only smokers, but everyone around them. It even affects their pets.

According to published reports, dogs and cats inhale secondhand smoke directly, and ingest chemical particles from smoke while grooming. Exposure to the material can worsen existing health conditions and cause new illnesses in our pets.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the ways in which secondhand smoke affects dogs depends largely on the length of the dog’s nose.

Because more toxins tend to get trapped there, dogs with longer noses, such as greyhounds and Dobermans are more likely to get nose cancer, the FDA says. On the other hand, breeds with comparatively smaller noses are at greater risk of getting lung cancer from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Cats that live with smokers are also at risk for serious and potentially fatal illness, but for different reasons. Because they are obsessive about cleanliness, cats can ingest toxic residue from tobacco smoke while grooming.

“Studies show that cats living in smoking households have a two to four-times increased risk of an aggressive type of mouth cancer called oral squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer is often found under the base of the tongue, where the thirdhand smoke particles tend to collect after grooming,” the FDA says. There is currently no known cure.

Citing additional research, the FDA says that cats “that live with people who smoke more than one pack of cigarettes a day have three times the risk of developing lymphoma, a cancer of the body’s immune system similar to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in people.” Most cats with this type of cancer live for just a few months.

So there you have it. If you don’t care about your own health, and you don’t care if smoking affects the people around you — quit for your pet. You’ll both be better off.

Pit bull puppy comes to the rescue in Brooklyn atatck

Posted on December 2, 2016 by alexb2448

As a volunteer at a local animal shelter, I’ve seen my share of mistreated and unwanted pit bulls. And it’s heartbreaking. For the most part, these are wonderful, affectionate dogs in desperate need of loving homes.

They get a bad wrap — and they don’t deserve it.

Take me home! A dog up for adoption and an Adopt-a-Dog volunteer. Photo by A. Bogdanovic — An Adopt-a-Dog volunteer with a dog up for adoption at the annual Puttin’ on the Dog show in Greenwich last September. Photo by A. Bogdanovic

If you don’t believe me, just wait until you hear this story about an heroic pit bull puppy. According to various media accounts, Apollo, a five-month-old pit bull, was out for a walk with his master’s girlfriend when he came to her rescue.

As the New York Post reports, Maya Fairweather, 18, decided to take Apollo for a walk in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, N.Y., at approximately 10 p.m. Monday. She had just turned the puppy loose in a neighborhood park when an unknown man allegedly attacked her.

“I felt someone pull my headphones,” Fairweather told the Post. “I thought it was my boyfriend grabbing me, so I turned around and smiled — but it wasn’t my boyfriend.”

As the alleged assailant knocked her to the ground and tried to remove her pants, Apollo intervened. Showing remarkable bravery, tenacity and loyalty, the puppy bit the man and held on until Fairweather could get away.

“He was protective,” Fairweather said, referring to Apollo. “I think it would’ve been a lot worse. I wouldn’t have been so lucky.”

Fortunately, Apollo also emerged from the incident unscathed.

Police are now looking for the suspect in the case — and with all of the publicity it has generated, it is unlikely he will remain at large for long.

And with all of the fuss over Apollo’s heroism, it’s unlikely anyone will mess with his master or Fairweather again. If nothing else, Apollo can always lick someone to death, she said.

“He is a sweet dog. I never thought he would bite anyone. He never bit anyone before. He’s usually very friendly and just jumps on everyone,” she told the Post.

Suburban New York puppy mill law is a no-brainer

Posted on November 4, 2016 by alexb2448

What I’m about to say is hard to believe — but it’s true. Every once in a while, local, state (and even federal) lawmakers actually do something that makes sense.

In this case, lawmakers in the New York City suburbs — Westchester County, to be exact — are weighing the pros and cons of a so-called “puppy mill” law.

You can read all about it here. For now I will just highlight the key points.

As it currently stands, the new law would:

Change current rules that “regulate animal facilities.”
Create tougher regulations pertaining to health standards for breeders and pet stores that sell puppies.
Ban any transactions involving puppies that were “raised in unhealthy and unsafe conditions.”

