Elephants, spotted owls and bald eagles ... in today's paper

In today's Los Angeles Times:

The Times' Carla Hall writes about the continuing controversy swirling around elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo.

Every elephant death was scrutinized; every public hearing about the animals was filled with protesters. It's no coincidence that the largest land mammal has prompted the largest and longest-running public relations problem for the zoo. Critics contend that the zoo has never had sufficient space to keep the lumbering behemoths.

And there's still not enough space, they argue, in the $42-million "Pachyderm Forest" now under construction. Several weeks ago, zoo officials eagerly showed off the portion that was completed and spoke of how the 3.6 acres would include a waterfall, water holes, mud wallows and varying surfaces for elephants' problem-prone feet to trod. ...

Today, the City Council's budget and finance committee is scheduled to meet and discuss whether the zoo project, funded by a bond measure, city money and private donations, should be shut down.

Times staff writer Kim Murphy has the latest developments in the case of the disappearing spotted owl.

Across their entire range in Washington, Oregon, Northern California and British Columbia, there are thought to be fewer than 5,000 northern spotted owls left. In the dense forests of the Olympic Peninsula last year, spotted owls were found in 19 of the 54 sites they had once populated. Their numbers have declined by a third since the 1990s, when old-growth logging across the Pacific Northwest came to a virtual halt in an effort to protect their habitat.

The declines have been so persistent -- averaging 4% a year -- that a growing number of scientists have come to think the most immediate culprit is not logging but the aggressive barred owl, which has crept into the West Coast forests from Canada over the last few decades.

And a man who once pleaded guilty to federal charges in the deaths of three bald eagles has been pardoned by President Bush.

--Alice Short

Photo credit: Associated Press

The Heidi Chronicles, Chapter 20: Enter the acupuncturist

This is Heidi. She was "discovered" this year in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

Unlike many Hollywood actors, Heidi does not have a chef or a personal assistant, a chauffeur, a therapist, an astrologer or a hairdresser. Sure, she has a trainer, but not a personal trainer — you know, the gym rats who charge $100 an hour to sip vitamin water and talk about reps, carbs, abs and glutes alongside an already toned person who sweats, but not too much, in designer gear.

True, Heidi has a full-time staffer who will bravely force an arm or leg beneath the sofa to fish out her red ball every time she lets it roll under there, but it's an unpaid position, which I know because I have not received a check in five years.

What Heidi does have, however, is an acupuncturist. Like many large-breed dogs, particularly German shepherds, she has joint problems: hip and elbow dysplasia, plus arthritis. Her X-rays are not pretty. I bring this up not because the dog wants your sympathy, but because dysplasia may affect a canine’s performing career.

Two turkey tales

As many of us sit down at a Thanksgiving table today, we can tell tales of the ones that got away. ... We'll start with the time-honored tradition of the presidential "pardon":

Pumpkin and Pecan, the lucky turkeys whose lives were spared by the annual Thanksgiving presidential pardon Wednesday, were scheduled to fly first-class on United Airlines to Los Angeles, where one of them will be grand marshal in Disneyland's Thanksgiving parade today. The pair will then take up residence in a turkey house in the amusement park's Frontierland.

"In recent weeks, I've talked a lot about sprinting to the finish," said President Bush, surrounded by pumpkins and cornstalks in Wednesday's Rose Garden ceremony. "Yet I've assured these turkeys they will not be trotting to their finish."

The turkey pardon is a White House tradition that dates to the Truman administration. This year's duo received their names after an online vote on the White House website. Runners-up included Roost and Run and Yam and Jam.

Not surprisingly, the folks at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals asked the president to send the turkeys to an animal sanctuary instead. "You might be a lame duck, but you still have the power to help lame turkeys, who are made that way by the cruelty of the meat industry," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote in the letter.

We think PETA would be thrilled with Karen Dawn and her approach to Thanksgiving. Carla Hall explains:

At Karen Dawn's Thanksgiving feast, there will be yams and stuffing with cranberries and a dessert of pumpkin-pecan pie, all set out on a table for eight.

And there will be turkeys, two of them actually -- Emily and Bruce (or possibly Brucilla -- it's a little unclear). The two 20-pounders will have most of the privileges of Dawn's other sentient guests -- a Pacific Palisades patio, a view of the ocean and vegetarian nibbles.

At Dawn's vegan holiday dinner, guests will ooh and aah over live birds. The only turkey plunked down on her table will be Wild Turkey bourbon.

The turkeys were purchased for $2 a pound from a live-turkey market near downtown L.A. On Tuesday, Hall writes, they "were adjusting to a lifetime reprieve in an outdoor coop at Dawn's home. Dawn washed them in her bathtub and blow-dried them, leaving the 4-month-old birds' feathers bright white and satiny to the touch."

--Alice Short

Photo credit: Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times

In tough economic times, pet gifts keep going

While the economy tanks and media outlets fill with stories of displaced pets amid the foreclosure crisis, another trend in the animal universe has emerged, a phenomenon that leaves L.A. Unleashed slightly bewildered and bemused. These same media outlets also are producing stories about holiday gift giving for pets, and if there's a downward trend here, we have yet to see it.

Consider this Associated Press report from suburban Chicago:

Emilie Wilson’s menagerie includes 15 ferrets, two dogs and four cats, including a hefty gray feline named Tonie Stewart who rides in style inside a pet stroller during family outings.

Wilson spent $300 on Christmas gifts for her brood last year and figures she’ll exceed that sum this year. And despite the recession-like economy, the suburban Chicago woman has no plans to scale back pet presents anytime soon.

“I couldn’t care less if there’s anything under the tree for us, as long as there’s something for Tonie,” she said.

People associated with the pet products industry "are finding themselves in a veritable oasis among much of the gloom of American business." Sure, it seems counterintuitive, but for some folks, the family pet comes first, whether the "extra" is a mere chew toy or a case of organic cat food or a $1,000 designer bed for the canine who may very well be sleeping at the foot of your bed ... for now.

The AP report suggests this is a growth industry:

Market researcher Euromonitor International, which tracks sales of pet food and accessories but excludes the cost of animals, grooming, training and other expenses, puts this year’s animal expenditures at $23.9 billion. But the group forecasts the segment’s sales are still on pace to grow more than 13 percent by 2013.

A warning about holiday food and pets

We are about to enter the high-calorie season and veterinarians around the country are warning pet owners: Do not feed Fido table scraps!

Here's one take on the subject, written by Dr. Greg McGrath and published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

Feeding dogs and cats foods they are not accustomed to can cause a number of problems, from simple vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, to intestinal obstruction or perforation or pancreatitis. The most serious offenders are fatty handouts such as meat trimmings, bones and spicy dishes. We also seem to see many dogs that develop GI problems after eating tomato-based foods.

MSNBC reminds us that chocolate can be poisonous:

The toxicity depends on the type of chocolate (the darker the chocolate, the more harmful), the amount ingested and your pet’s weight. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, experience rapid heartbeat, increased urination, muscle tremors and seizures.  The effects can be serious, and chocolate toxicity can occur within 24 hours. The same can be true of coffee, tea and cola, as they also contain caffeine.

And, finally, the California Poison Action Hotline weighs in:

• Don't feed your pets alcohol or illicit drugs. It is dangerous. Many pets have had to be treated at an emergency vet clinic because of the foolishness of their owners.

• Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the emergency vet number posted. Keep the poison center number handy. If you suspect pet poisoning, do not wait to call. Prompt attention may make a crucial difference in your pet's health.
• To make your dog vomit at home (under the direction of a health professional), use 3% household hydrogen peroxide. Have a bottle on hand and always call before using it.

Yes, this Thursday is Thanksgiving, but the experts want us to keep the turkey on the table and the kibble in the bowl on the floor.

-- Alice Short

Common ground over a besieged wetlands

After fighting for decades over its oil and land, conservationists, developers and city planners are joining forces to let the Los Certitos Wetlands grow wild again. Times staff writer Louis Sahagun reports:

Earlier this month, the city of Long Beach announced a proposed land swap with a developer that would protect the 175-acre core of the wetlands in exchange for 52 acres of city-owned property. The city would then sell the marsh to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority for about $25 million.

It won't be easy sealing the deal. The issues surrounding the wetlands' future are complex. But at the heart of the ongoing debate is a hope that the wetlands can bounce back and become a model of restoration and cooperation.

Just in time, some might say.

The wetlands on the Long Beach-Seal Beach border at the mouth of the San Gabriel River once stretched 2,400 acres. Today, little more than 400 acres remain, including the 175-acre parcel owned by developer Thomas Dean.

The developer's willingness to consider a land swap rather than an outright sale of the wetlands -- bordered by Pacific Coast Highway, Studebaker Road and the Los Cerritos Channel -- was key to bringing the warring parties together.

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

The Heidi Chronicles, Chapter 19: Heidi learns to play dead

This is Heidi. She was "discovered" this year in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

Heidi doesn’t have a professional resume yet -- but when she does, we are proud to say that, after almost six months of training, many delicious treats (freeze-dried beef liver, yum) and a great deal of frustrated sighing and whining (me, not her), she has mastered an impressive list of behaviors. She may not be ready for prime time, but she’s getting there.

Heidi doesn’t really do anything fancy, but her trainer, Sue DiSesso, says that doesn’t matter: The idea, Sue says, is for the aspiring canine actor to learn to do the kind of things a dog does naturally, but on cue. Exits and entrances; picking up objects; carrying objects from place to place and dropping them; looking left, right, up and down; sitting; standing; laying down; and, most importantly, learning to stay, stay, stay. The 10-minute stay is a must.

First off, Heidi would like to announce –- and does, fairly often -– that she has finally learned to speak.  This is very exciting, particularly for me, because now I don’t have to stand in my kitchen barking up a storm while waving a beef liver treat -- hoping the dog will get a clue -- while Heidi stares at me silently, head cocked and a quizzical expression in her limpid brown eyes.

Actually, even though barking at my dog made me feel like I was accomplishing something, the way to teach the speak is to reward the animal immediately for making even the smallest noise until he or she begins to make the connection.

Humane Society accuses pet stores of selling dogs from puppy mills

The Humane Society of the United States is accusing Petland stores of selling dogs from “puppy mills,” where animals are bred in cramped cages with substandard care. The Kansas City Star reports:

Michael Markarian, Humane Society vice president, on Thursday announced the results of an eight-month investigation of Petland. The investigation, he said, used U.S. Department of Agriculture reports and other records to connect Petland stores to known high-volume breeders or brokers.

Missouri was one of the states singled out by Markarian as a haven for puppy mills.

Petland Inc. responded to the Humane Society report with a written statement.

“At Petland, healthy, happy, well-socialized pets within our care are our number one priority, as they have been for 41 years,” the company said. “We do not support substandard breeding facilities, and we provide each Petland store with ‘Humane Care Guidelines’ that were developed in conjunction with the USDA to assist with breeder facility inspections as it pertains to pet selection.”

Markarian said there are about 140 Petland stores in the U.S., a mix of corporate and franchise stores, with several in Missouri and Kansas.

Humane Society investigators visited 21 stores and 35 breeders and brokers that sold to Petland, he said, and reviewed records of 322 other breeders and 17,000 puppies linked to Petland. The investigators did not visit Missouri or Kansas stores.

Tracking the genetic background of Sasha the Husky

Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch continues his chronicle of Sasha, a husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Hirsch brought Sasha home, only to discover that she liked to wander -- and that healthcare for animals who like to roam is expensive. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed.

Sasha the Siberian Husky has a story, but she’s never going to tell. Lacking any knowledge of what befell Sasha before I rescued her from Spring Street near my office a few months ago, I decided to learn about her breed.

Nearly every inquiry pointed me to a May 2004, issue of the journal Science, in which researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle reported the first extensive genetic comparison of domestic dog breeds.

The Siberian Husky is one of the ancient breeds that are genetically closest to the gray wolf, thought to be the ancestor of canines. Of the 14, the Husky is a member of a group of seven with some of the oldest genetic patterns.

But while Sasha’s genetic pool is closer to a wolf than other dogs, that doesn’t mean she acts like a wolf. Huskies will moan and howl, but that’s about as far as it goes. The breed likes to hang out with people, not hunt them. The Chukchi tribes of Siberia, the source of the Husky name, used the animals to pull sleds and had the animals sleep with their children to help keep them warm. After feeling Sasha’s lush coat — she’s a living Cashmere sweater — I can see why.

An update on a case of alleged turkey abuse

The Associated Press has an update on a West Virginia poultry grower that has been accused, by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, of abusing turkeys.

Global poultry grower Aviagen Inc. said Wednesday it has suspended a supervisor and would investigate a video released by an animal rights group that appears to show horrific abuse of turkeys at the company's West Virginia farms.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the video, which includes workers stomping on turkeys' heads and twisting their necks to kill them, was shot by an undercover investigator who worked on the companies' farms for more than two months.

The undercover worker, who was not identified, described stifling, dusty barns where the animals were kept and caught video of several workers killing turkeys, slamming them into metal cages and bragging about previous abuse of the animals. The New York Times first reported the allegations.

Representatives of subsidiary Aviagen Turkeys Inc. on Tuesday were shown the video that "appears to show inappropriate actions and violations of our animal welfare policies," the company said in a statement. "We condemn any abuse of the animals in our care and will take swift action to address these issues," the statement said. The company said it was investigating the actions and workers shown in the video and they could be fired. The supervisor involved has been suspended pending the outcome.

L.A. Zoo elephant debate takes over City Council meeting

The Los Angeles Zoo's controversial pachyderm exhibit was hardly the proverbial elephant in the room Wednesday during a packed L.A. City Council meeting.

Far from being an unspoken issue, the topic consumed 4 1/2 hours of discussion. People cheered and groaned as wildlife experts, animal welfare activists, impassioned schoolteachers, zoo lovers, a former game show host-cum-animal cause philanthropist (Bob Barker) and council members weighed in on the future of elephants in the city.

At issue was a proposal from Councilman Tony Cardenas to halt construction of the zoo's $42-million "Pachyderm Forest" habitat and create an elephant preserve of at least 60 acres elsewhere in the L.A. Basin.

In the end, the council took no vote and referred the matter to its budget committee for further study. But at least one council member said he was amazed by all the trumpeting the issue inspired.

"I hope we spend four hours on the homeless, gridlock and other issues that affect our city," Councilman Bill Rosendahl said.

The fate of the exhibit has been called into question several times over the last few years. On Wednesday it was clear that the issue remained an emotional one for council members and city residents.

Educating Riley (the greyhound) and his master

Los Angeles Times Entertainment Editor Betsy Sharkey has adopted a greyhound, Riley, at right, that used to race at the Caliente Racing Track in Tijuana. She will periodically post updates on his assimilation into her family here on L.A. Unleashed. Today she writes about dog training.

It all started when I began Tivoing NatGeo’s “Dog Whisper With Cesar Millan” and Animal Planet’s “It’s Me or the Dog,” with British trainer-star Victoria Stilwell. The more I watched, the more I realized that I was definitely not the leader of my pack.

If you know anything about dog behavior, making sure you’re the pack leader is critical if you want to enjoy having dogs in your life. The chaos, or the unbalanced pack at my place starts with Max, my English Setter. He spends many hours a day in frenzied activity -- endlessly chasing butterflies and birds in the backyard -- and jumps with boundless energy on anyone who tries to come into the house. And with him at 14 months now, I can no longer blame his bad behavior on puppyhood. Diagnosis: He thinks he’s the pack leader, but is constantly anxious that he hasn’t got everything covered.

Then there is Riley, my greyhound rescue. In the midst of the chaos Max kicks up each day, Riley remains the calm center. But as I’ve watched Riley in the months since I adopted him, I’ve found a few rough edges that -- as I’ve learned from Cesar, who like Cher really only needs one name, and Victoria -- I should quickly get under control.

While Riley is consistently lovely with people, big or small, and eager to snuggle up against all comers, he has started taking serious issue with any dog who barks at him. I discovered this during a recent trip to the dog park after a very nervous daschund went ballistic in his direction and Riley responded in kind.

Just in time for Thanksgiving, allegations of turkey abuse

From the Associated Press:

LEWISBURG, W.Va. (AP) — A video released by an animal rights group on Tuesday claims to show horrific abuse of turkeys at West Virginia farms operated by major global poultry grower Aviagen Inc.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the video, which includes workers stomping on turkeys' heads and twisting their necks to kill them, was shot by an undercover investigator who worked on the companies' farms for more than two months.

The undercover worker, who was not identified, described stifling, dusty barns where the animals were kept and caught video of several workers killing turkeys, slamming them into metal cages and bragging about previous abuse of the animals.

A company official told The New York Times that they "condemn the abuse of any of the animals in our care and will take swift action to address these issues." They said they would investigate the allegations, which could lead to firing employees who were involved.

Will wild horses in the West be slaughtered?

USA Today, among other media outlets, has reported that the cost of corralling and caring for wild horses in the West is spiraling, sparking concern among animal lovers that the horses may be slaughtered:

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says slaughter remains a possibility for some of the more than 30,000 wild horses and burros being cared for in government-run pens.

A Government Accountability Office report issued last week lent support to the agency's assertion in June that the costs of caring for the animals have skyrocketed. The GAO said the agency should consider euthanizing some horses or selling them, likely to a slaughterhouse, as an alternative to keeping them in long-term holding pens for their entire lives ...

But today the Washington Post reports that these horses may not have to be slaughtered after all. Madeleine Pickens, wife of billionaire T. Boone Pickens, has made it known that she wants to adopt "most or all of the 30,000 horses and burros kept in federal holding pens. ... Madeleine Pickens is looking for land in the West that would be an appropriate home for the horses."

Animal rights groups are, to say the the least, thrilled.

-- Alice Short

Photo credit: Associated Press

The Heidi Chronicles, Chapter 18: Animal colorists

This is Heidi. She was "discovered" this year in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

Let it be stated for the record that, despite her Hollywood aspirations, Heidi has never had work done. When we first adopted her at 14 months, Heidi -- a rescue found in a Texas storm drain -- had just finished nursing her litter of puppies and, frankly, was still looking somewhat saggy in the chest area. Living so close to Beverly Hills, it was hard not to consider a little nip/tuck — and to wonder, since breast reduction surgery usually only involves two, whether Heidi could get a package deal on eight. Fortunately, Heidi soon regained her girlish figure -- and no, I never seriously considered putting her under the knife.

We can all be thankful that cosmetic surgery for dogs remains virtually unheard of, even in show biz. But dogs and other animals often have their appearance altered for the camera. Sometimes, the work is done digitally, in the post-production phase. But there’s still plenty of call for the work of Rose Ordile, one of Hollywood’s premiere animal colorists, through her business “Animals of a Different Color.”

More dog advice for the Obamas

You may think you've read all there is to read about the Obamas and their dog-to-be ... but wait, there's more! Times staff writer Carla Hall writes in today's paper that "Ever since President-elect Barack Obama announced in his victory speech that his daughters would be taking a new puppy with them to the White House, interest in the subject of the First Pooch has exploded. Animal welfare websites bristle with advice on pet ownership and praise for Obama's pledge to search for a shelter dog."

Hall continues:

Petfinder.com, citing Malia’s allergies, blogged this week that its database included about 5,000 dogs of hypoallergenic breeds. ... Ed Boks, general manager of L.A.'s Animal Services Department, said he called the office of Antonio Villaraigosa in hopes that the mayor -- who's on Obama's economic task force, after all -- might "put in a good word for L.A.'s homeless dogs. Our dogs would make the very best ambassadors to the White House."

But so would the bald and stark-looking Peruvian hairless dog -- at least according to the Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Assn. "They do not cause any type of allergy and are very friendly and sweet," the group's director, Claudia Galvez, told a wire service reporter this week. Galvez sent a letter through diplomatic circles offering a male puppy.

And Yoyo, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina and a rescue dog of the puli breed -- a Hungarian sheepdog -- is scheduled to announce her candidacy for First Dog at a Nov. 25 news conference at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in West L.A., according to hospitality and pet industry publicist Susan Hartzler.

And don't forget: Times columnist Chris Erskine has actually nominated his own canine, Cujo, to be First Dog. And it turns out, the prospect of a First Puppy has attracted headlines in other countries as well, including the Times of London, which offered some tips on finding a hypoallergenic pet.

Memo to the president elect: We've got a dog for you

Times columnist Chris Erskine ("Man of the House") has some good news for the First Family elect: He's going to help them in their quest to pick out a puppy.