County Legislator Jim Maisano, a Republican driving the new legislation, sums it up this way:

“What we really want to do is impact the flow of puppy-mill dogs into Westchester. We want to stop it. So we’re raising the standards the Health Department will enforce to make sure (that), when dogs come into a pet dealer in Westchester County, that they’re not coming from the puppy mills.”

According to published reports, many communities in the county are already taking matters into their own hands. As a result, Mamaroneck, , New Rochelle, Mount Pleasant, Harrison, Yorktown, Rye Brook and Port Chester all have so-called “puppy mill” laws on the books.

Of course, there’s always another side of the story. So those who oppose the county’s efforts say the law currently being considered may have unintended consequences. Specifically, one pet shop owner says passage of the law as it now stands would harm his business by limiting where he can get dogs for his breeding program.

Animal advocates don’t buy that argument, however.

“Westchester is already on the map for making a statement against puppy-mill atrocities and, as a county, we can make that statement even larger,” said Dina Goren, who represents the Coalition for Legislative Action for Animals in the county. “We have the legal right and obligation to protect animals in our own community. Banning the sale of commercially bred dogs and cats in pet stores altogether would do just that.”

I agree.

Police pit bulls — now that’s awesome

Posted on November 2, 2016 by alexb2448

There’s no doubt about it. Pit bulls get a really bad rap.

Some people say there’s a good reason for all of the bad press. But personally, I love pit bulls. I think they’re awesome dogs.

So I was really happy and really excited when I came across this article about some pit bulls that not only found new homes, but also got new jobs. First, there’s Kiah. She’s “the first-ever pit bull K9 officer in the state of New York.”

As author Laura Goldman explains, “Kiah joined the Poughkeepsie Police Department after being rescued from a Texas shelter, where she’d ended up after her owner was arrested for animal cruelty.”

From what I understand, the department got her for free after a San Antonio, Texas-based business that specializes in training K9s teamed up with a New York-based organization devoted to saving pit bulls.

Generally speaking, law enforcement agencies have two options when it comes to their K9 programs. They either budget a small fortune for acquisition and training or they pursue other funding sources. So by working together to send Kiah to Poughkeepsie, the Texas business and New York pit bull advocacy group saved the Poughkeepsie PD a lot of money. More importantly, they ensured that Kiah got a new home and a good job.

And clearly Kiah is a natural when it comes to police work and public relations.

“When they’re not at their jobs, Kiah and her partner, Officer Justin Bruzgul, visit schools and conferences to educate people about the importance of animal rescue,” Goldman explains. “Kiah is also a pit bull ambassador, showing that any dog breed can have amazing underlying potential.”

While Kiah was the first of her breed to become a K9 in New York, she is not alone. Law enforcement agencies across the country are welcoming rescued pit bulls to their ranks.

You can read more about K9 Wilson, K9 Mollie, K9 Libby, and K9 Ruby, here.

My cat may not be my child — but he is still my boy

Posted on November 1, 2016November 1, 2016 by alexb2448

In case you’ve missed it, there’s a debate raging across the Internet. And believe it or not, it’s got nothing to do with the election. It’s not about Democrats or Republicans or conservatives or liberals or Hillary or Trump. In fact, it’s got nothing to do with politics whatsoever.

But it’s heated. Because this debate pits pet owners against non-pet owners and animal lovers against non-animal lovers.

It all started not too long ago, when a New York Magazine writer penned an article claiming pet owners who think of themselves as “parents” to their dogs and cats are delusional. The headline simply read: Pets Are Not Children So Stop Calling Them That.

As someone who always wanted to have kids of my own but didn’t due to circumstances beyond my control — and as someone who has had pets for most of my life — I actually agree with him. But only to a point.

Personally I think that dressing companion animals in “costumes” resembling human clothing (for any reason other than to keep them warm in exceptionally cold weather) is taking things way too far. I feel the same way about transporting them in strollers and throwing parties to celebrate their birthdays. To me, there’s something about it that just isn’t right.