OK, I'll bite. If the Obamas are looking for a White House dog, let me nominate our sweet little beagle, Cujo, for the role. Cujo seconds the motion.Cujo is a storybook pup, cuddly and affectionate. When he burps, bubbles float from his mouth and he chases them into a grassy glen. He likes to shadow box with butterflies or rub noses with bunnies. And he’s always getting his head stuck in the honey pot while trying to make friends with bees. I’m going to miss that little scamp so much.

But a big-hearted dog like Cujo deserves the finest home possible. And the new first family deserves a first rate first dog.

Now, Malia and Sasha, forget what your dad’s aides may dig up about Cujo. You know how the media distort things. Forget all that stuff someone wrote about him having a bladder the size of a shot glass, or how he likes to sleep with his business end on my pillow. Some have suspected he doesn’t know his head from his heinie, which I think makes him instant White House material.

You kids are going to love Cujo, you really are. There’s nothing like a dog to bring life and energy to a new home. Just wait till he snatches the turkey from the Thanksgiving buffet.

--Chris Erskine

For more from Saturday's "Man of the House" column on Cujo, go to latimes.com/erskine.

Rent a pet in West Hollywood? Unlikely

L.A. Unleashed has visited the topic of rental pets in the past.

Apparently the possibility was raised in West Hollywood, but that city is having none of it. West Hollywood's City Council has banned the business of pet rentals. Mayor Jeff Prang called the practice "horrific." For details, jump to L.A. Now.

Photo: Los Angeles Times

L.A. Unleashed has visited the topic of rental pets in the past.

Apparently the possibility was raised in West Hollywood, but that city is having none of it. West Hollywood's City Council has banned the business of pet rentals. Mayor Jeff Prang called the practice "horrific." For details, jump to L.A. Now.

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Peru offers to send a bald dog to the Obamas

What kind of dog will the Obamas bring with them to the White House? A curly Goldendoodle? Maybe a spunky Maltese or a standard poodle?

Well, Peru (as in the country) has a suggestion:

Meet Ears, a 4-month-old Peruvian Hairless dog. He's part of a bald and often toothless ancient breed that was popular during the Incan Empire. The Associated Press reports:

"They do not cause any type of allergy and are very friendly and sweet," said Claudia Galvez, 38, director of the Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association.

"We want to give a male puppy to Obama's daughters, so they get to experience all the joys of having a dog but without any allergies."

Galvez delivered a letter detailing her offer to the U.S. embassy in Lima Monday and hopes Obama will accept it.

If you're not fully sold on Ears based on his stunningly good looks alone just yet, it turns out that he has more to offer than just a ... wrinkly face.

According to a Peruvian myth, hairless dogs have higher body temperatures than other dogs because of their lack of hair, making them feel warm. Peruvian folklore also has it that hugging one of these dogs is supposed to ease stomach pains and other disorders (Wikipedia).

If he is sent to the United States, Ears will officially be named Machu Picchu (which is really too bad because, truth be told, his name was the only thing that made us think those big flappers were actually something cute). To L.A. Unleashed, he'll always be Ears.

-- Christine Kang

Photo credit: Karel Navarro / Associated Press

San Diego Zoo holds Great Ape Awareness Days

To bring attention to the ecological, political and economic threats to the ape family, the San Diego Zoo is holding  Great Ape Awareness Days on Thursday (Nov. 13) through Sunday (Nov. 16).

Specialists will be available to discuss the dangers posed to bonobos, gorillas and orangutans. The threats are major and not going away.

The last group of bonobos is in the war-torn Congo. The habitat of the orangutan has been dwindling because of the spread of palm-oil plantations. And the gorillas face myriad problems.

For a full list of events check www.sandiegozoo.com.

Tony Perry

Photo: Orangutan at San Diego Zoo

U.S. Supreme Court OKs Navy use of sonar

Times staff writer David Savage reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has had its say about sonar and whales:

The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a defeat to environmentalists today and cleared the way for the Navy to use high-powered sonar 12 miles off the Southern California coast even if it poses a threat to whales and other marine mammals.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts said the Navy needs to train its crews to detect enemy submarines, and it cannot be forced to turn off its sonar when whales are spotted nearby. "The public interest in conducting training exercises with active sonar under realistic conditions plainly outweighs" the concerns voiced by environmentalists, he said for a 5-4 majority.

Roberts faulted judges in California for "second-guessing" the views of Navy leaders. "Where the public interest lies does not strike us as a close question," he said.

Roberts also questioned whether whales have indeed been harmed by sonar. He said the Navy had been operating off the California coast for 40 years "without a single documented sonar-related injury to any marine mammal."

The Natural Resources Defense Council and other environmental groups strongly disagreed. They say studies conducted around the world have shown that the piercing underwater sounds cause whales to flee in panic. These studies said some whales have beached themselves and have shown signs of bleeding in their ears as a result of high-powered sonar.

Today's ruling lifts a Los Angeles judge's order that required the Navy to turn off its sonar when whales or marine mammals were seen within 1.2 miles of a ship. The ruling left in a place several measures to protect the whales, including a 12-mile zone along the coast where the Navy may not use its sonar. These were not challenged in the Supreme Court.

The Bush administration had urged the court to take up this case and rule quickly so the Navy could conduct training exercises scheduled in the next few months.

Doggie wear fit for an inauguration

Here's a little something from the Times' new shopping blog, To Live and Buy in L.A.:

Obamamania has clearly gone to the dogs. (Hey, if newspapers can get in on the action, so can your favorite canine.)

But now pups can dress for the occasion -- in a form-fitting "Los Angeles [loves] Obama" doggie T-shirt by, interestingly enough, People for Obama.  Made of 100% cotton and featuring a black ringer accent on the sleeves and collar, the shirt will make all the four-legged McCain supporters out there tuck their tails between their legs.

Is your dog a little on the husky side? Not a problem. The $20.99 shirt is available in five sizes, from small to XX large.

--Yvonne Villarreal

Photo credit: People for Obama

Here's a little something from the Times' new shopping blog, To Live and Buy in L.A.:

Obamamania has clearly gone to the dogs. (Hey, if newspapers can get in on the action, so can your favorite canine.)

But now pups can dress for the occasion -- in a form-fitting "Los Angeles [loves] Obama" doggie T-shirt by, interestingly enough, People for Obama.  Made of 100% cotton and featuring a black ringer accent on the sleeves and collar, the shirt will make all the four-legged McCain supporters out there tuck their tails between their legs.

Is your dog a little on the husky side? Not a problem. The $20.99 shirt is available in five sizes, from small to XX large.

--Yvonne Villarreal

Photo credit: People for Obama

"World's Ugliest Dog" dies

From the Associated Press:

A one-eyed, three-legged dog that won the title of world's ugliest pooch this summer has died. The St. Petersburg Times in Florida reports that Gus, a Chinese crested dog, had cancer. He was 9. Gus was rescued from a bad home and went on to win the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in northern California.

Gus came from humble origins. According to the fair, his adopted family in Gulfport, Fla., rescued him after learning he was being kept in a crate inside someone's garage.

He had one leg amputated because of a skin tumor and lost an eye in a cat fight.

Gus' owner had said the prize money from the contest would be put toward the dog's radiation treatment.

Photo: Associated Press

The Heidi Chronicles, Chapter 17: Heidi 'learns' to snarl

This is Heidi. She was "discovered" this year in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

Heidi does not want me to write today’s chapter. She would rather play with her ball, as evidenced by the fact that she keeps bringing her ball to me in her mouth and spitting it at me as I sit at the computer. Or else she just stands there chewing on it; a German shepherd panting with a rubber ball in her mouth sounds a lot like Darth Vader from "Star Wars."

I must constantly remind the dog that "The Heidi Chronicles" is about her career, honey –- not mine. And today’s topic is something even scarier than Darth Vader sucking in air through that black mask: We are introducing the "snarl device," a Hollywood trick designed to make a good dog look b-a-a-a-d.

In previous chapters, we learned that Heidi, as a German shepherd, would need to learn how to speak in order to play the heavy-barking roles that are open to her breed: police dog, guard dog, junkyard dog. There is only one category in which typecasting works in favor of a good-tempered GSD (that’s German shepherd dog) like our Heidi, says her trainer, Sue DiSesso.

These days, says Sue, it is possible that more Labradors are being trained as service dogs or leader dogs for the blind than GSDs, but Hollywood still clings to the stereotype of the German shepherd as leader dog.

Lots of advice on the selection of the 'first dog' for the Obamas

In a Friday news conference, President-elect Barack Obama was asked about Iran, the economy and, of course, "the puppy issue."

Why? Because his two daughters have been lobbying for a dog, setting off a worldwide debate on what kind of dog and the source of said dog. In addition, in his presidential acceptance speech, Obama pledged to get his daughters a puppy.

On Friday, the president-elect jokingly referred to the pet-selection process as a "major issue," saying it had generated a great deal of discussion on his website.

"We have two criteria that have to be reconciled," Obama said. "One is that [daughter] Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic." Yes, he would prefer to adopt a dog from a shelter. But?

"A lot of shelter dogs are mutts, like me," Obama said. "So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

The first family-elect is getting a great deal of advice. Consider:

In a poll by the American Kennel Club, Americans chose the poodle (pictured above) as the "best breed for the Obamas."

"I think the poodle is an excellent choice because the breed is versatile, highly intelligent and easily trained," said AKC spokeswoman Lisa Peterson, adding that "good manners are important at the White House."

Another heated debate over the L.A. Zoo's elephant enclosure

The Daily News reports that animal activists and zoo supporters locked horns in a heated battle Thursday over whether the Los Angeles Zoo should stop construction of a new $42 million elephant enclosure.

Among a herd of celebrities, including former game-show host Bob Barker and several "Desperate Housewives" cast members, actress Lily Tomlin said subjecting elephants to zoo life amounts to torture.

"The word `zoo' is sort of elephant-speak for Guantanamo," Tomlin said.

"Golden Girl" Betty White also showed, but spoke in favor of building the new enclosure and dismissed claims that the lone remaining elephant at the zoo was stressed out or depressed.

The City Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee recommended to the full council that construction continue.

Those in favor of the six-acre enclosure told the committee the new habitat would be more comfortable for the zoo's elephant population - which currently sits at just one, a 21-year-old Asian elephant named Billy - and boost the zoo's prestige.

Opponents say the millions of dollars the city would spend to build the enclosure and care for the animals should instead go to projects that would directly benefit humans.

Sasha the Husky goes to school

Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch continues his chronicle of Sasha, a husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Hirsch brought Sasha home, only to discover that she liked to wander -- and that healthcare for animals who like to roam is expensive. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed.

Sasha the stray — the Siberian husky I rescued from Spring Street in front of the L.A. Times office — needs training. For the most part, Sasha is sweet and friendly, but she considers basic commands such as "sit," "stay" and "come" options to be followed depending on factors that are well understood by canines but not us.

Much of her behavior remains a mystery. We think we understand why the snow-white dog with blue eyes suffers from anxiety attacks and engages in constant resource guarding. Her weeks or months on the street left Sasha with a strong drive to protect anything that can remotely be considered food and even water. We once watched her hover for 10 minutes over a French fry she had no immediate interest in eating to make sure our Labrador retriever wouldn’t snatch it. We eventually tossed it in the trash.

Jennifer enrolled Sasha in the Level One Dog Training class at the SPCLA facility in Long Beach. Kathleen McElderry, one of the animal behavior and training specialists, is one of the instructors. We remember Katie as a Los Alamitos High School student as she watched her younger brother play with our son Jacob in the local sports leagues.

Since high school, Katie has worked as an animal handler and trainer at Universal Studios Hollywood, as the assistant curator at Rainforest Café and as the falconer with Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Buena Park. We figure if anybody can help us turn the once-nearly-feral Sasha into a civilized dog, it’s Katie.

Jennifer arrived to the group lesson ...

Animal rights activist convicted of contempt of court

Pamelyn Ferdin, an activist who has protested the use of animals in scientific experiments, was convicted of contempt of court Thursday for violating an injunction against demonstrations near the homes of UCLA researchers. Times staff writer Larry Gordon reports:

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John L. Segal, who conducted Ferdin's hearing in Santa Monica, scheduled sentencing for Nov. 18, according to a court clerk.

Ferdin was found to have violated an injunction, issued in April at UCLA's request, when she demonstrated in June near the Westside homes of UCLA faculty members and distributed fliers that included scientists' home addresses and phone numbers.

Reached by telephone Thursday, Ferdin said she planned to appeal her conviction but was proud of her involvement in the protests. She said the injunction covered other people and did not name her.

"I have every right to hand out the leaflets," said Ferdin, 49, of Agoura Hills.

The aftermath of Proposition 2

Californians passed Proposition 2 on Tuesday, but the debate over egg prices hasn't completely died down.

For months, farmers in the Golden State contended that passage of the farm animal welfare measure, which is supposed to free about 20 million egg-laying hens of their tiny cages, would drive up egg prices -- or even drive them out of business.

Wednesday, the measure's proponents said that rise was unlikely, especially since the measure doesn't take effect until 2015. The head of the Humane Society of the U.S., which sponsored the campaign, said farmers would adjust to meet an increasing demand for eggs from cage-free birds. "For them to say 'we're all going out of business because we have to let the birds stretch their wings' is absurd," said Wayne Pacelle, the group's president.

In addition, California imports a third of the shelled eggs it consumes from out-of-state producers, which are not subject to the new regulations. A new study from the UC Davis Agricultural Issues Center said there would be no reason for a jump in the price of those eggs. 

But Ryan Armstrong, an egg farmer in Valley Center, Calif., predicted he would have to leave the state rather than convert to cage-free housing. "We haven't quite figured it out. We'll probably in the next month or so let some employees go and slim down our operations," Armstrong said Wednesday. "Our goal is probably not to stay in the egg business."

Times staff writers Carla Hall and Jerry Hirsch have the details in today's Business section.

--Alice Short

Photo credit: Associated Press

Bison killer to pay over $157,000

The Denver Post reports that Texas businessman Jeffrey Scott Hawn, who orchestrated the slaughter of 32 bison belonging to South Park rancher Monte Downare, will have to pay more than $157,000 in restitution, including $83,362 to Downare and $70,000 to seven charitable organizations that care for animals.

Hawn, 44, appeared Monday in Park County District Court where he pleaded guilty to one count of criminal mischief and one count of cruelty to animals.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Hawn will be placed on probation for two years. District Judge Stephen Groome can impose up to 10 days in jail as a condition of probation when Hawn is sentenced Jan. 28.

The Heidi Chronicles, Chapter 16: A posthumous connection with a trainer

This is Heidi. She was "discovered" this year in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

As we recount the story of Heidi’s studio training –- which her trainer, Sue DiSesso, says must transcend the “parlor tricks” of the average obedient house dog if Heidi wants to get work — we pause to pay our respects to Moe DiSesso, Sue’s third husband, who died in July 2007 at age 83.

Husband No. 1, the late Bob Davis, was a Navy man who eventually worked for Dewey Pest Control; No. 2, the adventurous Buz Lunford, is featured in the book “Snakehunting on the Devil’s Highway,” by Lunford’s pal Richard Lapidus.

But it was not until she married Moe, a generation her senior, that Sue found her soul mate. I particularly enjoyed Sue’s story about helping Moe, pictured at left, train hundreds of rats for the 1971 movie “Willard.” Rats eat too slowly to be effectively rewarded with treats, so instead, Sue kissed them. “Moe said: ‘Are you really going to kiss 300 rats?’ I told him yes,’ ” Sue recalls with a laugh.

For fans of scary critters, Sue’s students have also included a tarantula who can lift one leg and wave hello. And at the end of one of Heidi’s training sessions, Sue had to dash off because, she explained, “I have to go work out a frog.”

Just in time for Halloween, a pet cemetery

Just in time for Halloween, we check in on Sea Breeze Pet Cemetery, the Huntington Beach graveyard just for four-legged friends. The Carl's Jr. next door isn't particularly spooky, but hanging out with the ghosts of 20,000 dogs, cats, birds and turtles--plus the odd circus lion and a few unidentified mammals--next to an on-site crematory might give you the willies.

--Video by Susannah Rosenblatt

Rancho Los Amigos cat saga continues ...

Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control officers have begun the trapping of cats--feral and friendly--who make up the colonies roaming through the old buildings of the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. For years the cats have roamed, fed by volunteers. Some, such as the arresting Siamese above, find shelter in the roomy nooks and crannies of the old buildings' foundations.

But after months of controversy over the cats supposedly leaving feces and attracting fleas near more populated buildings -- including a childcare center -- on the center's campus, the county has declared they must go.

They're not going too fast though. County officers set humane spring-loaded traps--cats walk into the cages and a door shuts behind--last Saturday as well as Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

So far, they've gotten six, according to David East. He and his wife, Linda, both retired, have devoted themselves to the cats over the past few years and would like the county to just leave the trapping task to them and other members of a group called Fail-Safe 4 Felines. County officials said they tried that and the colonies only increased to more than 150 cats with evidence of five new litters.

"That's just not true. We're there every day," said David East. "There have been only one or two litters this year that we pulled out and got adopted."

He also said they estimate there are 130 cats remaining. And he also said he believes the sources of the fleas are the dogs he observes people walking and allowing off-leash on the grounds. "They're trying to blame the cats."   

Rehabilitated sea turtle set free

Remember the sea turtle that was trapped and wounded in the San Gabriel River? Times staff writer Louis Sahagun has an update.

A rehabilitated green sea turtle the size of a manhole cover was set free in the San Gabriel River on Thursday after two months of intensive veterinary care at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Aquarium veterinarian Lance Adams grabbed the two ends of the 44-pound reptile's mossy carapace and let it go in the murky water under the East Second Street bridge south of the 405 Freeway, silently urging it on.

The turtle's flippers went into action and it disappeared into the green depths near the warm outflow of a Long Beach power plant where federal biologists recently discovered a resident colony of green sea turtles, about a mile upstream in a heavily industrialized stretch of the river.

"It didn't stop to say goodbye," Adams said with a smile.

The creature's release was celebrated with applause from about two dozen witnesses. Among them were biologists and staffers from a local National Marine Fisheries Service headquarters and heavy-equipment operator Dana Williams, 57, who happened to have been bicycling in the area when he caught sight of the commotion.

"This is exquisite," he said. "But they ought to put up a sign: No speed boats. Turtle sanctuary."

Die-off of bats is linked to new fungus

Researchers have found a clue in the mysterious die-off of bats that has struck the Northeast -- a new fungus that so far seems to be present only in bats and in caves where the die-off has occurred. Times staff writer Thomas H. Maugh II reports:

"The fungus is in some way involved in causing the bats to starve to death," said biologist Thomas Tomasi of Missouri State University in Springfield. "They are burning up too many calories, at a rate faster than they can sustain."

Bat experts are not yet sure, however, whether the fungus is the cause of the widespread deaths or is simply an opportunistic microorganism infecting animals that have already been weakened by some unknown threat.

"Whether it is the primary cause or not, we still have to find out whether it is newly introduced or if there are other factors that need to be addressed," said biologist Merlin Tuttle, founder and president of Bat Conservation International.

The disease, which bears many similarities to the colony collapse disorder that has decimated honeybee colonies across the country, first appeared in a cave near Albany, N.Y., in the winter of 2006. It has since spread to at least three other states in the region.

The most obvious symptom is the presence of a visible halo of white fungus around the faces of afflicted animals -- hence the common name, white-nose syndrome. The affected animals become severely emaciated, often emerging from their hibernation caves in the dead of winter in a futile search for food.

In some bat caves, more than 90% of the inhabitants died last winter. Overall populations have declined about 75% in the affected areas....

Bats represent about a quarter of all mammalian species and are voracious eaters of insects that attack crops and carry diseases. A single bat can eat more than 100% of its body weight in bugs each night.

Photo: Al Hicks / New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Fatalities on the rise in vehicle-animal crashes

From the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON -- Fatalities from vehicle crashes with deer and other animals have more than doubled over the last 15 years, according to a new study by an auto insurance-funded highway safety group that cites urban sprawl overlapping into deer habitat.

The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that 223 people died in animal-vehicle crashes last year, up from 150 in 2000 and 101 in 1993.

Since 1993, Texas had the most deaths from such crashes, with 227, followed by Wisconsin with 123 and Pennsylvania with 112.

The Highway Loss Data Institute and its sister organization, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, looked at both insurance claims and federal crash data. According to the report, most accidents involving animals are with deer.

We had to-- it's Halloween!

We haven't forgotten the pleas of L.A. Animal Services to not dress your pets in Halloween costumes!

We understand it's not a good practice, we really do.