However, I strongly object to the author’s contention that, “In stark contrast to pets, children are always trying to outgrow, outflank, and outsmart their parents. Children are cunning and devious, with long memories and big plans. They don’t just grow, they develop.”

This comment shows a considerable lack of insight and a remarkable amount of stupidity.

I got my first cat when I was 10. She died when I was 27. So we literally grew up together. Her name was Tiger. She was a little Siamese cross with a huge personality. And she was a peacemaker. Whenever there was drama in our house (and there was lots of it), Tiger would stand between the warring parties and cry her little lungs out. She didn’t stop making noise until we did. She wasn’t necessarily “cunning and devious,” but she was smart.

Then there was Heals. She came into my life a few months after I lost Tiger. She was a big, outgoing, happy-go-lucky cat. She was also adventurous and insisted on being outdoors, even after I moved twice in a short period. When we lived in West Harrison, she had a habit of wandering into one neighbor’s garage to say “hi.” I don’t know for sure, but I rather suspect she got a few treats there, too. So was she “cunning and devious?” Perhaps. Was she “trying to outflank and outsmart” me? I wouldn’t have put it past her. Was she intelligent? No doubt.

And now I’ve got Eli. My big, sweet, wonderful boy. He came into my life back in 2008. I adopted him from the Fauquier SPCA when I lived in Virginia — and it was clear from the beginning that he’d had a troubled past. He spooked easily and ran from anything he thought he could be hit with. Even soft toys seemed to pose a tremendous threat. He didn’t like men, or little kids and cringed at loud noises. At times, he acted out in ways that were clearly indicative of “fear aggression.”

So can I honestly say he has a “long memory?” Hell, yes. But with time and patience and love, I won his trust. And we now have an unbreakable bond. He is definitely my cat. And I am his number one person.

Like Tiger and Heals did before him, Eli counts on me for everything, but most importantly food, shelter, water, healthcare and a clean litter box. As long as he is alive, I am responsible for his well-being. And as long as he is alive, I will remain fiercely protective of him (as I was with Tiger and Heals).

Anyone who even thinks of putting a hand on him in anger or malice has to come directly through me. Yes, I would literally defend him with my life. I love him that much.

And in that regard, I am no different from any other parent.

Legal view on pets is actually changing…slowly

Posted on October 17, 2016 by alexb2448

Historically, the law has taken a pragmatic view of animals. Legally they’re not viewed as pets or companions or family members. Legally, animals are property. That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.

This archaic philosophy — for lack of a better word — is still reflected in Connecticut law. As the Connecticut Humane Society notes, the state’s legal definition of animals includes “all brute creatures and birds.” Under CGS §53-247(a), criminal activity includes “overdriving, overloading, overworking, torturing, depriving of substance, mutilating, cruelly beating or killing, or unjustifiably injuring any animal.”

Judging by the language quoted above, the law can be traced to a time when most animals were literally “beasts of burden.” Fortunately a lot has changed since then. And the law is finally changing, too.

I’ve often blogged about one of the most significant developments — a law that permits the appointment of special advocates for animals in some cases. The law took effect here earlier this month.

As New London, CT, attorney Kean Zimmerman recently told The Connecticut Law Tribune, the passage of “Desmond’s Law” is a significant step in the right direction. But it’s just the beginning.

“Connecticut laws have not made the leap to consider pets more than property, but slowly judges and legislators are seemingly beginning to acknowledge the many intrinsic values pets have. This is especially true when it comes to a dissolution in which the ‘property’ cannot be divided,” Zimmerman said.

Meanwhile, divorce lawyers find themselves in search of creative solutions in cases where the parties don’t agree on what to do with the family pet(s).

“I’ve had parties agree that the family dog would go back and forth with the kids. I’ve had parties agree on financial contributions for the care of a pet,” New Haven attorney Renee Bauer told the Tribune.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund also offers tips for divorcing couples at odds over the family pet.