But we cannot resist sharing a few images sent to us by L.A. Times readers at Your Scene. Feel free to make up your own commentary.

See more photos (or share your own) in Your Scene's Halloween Pets album.

Photos (top to bottom): "Abbey" submitted by Abbey, "Lola and Ron" submitted by Hi, and "Lola the Pumpkin" submitted by lola.

Olsen twins prompt another visit from PETA

We can't get enough news about the Olsen twins (that's Mary-Kate and Ashely for those who've asleep for the last 15 years), who have again attracted the attention of animal rights protesters, this time at a New York event for their new fashion book "Influence." Envirolink has the details:

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's book signing attracted masked animal rights protesters yesterday.

Two representatives from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) -- who call themselves the Trollsen Twins -- wore masks designed by the organization and held signs condemning the pair's penchant for fur at the New York event for the Olsen's new fashion bible 'Influence'.

The placards read 'Trollsens Fur Hags From Hell' and 'Hairy Kate + Ashley
Olsen: Fur Tramps.'

Dan Shannon, PETA's assistant director of youth campaigns, said: 'From their ghoulish garb to their skeletal frames, every day is Halloween if you're an Olsen twin.'

It's not the first time PETA has dissed the twins for wearing fur. In the summer, the animal rights organization issued a statement, which said, in part:

As the Olsen twins prepare to celebrate their 22nd birthday this Friday, they'll be getting some unusual 'gifts' in the mail -- locks of hair from countless young people who object to cruelty to animals.

-- Alice Short

Photo: Evan Agostini / Associated Press

'Pardoned turkeys'--Where are they now?

If you've already started to think about Thanksgiving, you're not alone. The Associated Press reports:

At Thanksgiving, turkeys are in the spotlight, but not all of them end up on our tables. One lucky bird is appointed National Thanksgiving Turkey, appearing at the White House and getting an official pardon from the president. It’s the high point of a turkey’s career. But once he’s whisked off the stage, what happens?

In recent years, the pardoned turkey and its alternate have had the good fortune to retire to the site of many a dream vacation —Disney World and Disneyland. The first pardoned turkeys to go to Disneyland were Marshmallow and Yam in 2005. In his speech that year, President Bush joked that their retirement location had been changed because the turkeys “were a little skeptical about going to a place called Frying Pan Park,” a historic farm park in Virginia that had been the home of the previous honorees.

Disney spokesman Duncan Wardle remembers it a bit differently. One Thanksgiving, chatting about the pardoned turkey over coffee, someone on his staff said, “Doesn’t that make him the happiest turkey on earth? We should bring him to the happiest place on earth.”

Last year’s birds — named May and Flower via online poll— are currently living the good life at Disney World in Florida, where they were flown by a United Airlines flight that was renamed “Turkey One” for the occasion. They served as honorary grand marshals of the Thanksgiving parade, riding on the first float. But once the holiday was over, like many of us, they had to go on a post-Thanksgiving diet.

“They arrived very heavy,” says Matt Hohne, acting animal operations director for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “They were immediately put on our conditioning program.”

One-third of fish used for animal feed

One-third of the world's ocean fish catch is ground up for animal feed, a potential problem for marine ecosystems and a waste of a resource that could directly nourish humans, scientists said on Wednesday. Reuters has the report:

The fish being used to feed pigs, chickens and farm-raised fish are often thought of as bait, including anchovies, sardines, menhaden and other small- to medium-sized species, researchers wrote in a study to be published in November in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources.

These so-called forage fish account for 37 percent, or 31.5 million tons, of all fish taken from the world's oceans each year, the study said. Ninety percent of that catch is turned into fish meal or fish oil, most of which is used as agricultural and aquacultural feed.

Ellen Pikitch, executive director of the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science and a professor at Stony Brook University in New York, called these numbers "staggering."

"The reason I find that so alarming is that it's an enormous percentage of the world fish catch," Pikitch said by telephone. "And fish are fundamentally important to the health of the ocean overall."

Forage fish are near the base of the marine food web, nourishing larger fish, ocean-dwelling marine mammals and sea birds, especially puffins and gulls, the study said.

Some advice about pets on Halloween

Halloween is one of the great holidays in Los Angeles; the lengths people go to for their costumes (and we're not talking kids here) are nothing short of amazing. But it's not a great night for pets, and L.A. Animal Services has a little advice for those who care about their animal companions.

--Leave all pets at home.

--Keep all pets indoors, including those that normally live outside.

--Keep them in a secure and quiet room.

--Keep children away from animals.

--Keep candy out of Fido's reach.

--Have traceable identification on pets at all times.

--Keep pets away from decorations.

--And ... for God's sake (emphasis ours): resist the urge to put your furry friend in a costume!

--Alice Short

Photo: Amy Sancetta/Associated Press

Protections for trout upheld

From the Associated Press:

A federal judge upheld on Monday protections for wild steelhead trout in California rivers, rejecting an argument by forestry groups that argued the success of hatchery-raised steelhead has made the population sufficiently robust.

U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger in Fresno disagreed. He said hatchery-raised fish are no substitute for wild steelhead.

Science shows that hatchery-fish can be beneficial, but they also can be detrimental to wild steelhead, Wanger wrote in his 168-page ruling.

Steelhead are listed as either threatened or endangered in different parts of California.

In a related claim, the judge also rejected a bid by Central Valley farmers to remove steelhead trout from the federal Endangered Species Act. The farmers pointed to an abundance of resident rainbow trout, steelhead that do not migrate to the ocean.

The Modesto Irrigation District had argued that rainbow trout are essentially the same species as wild steelhead. Wanger agreed with federal wildlife scientists, who have said wild steelhead are distinct and indispensable to the survival of the species.

It is the third instance in two years in which a federal court has rejected arguments that hatchery fish ought to be counted as part of salmon or steelhead populations, said Steve Mashuda, an attorney at Earthjustice, a nonprofit group that represented the conservation and fishing groups.

The groups pressing the cases say federal wildlife managers should assess an entire fish's population - both wild and hatchery-raised - when deciding whether to protect it.

Seven killer whales missing

From  the Associated Press:

SEATTLE - Seven Puget Sound killer whales are missing and presumed dead in what could be the biggest decline among the sound's orcas in nearly a decade, say scientists who track the endangered animals.

"This is a disaster," Ken Balcomb, a senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island, said Friday. "The population drop is worse than the stock market."

While the official census won't be completed until December, the total number of live "southern resident" orcas now stands at 83.

Among those missing since last year's count are the nearly century-old leader of one of the three southern resident pods, and two young females who recently bore calves. The loss of the seven whales, Balcomb said, would be the biggest decline among the Puget Sound orcas since 1999, when the center also tracked a decline of seven whales.

Low numbers of chinook salmon, a prime food for these whales, may be a factor in the unusual number of deaths this year, Balcomb said.

"It was a bad salmon year and that's not good for the whales," he said. "Everybody considers these wonderful creatures, but we really have to pay attention to the food supply."

The Heidi Chronicles, Part 15: Heidi continues her lessons

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

For those who have followed Heidi’s futile attempts to take a meeting with Rusco, the chihuahua who plays Papi in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," this just in from "BHC" Central: The deal is off. The schedule, we’re told, "is too tight on Rusco’s end" because he is in the show at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre and is doing three or four shows a day for the next couple of weeks.

Although it would have been easier for Heidi to fit a small dog into her busy schedule than a big one, we admit to being relieved. Heidi actually doesn’t "do lunch" anyway — just breakfast, dinner and treats when she’s super-good.

It’s unfortunate, however, that Rusco will miss the opportunity to connect with Heidi’s extended fan base, which includes the staff at Maxwell Dog boutique, the Biscuit Lady (we refrain from using her real name because then everybody will want a biscuit) and Theary Thai (see photo after the jump), proprietor of the K’s Donut Emporium in Studio City.

OK, time for the truth -– I’m not dropping the Biscuit Lady’s name because I don’t know what it is. Dog owners know what I’m talking about: When your dog meets another canine while out on a walk, you always say: "What’s your dog’s name?" not "What’s your name?" After a few years, it becomes too embarrassing to ask, which is why I will forever think of the family around the corner only as the Dobermans.

Sasha the husky: Fulfilling a need to run

Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch continues his chronicle of Sasha, a husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Hirsch brought Sasha home, only to discover that she liked to wander -- and that healthcare for animals who like to roam is expensive. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed.

I stopped by the Orange County Animal Shelter recently. We were near The Block shopping center in Orange, and Jennifer suggested we take a peek. This is where Jennifer bailed out Sasha after the Siberian husky bolted from our yard on her 8-mile run to La Palma.

The first thing I noticed was how the Theo Lacy Facility, a county jail, nearly envelops the shelter. The combined parcel contains humans and animals housed in cells, each to be taken out briefly for exercise on tightly fenced lawns. I wondered who had a better chance for redemption and happiness — the human or the canine prisoners.

The number of farm animals at the urban shelter also surprised me. Why choose a Chihuahua when you can take home a 400-pound pig or a squawking goose? Do you think they ever become dinner?

We saw four huskies at the shelter. None had the striking snow white coat and blue eyes of Sasha. They were various combinations of gray and white. One had an eye that was two shades of brown, kind of split unevenly down the middle.

Two of the dogs had been "surrendered" by their owners to the shelter. The third "returned" by an adoptive family. The fourth looked to be a bolter like our Sasha, the year-old stray I found deliriously wandering Spring Street in downtown LA.

Jennifer and I looked knowingly at each other. We understood the human side of this equation.

Release of foxes signals successful comeback

Times staff writer Steve Chawkins reports that these are wonderful times to be an island fox.

A decade ago, the house-cat-sized animals were scampering toward extinction, with only a few dozen surviving at spots scattered around Channel Islands National Park. Now they're practically poster mammals for species revival, numerous enough that government scientists no longer have to breed them in the safety of chain-link pens.

On Thursday, one, then another of the relentlessly cute critters dashed into the brush of this wind-swept island -- the last of the three where the breeding program operated. The transfer, solemnly performed by a park biologist and the second-in-command of the Interior Department, marked the end of a $5.4-million rescue effort that started in 1999.

"It may be one of the quickest recoveries in the history of the Endangered Species Act," said Deputy Interior Secretary Lynn Scarlett. "It's a phenomenal success story."

And all it took was booting out dozens of fox-killing golden eagles, bringing back the bald eagles that were nearly wiped out decades before and killing some 5,000 feral pigs.

Abandoned chihuahuas crowd Santa Barbara shelters

Chloe, the preening four-legged princess in the film "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," might want to take note. In this economy, even pampered pets from better addresses can quickly become Little Orphan Annies. Times staff writer Catherine Saillant reports:

In Santa Barbara County, three rescue shelters are housing a veritable glut of abandoned Chihuahuas. So many, in fact, that shelter managers are concluding a weeklong "Adopt-a-Chihuahua" campaign.

More than 100 of the high-energy pets went up for adoption Saturday. Though there's been a flurry of interest, more than 75 of the animals are still waiting for homes, said Animal Services Director Jan Glick.

Most were brought to county animal shelters as strays or were dropped off by owners who are moving or who can no longer afford to keep them, Glick said. High rents, rampant foreclosures and rising costs of pet food and veterinary care have dampened the popularity of the once-hip pooch, shelter operators say.

"People find they can't afford to feed them, or they lose their homes and they have to give up their animals," Glick said.

Mountain lion spotted at the Getty Center

There's a new work of art (of sorts) at the Getty Center. The Associated Press reports:

The world-famous Getty Center and its art museum have had an unusual visitor — a mountain lion. The predator was spotted at night on Oct. 13 and again before dawn on Oct. 18.

It was seen in a woody area near a hilltop shuttle bus turnaround used by employees, spokeswoman Julie Jaskol said Thursday. Employees described it as “the size of a large dog, 65 or 70 pounds,” she said.

The mountain lion may have been hunting deer, which are common in the woody canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains surrounding the center overlooking West Los Angeles, Jaskol said. The area is not open to the public and the mountain lion was not considered a serious threat but “we take prudent precautions” regarding all wildlife, Jaskol said.

The shuttle stopped using the turnaround area and dropped off workers elsewhere but there have been no more sightings and it was expected to reopen sometime this week, Jaskol said. According to state game officials, “mountain lions have a range of hundreds of miles and they don’t stay in one place for very long,” Jaskol said. “They are loath to meet up with humans.”

Getty workers are used to seeing all kinds of critters in the area, including skunks, raccoons and foxes. Still, “I don’t think most of us see mountain lions,” she said. “I think everybody has seen coyotes.”

Animal Liberation Front claims action against UCLA

The UCLA Daily Bruin is reporting that university police are investigating a claim that animal rights activists placed unfired shotgun shells in the mufflers of several UCLA commuter vans. Here are some of the details:

The North American Animal Liberation Press Office posted separate claims by the Animal Liberation Front on Oct. 6 and Oct. 17 on its Web site announcing action taken against UCLA, according to a UCLA statement.

“There were two separate releases that the (Animal Liberation Front) distributed based on these anonymous communiques that claimed that shotgun shells had been inserted,” said Phil Hampton, a university spokesman. “The police department has looked into it and found no evidence to support the claims.”

The Animal Liberation Front is an animal rights group that takes “direct action against animal abuses ... usually through the damage and destruction of property,” according to its Web site.

Animal rights activists claimed to have placed the shotgun shells into the tailpipes of commuter vans as part of a continuing campaign against animal experimenters, according to an Animal Liberation Front statement.

Cute is good for you

You may scoff at photos or videos of terribly cute animals... but it turns out that sort of viewing is good for you. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has the details:

Take 10 minutes of Animal Planet and call us in the morning. Or dose up on those videos of hilariously clumsy cats or dogs skidding on ice. Not mean ones, just funny or beautiful ones. Watching films of animal life may help you beat stress, which makes you feel great while it drops your risk of scores of health problems.

When people watched 10 minutes of animal footage, their heart rate and blood pressure dipped not only while they were under stress, but it stayed lower even afterward. It didn't matter whether the animal was scaly, feathered or furry. Even better, the sound doesn't have to be on to reap the calming benefits, so you can sneak a peek at the latest panda/polar bear/Labrador retriever clips before your next tension-filled meeting, and your officemates will never know.

Photo from Your Scene / Los Angeles Times

Ratchet the Iraqi puppy expected to arrive today

Here's an update on Ratchet the Iraqi puppy from the Associated Press:

An animal rescue group flew into Baghdad on Sunday and picked up the dog, which was adopted by Army Spc. Gwen Beberg, 28, of Minneapolis in a case that highlighted military rules barring troops from caring for pets while in Iraq.

Ratchet was loaded onto a charter flight, which took off Sunday night for Kuwait. He's due in Minnesota today.

It was the third try by Operation Baghdad Pups to get Ratchet out of the country on behalf of Beberg, who says she couldn't have made it through her 13-month deployment without the affectionate mutt.

She and another soldier rescued the puppy from a burning pile of trash in May.

Beberg's quest to get the dog has gained international attention. More than 65,000 people from around the world have signed an online petition urging the Army to let the puppy come to the United States.

The U.S. military has said the dog was free to leave, but American troops could not be responsible for its transportation.

"We're happy the SPCA has made arrangements for his safe travel to the U.S., we hope he has a long, happy, fruitful life there," military spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Swiergosz said.

Finding that ultimate pet destination in downtown Los Angeles

Pet lovers Janene Zakrajsek and Rob Gaudio found that living in downtown Los Angeles presented some difficulties for their four-legged friends. So the couple opened a non-traditional pet store called Pussy and Pooch, which Times' retail business reporter Andrea Chang recently profiled in a smile-inducing Small Business feature:

Although Pooch carries the usual pet staples -- food, toys, accessories -- it isn't the traditional warehouse-type Petco or pricey pet boutique. To fit the character of the city and to reflect their own personalities, the couple thought the store needed some bite.

Which means that many of Pooch's offerings are decidedly unconventional.

For example, the store sells a pet shampoo called Sexy Beast and a doggy T-shirt with the image of a name tag and the words: "Hello, my name is Stud." (There's a matching shirt for female dogs, but we won't go there.)

The 3,200-square-foot store also houses a self-service pet wash area, a patio with wireless Internet and an art gallery for animal-themed works.

Over at the Pawbar, owners can treat their pets to made-to-order meals. Typical menu items: raw chicken and turkey nuggets, sausage stew, organic frozen yogurt and two kinds of nonalcoholic "dog beer."

"It's kind of like beef-flavored vitamin water," Zakrajsek, 35, said.

Aside from its products, Pooch boasts a social calendar that is loaded with parties, such as one for Halloween, monthly Mutt Mingle mixers, obedience classes and pet adoption days.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times

Will 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' rule the box office again?

Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" appears to be the moviegoer's pet now that it's been top dog for two weeks at the box office.

Despite controversy among animal shelter officials and Latinos, and bad reviews (amid a economic meltdown with rising movie ticket prices), the film has taken in $52.2 million.

So while it's not clear yet if the film will beat other cinematic contenders this week, VH1's Best Week Ever Blog has some hilarious suggestions (with photo reenactments) for how Disney can keep this film franchise as their pet project, or better yet, cash cow in the future.

"Beverly Hills Chihuahua Ninja" or "No Country For Little Chihuahuas," anyone?

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Daniel Daza/Disney

For some animals, absence makes the heart grow fonder

Scientists have confirmed what poets have long known: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Working with mouse-like rodents called prairie voles, scientists have found that close monogamous relationships alter the chemistry of the brain, fostering the release of a compound that builds loyalty but also plays a role in depression during times of separation. Times staff writer Denise Gellene reports:

The scientists found that after four days away from their mates, male voles experienced changes in the emotional center of their brains, causing them to become unresponsive and lethargic. When given a drug that blocked the changes, however, lonely voles emerged from their funk.

The same chemical is found in human brains, and scientists said the research could provide insight into treating human grief and separation.

"Whenever you form a pair bond, it changes your neurochemistry," said Larry J. Young, a neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta and an author of the study. "If you lose that partner, it has a dramatic impact on the brain."

Experts noted that human relationships are more complex than animal bonds and involve culture, socialization and rational thought. Thus, there may be little to learn from the depressed voles.

"When humans grieve they don't just give up and sit like lumps," George Bonanno, a psychologist at Columbia University's Teachers College who studies the process of bereavement. "They have purposeful behavior even when they are feeling lousy."

Still, Young said the experiment might help explain the longing people feel for partners who are absent or who die. The study, published Wednesday in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, might also shed light on why couples remain in relationships that are bad for them, he said.

Photo: Todd Ahern/Emory University

Animal rescue group hopes to bring Iraqi puppy to U.S.

From the Associated Press:

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi puppy adopted by an American soldier but was refused a flight to the U.S., is alive, the military said Tuesday, giving hope to an animal rescue group that is trying to take it to the United States.

The case has cast a spotlight on Defense Department rules that prohibit soldiers in the U.S. Central Command, which includes Iraq, from adopting pets or transporting them home.

Army Sgt. Gwen Beberg, 28, of Minneapolis, left, tried to send Ratchet home with the help of Operation Baghdad Pups earlier this month as she prepared to leave Iraq. But the dog, also at left, was reportedly confiscated by a U.S. officer before it could reach the Baghdad International Airport, raising concern about the animal's fate.

U.S. military spokesman Lt. Cmdr. David Russell said in an e-mail that the dog was alive, but he could provide no other details. More than 30,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Army to let the puppy go home with Beberg.

Beberg has been transferred to a staging area to prepare for her departure from Iraq.

Terri Crisp, the coordinator for Operation Baghdad Pups — a rescue program run by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International — planned to travel to Baghdad today to collect six dogs rescued by U.S. troops. Crisp is hopeful Ratchet will be one of them, but she has a substitute dog ready to go in his place if necessary.

"There's a lot of pressure being put on the military right now to allow Ratchet to leave," she said in a telephone interview.

Baghdad Pups has taken more than 50 dogs and cats home for their warrior owners, although the group had to cease its activities over the summer because of the heat.

Last week, Beberg's congressman, Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison, asked the Army to review the case.

Photo: Associated Press

Brazen sea lions and parrot theft -- an animal news roundup

-- Thousands of pet owners whose dogs and cats died after eating pet food contaminated with melamine may be close to reaching a $32-million settlement.

-- Brazen sea lions are commandeering boat landings in Port San Luis near Avila Beach, Calif., piling onto boats, sinking them and even pooping on the vessels. The creature at right, however, was spotted staking a claim to a boat (fittingly named "Mi Casa") in Newport Beach.

-- A man tried to steal an exotic parrot worth $1,300 from a Lake Forest, Calif., pet shop by stuffing it into his jacket. But he was caught when the brightly colored blacked-headed Caique emerged from his jacket, and customers pinned him down until sheriff's deputies arrived.

-- A Virginia animal activist legally changed her name to a URL to protest animal dissections. Jennifer Thornburg now goes by Cutout Dissection.com, which refers to a website opposing dissections. Don't believe it? Check out the court file, or her new driver's license.

-- A new study suggests children are less likely to be obese if they own a dog.

-- Tony Barboza

Photo: Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times

Number of Devil's Hole pupfish increasing

The tiny Devil's Hole pupfish, found only in a small, deep pool in the desert near Death Valley, has been teetering on the brink of extinction for years. In the spring of 2006 there were only 38 of them, down from roughly 500 in the mid-1990s. Times staff writer Bettina Boxall reports:

The reasons for the decline are unclear. But government scientists trying to reverse the trend appear to be enjoying a bit of success. The autumn count of the iridescent blue fish has risen for three years, to 126 this fall, the first steady increase in more than a decade.

Convinced that the pupfish problems are tied to a shortage of nutrients, biologists took the unusual step of feeding the fish. "It was not done lightly," said Bob Williams, Nevada field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "When you start to artificially augment a wild population, it is a sign the species is really in trouble."

The high-nutrient fish food, made at a federal research lab in Montana, is based on a mix given to Rio Grande silvery minnows in a New Mexico hatchery. The Devil's Hole feeding started last fall and continued over the winter and into spring to try to maintain an adult spawning population.

Winter is the most difficult time for the pupfish, and Williams said supplemental feeding will probably be considered in the coming months.

Hundreds of horses and livestock evacuated from fires

Times staff writers Ann M. Simmons and Gale Holland have been following the plight of animals during the Southern California fires. Their report follows:

Claudia Cahill returned home from Switzerland on Sunday, switched on the television and learned that the Marek wildfire was bearing down on the Lake View Terrace horse ranch that stabled her beloved Doonesbury.

"I was worried. She's my kid!" the retired computer industry worker said of her 23-year-old Dutch warmblood.

In evacuations that went like clockwork in some fire-threatened areas and a proceeded a bit more chaotically in others, Los Angeles County animal control officials, veterinary volunteers and stable owners moved hundreds of horses to safety over the last two days -- even those animals whose owners, like Cahill, were too far away to come to the rescue.

Trainers at North Middle Ranch brought Doonesbury and 29 other boarders to the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center, where every stall, portable show box and spot along the fence rails was filled with four-legged evacuees. Cahill was able to pay a reassuring visit to Doonesbury on Monday afternoon, although some of the temporary boarders were already moving on to less crowded shelters.

The Heidi Chronicles, part 13: Cat people vs. dog people

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

Since her recent, no-autographs-please appearance at a preview screening of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” at Walt Disney Studios, Heidi has been awaiting her personal invitation to meet Rusco, the star Chihuahua who portrays Papi in the movie. Hey, perrito, what’s up with that? Not big enough to keep a promise? Just kidding, of course.

Heidi and I understand that, following the box-office success of the film, Rusco must be one busy Chihuahua, and we patiently look forward to shaking his tiny paw someday. But amid the current Chihuahua frenzy, I have to admit that I’m proud of being stage mother to a real dog — you know, a big dog. A dog of size. A dog that will never be mistaken for a rodent, or wear embarrassing little sweaters, booties or jeweled barrettes. The kind of dog you can take for a walk at midnight and know that nobody’s gonna steal your Fatburger.

Mind you, this is coming from the former owner of a cat, a relatively small animal — although at 16 pounds, our late tabby cat, Chrysler, was pushing the envelope.

Heidi is my first dog. Yes, I was a “cat person,” the name many insist on calling any owner of a feline, often with a pitying tone that suggests you would probably have a dog if only a dog would have you. In our divisive culture, it seems any pet enthusiast must opt to be “cat person” or a “dog person” — and if you refuse, society will choose a label for you.

Just try it. Say “I like cats” to any group larger than, say, four, and you can bet someone will reply, often smugly: “Oh, you’re a cat person? I’m a dog person” — even though a cat is no more the opposite of dog than a pig is the opposite of a moose.

I’d like to point out, in this heated presidential election year, it is not necessary to politicize this issue, to divide our country into dog states and cat states. I love them both.

But when it comes to canines, well, I guess I’m just a big dog person. But, please, Rusco, remember that Heidi holds no such bias. She adores dogs of all proportions, as you can see in this photo in which Heidi meets a new little friend, 4-month old Chihuahua Cinces, at a local park. She will measure you by the size of your talent and your heart, not your freakishly small body. She may be taller than you, but don’t be afraid to give a big dog a call.

Photo of Heidi and Cinces: Diane Haithman/Los Angeles Times

Sarah Palin's "Hunt Moose" bag now on the mass market

Thinking of Sarah Palin and her moose-themed fashion statements, here's a report from Monica Corcoran on our All the Rage blog on how she's setting a trend with her love of hunting:

The rimless glasses. That shimmery copper lipstick and beauty pageant blush. The peep-toe pumps.

When it comes to spawning trends, Sarah Palin has already proven to be the Madonna for middle-aged women in the Midwest.

And now, her latest accessory -- a tote bag that promotes her passion for big guns and killing wildlife -- has hit the market just two days after she was spotted carrying the canvas bag that reads: "Real Women Hunt Moose." Cafe Press has already started selling its own version of the bag for $15.99.

A Cafe Press tee offers an alternative viewpoint.

Photo credits: Getty Images; Cafepress.com

A new leader for L.A. Animal Services?

An update on rumors about L.A. Animal Services comes courtesy of L.A. Now

Lloyd Levine for dog catcher?

Sure, L.A. shelter workers have petitioned for the ouster of Ed Boks as head of the city Department of Animal Services, but that doesn't mean Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, a Van Nuys lawmaker, is looking to fill the job.

So why do the rumors persist?

Levine has built a good reputation with many animal rights activists for his push for a law (that didn't pass) to require that most of California's dogs and cats be spayed or neutered. He also introduced a bill to ensure that zoo elephants walk an average of five miles a day. But Levine leaves office next month because of term limits, so he'd be free for the job.

Levine's on his honeymoon in Greece right now, having tied the knot last month with Edie Lambert, a Sacramento television news anchor. Lambert, meanwhile, renewed her contract with KCRA-TV, an aide to Levine disclosed, which makes it unlikely that the newlywed legislator would take a job in Los Angeles while his wife is tied to her anchor desk in Sacramento.

And that's not a shaggy dog story.

-- Patrick McGreevy and Veronique de Turenne

Invasive mussels found in Colorado reservoirs

Exotic mussels that compete with native species and clog pipes, pumps and boat motors have been found in two more Colorado reservoirs, the Colorado Division of Wildlife announced.

Larvae of quagga mussels have been discovered in Jumbo Reservoir in Logan County and Tarryall Reservoir in Park County, the agency said Thursday.

Quagga mussels, the related zebra mussels or their larvae, have also been found in Grand Lake, Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Reservoir, Willow Creek Reservoir and Lake Pueblo, the Granby-based Sky-Hi Daily News reported.

Colorado officials are inspecting boats at several reservoirs in hopes of preventing the spread of the mussels, wildlife officials said. (Parts of the Colorado River serve Southern California, by the way.)

Native to Eastern Europe, quagga mussels multiply by the millions, clogging pipes (as pictured above) and competing with fish for food. They've been spotted throughout California as well.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo credits: (top) California Department of Fish and Game; (right) Bill Tate / U.S. Geological Survey

Obamas to adopt a rescue dog, Michelle Obama announces

The Obamas are officially adopting a dog, America's dog lovers can rest assured.

Michelle Obama told Entertainment Tonight recently that the family would adopt a rescue dog after the election was over. Michelle and her Democratic presidential candidate husband, Barack, made the promise to their two pre-teen daughters (Malia and Sasha). The couple told the girls (and the press) that their campaign lifestyle wouldn't allow the family to properly train and care for a dog until after Nov. 4.

The announcement comes after summerlong campaigns to persuade the family not to get a goldendoodle, which the Obamas considered because the breed is hypoallergenic. The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to the Obamas saying getting a purebred would be elitist and a petition by the Best Friends Animal Society garnered over 50,000 signatures to persuade the Obamas to adopt a dog instead of having one bred or buying one.

PETA has already responded to the potential first lady's announcement on their blog:

So you can see why we're quite proud of this whole thing and thank everyone who weighed in. We hope that the Obama family really listened to our message, and we hope that Barack, Michelle, and their daughters find a loving mutt who needs a good home.

Now, with the campaign in its final few weeks, might this help the Democratic nominee with the animal set, especially since his Republican rival John McCain beat Obama in a polls of pet owners? In related news, there was the recent endorsement by the Humane Society Legislative Fund of the Obama-Biden ticket.

Either way, though, looks like the White House will have a dog in the next administration.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

Pasadena Humane Society sponsors a fundraiser

The Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA will sponsor a fundraiser for animals on Saturday, Oct. 11. About 2,000 people (and their dogs) are expected to take part in the 10th annual Wiggle Waggle Walk, which will begin at 9 a.m. at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl.

The goal is to raise $300,000 through the event, money that will provide food, shelter and medical care to homeless animals, nearly 11,000 of which are taken in by the humane society every year.

Walkers can select a one-mile or three-mile route around the stadium (and participants don't actually need to bring a dog). The walk will be followed by a fair at the park.

Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to raise money for the animals by creating personal Web pages through the Wiggle Waggle Walk website and asking family and friends for donations. Non-walkers, and those unable to attend the event, can also create fundraising Web pages through the site.

Everyone who raises or donates at least $100 will receive an official T-shirt. The more money that walkers raise, the more "treats" they will earn, including a logo leash, an animal emergency kit and a logo hoodie sweat shirt.

Event day check-in starts at 8 a.m. at the entrance to Brookside Park in Parking Lot I. The walk will begin at 9 a.m.; the fair will take place immediately after the walk and will be open until 2 p.m. The fair will feature Muttley Crew's dog agility show, pet product booths, paw-tapping music and contests, including a best-dressed dog competition, a best-trick contest and a pet-and-owner look-alike contest. For information, call (818) 486-2111 or visit www.wigglewagglewalk.org.

Chinese dairy farmers bear brunt of scandal's wrath

Chinese dairy farmers, the lowest on the milk production totem pole, used to be able to milk their cows at home. Now they have to travel, sometimes miles, to the nearest milk collection station with their cows because of safety requirements. It's a change that follows international public criticism and anxiety over a milk contamination crisis that has killed four babies and sickened 54,000 others --- considered the worst Chinese food safety crisis in decades.

The Times' John Gilonna offers a glimpse into how the farmers are dealing with the mess:

Moving to stem the scandal, Chinese officials now require producers to track raw-milk purchases back to the farmers. Monitors have also been sent to larger farms.

Officials announced standards for allowable levels of melamine in milk and other food and have encouraged whistle-blowers to report violations.

The milk contamination led China's food safety chief to resign, and other officials have lost their jobs.

In tiny Panzhuangzi, a dozen villagers gathered recently to rue the new collection rules. Plummeting demand has forced some farmers to feed the unwanted milk to other animals and sell their dairy cows. All because of melamine -- san ju qing an -- a chemical they'd never heard of until the scandal.

The new rules have created an unlikely rush hour in this enclave of 400 families, as farmers hit the road twice a day with their prized cows. Pandemonium rules, the skittish, 1,200-pound animals bolting from passing cars and motorcycles and often dragging their helpless wards into the adjacent cornfields.

For days, Gao, 58, walked with a limp after being kicked by a terrified cow. But what hurts more, he says, is being considered a criminal by consumers in his own country.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo credit: John M. Glionna / Los Angeles Times

Young children and exotic pets are not a good match

This report from the Associated Press deserves the following subtitle: Kids, Don't Try This at Home

CHICAGO — Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.

That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals.

Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.

Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.

That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning "nontraditional" pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report appears in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.

"Many parents clearly don't understand the risks from various infections" these animals often carry, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report's lead author and an infectious disease specialist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For example, about 11 percent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, Pickering said. Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

Salmonella also has been found in baby chicks, and young children can get it by kissing or touching the animals and then putting their hands in their mouths, he said.

Sasha the husky eases into the role of therapy dog

Wednesday, Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch continues his chronicle of Sasha, a husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Hirsch brought Sasha home, only to discover she liked to wander -- and that healthcare for animals who like to roam is expensive. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed.

Sasha the stray is still with us, despite an almost super-canine ability to escape through fences and metal crates and her giant house trashing panic attack.

Perhaps only the piercing blue eyes of this husky would tell you she is the same delirious, diseased animal I found wandering on Spring Street more than a month ago. The eyes still penetrate into your soul, seemingly questioning if you are friend or foe. Cleaned of fleas and feces and brushed, her coat is snow white cashmere. People stare at her beauty.

Sasha (above left) has become an impromptu, but patient and loving therapy dog, tagging along on visits to a senior living center in Seal Beach. The residents gravitate to Sasha, stroke her and talk about the dogs that once gave them joy in their lives. There’s one lady who dashes -– as best you can with a walker-– to get snapshots of her son’s dogs and compares them with Sasha.

Sasha will be spayed next week and will be ready for adoption when she recovers. At one point I was ready to haul Sasha to the pound to whatever fate would await her. Now I’m not sure if I can give her up. (And I am pretty sure Jennifer couldn’t do it.) Yet as my thinking changes, I wonder if I will ever truly trust this dog. Could we ever leave her alone in the house without coming home to damage? Will walking three to five miles a day really be enough, or will she require more work than I am prepared to provide?

Sasha appears to be 18 months old. If she is to stay we are going to have to reach some common ground between dog and human. Roni, our hyper Labrador Retriever (above right) will never be perfect, and I know how she will misbehave -- snatch food from the table, steal a shoe or great a visitor with a slobbery kiss on the lips. But I also know that she will always play catch and tug with a rope and then lie down next to me when I watch a football game. I don't know what to expect with Sasha. Like her past, Sasha remains a mystery.

Want to read past posts on Sasha? Click on Part one, Part two, Part three or Part four.

Scientists share Nobel chemistry prize... and, yes, it involves jellyfish

It may seem like a stretch but jellyfish are ...well... useful. They don't exist just to sting us during occasional forays into the ocean. Times Staff Writer Thomas H. Maugh II reports:

Three U.S.-based scientists will share the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry for their development of a green fluorescent protein from jellyfish that has provided researchers their first new window into the workings of the cell since the development of the microscope.

Roger Y. Tsien, 56, of UC San Diego, Martin Chalfie, 61, of Columbia University, and Osamu Shimomura, 80, a Japanese-born researcher who works at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., will share the $1.4-million prize for developing the protein that the Nobel committee called "a guiding star for biochemists, biologists, medical scientists and other researchers."

The protein can be attached to any of the 10,000 individual molecules within a living cell, allowing researchers for the first time to trace the paths of the molecules as they wind through the complex pathways of life.

Photo: EPA

Galapagos expels citizens as a flood of tourists threatens islands

There's controversy on the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador. Times Staff Writer Chris Kraul reports:

A few weeks ago, 19 Ecuadorean citizens detained on these world-renowned islands were marched onto a plane and sent back to the continent under armed guard. Their crime? Illegal migration.

So far this year, the government has expelled 1,000 of its citizens from the Galapagos -- a living laboratory of unique animal and plant species -- who were there without residency and work permits. It has also "normalized" 2,000 others, in effect giving most of them a year to leave.

The migrants are attracted not by the tortoises or blue-footed boobies but by the islands' booming economy, which offers plentiful jobs and good pay. Typical wages run 70% higher than on Ecuador's mainland, the public schools are good, and violent crime is nonexistent.

Last year, Ecuador was stung by a United Nations warning that the islands, whose human population has doubled in 10 years to about 30,000, are at risk from overcrowding and mismanaged tourism.

Priming the economy is the apparently insatiable demand by foreign tourists for a close-up look at giant tortoises, elephant seals, flamingos, marine iguanas and other species in their native habitat. As a result, scientists warn, that habitat is becoming increasingly less pristine.

L.A. animal shelter workers voice complaints about agency chief

Times Staff Writer Carla Hall reports on the latest controversy involving L.A. Animal Services:

Dozens of frustrated Los Angeles city shelter workers, as well as many volunteer animal welfare advocates, brought their complaints about the shelter system's general manager, Ed Boks, to a public hearing at Van Nuys City Hall on Tuesday night.

"I realize the department is often controversial," said Linda Gordon, a staffer of L.A. Animal Services, the agency that runs the city's municipal shelters.

"We're trouble for you," she told Councilmen Dennis Zine and Tony Cardenas. "But we're here tonight -- workers, volunteers, the humane community. ... How can anyone expect us to move the department forward if we have no confidence or trust in the general manager?"

At least 150 people -- including about 60 employees of Animal Services -- attended the hearing, which was called by the City Council's Personnel Committee. The hearing was convened in the wake of a petition that at least half the staff of Animal Services signed earlier this year stating they had "no confidence" in Boks. The employees and their union leaders first took the petition to the mayor's office. Then, dissatisfied with what they said was a lack of response, they presented it to the City Council. Boks, as head of a city agency, answers only to the mayor. The City Council cannot fire him.

Zine, who chairs the Personnel Committee, listened intently to the speakers. He and Cardenas peppered them with questions. When many employees said they worried about retaliation for speaking against Boks, Zine assured them that he had all their names and he would make sure they did not suffer any adverse action on their jobs for attending the hearing.

Endangered turtles return to Monterey Bay

From the Associated Press:

MOSS LANDING, Calif.—Scientists say endangered leatherback turtles have returned to Monterey Bay to feast on jellyfish after nearly disappearing from the area in recent years.

Moss Landing Marine Laboratories researcher Scott Benson says marine biologists counted more than 300 of the giant endangered turtles in the bay this year.

Benson said a strong upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water this year brought greater stocks of jellyfish, which attracted the turtles.

Poor upwellings in previous years have sent the turtles elsewhere to find food.

The 70-million-year-old leatherback species is the largest of all sea turtles. Benson says the Pacific's leatherback population has declined by 90 to 95 percent in the last 25 years because of egg poaching and turtles getting caught in fishing gear.

Photo: Scott A. Eckert/Widecast

Possible plea bargain in bison case

From the Associated Press:

FAIRPLAY, Colo. — The software CEO from Texas accused in the killing of 32 of his neighbor's bison is considering a plea agreement to settle the case.

Jeff Hawn appeared at the Park County courthouse to enter a plea on Monday with his attorney Pam Mackey. Minutes before the hearing was to begin, Assistant District Attorney Katherine O'Brien asked Mackey to step outside. When they returned for the hearing, Mackey said Hawn, who lives in Austin, Texas, needed 30 days to consider a plea agreement that had been offered and Judge Stephen A. Groome agreed.

Neither Mackey nor O'Brien would discuss the details of what had been offered to Hawn, the president and CEO of Seattle-based Attachmate.

The owner of the slain bison, Monte Downare, said he didn't know what the offer entails but he would like Hawn to pay restitution to help him replace the bison killed, which he estimated to be worth $77,000. He would also like to see him spend time in jail or be convicted of a felony to send a strong message about the importance of Colorado's fence out law.

Like most states in the West, Colorado requires that property owners who want to keep livestock off their land are responsible for building and maintaining fences to keep the animals out. Livestock owners don't have to keep their animals fenced in although many choose to do so to protect their animals in a state that has become more crowded.

"That's where the message needs to be sent. It's the law. It's no different from robbing the bank," Downare said after Hawn's brief court appearance.

PetSmart Charities pledges $13.8 million for spay/neuter clinics

Just a reminder:

PetSmart Charities has pledged to donate up to $13.8 million to help create seven new spay and neuter clinics in Los Angeles, which city officials say will help reduce the number of dogs and cats that end up in the city’s animal shelters.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, pictured on the day he signed the city's spay/neuter ordinance into law, made the announcement this morning while cuddling a fidgety black-and-brown Chihuahua in his arms in front of a bank of television news cameras ("I just wanted to clarify: This is not a Beverly Hills Chihuahua. This is an East L.A. Chihuahua," the mayor said before planting a kiss on the pooch’s head.)

More than 50,000 dogs and cats wound up in city animal shelters last year, and 15,000 of those were euthanized. As of Oct. 1, the city requires that all cats and dogs in the city over the age of 4 months be spayed or neutered, with some limited exemptions.