“Since animals are considered property in the eyes of the law, it may be helpful to offer proof that you were the one who adopted the animal, or if the animal was purchased, that you were the one who purchased the animal,” the organization recommends.

The person didn’t adopt or purchase the animal may still be able to show that he or she should continue to care for the animal, according to the ALDF. Relevant proof may include:

Receipts for veterinary care, licensing records.
Receipts for grooming, dog training classes, food, and other items purchased for the companion animal.

“If your neighbors saw that you were always the one who walked your dog or took him/her to the park, they may be useful witnesses who can confirm your consistent interaction with the animal and therefore be helpful to your case.”

In CT, repeat offenders in animal cruelty cases now face tougher punishment

Posted on October 12, 2016 by alexb2448

A Connecticut law now on the books provides for tougher penalties in some animal cruelty cases. Specifically, the law that took effect Oct. 1 ups the maximum punishment for repeat offenders.

Until recently, anyone convicted of malicious and intentional animal cruelty more than once was guilty of Class D felony. That meant the offender could be sentenced to no more than five years in prison. Now a “subsequent offense” is designated as a Class C felony, with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Putting it in “plain English” that means anyone found guilty of “maliciously or intentionally maiming, mutilating, torturing, wounding, or killing an animal” in separate cases no longer gets a slap on the wrist. However, someone convicted for the first time is still guilty of a Class D felony.

Penalties for animal neglect remain the same. If convicted, anyone who deprives an animal or animals of adequate “care, food and water” faces up to one year in prison, a $1,000 fine or both. Anyone found guilty of such activity more than once faces up to five years in prison.

There are exceptions to every rule. In Connecticut, people in certain professions, or who engage in certain activities, cannot be prosecuted under the state’s “malicious and intentional animal cruelty” law — as long as they are following “acceptable practices.” For example, veterinarians, people working in abattoirs, and farmers or ranchers are exempt. Researchers and hunters acting within legal parameters are also exempt.

Whether the exemptions are “fair” or “right” is a matter of opinion and can be debated at another time. Whether the laws pertaining to neglect should be changed is also a matter of opinion and a subject for future debate. The same can be said about whether the new law goes far enough.

All anyone can say for certain is that animal abuse and neglect is an American epidemic that must be addressed. Recently compiled statistics show that:

The media reports on roughly 1,900 animal abuse cases each year.
Most animal abuse cases involve dogs, and of the cases involving dogs, the majority involve pit bulls.
Neglect and abandonment are the most common forms of abuse.
Hoarding makes up 13 percent of animal cruelty cases.
Fighting makes up 9 percent of animal cruelty cases.

As someone who has personally witnessed the effects of animal cruelty as a pet owner (Eli was definitely abused before I adopted him) and as someone who volunteers at a local shelter, I have very strong feelings about the topic. As far as I am concerned there’s simply no punishment harsh enough for anyone who hurts an animal. None.

It’s the law: CT animal advocacy measure among those now in effect

Posted on October 5, 2016October 5, 2016 by alexb2448

Some time ago, I blogged about Connecticut legislation drafted to permit lawyers and would-be lawyers to “represent” animals in certain cases.

Since my first post, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy signed the bill into law. I am now happy to report that he Act Concerning Support For Cats and Dogs that are Treated Cruelly officially took effect Oct. 1.

To refresh your memory, the law allows attorneys specializing in animal cruelty and neglect cases — and law school students with an interest in the subject — to “advocate for the interests of justice in certain proceedings involving animals.” There are three circumstances in which this can happen:

In animal cruelty or animal fighting cases
In “court proceedings stemming from an animal control officer’s seizure of a cruelly treated or neglected animal”
In “criminal cases involving the welfare or custody of cats or dogs.”

Qualified advocates (selected from lists kept by the Department of Agriculture) can now attend hearings, act as observers and provide relevant information to the judge or “fact finder.” In certain circumstances, they can also issue recommendations.

In accordance with the new law, any party involved in the case can request a special advocate’s services. The court can also appoint a special advocate.

The law is also summarized here.