Along with the PetSmart donation, the Found Animal Foundation donated $1 million to the city for the spay and neuter program. Villaraigosa said the donations help put L.A. on the path to becoming a "no kill" city at its animal shelters.

--Phil Willon

Photo credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

U.S. to designate 'critical habitat' for polar bears

From the Associated Press:

ANCHORAGE -- The federal government will designate "critical habitat" for polar bears off Alaska's coast, a decision that could add restrictions to future offshore petroleum exploration or drilling.

Federal law prohibits agencies from taking actions that may adversely modify critical habitat and interfere with polar bear recovery. That probably will affect oil and gas activity, said Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity, one of three groups that sued to get a critical habitat designation.

"Other than global warming, the worst thing that's going on in polar bear habitat right now is oil development and the potential for oil spills," Siegel said.

Bruce Woods, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, said it's not known what area in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska might be designated for polar bears, especially given that sea ice conditions are changing and areas now covered by ice might in the future be open water.

The agreement to designate critical habitat was filed Monday in Oakland as a partial settlement of a lawsuit brought by Greenpeace, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Siegel's group.

They sued in March after Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne missed a January deadline for declaring polar bears threatened or endangered.

Kempthorne on May 14 declared polar bears "threatened," or likely to become endangered, citing their need for sea ice, the dramatic loss of sea ice in recent decades and computer models that suggest sea ice is likely to further recede.

The settlement sets a deadline of June 30, 2010, for a final rule designating critical habitat for the polar bear.

Photo: Subhankar Banerjee / Associated Press

One-fourth of wild mammal species may face extinction

At least 25% of the world's mammal species in the wild are threatened with extinction. This news comes from an international survey released Monday that blames the loss of wildlife habitat as well as hunting and poaching for the steep declines. Times staff writer Ken Weiss reports:

The baiji, or Chinese river dolphin, is teetering on the edge of extinction and may have already joined the list of species that have vanished from Earth. Others are not far behind, such as the vaquita, a small porpoise that has been drowning in fishing nets in the northern part of the Gulf of California; the North Atlantic right whale; and various monkeys and other primates hunted by poachers in Africa.

Scientists have determined that about 25% of the world's 5,487 species of mammals face extinction. The proportion of marine mammals in trouble appears to be higher, with an estimated one-third under serious threat of being wiped out. Many are killed when they are struck by ships or become entangled in fishing gear and drown.

About half the world's remaining species of apes, monkeys and other primates face threats from hunting or deforestation to make way for farming, said Russell A. Mittermeier, president of Conservation International.

For a photo gallery of endangered animals, including the black-footed ferret, above, click here.

Photo: Greg Wood / AFP/Getty Images

The Heidi Chronicles, Chapter 12: Heidi goes to a screening of 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua'

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

In Chapter 11, trainer Sue DiSesso told us it usually takes a year to studio-train a dog — meaning that, although this is clearly not a deal-breaker for many Hollywood stars, an animal actor actually has to act. But then, I knew it would only take Heidi six months, because she is the smartest dog in the world, which is the absolute truth because you read it on the Internet.

We’ll get back to Heidi’s training, which began in June, in later chapters; this week, we are jumping forward to the present because, studio-trained or no, Heidi has become an entertainment industry insider: She was invited to attend a private screening of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. (The movie opened Friday.)

Well, "invited" may be too strong a word. I heard about the screening and thought it might be fun to invite myself and the dog, so she’d be used to the red-carpet treatment by the time she wins an Academy Award for Best Supporting Canine.

The press representatives were delighted by Heidi’s career aspirations, and offered to set up a meeting with Heidi and Rusco the chihuahua, who plays “Papi,” and Mike Alexander, the head trainer/animal coordinator for the movie, at a later date — but no dogs allowed in the screening room. No dogs? Do Goofy and Pluto know about this?

If Heidi were a chihuahua, I could stuff her in my purse, but it’s hard to sneak a German Shepherd in anywhere.

A solution to Cal State Long Beach feral cat problem?

Cal State Long Beach has a new program to deal with a feral cat population. The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports:

CSULB officials began developing a new feral cat management program this summer after stating that coyotes were being attracted to the campus by the presence of cats and cat food.

Volunteers have long operated numerous feeding stations on campus to care for the cats, while also making an effort to spay and neuter the felines.

The university consulted the caretakers while developing the program, which calls for making food available to the cats only during daytime hours.

The new program "is very close to what the volunteers were hoping to achieve with the care of the feral cat population on campus," said CSULB spokeswoman Toni Beron. "It's not everything they wanted, but they were not necessarily taking into consideration the needs and concerns that were being expressed by others who were also watching the situation."

CSULB will authorize the feeding stations and register volunteers. Unauthorized feeding stations, any after-dark food or any cat shelter will be removed.

Volunteers will be responsible for ensuring the cats are spayed and neutered and for removing socialized cats for adoption or return to owner, if possible, the program states.

But Leslie Abrahams, a cat caretaker, said that the program goes too far by reducing and moving the feeding stations, arguing that it will disrupt the cats' lives. Because cats are territorial, many will continue to return to the location of their original feeding stations, she said.

A (Dutch) TV channel for animals...and their owners

If you think Americans are the most indulgent pet owners in the world, here's a Reuters story that might change your mind.

AMSTERDAM -- Dutch animal lovers on Tuesday launched a national campaign to establish a public TV channel for animals and their owners. Under the name of Piep!, the group intends to collect 50,000 signatures of support, the number needed to gain access to the public TV network in the Netherlands.

Piep! plans to schedule programs directed to its animal audience. In addition to programs that animals can enjoy, Piep! also wants to broadcast documentaries, youth programs and news shows covering the life and rights of animals.

Karen Soeters, a communications manager from Amsterdam who initiated the plan, estimates that there are about 3 million cats, 2 million dogs and 1 million rabbits that form part of Dutch households. Furthermore, since the last election, a party led by animal-rights activists -- the so-called Partij voor de Dieren -- has two seats in the Dutch parliament.

"Listening to animals can be very inspiring for human beings. They do not cause credit crisis, do not overeat and take care of their environment," Soeters said.

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Now your pets can display your political preferences

In the midst of an historical presidential campaign, we probably shouldn't be surprised to read that pets can now be part of the events. But, truth be told, we were slightly startled by an article on campaign buttons for animals. And we had to share.

"Sharon Young has designed and sold political buttons and T-shirts for about 15 years. But maybe she's been barking up the wrong tree.

"Her newest creation –- campaign buttons for canines –- is leading the pack.

"Patriotic Pets buttons come with slogans such as 'Bark Obama for President' and '100% McCain9.' ...

"For Young and other purveyors of political merchandise, sales have been super strong this campaign season. Young says her monthly sales have been double what they were in 2004. Since last fall, she has sold more than 100,000 campaign buttons, including more than 2,000 of the $5.95 dog tags."

Man saves dog in shark attack. Really.

You want to read about a devoted pet owner? The Associated Press has a story of extremes:

ISLAMORADA, Fla. — A dog is recovering after a Florida Keys carpenter dove in to save his pet from a shark.

Greg LeNoir said he took his 14-pound rat terrier Jake for his daily swim at a marina Friday.

The five-foot shark suddenly surfaced and grabbed nearly the entire dog in its mouth.

LeNoir said he yelled, then balled up his fists and dove headfirst into the water. He hit the shark in the back and the creature finally let go of the dog.

Man and dog made it safely back to shore. The dog suffered bite wounds but was not critically injured.

Photo: Cammy Clark/Associated Press

Farm animal gala raises more than $1 million for Prop. 2

 

Celebrities posing for photographers, a Bel-Air mansion, an elegant dinner outside under twinkling lights, the iconic Carole King singing and playing the piano. Was it a fundraiser? Yes, of course. But the issue wasn't a presidential campaign, Darfur or the environment. The cause: factory farm animals. 

The Humane Society's Wayne Pacelle estimated that more than $1 million was raised Sunday night from 450 guests. The funds help pay for advertising and other expenses incurred in the campaign to help pass Proposition 2, the California state ballot measure that would outlaw confining crates and cages used in the factory farming of hens, veal calves and pregnant pigs. According to the campaign --sponsored by the Humane Society of the U.S., Farm Sanctuary and other animal welfare groups -- the cages are so tiny that hens cannot spread their wings, and the crates are so small that calves and sows cannot turn around.

Ellen DeGeneres and her new spouse, actress Portia de Rossi -- posing at right with Pacelle, the head of the Humane Society -- hosted the event on the grounds of the estate of businessman John Winfield.

Animal welfare causes have been championed by an array of deep-pocketed business people and philanthropists for years. But if you thought farm animals were a stretch to evoke passion and philanthropy, the supporters Sunday night said just the opposite.

"I think no one goes out of their way to hurt an animal," said DeGeneres, sitting with De Rossi for a brief chat in a living room -- there appeared to be several in this house -- before walking outside to schmooze with guests. But on the issue of conditions for farm animals, "unfortunately there's not a lot of awareness," she said.

"They're sentient beings, and they feel pain and fear," De Rossi said. "It's up to us, the more intelligent species, to take care of them."

"This isn't even taking care of them," DeGeneres added. "It's just making things a little better for them."

"It's such a modest proposal," De Rossi said.

The Heidi Chronicles, part 11: Finally, a trainer

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was the result of seeing a biscuit just out of reach.

Who would have thought that an animal actor would have to get a stamp of approval from the USDA, like a slab of supermarket steak?

In Chapter 10, Heidi and I met with Sue DiSesso, hearing from the seasoned Hollywood animal trainer that Heidi would have to learn to speak — that is, bark — on cue before she could even think about a career in TV and film.

And as the conversation continued, Sue threw us two more unexpected career requirements: The first was that, if Heidi manages to become a working actor, a union will have to be involved. Oh, no, I thought — there was a dog actors’ union?

Called WAG, perhaps, or ARFTRA? Would Heidi end up wagging her tail on some Hollywood picket line when her contract expired? No, Sue said, it is the trainer, not the dog, who has to be in the animal trainers union, part of Local 399.

But it is the working dog, not the trainer, who must be registered with United States Department of Agriculture. The government regulates working animals, sending inspectors to check health records and to make sure the animal is given proper care. “The book of rules and regulations is an inch or more thick,” Sue said. At present, birds, rats and horses are exempt, but Sue said they will soon be USDA regulated too.

Yes, it's still OK to drive with the dog in your lap

Think it's OK to drive with your puppy in your lap? Some folks in Sacramento were hoping to outlaw such behavior. But it looks like it won't happen this time. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy reports:

Facing a backlog of legislation that he refused to sign until a state budget was passed,  [Gov. Arnold] Schwarzenegger took his veto pen to 95 bills, including a measure that would have prohibited dogs from riding on the laps of motorists.

Many of the vetoed bills, including the lap-riding measure, received the same message from Schwarzenegger: "Given the delay, I am only signing bills that are the highest priority for California. This bill does not meet that standard and I cannot sign it at this time."

Wildlife group increases reward in case of injured pelicans

From the Associated Press:

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — A wildlife group has increased its reward for information about 11 pelicans found with intentionally broken wings on a stretch of Southern California’s Bolsa Chica State Beach.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach said this week that it was boosting its reward for information that leads to a conviction in the case from $5,000 to $20,000 after other groups added contributions. The birds washed into shore earlier this month with their wings snapped so that their bones were exposed. Only one pelican survived. The female bird is recovering at the center.

Five great fish that make great first pets

For kids wanting to enjoy aquatic life from beyond the panes of an aquarium tank, cartoon show or animated Disney film, the Dallas Morning News has a few suggestions to fill your child's fish tank:

Siamese fighting fish - Also called bettas, these often iridescent beauties are the poster fish for low maintenance, says Gene Sanchez, owner of Tropical Showcase in Hicksville, N.Y. "They don't need a filter, and they can live in a jelly jar."  Although bettas get along with many fish, they are less gregarious with their own kind.

Goldfish - Don't dismiss these as too "everyday," says Dominick Caserma, owner of A Lot of Fish in Babylon, N.Y. Goldfish come in dozens of colors and varieties.

Gourami - Anthony Mansueto, proprietor of South Shore Tropicals in Lindenhurst, N.Y., votes for these hardy Asian natives. Male gouramis can be fin nippers, and so are not a good choice with bettas or guppies, although many of the other fish on this list – including tetras and danios – are compatible with them.

Danios - This torpedo-shaped member of the minnow family is hardy and, like the betta, needs no water filtration, just a water change once or twice a week.

Tetras - "Most aquarists don't check the pH of their water," and without intervention a tank will become acidic – an environment the tetra thrives in. Silver dollars also are part of this family.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times

Protecting your pets from toxic plants

For nature and animal lovers, pets and plants are natural components of the home.

But animal welfare groups are quick to caution pet owners to be careful about which plants to place in a pet's reach. More than 700 plants have been identified as potentially dangerous to animals, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

If ingested, some plants, including popular ones like lantana (pictured in the chicken at left) and oleander, produce a toxic substance that can cause anything from a mild case of nausea to muscle tremors to death.

Here are a few popular plants to watch out for, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center:

Lilies - Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Marijuana - Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.

Sago Palm - All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs - The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Oleander (pictured at right) - All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photos: Oleander, from Los Angeles Times archives

Lantana, from Ryland, Peters & Small

Former California slaughterhouse worker sentenced in cow abuse case

A former Southern California slaughterhouse worker was sentenced Wednesday to nine months in jail and probation after being caught on undercover video abusing sick and injured cows, leading to the largest beef recall in U.S. history, the Associated Press reports:

Daniel Ugarte Navarro, 49, was sentenced after pleading no contest in June to two felony counts of animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to downed animals. (Navarro, left, is pictured above standing outside Chino Superior Court after his sentencing. With him is defense attorney Ruben Salazar.)

Navarro can serve his jail time on weekends in a work-release program, must attend counseling and must serve three years of felony probation, said Susan Mickey, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County district attorney. He could also serve the time through electronic monitoring at the discretion of the jail, she said.

Another worker, Rafael Sanchez Herrera, pleaded guilty in March to three misdemeanor counts of illegal movement of a non-ambulatory animal and was sentenced to six months in jail.

The undercover video shot by the Humane Society of the United States led to a federal investigation and the recall of 143 million pounds of beef in February. The video shows workers at Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. dragging sick cows with metal chains and forklifts, shocking them with electric prods and shooting streams of water in their noses and faces.

Salazar told the Associated Press that his client was just following orders and that prosecutors overcharged Navarro to appease an angry public and animal-rights activists.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise via the Associated Press

PETA launches campaign over rats and frogs in UC Irvine class

Think the days of freaking out over animal dissection are over? Think again. The Orange County Register reports on some goings-on at UC Irvine:

IRVINE -– Animal-rights activists have launched an e-mail campaign aimed at UCI, where they say biology students are forced to pour poison into live rats' brains and cut up living frogs for study.

One day after launching the national campaign, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says 2,000 e-mails have already been sent to University of California, Irvine asking the campus to switch to a computer simulation.

PETA spokesman Justin Goodman said his group contacted UCI after a student complained in July that she was ordered to poison a rat in her biology class, or flunk the lesson.

"According to the student whistleblower, students drill into the heads of healthy rats and drop in poison to damage their brains, and then they staple that the rats' heads closed," a PETA statement reads. "After two weeks, the students poke the rats with blunt sticks in a crude attempt to gauge the brain damage the rats have suffered."

But James Hicks, who heads an oversight committee at UCI, said PETA was not accurately describing how the animals were being treated, and wrongly using inflammatory words like "whistleblower" to portray classroom instruction that had been properly reviewed and approved by campus officials.

Canines strut their stuff for National Dog Week

It's National Dog Week ...and some Angelenos, apparently, know how to celebrate:

Here, a canine named Levi arrives at the Grove to help kick off the national “Eat with Your Paws for a Good Cause” charity program to benefit Much Love Animal Rescue.

DeAnna Pappas, who was a star on "The Bachelorette," above left, and Jesse Csincsak, above right, appear with rescue dog Freedom and sample finger foods at the National Dog Week event.

More dogs (and their people) turned out for the charity event at the Grove.

Photos: Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times

In the saga of Sasha the stray, more trouble

Today, Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch continues his chronicle of Sasha, a husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Hirsch brought Sasha home, only to discover she liked to wander... and that healthcare for animals who like to roam is expensive. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed.

Sasha the stray is finally starting to settle into our house. She escaped from crates and through fences but after fits and starts we’ve been able to round her up and keep her safe. She’s now pretty much recovered from fleas, parasites and a mashed paw.

She has a gorgeous snow white coat and piercing blue eyes.

But is Sasha is healthy enough and calm enough for Jennifer to leave the animal alone in the house while she takes our 14-year-old daughter and yellow Labrador retriever shopping to Fashion Island in Newport Beach?

Big mistake. Really big mistake! I am just getting off my bicycle, having ridden 101 miles to San Diego. I’m bushed and waiting around for the train to bring me back to Irvine, where a friend has a car waiting.

The phone rings. Jennifer explains how Sasha trashed the house.

Campaign event for Proposition 2

"Pet Out the Vote." That's what the Proposition 2 folks are calling their campaign event in Santa Monica on Wednesday. The organizers of the November ballot initiative -- which would outlaw confining cages and crates for hens, veal calves and pigs -- are inviting supporters to bring their dogs to a rally at 11:30 a.m. at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier.

Dogs should be on a leash. Their people can be unleashed (and with campaign signs, if they like.)

You can also read up on the anti-Proposition 2 folks' arguments at www.safecaliforniafood.org.

--Carla Hall

Is a drop in bird population a sign of biodiversity crisis?

If you are worried about the planet's bird population, Reuters has a report for you:

Many of the world's most common birds suffered steep population drops over recent decades, a sign of a deteriorating global environment and a biodiversity crisis, BirdLife International said on Monday.

"Birds provide an accurate and easy-to-read environmental barometer, allowing us to see clearly the pressures our current way of life are putting on the world's biodiversity," said Mike Rands, chief executive of the alliance of conservation groups.

Threats to bird populations include intensified industrial-scale agriculture and fishing, the spread of invasive species, logging and the replacement of natural forest with monoculture plantations, the group said in a report released in Buenos Aires.

However, Rands said that over the long term, climate change may pose the most serious stress on birds.

Photo: European Pressphoto Agency

Feds want to put wolves back on endangered list

From the Associated Press:

BILLINGS, Mont. — Federal wildlife officials have asked a judge to put gray wolves in the Northern Rockies back on the endangered species list — a sharp reversal from the government's prior contention that the animals were thriving.

Attorneys for the Fish and Wildlife Service asked U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula to vacate the agency's February finding that more than 1,400 wolves in the region no longer needed federal protection.

The government's request Monday follows a July injunction in which Molloy had blocked plans for public wolf hunts this fall in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho pending resolution of a lawsuit by environmentalists.

"What we want to do is look at this more thoroughly," Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Sharon Rose said. "We definitely have a lot of wolves out there, but we need to address some of [Molloy's] concerns in a way that people feel comfortable with."

At issue is whether a decade-long wolf restoration program has reversed the near-extermination of wolves, or if — as environmentalists claim — their long-term survival remains in doubt due to proposed hunting.

"This hit everybody really cold," said John Bloomquist, an attorney for the Montana Stockgrowers Association. "All of a sudden the federal defendants are going in the other direction."

The government's request to remand, or reconsider, the issue was filed in response to an April lawsuit from a dozen environmental and animal rights groups.

"I would call that victory. What they're requesting is to go back to the drawing boards," said Doug Honnold, an Earthjustice attorney representing the plaintiffs. They include the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, the Humane Society of the United States and other local and national groups.

If Molloy goes along with the government's request, the Fish and Wildlife Service would embark on a re-evaluation of wolves that could last for months or even years. The agency would again open the issue to public comment before returning with a new decision.

In the meantime, the killing of some wolves by government wildlife agents or ranchers would continue. More than 180 wolves were killed last year in response to wolf attacks on livestock.

A recent inventory of wolf populations in the three states showed their population in decline this year for the first time in more than a decade. Federal biologists say the decline occurred because wolves had filled up the best habitat in the region.

Palin's policies favor development over environment

U.S. Geological Survey biologists believe that, if current climate-change trends continue, every polar bear in Alaska could be gone by 2050, but The Times' Kim Murphy reports that may not be a major concern to Republican vice presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin:

Palin's administration has fought federal protections announced in May for polar bears, going to court to assert that the projections for a dramatic shrinking of the bears' icy habitat are unreliable and that polar bears are already protected enough.

Since becoming the Republican vice presidential nominee this month, Palin has championed a balance between energy exploration and environmental regulation. A review of her record as governor shows that, most often, she has tilted that balance in favor of oil and gas development, mining and hunting -- the economic backbones of a state that many residents consider both a scenic treasure and an exploitable resource.

"From further oil and gas development to fishing, mining, timber and tourism -- these developments remain the core of our state," Palin told state legislators last year.

"We here in Alaska share concerns about wildlife, of course -- every Alaskan has concerns about wildlife," she later said. "We're going to continue to . . . make sure that polar bears survive, and thrive, for decades to come."

Since Palin became governor in 2006, the state has sought to ramp up a program that encourages the shooting of wolves from aircraft in areas where they compete with human hunters for moose, caribou and deer.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photos: Polar bear, California Museum of Science & Industry; Sarah Palin with caribou she shot, Associated Press

The Heidi Chronicles, part 10: A dog needs to get her bark on

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was achieved by placing a biscuit just out of reach.

“She’s going to have to get a speak on her,” said Sue DiSesso, observing Heidi with a critical eye. That’s professional animal trainer-speak for: “The girl’s got to learn to bark on cue.”

After meeting with Hollywood animal trainer Sean Webber on the set of "NCIS" -– and learning that, as a German shepherd, Heidi’s acting career would most likely be limited to playing “heavy” roles (see Chapter 9) -- Heidi and I finally got our face time with the very busy Sue, chief trainer for Animal Actors 4 Hire since the death of her husband, trainer Moe DiSesso, in 2007.

Because of her house pet status, Sean had referred to Heidi as a “private party animal.” Sue shortened that to “private dog,” which sounded to me like character from a 1960s sitcom, set on a military base: “Meet Private Dog!”

Heidi and I had invited Sue to meet us at the very dog-friendly Aroma Cafe on Tujunga Boulevard in Studio City (this pug on the outside bench is perhaps waiting for a caramel latte). Partly we picked the place because of the outdoor seating, partly because Sue had early-morning business at nearby Radford Studios, which, of course, impressed the dog.

Dogs are welcome ... at some upscale hotels

Perhaps you'd like to take your beloved dog with you pretty much wherever you go ... and you might assume that most hotels wouldn't welcome Fido. Think again.

Rosemary McClure reports in the Sunday Travel section that a number of posh hotels are pampering pups. Is this a wonderful treat for pet owners? Or a sign of the end of Western civilization?

While you're trying to make up your mind, consider that one of the local hotels that accepts dogs is the Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. Not bad for a furry friend.

Photo: Rosemary McClure / For The Times

Pig farm says it will stop mistreatment of animals, captured in PETA video

The Associated Press reports:

DES MOINES --

The operators of an Iowa farm where an animal rights group captured video of workers abusing pigs said Thursday they are taking steps to ensure they stop mistreating animals.

MowMar LLP of Fairmont, Minn., said in a statement that it's "surprised and outraged" by the actions captured this summer in undercover video by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. MowMar purchased the Greene County, Iowa, farm last month from an Iowa company.

"As a family owned farm operation with over 30 years in the swine business, MowMar farms does not and will not tolerate the mistreatment of any animals under our husbandry and we take these PETA allegations very seriously," the company said.

MowMar officials said they met early Thursday with PETA officials to talk about what actions are being taken to correct the situation.

Among those are:

• Initiating an investigation of the incidents, policies and personnel that were in place before the acquisition of the farm.

• Firing employees who are found to have abused animals.

• Inviting an animal handling expert to the farm to review policies and procedures, and to serve as an independent authority providing additional guidance and best practices.

• Researching the use of video monitoring equipment as a tool to oversee herd care.

The company promised that any policies and procedures not consistent with generally accepted standards for the treatment of farm animals would be revised and strengthened.

The PETA video, shot by undercover employees from June through this month, graphically depicts workers castrating piglets and cutting their tails off without anesthetic, slamming piglets who aren't deemed healthy enough on the ground to kill them, repeatedly kicking pigs and hitting them with rods. In at least one instance, a pig had paint sprayed into its snout and onto its face. (The video is currently posted on L.A. Unleashed.)

Greene County Sheriff Tom Heater said Thursday that authorities have been interviewing employees at the hog farm near Bayard, about 60 miles west of Des Moines. There are a number of employees who still need to be interviewed, he said, but he hopes to meet soon with prosecutors and have charges filed by the middle of next week.

Process to genetically engineer animals gets green light

The Food and Drug Administration today opened the way for a bevy of genetically engineered salmon, cows and other animals to leap from the laboratory to the marketplace. The Times' Karen Kaplan and Thomas H. Maugh II report:

"It's about time the federal government has acknowledged that these animals are on [the] doorstep and need to be regulated to ensure their safety," said Greg Jaffe, director of the project on biotechnology at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington.

Many experts, however, fear that the proposed regulations do not go far enough to protect and reassure the public. In particular, they argue that the approval process would be highly secretive to protect the commercial interests of the companies involved and that the new rules do not place sufficient weight on the environmental impact of what many consider to be Frankenstein animals.

Animals can't be treated exactly like drugs, said Jaydee Hanson, a policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety in Washington. "Drugs don't go out and breed with each other. When a drug gets loose, you figure you can control it. When a bull gets loose, it would be harder to corral."

The genetically modified animals have a variety of potential uses:

Some, like many agricultural crops now in use, are more disease resistant. One company, for example, has produced a cow that is not susceptible to mad cow disease.

Others are more nutritious or grow faster, improving the diet and enhancing farmers' profits.

Some would serve as sources for organs for human transplants, expanding the small pool of donor organs now available.

Others, called biopharm animals, would be used to produce drugs such as insulin, which are now manufactured in yeast or bacteria.

The full story here.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Pat Sullivan/Associated Press

Will Disney's "Chihuahua" marketing end up in the doghouse?

For months now, emblazoned on billboards and buses around Los Angeles, ads for the upcoming Disney movie  "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" have begged for your attention.

Already this week, we told you about one concern some dog lovers have over the film: Whenever a Chihuahua has been featured in entertainment in the past (or really any adoptable animal -- "101 Dalmatians," anyone?), it’s been followed by a spike in adoption, which then later translates into more dogs put up for adoption by people who didn’t realize what they were getting into.

But the film, which isn't even out for another month, is also generating another kind of controversy.

Disney is hoping for a good turnout after the film's release Oct. 3, especially with the Latino audience. Although U.S. Census Bureau figures show that Beverly Hills is only 12% Latino, that percentage in Los Angeles County is much higher, and movie executives are hoping that the voices behind the dogs in the film -- George Lopez, Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin and Andy Garcia -- will connect with Latinos.

Many in the entertainment industry try to cater to the Latino market, using language, celebrities and music central to the culture to attract attention. Examples include the much-hyped "Latin explosion" in  pop music in the late 1990s, with Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez, and the launching over the years of more bilingual publications or Spanish-language versions of magazines such as People or Cosmopolitan.

But marketing to today's U.S.-born Latinos is a sensitive issue, and the  "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" campaign may stir up some tension, The Times' Josh Friedman writes:

Walt Disney Pictures is making a lot of marketing noise with its upcoming "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," a live-action comedy about a pampered purebred that gets lost in Mexico....

Early tracking is solid but not stellar among general moviegoers -- Sony Pictures' teen hipster romantic comedy "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," which opens on the same weekend, has lower awareness but higher interest levels. But kids and moms, the demographics that turn talking-animal flicks like "Alvin and the Chipmunks" into hits, are keen on it.

Latinos, who tend to be among the most avid moviegoing groups in the U.S., could give "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" a huge boost, especially in urban markets such as Los Angeles and Chicago. According to the Motion Picture Assn. of America, Latinos saw an average of 10.8 movies in 2007, compared with 7.9 for Caucasians and 7.8 for African Americans.

But some think Disney's marketing could also spark a backlash.

A rescue dog proves to be an escape artist

Today, Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch continues his chronicle of Sasha, a Husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Hirsch brought Sasha home, only to discover she liked to wander... and that healthcare for animals who like to roam is expensive. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed. Click here to read the first chapter of the Sasha saga.

We returned Sasha to our side yard. But beforehand I reinforced the wooden gate with paving stones and bricks. Nothing was going in or out.

Sasha didn’t seem to appreciate that. She went right back for that wooden gate, pulling a heavy paving stone onto to her back foot. After midnight a visit to the vet ER ($399 including stitches, meds, de-fleaing) she slept or howled for most of the night and early morning in the side yard.

Her next stop was finally to our regular vet ($91.25). Sasha was pronounced healthy with the warning that blood work would be back in a day. It turned out she had whipworms ($61.75 more for meds) but the rest of the blood work was fine. We also learned she was about 18 months old and in heat. Might she be pregnant? After her run along the local creek, could she be carrying coyote pups?

So it’s clear this dog has a drive to run, and that the wooden gate in the side yard just isn’t up to the maximum security prison grade we need. We set up the a large metal crate we once used for Roni in the middle of the garage. In went Sasha for the night. We shut the latches, locked the garage and went to bed, trying to ignore her wolflike keening. What could go wrong? She was in a locked crate in a locked garage.

About five in the morning we heard an amazing ruckus. It could only be one thing. Sasha got out of the crate and spent much of the rest of the night knocking things over trying to get out of the garage. After the same basic drill the next night, we came to the conclusion that we couldn’t keep her safe for the moment. Off she went to a local kennel ($139 for the weekend), into the portion of the facility that I call Doggy Guantanamo Bay.

Therapy dogs

New Leash on Life's Lend-a-Paw program, which rescues and trains homeless animals as therapy dogs, paid a visit Wednesday to New Horizons, a North Hills center for adults with developmental disabilities. Times staff photographer Michael Robinson Chavez captured some of the action. Here, Maddock, a shepherd-collie mix, is petted by, from left, Sean Seaman, Joseph Armijo and Melissa Moreno.

Maddock gives an adult at New Horizons a lick. Many of the adults at the center have poor vision and attention spans stemming from their disabilities and appreciate the monthly visit by the pooches, officials say.

More updates on rescuing animals stranded by Hurricane Ike

Hurricane Ike continues to take its toll in Texas. The Houston Chronicle reports on efforts near Lubbock, Texas:

Agriculture officials said late Tuesday they've found about 4,000 dead cows in portions of two Southeast Texas counties searched in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

Some cows left stranded or that perished might never be found, though. "They're being eaten by alligators," said Kathleen Phillips, spokeswoman for the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

Meanwhile, the storm's strong winds and heavy rains heavily damaged the rice crop, equipment and storage facilities east of Houston. One official estimated losses will be in the millions of dollars.

"It's not a pretty sight," Dwight Roberts, chief executive officer and president of the Houston-based U.S. Rice Producers Association, said Tuesday while out assessing losses.

The Beaumont Enterprise also checks on rescue efforts:

The Humane Society team arrived with land rescue vehicles, boats, a mobile command center and a 75-foot transport vehicle capable of carrying 200 animals to safe ground.

Sleeping in tents and trucks behind the Beaumont animal shelter, the animal rescuers are coping with limited resources like many in Southeast Texas.

And, finally, the Galveston County Daily News weighs in:

Many residents left their pets with what they thought was enough food and water to get them through a few days. But when the storm’s devastation was much worse than people expected and recovery efforts dragged on, panicked residents started calling the city’s emergency operations center to ask police officers to check on their animals.

Volunteers set up a temporary shelter in the police substation, bringing trailers full of food, cages, leashes and medicine with them. Truckloads of supplies continued to arrive throughout the afternoon.

-- Alice Short

Photo: Ida Navejar, 19, an evacuee from Galveston, Texas, dresses one of her pet Chihuahuas during a visit with her family's five animals, which are being boarded at the Austin Humane Society. Credit: Harry Cabluck / Associated Press

U.S. keeps gray wolf on endangered list for now

From the Associated Press:

The government won't immediately try to take gray wolves in the Northern Rockies off the endangered species list, a federal wildlife official said Tuesday.

Ed Bangs, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordinator, said the government in the next week expects to withdraw a rule that declared wolves fully recovered. That rule, issued in March, would have allowed public hunting for the region's approximately 1,500 wolves.

Wildlife agencies in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming have already started preparations for such hunts. But they had been in doubt since July, when U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy blocked the states from going forward pending resolution of a lawsuit by environmentalists.

"Hopefully, they'll go back to the drawing board and come up with a new plan that better protects wolves," said Earthjustice attorney Doug Honnold, who had sued on behalf of a dozen environmental groups that argue wolves in the region remain imperiled.

The decision to withdraw the recovery rule is subject to final approval by the Department of Justice. Molloy also would have to sign off before it could take effect.

In his July injunction against the planned hunts, Molloy raised concerns about whether wolves would have enough genetic diversity, through breeding, to sustain their population.

Molloy also questioned Wyoming's lack of regulations on the killing of wolves. Outside Yellowstone National Park and adjacent areas, wolves are classified as predators, allowing them to be shot on sight.

Photo: Associated Press

After Hurricane Ike, efforts to save animals

Hurricane Ike has flooded much of the area surrounding Houston and Galveston, Texas, and caused millions of residents to lose power. The death toll is still climbing and thousands are still living in shelters.  And people aren't the only focus of attention. A number of organizations are working to save pets and farm animals in the area.

The Humane Society of the United States reports on its efforts to come to the aid of pets abandoned by their owners, who in many cases were forced to flee without them.

And the Waco (Texas) Tribune-Herald reports on a shelter that has its hands full.

National Geographic News, meanwhile, checks up on some animals that weathered the storm.

Finally, Fox News features some pets that were sheltered by the Houston SPCA.

In the photo above, Dennis Garcia holds his pet Duck, Bo, who stayed in his backyard during Hurricane Ike, while assessing the damage to his home Tuesday.

--Alice Short

Photo: Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Grizzlies thriving in Montana, study says

From the Associated Press:

Federal scientists have documented the largest population of grizzly bears in Montana, a sign that the threatened species could be at long last on the rebound.

Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey announced Tuesday that there are approximately 765 bears in northwestern Montana. Earlier estimates said there were at least 250-350 bears. The results stemmed from a $4.8-million, five-year study of the grizzly bears' DNA that has been criticized by Republican presidential candidate John McCain on the campaign trail as an example of pork barrel spending.

The study was backed by Montana ranchers, farmers and Republican leaders as a step toward easing restrictions in place since 1975 on oil and gas drilling, logging and other development.

Photo: Associated Press

Dog dials 911 when owner has seizure

The Associated Press has the following story on a wonder dog:

“Man’s best friend” doesn’t go far enough for Buddy — a German shepherd who remembered his training and saved his owner’s life by calling 911 when the man had a seizure. And it’s not the first time Buddy has been there for owner Joe Stalnaker, a police officer said Sunday.

On a recording of the 911 call Wednesday, Buddy is heard whimpering and barking after the dispatcher answers and repeatedly asks if the caller needs help. “Hello, this is 911. Hello ... Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to,” says the dispatcher, Chris Trott.

Police were sent to Stalnaker’s home, and after about three minutes Buddy is heard barking loudly when the officers arrived.

Scottsdale police Sgt. Mark Clark said Stalnaker spent two days in a hospital and recovered from the seizure. “It’s pretty incredible,” Clark said. “Even the veteran dispatchers — they haven’t heard of anything like this.”

Clark said police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker’s address was flagged in Scottsdale’s system with a notification that a trained assistance dog could call 911 when the owner was incapacitated. Clark said Stalnaker adopted Buddy at the age of 8 weeks from Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs, and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms.

Buddy, now 18 months old, is able to press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line, Clark said. Clark said Buddy has made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures.

He said Stalnaker’s seizures are the result of a head injury he suffered about 10 years ago during a military training exercise. Stalnaker was not listed in the phone book, and he did not immediately respond to a request through police for an interview.

Photo credit: Picasa 2.7 / Associated Press

The Heidi Chronicles, Part 9: A dog struggles with her Teutonic heritage

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times Staff Writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was achieved by placing a biscuit just out of reach.

During Heidi’s interview with animal trainer Sean Webber on the set of TV’s “NCIS” (see Chapter 8), Sean offered some solid reasons why a “private party animal” — that is, a house pet — is unlikely to win a role over the professional competition.

I might have guessed that even the best-trained house dog might have trouble performing tricks with the distractions of a TV or movie set. But Sean was the first to suggest that Heidi’s biggest problem would be the same one that plagues many human actors: typecasting.

Not that I expected Heidi ever to portray a dachshund or a Great Dane. But according to Sean, she also would never be cast as what she actually is: the family dog.

To date, I had only heard of one unfair rule of thumb in dog-casting: Black dogs rarely get work because their coloring makes it difficult to light their faces and eyes. Exceptions are made, however, for breed-specific dark coloring — for example, if the script calls for a Doberman.

Nevada officials seize 187 illegal African frogs

Acting on scores of telephone tips from unsuspecting owners of the outlaw amphibians, Nevada game wardens say they tracked down a mail-order tadpole provider as the source of nearly 200 illegal African clawed frogs.

It also turns out the mail-order tadpoles from Grow-a-Frog are not legal in Nevada and at least 10 other U.S. states, including California.

The Florida-based Grow-a-Frog, which takes orders over the phone and the Internet, has agreed to pay a $3,600 fine and stop sending the unwelcome guests to Nevada, said Capt. Cameron Waithman, the Nevada Department of Wildlife warden who led the months-long investigation.

The Associated Press reports:

Agents seized 119 of the frogs from three Reno homes last month and publicized the raids to get the word out they’re illegal. Inundated with calls, they recovered another 68 this week in seven Nevada counties.

"I had my wardens out all across the state — everywhere from Reno to Las Vegas, Elko, Ely," Waithman said.

Banned as an illegal invasive species, the clawed green creatures that live mostly in the water and grow as large as bullfrogs can destroy entire ecosystems if they escape by voraciously eating native fish and just about anything they can swallow, he said.

Some scientists believe the frogs carry and spread an African fungus that has decimated frog populations worldwide, he said. Nevadans who knowingly possess them are subject to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Company officials cooperated in the investigation, providing customer records so wardens could contact people who made purchases at growafrog.com, Waithman said.

"Absolutely none of the folks had any idea they were prohibited. Most of them didn’t know what they had," he said.

Some expressed genuine concern about the environmental threat, while others "just said, 'I’m not going to jail for these frogs.'"

Other states that outlaw the frogs without a special permit include Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.

Grow-a-Frog officials did not respond to e-mails from The Associated Press seeking comment on Wednesday and Thursday.

Greenpeace says Nobu, De Niro serve endangered fish

Greenpeace is calling out celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro, alleging that DNA tests show their Japanese fusion chain Nobu is serving critically endangered bluefin tuna at its London eateries.

Undercover investigators for the environmental group ordered cuts of tuna from three Nobu locations in London and put them through DNA tests that determined several were Atlantic bluefin. The species is listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's red list of threatened species for overfishing.

The Telegraph reports:

Nobu does not specify on its menus which species of tuna it serves. Requests for the information by campaigners have been met for several years with a terse "no comment".

Although it is not illegal to serve Atlantic bluefin, also known as northern bluefin, many chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, have dropped it because of concern that fishing is at higher levels than stocks can withstand. At Nobu Berkeley St, which has one Michelin star, investigators asked for Atlantic bluefin (hon maguro in Japanese) but staff told them the restaurant did not stock it.

However, DNA tests proved that the fish they were given was indeed Atlantic bluefin. At Ubon, Canary Wharf, also owned by Nobu, investigators ordered Atlantic bluefin and were served a dish that did not test conclusively either way.

Greenpeace writes on its blog that co-owner Robert De Niro "seems to be angling for the title of ‘Godfather of ocean destruction’" and compares offering bluefin tuna to "serving up rhino burgers or tiger chops."

-- Tony Barboza

Photos: Top, Nobu Matsuhisa. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times; bottom, Robert De Niro. Credit: Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

Animal activists claim they freed minks, FBI calls group terrorists

Considered to be the second break-in at a fur ranching outfit in Oregon this year, the Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for last week's release of hundreds of mink from the S&N Fur Farm in Scio. Bryan Denson of the Oregonian reports:

The saboteurs wrote that they released as many as 150 mink in Thursday's raid. But ranch owner Ed Sandberg confirmed today that 215 mink were set free after someone cut a hole in his fence.

The ALF saboteurs wrote a communique, passed to The Oregonian Monday morning, explaining that their actions were inspired by releases last month in Jordan, Utah of 600 mink and in Aldergrove, British Columbia of 6,000 mink.

"This is our path through this chaotic and frustrating world," the saboteurs concluded. "Our wisdom will appear to you long before we will. Till the last cage is empty, till all beings are free. ALF."