New rules pertaining to human trafficking, bed bugs, child support, protection for victims of domestic violence, abuse in nursing homes, and medicinal use of marijuana also took effect Oct. 1.

Now that makes for a lot of blog fodder. So stay tuned…

Unsung heroes — going beyond the call of duty to rescue animals

Posted on September 28, 2016 by alexb2448

American cops are certainly getting a lot of bad press these days — and with good reason, some might say. But I recently came across two stories that show just how far some police and animal control officers will go to do the right thing.

The first story, which was widely publicized here in the greater New York City area, is one about some Port Authority police officers who rescued an injured dog on the George Washington Bridge.

Now, you don’t have to live anywhere New York City to know that the GWB is, well, terrifying. At the best of times its upper and lower decks are crammed full of cars and trucks driven by cranky New York drivers in a rush to get across the span. Then there are the drivers trying to cross the bridge who have no idea where they’re going. Put the two groups together, add in some construction (there’s almost always construction), lane closures (that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie allegedly has no knowledge of) and you’ve got one giant cluster bleep.

Now I don’t know if there were actually any lane closures on the day in question. But chances are there was probably tons of traffic. In any case, just imagine being a poor little puppy stuck in the middle of all of that. And imagine how scared you’d be if you’d gotten hit by a car, too.

Fortunately for little Ronin, who found himself in heaps of trouble after he got away from the person walking him, Port Authority police officers Fred Corrubia and Jonathan Harder were on duty that day. According to published accounts, the officers — who were in the vicinity — responded to a report of an injured dog on the bridge, and brought him to safety. As if that wasn’t enough, the officers also took him to a local animal hospital, where he was treated for leg and paw injuries before being reunited with his owner.

In another recent act of bravery, animal control officers in Guilford, Connecticut, rescued a baby skunk. In media accounts chronicling the incident, officials said the little stinker (pun fully intended) was stuck in a courtyard at a local middle school. Rather than putting the children and the skunk through an unnecessary ordeal, the animal control officers used a humane trap to catch the skunk and then used an innovative method to remove it from the school grounds.

The skunk — which seemed healthy — reportedly emerged from the incident unscathed. And for the record, the animal control officers did, too.

Here’s one book every pet owner can use

Posted on September 26, 2016 by alexb2448

It has been a long time since I’ve written a post that falls into the “reading list” category. But this book is a must-read for every pet owner on the face of the planet.

In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t read it yet. But it’s definitely on my list.

Written by a veterinarian, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Pets on the Couch is packed with anecdotes about neurotic dogs, cats, birds and other animals with whom I am sure we can all relate. Or more accurately, I think we can all relate to their “parents.” But I’m sure you knew what I meant.

Now, none of my cats ever ate wine glasses (like a dog featured in the book) — although Heals did eat most of a rubber snake. I didn’t realize what she’d done until she started puking all over the place and I took her to the vet. The vet didn’t know what my cat had eaten until she did surgery. The surgery and ensuing stay at the animal hospital cost me approximately $2,000, but I didn’t have a choice. If Heals didn’t have the operation, she could have died.

I can’t honestly say that I’ve had an anorexic cat, either. And I’ve never had any dogs, or birds — although I did take care of both during my pet-sitting days. So maybe I can’t relate to all of the stories in Dodman’s book. But I as an animal lover and pet owner, I can relate to most of them. And that’s what matters.

Charles Dickens quotation about cats. — Famous quotation about cats. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic

I also like Dodman’s reasons for writing the book.

“I have an ulterior motive for writing the book,” Dodman said. “It’s to educate people to the fact that animals have feelings and emotions similar to our own.”

Because Dodman believes that’s the case, he also believes that neuroses affecting various animals can be treated accordingly. Specifically, he recommends behavior modification, diet and exercise. When all else fails, he thinks drugs can be used to address the animal misbehavior that cause people to surrender or abandon their pets.

That’s where I draw the line. I would never, ever give Eli kitty cat Prozac. But I’d never give up on him, either.