The ALF struck the Jefferson Fur Farm in April, releasing 53 mink, all of which were recovered, according to the ranch.

FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele confirmed today that agents are investigating the case. The bureau describes the Animal Liberation Front as one of the nation's leading domestic terrorist groups.

Fur industry officials told the Oregonian that captive mink, raised for coats and other garments, rarely survive in the wild after being released. Those not recaptured are often run over by cars or die of starvation or dehydration, the paper reported.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Steve Ringman / Associated Press

Condor ill with lead poisoning dies at L.A. Zoo as fight to protect species spreads to Argentina

A 4-year-old female condor captured Friday in Big Sur and rushed to the Los Angeles Zoo for treatment of lead poisoning has died, according to the Monterey County Herald:

The bird, identified as Condor No. 336, was shaking and weak when found by Ventana Wildlife biologist Sayre Flannagan, who caught it in a net on the ground in Big Sur.

Kelly Sorenson, executive director of the Ventana Wildlife Society, the only nonprofit group in California that breeds condors for introduction to the wild, said the condor was released three years ago at Pinnacles National Monument and was living and scavenging in Big Sur.

It was initially taken to the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic in Monterey, given a blood test that showed "really high, life-threatening levels" of lead, and given emergency treatment, according to Ventana Society senior wildlife biologist Joe Burnett. The bird was then taken to the Los Angeles Zoo for more comprehensive veterinary treatment. (L.A.'s zoo has a condor habitat.)

The bird appeared to rally at first, he said, but weakened and succumbed Sunday.

A normal adult condor weighs 18 to 25 pounds, said Burnett. Condor No. 336 was down to 10.9 pounds when captured.

"It's hard to bounce back from a weight loss like that," Burnett said.

National Park Service superintendent Eric Brunneman at the Pinnacles told the County Herald that Condor No. 336 was "perhaps our most well-known condor," because the bird had been featured in a video on YouTube eating a deer heart:

Condor No. 336's death comes on the heels of a contentious battle over lead ammunition and the implementation on July 1 of a bill banning the use of lead ammunition in hunting.

California's condors are a fiercely guarded endangered species that has recently faced wildfire threats from Big Sur to L.A. and a West Coast-based struggle to procreate.

In the latest development in protection efforts, officials at the Pinnacles National Monument also announced today that a team of U.S. and Argentine scientists are joining forces in a five-year project to boost the condor population soaring above California and the Andes.

The Associated Press' Debora Rey reports:

Scientists from Pinnacles National Monument in central California visited Argentina this week to improve tracking and studying techniques of the birds, whose 9-foot wingspan has inspired reverence among indigenous people of the Americas for centuries.

The number of California condors is estimated at around 300 — half of which are in captivity — and they are still in danger of extinction. The Andean condor, a different species, has fared better: There are between 2,000 and 3,000 of the birds gliding over Argentina's snowy crags.

Argentine and U.S. scientists have been working together since the early 1980s, when the California condor was on the brink of extinction. U.S. scientists applied successful efforts in Argentina to breed condors in captivity and then release them to salvage a waning California population.

“The situation of the condors in both countries is grave,” said Pinnacles biologist Denise Louie.

--Francisco Vara-Orta

An odyssey into the world of dog rescues

Today, Times staff writer Jerry Hirsch starts his chronicle of Sasha, a Husky he encountered on a street in downtown Los Angeles. Look for periodic updates on Sasha in the weeks to come on L.A. Unleashed.

Call me the reluctant rescuer.

A filthy and thirsty dog was wandering around Spring Street in Downtown L.A. about a week ago. It had no tag or collar, and it obviously needed help. It looked up at me with piercing blue eyes, so I did the emotional -- I put the animal in my back seat and brought it home. I didn’t even check to see if it was a boy or a girl.

So began an odyssey into the world of dog rescues that has left me questioning my judgment. I have spent more time and money on this animal than I would ever have on the human strays I pass daily along the same stretch of Spring Street near my office. Maybe I should have put the people first.

Here’s the story. My wife, Jennifer, was waiting for me with a leash and a collar by the time I got home to Rossmoor in Orange County. We put the animal -- now named Sasha -- in our locked, double-gated side yard to isolate her from our yellow Labrador Retriever Roni (as in macaroni). We figured we would get her checked out at the vet the next day and start looking for a home.

When we got up the next morning, Sasha was gone. She had pried her way through wooden fence planks on the gate and took off. Jennifer was crushed. Our Lab can open a gate latch with her paw, but never pulled things apart. Welcome to the world of Huskies!

Don't want a fat cat? Tips on preventing pet obesity

So your cat may not weigh a whopping 44 pounds or even 35 like this monster, who goes by Shamu. But how do you make sure your pet's extra pounds don't balloon into the realm of obesity? Amelia Glynn at Tails of the City offers these tips:

• Overeating is the primary cause of weight gain in pets. And for them, overeating is usually a simple matter of overfeeding — giving them huge portions and an overabundance of between-meals snacks and fatty table scraps. Talk to your vet about reducing your animal's caloric intake, the possibility of switching to a "diet" food formula, or choosing a higher quality brand of pet food — one with whole, healthy and nutritious ingredients (like meat!) and less fillers and preservatives.
• Keep their water bowl full. Hydration is important for good digestion and overall health.
• Offer healthy treats like carrot sticks, cantaloupe (many cats love it), unbuttered popcorn, apple slices, or even bits of banana. Try experimenting with a few crunchy alternatives. You both might be surprised.
• Schedule more pet play into your week. Keep in mind that cats need exercise too, even through they don't require walks like their canine counterparts. ... And for dogs, remember that having a back yard isn't enough. Your pooch won't "automatically" exercise when presented with a grassy patch any more than you will. If you already know your schedule is too packed to make it to the park, hire a dog walker or barter your gardening prowess for a few walks from a petless (but pet-loving) friend or neighbor who works from home.

Not sure if your dog or cat is overweight? You can determine where your companion stands by determining its body condition score, which rates pet physique from emaciated to obese.

-- Tony Barboza

Photo credit: Jeff Fusco / New York Daily News

Pigging out at Farm Sanctuary

The trip from Oakville, Iowa, to Watkins Glen, N.Y., is about 850 miles, a 14-hour drive for anyone who wants to complete the journey in one long day. Earlier this summer, Mabel and some of her cohorts made the drive in about 15 hours. But it was the pre-trip maneuvering that proved to be newsworthy.

Mabel is one of the pigs rescued during severe flooding this summer in Iowa, animals that were photographed and caught on video as they perched on levees, struggling to stay alive. Conditions were so grim in the farming state (Iowa ranks first in pork production in the U.S.) that the Iowa Department of Agriculture asked volunteer groups to consider a rescue mission. Four rescue agencies raised their hands: the International Fund for Animal Welfare, American Humane Assn., the Animal Rescue League of Boston and Farm Sanctuary. Which brings us back to Watkins Glen, headquarters for Farm Sanctuary and new home for more than 60 pigs plucked from the levees.

If pigs have an emotional life, it seems fairly certain that the Farm Sanctuary sanctuary might seem like an extended vacation after life on a large pig farm. Farm Sanctuary representatives (who campaign vociferously against factory farming and would be thrilled if we all were vegans) say that that the breeding sows like Mabel are housed in crates; other pigs are sold for slaughter after they reach a certain weight.

Conditions at the sanctuary are, well, different. The facility is about eight miles west of Watkins Glen, 175 acres of rolling hills and assorted barns. The pigs formerly known as Iowans have their own attendants and their own barn and outside yards in which they happily indulge in porcine activities: sleeping, eating and rolling around in mud and other materials we’d rather not contemplate.

Some of those pigs are also indulging in a surprise activity: parenthood.

Goats go to work clearing brush on Bunker Hill

Sometimes it's just impossible to find someone who's willing to clean up dirty lots on steep slopes.  Perhaps it's the hot sun or a lack of interest in a weed whacker. What's a redevelopment agency to do? Send in the goats, of course. The Times' Bob Pool has more:

The hills were alive with the sound of munching.

In fact, the only things that seemed missing Monday when a herd of goats climbed up a weed-choked lot in the Bunker Hill high-rise district were Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp family singers.

Leaders of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency hired 100 goats to nibble away thick weeds on a steep slope at the corner of 4th and Hill streets, next to the Angels Flight funicular.

Agency officials said the goats were cheaper and more environmentally friendly than two-legged brush-clearers armed with gasoline-powered weed-whackers.

And they are much more fun to watch, downtown office workers and other passersby quickly decided, as the animals fanned out over the 45-degree slope and chowed down.
Commuters emerging from the Red Line subway who came face-to-face with the goats reached for their cellphones and snapped pictures.

"My friends won't believe this unless they see it," said Vicky Bravo, a student who lives south of downtown.

Photo: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles animal shelter workers turn to council in bid to oust manager

Some of the workers at Los Angeles animal shelters want general manager Ed Boks to be dismissed. Times Staff Writer Carla Hall reports:

Union representatives for Los Angeles animal shelter workers plan to give the City Council a petition today demanding the dismissal of general manager Ed Boks and assistant general manager Linda Barth.

The vote of no confidence, as the petition is called, was signed by more than half of L.A. Animal Services employees and presented to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's office in March. Boks answers directly to the mayor....

After several meetings with the mayor's staff, union officials and shelter workers who helped organize the petition effort said they were dissatisfied with the response. So they decided to take their cause to council members even though they have no direct power over Boks.

"Employees are fed up," said Keith Kramer, manager of the West Valley animal shelter and executive board member of the laborers' union's Los Angeles chapter. "We've given the mayor's office every opportunity to do something and they haven't. We're hoping the City Council can convince the mayor's office to act."

Running the city's system of six shelters has never been an easy task. Boks' predecessors had their share of run-ins with critics. In his three years in Los Angeles, Boks has frequently bumped heads with activists, some Los Angeles Board of Animal Services commissioners and some City Council members. Now he's facing employees who say he has sacrificed the health and safety of shelter animals and workers to promote the system as one that is lowering its kill rate.

Humane Society sues University of California

The Humane Society of the United States has sued the University of California. The East Bay Business Times has the details:   

The [HSUS] said Friday it filed a lawsuit in Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland to force the University of California to make public documents that the society contends would reveal “potentially unlawful campaign activities by (UC) staff regarding Proposition 2...”

That proposition on the Nov. 4 ballot, called the Standards for Confining Farm Animals Initiative, would amend the state’s Health and Safety Code to prohibit the confinement of certain farm animals that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, or stand up and fully extend their limbs. It would apply to three types of confinement: veal crates, battery cages, and sow gestation crates.

If approved by state voters, the statute would go into effect Jan. 1, 2015.

The Humane Society said in its lawsuit that the University of California Agricultural Issues Center recently published a report that predicted myriad economic outcomes for industry and consumers if Prop. 2 passes in November, and that the UC system’s promotion of the report emphasized negative aspects of the study’s claims, while downplaying its conclusion that California consumers would see “little to no impact” on food prices if Prop 2 passes....

An organization called Californians for Safe Food formed to oppose Proposition 2 includes a coalition of agribusiness, veterinarians, labor unions and grocers, according to its website. They contend Prop. 2 would undermine animal welfare and food safety by increasing the risk of salmonella, forcing dependence on eggs grown in Mexico and driving up food costs.

Once skinny and sick, a horse is now looking for a home.

When the mare (pictured above) was discovered in Campo by employees of the San Diego County Department of Animal Services, she was skinny, disoriented, and shabby-looking. There was no water, and hay was out of reach. A dead foal was nearby.

The 12-year-old mare was taken into custody, and the owner slapped with a charge of animal neglect.

Now two months later, the mare (see below) has been fed and given veterinarian care. For anyone interested in buying her, sealed bids are now being taken, at www.sddac.com. Bids will be opened Sept. 18.

"She is just a sweetheart and there is no excuse for the treatment she received," said John Carlson, deputy director of the animal services department.

The former owner is set for a preliminary hearing Oct. 21.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Photos: San Diego County Department of Animal Services

The Heidi Chronicles, part eight: A potential star still needs a double

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times Staff Writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was achieved by placing a biscuit just out of reach.

After being dazzled by the German shepherd that portrayed Butch on the “Dog Tags” episode of the CBS series “NCIS,” I called the publicist and asked if Heidi and I might drop by the set to meet "Butch" and his trainer, Sean Webber. Sure, she said. As it happened, "Butch” was played by Rowdy, and Rowdy was much too busy working to meet with us. This might be just as well because Heidi, a maybe-German, maybe-Belgian shepherd from Texas, probably would have suffered by comparison to Mr. Perfect, a purebred German shepherd from Germany.

For lack of chairs on the sound stage, Sean the trainer and I sat on the floor and talked — and Heidi, it must be said, was not behaving in a professional manner. Instead of sitting like a good girl, she wandered between us, stepped on the tape recorder and decided that I needed my face licked thoroughly. And what were the chances Heidi of becoming a star? Replied Sean, cheerfully: “About as realistic as me being Tom Cruise.”

Sean repeated what I had heard before: Most working animals come from animal companies; Sean trains for Phil’s Animal Rentals. He referred to Heidi as a “private party animal” — different, one supposes, from the public party animal one might observe on the JumboTron at Dodger Stadium. Added Sean: “If I had a dog who was really well-trained, I’d think commercials or print ads, because for most movies, you need three.”

Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland: Where black Labs are king

Times staff writer Susan Spano has discovered a five-star resort in Scotland that is dog-friendly. At least black Lab-friendly.  Here is her report:

Golf has been king at Gleneagles Hotel since the magisterial five-star Scottish resort-hotel near the Perthshire town of Crieff opened in 1924. That's understandable, given its world-class King's, Queen's and Jack Nicklaus-designed Centenary courses.

But if you happen to prefer the loving eyes of a black Lab to a bogey, there's still good reason to check out Gleneagles, also the home of a unique Gundog School where some of the world's most winsome Labrador retrievers serve as teachers.

While in Scotland last month, I joined a friend for a master class, which met in the same building as the resort's falconry school. Then Mick Doughty, our instructor, took us to the kennel, where we met Debbie and Max.

Spaniels and other breeds are used for the sport of hunting, long popular in Scotland, but black Labs are favored at Gleneagles.

Doughty said that the breed actually came from Newfoundland, Canada, where they helped fishermen retrieve their catch, then entertained the family in the evenings (ergo their beguilingly affectionate manner).

We learned how to make the dogs heel, sit and retrieve dummy birds thrown to the far end of an obstacle course with artificial mounds, fences and logs the Labs had to jump -- obviously a cakewalk to them.

But the best part was at the lake, where the dogs waited impatiently for their turn to retrieve a dummy bird thrown into the water. They love to swim and, when they come out, shake off water on command, so as not to douse onlookers.

When class was over, I tried to kidnap Debbie, but Doughty wouldn't let me.

Photo: Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times

Death of San Diego police dog becomes political issue

The case of the San Diego police dog that died of heat stroke while left in a squad car on a hot day has now become a (minor) political issue.

Superior Court Judge Jan Goldsmith, on leave to challenge City Atty. Michael Aguirre, on Friday accused Aguirre of grand-standing by filing a lawsuit against police officer Paul Hubka.  Hubka last week pleaded no contest to misdemeanor animal abuse in the death of Forrest, the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois.

Under a plea bargain with the district attorney, Hubka agreed to pay a fine and half the cost of replacing Forrest, about $4000.

Aguirre had filed a civil complaint demanding Hubka pay for replacing the dog. He withdrew the case after Hubka's plea.

Goldsmith says Aguirre should repay the cost of filing the complaint and holding news conferences on the topic. The money "was spent to get him media attention, not practice law," Goldsmith says.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Houston mulls a spay/neuter law for pets

Looks like the city of Houston may follow in the steps of Los Angeles ... at least when it comes to a spay/neuter law for pets. The Houston Chronicle reports:

Don't look now, but the Houston City Council is starting to sound a lot like Bob Barker.

Goaded into action by community outrage after at least six dogs died from exposure to excessive heat in a city animal care vehicle last week, some council members have embraced the mantra of the retired game show host, who closed every broadcast of The Price is Right by urging viewers to "Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered."

Some, including Mayor Bill White, have floated the possibility of following in the footsteps of Los Angeles, which passed a law in February ordering its 3.8 million citizens to spay and neuter their pets or face repeated fines and criminal charges.

It is an open question whether such a law would be feasible in Houston when the city spends so much less than other areas on animal care and struggles to enforce ordinances dealing with pets already on the books, such as licensing requirements.

High Sierra rescue effort saves 6,500 fish

Last week L.A. Unleashed told you about efforts to save thousands of fish that would have been left high, dry and dead by emergency repairs on a dam in the Sierra Nevada.

This week the state’s Department of Fish and Game announced that it was able to save 6,500 fish, according to department spokesman Harry Morse. (He also snapped the photo above.)

Fish and Game fishery biologists, aided by about 90 volunteers organized by Trout Unlimited and the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, launched the rescue operation Aug. 26. They spent three days transferring fish from Caples Lake to two nearby lakes. The water in Caples Lake, about 20 miles south of Lake Tahoe, is being lowered so the El Dorado Irrigation District can repair the dam’s outlet gates.

Initial efforts to net fish had limited success. “Fish would not go into the nets, for whatever reason,” Morse said this week.

That’s when the would-be rescuers turned to electro-fishing — zapping the water with electricity, which causes the fish, which are a bit stunned, to rise to the surface. Morse said seven electro-boats were deployed.

Some large Mackinaw or lake trout -- up to 15 pounds –- were captured, though most were rainbow, brown and brook trout. In an interview with the Associated Press while the rescue operation was under way, Morse said one brown trout was an 18-pounder. “It was a monster,” he said. “It looked like a salmon.”

-- Steve Padilla

Photo credit: Harry Morse, California Department of Fish and Game

Readers react to Chico, the only meerkat the L.A. Zoo

Last week we blogged about  Chico, the (only) meerkat in residence at the Los Angeles Zoo, and linked to Times Staff Writer Lynn Smith's story, detailing the concerns of many who believe Chico needs company.

Did we say many? We meant it. L.A. Unleashed received scores of comments, some of which we'd like to share:

Meerkats are not solitary animals and do not do well alone. Therefore if this zoo can not provide him the basic of needs then they don't deserve to have him. --Angie

I have personally interacted with Meerkats and know how gregarious, curious and social they are. Chico does not act like a happily socialized Meerkat. --Christine

Lone meerkats exist in only a few, usually dire, circumstances and their instincts lead them to attempt to re-integrate into existing groups because that is where they know they are safest. How difficult it must be to be alone with no opportunity for companionship or shared responsibilities when you have always had companions or family around you. Human interaction is not a replacement for instinct. --Susan

I only pray that our little Chico will make it to fellow earthlings sanctuary ( that i have made a donation to) for reasons like this. message to Chico..........I love you little dude good luck --Ann-Marie

See a trend here?

Here's a link to a video of the little guy.

--Alice Short

Photo: Jamie Pham

Panda cub is reunited with mother at Zoo Atlanta

Officials at Zoo Atlanta  said today that the male giant panda born this weekend is in “guarded” condition. It was placed in an incubator for a time because its mother, Lun Lun, had put it down twice and the cub had lost body heat. Then it was returned to its mother this afternoon. (The video displayed to the right on L.A. Unleashed is of a mother and child reunion.) The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports:

Less than a day after being separated from his mother because of a health scare, Zoo Atlanta's newest panda is back with his mom, Lun Lun.

Officials reintroduced the pair Tuesday afternoon after the male cub spent much of the previous 19 hours in an incubator. The zoo was trying to get the newborn’s body temperature up and provide some much needed nourishment.

“Lun Lun showed immediate interest in the cub when it was presented just outside the den, and was very focused on the cub as it vocalized,” the zoo said. “Based on these positive signs, the cub was placed in the den and Lun Lun picked it up and cradled it.”

The cub was removed from Lun Lun’s care late Monday after the zoo’s favorite mom twice put down her small offspring....

Panda cubs can lose body heat rapidly, a serious threat to their health during their early days.

Zoo officials think part of the problem is that Lun Lun may not have been creating enough mother’s milk. The milk provides antibodies to fight off infections during the cub’s first few days.

Since being reintroduced, the cub has periodically vocalized strongly, a positive sign, the zoo said. When caretakers examined him at 4:30 p.m., the infant, which is about the size of a cellphone, had gained a little weight. They also noted that there were no signs of abnormalities or bacteria in the cub because of the hand-rearing process.

Photo: Zoo Atlanta

Latest development in the heatstroke death of police dog

The San Diego city attorney Tuesday dropped his civil lawsuit seeking damages from a San Diego police officer for the heatstroke death of his police dog.

City Atty. Michael Aguirre also indicated he is no longer seeking to block the officer from receiving his $50,000 share of a settlement of a lawsuit by three canine officers against the city. The lawsuit alleged the three deserved higher pay.

Officer Paul Hubka pleaded no contest last week to misdemeanor animal neglect in the death of Forrest, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois. Hubka was fined $411 and agreed to pay half the cost of replacing Forrest.

Aguirre said he expects Hubka to use some of the settlement to help the Police Department buy a system that automatically rolls down windows on squad cars on hot days.

-- Tony Perry

Clones' offspring may be in U.S. food supply

Reuters has an update on the "cloned food" controversy:

Food and milk from the offspring of cloned animals may already have entered the U.S. food supply, the Food and Drug Administration said Monday, but it would be impossible to know because there is no difference between cloned and conventional products.

The FDA said in January that meat and milk from cloned cattle, swine and goats and their offspring were as safe to eat as products obtained from traditional animals. Before then, farmers and ranchers had followed a voluntary moratorium that prevented the sale of clones and their offspring.

“It is theoretically possible” that offspring from clones are in the food supply, said Siobhan DeLancey, an FDA spokeswoman. “I don’t know whether they are or not. I could imagine there are not very many of them.”

Proponents, including the Biotechnology Industry Organization, say cloned animals are safe and a way to create animals that produce more milk and better meat and are more disease-resistant.

There are currently an estimated 600 cloned animals in the United States. The small cloning industry and the FDA have maintained cloned animals and their offspring are as safe as their regular counterparts.

Federal plan would cut habitat for endangered bighorn sheep

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working on the final details of a map that would cut by nearly half the habitat the agency had previously considered to be critical to the survival of the peninsula bighorn sheep. The plan could be approved by the end of September. Leslie Carlson reports:

Scientists and environmental advocates say the trimmed habitat could deal a permanent setback to a species that has shown signs of recovering after 10 years of federal protection. They accuse the Department of the Interior, which governs the Fish and Wildlife Service, of mixing politics with science and caving to mining and tribal interests in the desert. One mining operation in Imperial County already has applied to expand its operation into land once listed as critical to the sheep's recovery, documents show.

The recovery plan . . . has been working," said Mark Jorgensen, supervisor of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, who has worked with peninsular bighorn sheep for 40 years. "Why take out 500,000 acres of it and say that it's not a big deal? And that it's based on science? Why not come out and say that it's just politics?"

Jane Hedron, a spokeswoman for the wildlife service, defended the new boundaries as sufficient to help the species recover.

"Critical habitat is habitat considered essential for the recovery of the endangered species," she said. "It is not intended to include the entire range of a species."

Photo: Leslie Carlson / Los Angeles Times

The Heidi Chronicles, Part 7: A role model is born

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times Staff Writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was achieved by placing a biscuit just out of reach.

One evening, while eagerly awaiting our first meeting with Hollywood animal trainer Sue DiSesso -- wife of the late and legendary trainer Moe DiSesso -- Heidi and I were in the mood for some TV, a favorite activity of hers ever since she gained sofa privileges, contingent upon an agreement that she stay on her blanket -- paws too.

We are particularly partial to procedural crime dramas, mostly because one is always on. I am convinced that a “CSI: Miami-New York-Wherever,” in first-run or rerun, can be found on some channel, somewhere, at all times.

One has to be careful when watching procedurals with Heidi, however. Even the smallest gasp from me -- in reaction to gunfire or the silliest dialogue ever written for the small screen -- and she’s out of a dead sleep and on her feet in seconds, ready to protect and serve. In Heidi’s wired little shepherd’s mind, we are always under siege.

On this particular evening, however, we happened to try a procedural with slightly different letters in its name, the CBS series “NCIS,” about a government agency that investigates crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

Since Heidi began her showbiz quest, I have been noticing how often dogs show up on TV and in movies; there always seems to be a canine featured in a supporting role which Heidi could have played far, far better.

But in this particular episode, a dog was the star. Moreover, it was a German Shepherd, a beautiful big male with a sweet face and a lush teddy-bear coat, playing the role of Butch (at left). In the episode, titled “Dog Tags,” Butch is accused of murder; it is up to quirky forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), who falls in love with Butch, to prove his innocence.

Let's all pretend we can't guess how this will turn out. This dog did not simply sit, roll over or catch a frisbee. He smiled; he put his chin on his paws and looked up with sad eyes; he barked on cue; he lay still as a stone during a surgery scene. Still wearing bandages after a gunshot would, he lept from a car and made a mad dash to dig up key evidence that would put the perp behind bars. Who was this magical dog, and who had coached him to do these things? One way or another, we would wrangle our way onto the set of "NCIS" to meet "Butch" and his trainer.

To catch up on the Heidi Chronicles, go to Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  or 6.

Photo: CBS

Checking up on dog food ingredients

With, what, a possible 4,000 deaths of American pets caused by pet food contaminated by ingredients from China, you'd think the pet food companies would be a little more aware of consumers' sensitivities.

I picked up a can of dog food at the grocery store a couple of days ago and read every letter of the fine print, looking for where the ingredients came from. Then I picked up another brand and did the same thing. And a third, and a fourth. A fifth. I even looked at the top and bottom of each can, in case it had been stamped there with an expiration date.

Nothing.

Here's what I did find, and it did absolutely nothing to reassure me. There on the label were the words: "Printed in the USA."

So, if I'm worried about the origin of what I'm giving my dog, I guess I can safely feed him the label. 

--Patt Morrison

Pets (and people) prepare to flee Hurricane Gustav

As Hurricane Gustav moves closer to the Gulf Coast states, many in its path are determined to help pets and livestock avoid the fate that befell tens of thousands of animals that died in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

The Times-Picayune of New Orleans reports on efforts to ensure the safety of Louisiana's pets:

State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said pet shelters for animal owners with "critical transportation needs" are ready for service during the Hurricane Gustav evacuation....

Strain stressed that the pet shelters are not "stop and drop" facilities. "Pet ownership is a personal responsibility," he said. "Once you get your pet to a shelter you will be expected to provide care for your dogs and cats during your evacuation."

The Louisiana SPCA is evacuating animals, as seen in the photograph above, and working with other states' shelters, including the SPCA of Texas. In the meantime, university students are traveling to Shreveport, La., to attend to evacuated pets. The University of Louisiana news service reports:

On Friday, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security issued a request to the state, asking for volunteers to work at a pet evacuation shelter, located on the Shreveport Fairgrounds. Volunteers will work 10- to 12-hour shifts today and possibly in the future. The request is in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav, which is expected to reach Louisiana early next week.

Authorities report that the hurricane, south of Cuba this afternoon, is a Category 4 storm and is growing toward a Category 5. That means that people, as well as animals, are leaving places such as New Orleans. Times staff writer David Zucchino reports:

In cars, buses and trains, thousands of people fled New Orleans and its outlying parishes this morning as Hurricane Gustav bore down on the Gulf Coast.

Cars packed with children, suitcases and pet carriers jammed roadways leading north and west out of the city. Downtown, thousands more lined up in the morning heat, toting backpacks and plastic bags of food as they waited to board buses and trains to shelters in northern Louisiana and neighboring states....

The latest forecasts called for the storm to make landfall just west of New Orleans as early as Monday, but forecasters cautioned that Gustav could strike anywhere along the Gulf coast from Texas to Florida early next week.

-- Alice Short

Photo: Associated Press

Dogs and pigs run for office, too

Our kids aren't allowed to use Wikipedia for research papers, but that didn't stop us, during this political convention season, from typing in the phrase "non human candidates" and "Wikipedia" into an Internet search engine.... There's quite a history, which L.A. Unleashed feels obliged to share with its readers. Here's a partial list from Wikipedia:

Molly the Dog, a dachshund from Oklahoma, named as a candidate in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

Pigasus the Immortal, a boar hog that the Yippies nominated as a candidate in the 1968 U.S. presidential  election.

Cacareco, a rhinoceros at the Sao Paulo zoo, was a candidate for the 1958 city council elections with the intention of protesting against political corruption. Electoral officials, of course, did not accept Cacareco's candidacy, but he eventually won 100,000 votes, more than any other party in that same election (which was also marked by rampant absenteeism). Today, the term "Voto Cacareco" (Cacareco vote) is commonly used to describe protest votes in Brazil.

Alas, Little Lou, the Chihuahua pictured above, is not a candidate for political office, but he certainly could play one on TV. Lou was photographed in Ventura's Pushem-Pullem Parade, in which ordinary people -- and pets -- proceed down Main Street.

--Alice Short

Photo: Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times

'Grizzly Man Diaries' airs tonight

Animal Planet airs its "The Grizzly Man Diaries" tonight at 9 and 9:30 p.m. The Times' Mary McNamara takes a look at a man who broke the bounds for society:

It isn't often you can say that a show on Animal Planet follows a great literary tradition, but "The Grizzly Man Diaries," which follows the adventures of Timothy Treadwell, echoes voices as disparate as Thoreau, Yeats and even Sam Gribley of "My Side of the Mountain." The desire to forsake the drudgery and pressures of civilization for the noble simplicity of the natural world has always tempted and tormented certain people.

But unlike Yeats, who never did arise and go to Innisfree, Treadwell did actually break the bounds of society and for 13 summers lived virtually alone among the grizzlies in Alaska's Katmai National Park -- that is, until he and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were killed in 2003 by a grizzly attack.

Treadwell's death got a lot of attention, partly because he had been a vocal, self-pronounced protector of the bears (despite the fact that the land he camped on was a federal reserve) and partly because his final minutes were recorded on the audio portion of a videotape. Although, mercifully, the tape was never released publicly -- it cannot be found on YouTube, thank heavens -- the sheer awfulness of its existence provided such a coda to Treadwell's life that many who never heard of him suddenly began praising or condemning his actions....

Filmmaker Werner Herzog was moved to document Treadwell's life; his award-winning documentary "Grizzly Man" portrayed a self-aggrandizing, troubled man who, unable to find a place for himself in society, created an alternative existence for himself among the bears.

While "Grizzly Man" is a conscious attempt by Herzog to unravel Treadwell's psyche, "The Grizzly Man Diaries" simply presents excerpts of the 100 hours of videotape Treadwell shot of the bears and himself during his 13 summers in Alaska. The footage is oftentimes astonishing, the bears ferociously beautiful, but still the show is less a treatise on grizzly habit than it is an exploration of a man trying to find a solid center for himself.

Photo: Timothy Treadwell

An update on sea lion deaths

A few months ago, we linked to the reports of the deaths of six sea lions at Bonneville Dam in the Pacific Northwest. Now there's an update, published in the Seattle Times.

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The deaths of six sea lions at Bonneville Dam remains a whodunit.

On May 4, six carcasses were discovered in a pair of side-by-side floating traps below the dam. State employees had been using the traps to capture and relocate sea lions feasting on endangered salmon at a man-made bottleneck.

Federal and state authorities initially speculated that the animals had been shot....

But officials backed away from that assertion a week later after revealing that investigators found no fresh bullet wounds. They eventually told the public that the animals probably died of heat stroke while trapped in the cages.

The federal investigation remains open almost four months later, to the irritation of some fishermen who believe they were falsely maligned.

"Given how quick officials were to blame the sport fishing community, it's just incorrigible they're this slow to find and deal with the accountability for this issue," said Liz Hamilton, executive director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association in Portland. "It's sort of like that retraction that gets printed on Page 32, and the original story is on Page One."...

Plenty of questions remain unanswered.

The animals reportedly died of heat stroke, but it's not uncommon for sea lions to be out of the water for longer periods of times -- and temperatures were mild the night of May 3-4.

It's also unclear how the sea lions became trapped in the cages in the first place.

Animal blood bank reports shortage

Maryann Mott, who writes exclusively about pets for a variety of national publications, will be blogging at L.A. Unleashed from time to time. She lives in Arizona with K.C., a rescued Akita mix, and Sasha, an energetic 8-year-old Belgian sheepdog. You can see more of her work at petwriter.com.

High demand from veterinary hospitals for blood to treat critically ill pets is causing a nationwide shortage, according to Hemopet, an animal blood bank in Garden Grove, Calif.

Despite shipping about 1,200 units of dog plasma each month to more than 2,000 veterinary clinics, the country's largest animal blood supplier says demand often surpasses supply, frequently resulting in a two-week waiting period.

Today, more than ever before, pet owners are willing to pay for increasingly sophisticated surgeries and procedures -- some mimicking those once only found in human medicine -- which in turn is causing the shortage, the company says.

The company is working on alleviating the crisis by raising funds to build an expanded blood bank facility that they say would include the nation's first holistic healthcare facility for rescued greyhounds. Once completed, the 2 1/2 acre facility will feature 28 group apartment style units for the greyhounds with outdoor play areas. Some 200 former racing dogs currently provide blood for the bank. After one year of service, donating two to three times a month, they're offered to the public for adoption.

-- Maryann Mott

The Heidi Chronicles, Part 6: An interview with Animal Actors 4 Hire

This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was "discovered" in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times Staff Writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was achieved by placing a biscuit just out of reach.

Following the sage advice of Heidi’s former obedience trainer, I nixed animal talent agencies and began researching the world of Hollywood’s professional animal companies, hoping one of them could help Heidi get a paw in the door.

At the trainer’s suggestion, I called Gary Gero of the mega-animal company Birds & Animals Unlimited, with headquarters in Irvine and satellite offices in Florida, New York and the United Kingdom, a company whose long list of credits includes the Harry Potter movies, the 1996 film “101 Dalmatians” (also “102”) and “Eight Below.”

Not surprisingly, Gero was too busy to offer career advice to an unemployed shepherd.

I played phone tag with a couple of other prominent animal companies — and, even with my rip-off radar at level orange, I couldn’t resist submitting some of Heidi’s best photos to a modeling agency that represents pets.

Given Heidi’s German-Belgian heritage, I thought it appropriate to include this simulated alpine visit, actually shot in the Angeles National Forest. A return e-mail offered my snow-hound a three-year contract, but we didn’t read any further than the “admission fee.”

Helping man's and woman's best friend get some good sleep

Most dogs know the best bed in town is the one their humans sleep on. But what if a dog's legs are too short or too old to make the mighty leap?

When the Home section profiled Katie and Charles Arnoldi in March, among the design elements in their Malibu house was a custom dog ramp. The couple had asked Venice cabinetmaker Tucker Strasser to design a ramp after their bulldog, Rosie, no longer could vault into bed with them. After Rosie died, the Arnoldis adopted bulldog puppies Ruby and Bean.

"They figured out how to use Rosie's ramp in about two seconds," Katie Arnoldi says. "Now they enjoy full access to the bed, where we all sleep together."

Strasser (rtswood@verizon.net) will build a custom ramp for about $300 to $400, but he also agreed to share his design for do-it-yourselfers. Take away the short pedestal in the design shown here, and you'll have a relatively easy structure composed of seven pieces of plywood -- all of which can be cut from a single sheet.

Strasser suggests using good-quality three-quarter-inch plywood, available at any lumberyard. Dimensions for the cuts are listed above; Strasser generally recommends a 16-inch-wide walking surface and a 16-inch-square landing at the top, large enough to accommodate most dogs.

Once the plywood has been cut, use 1 5/8-inch drywall screws to hold the pieces together. Screw the back panel and hidden center support to the side pieces. Then attach the top landing, ramp and front cap. Strasser suggests pre-drilling holes and placing screws about every 8 inches. Once the piece is assembled, sand to soften the edges.

Strasser finished the Arnoldis' ramp with leftovers from their bedroom carpet installation. He suggests gluing the carpet atop the ramp, then using 1-inch drywall screws to attach pine cross treads, which will give paws added traction. Six strips of pine, evenly spaced, should do the trick. Four screws per tread will help to keep the carpeting in place.

For better or worse, sleeping will never be the same.

For a cheat sheet on making a dog bed ramp on your own, click on the jump for a print-and-save version.)

-- Bettijane Levine

Photo: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Is there a new owner in the works for SeaWorld? Could it be PETA?

We know this is hard to believe, but we hear that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants to buy SeaWorld. Yes, SeaWorld, home of sassy sea gulls and dancing killer whales. PETA swears it's not a joke and the San Diego Union-Tribune has the details.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants to buy SeaWorld... The animal rights advocates said they have a donor willing to put up the bucks to buy at least one of the three SeaWorld parks – in Orlando, San Antonio or, of course, San Diego – put the animals in marine sanctuaries and perhaps return some to the wild one day.

The group wouldn't close the joint. Instead, it would replace the killer whales, dolphins, stingrays and other animals with virtual reality exhibits.

PETA is known for staging publicity stunts, including one in Ocean Beach last year where half-naked people put fish hooks in their mouths to protest game fishing, but it swears this is no hoax. Still, the group won't identify the donor. ..

The group saw an opportunity when news broke that SeaWorld's current owner, beer giant Anheuser-Busch, is poised to be swallowed whole by the larger beer giant InBev, a Belgium firm. Experts believe InBev will divest itself of Anheuser-Busch's 10 theme parks and concentrate on beer once the sale is final.

Dog's death during traffic stop starts a furor

The death of a dog in Texas has stirred up a frenzy on the Internet. The Austin American-Statesman has some of the details of Missy's passing and reaction to the San Marcos patrol officer who pulled over the car driven by her owners--who were speeding as they tried to get their ailing pet to a vet.

On Aug. 5, officer Paul Stephens stopped Michael Gonzales for driving 95 mph on Interstate 35 — 30 miles above the speed limit. The reason for speeding? Gonzales and his girlfriend, Krystal Hernandez, were taking their dog, who was choking on food, to a veterinarian in nearby New Braunfels. The couple said the dog died during the approximately 20-minute stop.

Stephens stopped Gonzales after chasing the couple's car for about two miles, city officials said, as it swerved across three lanes. During the stop, Stephens chastised Gonzales for speeding, telling the distraught man that it was just a dog and that he could get another one, according to footage from patrol car cameras. Several other officers responded to the incident, and Hernandez was heard on the footage pleading with them to let them go.

After reviewing Stephens' behavior, Police Chief Howard Williams apologized to the couple in a letter. Stephens will undergo counseling at the department and received a reprimand.

Texas media report that the officer involved has been the target of death threats. Susan Naraiz, the Mayor of San Marcos, said that "this is a sad situation for all concerned, but it does not warrant death threats."

New protections for animal researchers

California lawmakers have adopted new protections for animal researchers. Patrick McGreevy reports from Sacramento:

On Friday, three weeks after firebomb attacks on UC Santa Cruz animal researchers and months after vandalism at a UCLA professor's home, state senators unanimously approved an emergency measure to strengthen laws protecting academics against violence and intimidation.

It would create a new misdemeanor charge for entering residential property of an academic researcher with the intent to intimidate or interfere with research.

The measure also would make it a misdemeanor to publish information on the Internet that describes an academic researcher or his or her family members, or gives the location of their residence with the intent that another person use the information to commit violence or make threats.

...

The home of a UCLA researcher incurred more than $20,000 in damage after being flooded by animal-rights activists who inserted a garden hose into the house. An incendiary device destroyed a car outside the home of a UC Santa Cruz researcher and a firebomb exploded nearby on the front porch of another researcher's home.

The attacks are believed to have been orchestrated by activists who regard the use of animals in research as inhumane. Lawmakers say the targeting of academics in such ways is intolerable.

...
The bill, AB 2296 by Assemblyman Gene Mullin (D-San Mateo), is subject to final approval in the Assembly before it goes to the governor, whose signature would make it effective immediately.

Earthjustice sues to list California pika as endangered species

From the Associated Press:

SAN FRANCISCO -- An environmental group sued federal and state agencies Tuesday in their continuing battle to list the mountain-dwelling American pika, or rock-rabbit, as a threatened or endangered species troubled by climate change.

The California Fish and Game Commission voted 4 to 0 in April to deny the petition.

Commissioners agreed the pika's environment of colder elevations in mountain ranges across the West is threatened by rising temperatures, but said they are working on a broader approach to protect all wildlife that could be affected.

The lawsuit seeks a court order designating the pika as endangered or threatened.

"The California Fish and Game Commission's attempt to bury its head in the sand rather than deal with the impact of global warming on wildlife is an embarrassment to our state," said Greg Loarie, an attorney with the environmental group Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit.

Earthjustice also filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday in a bid to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to act on a similar petition.

Photo: J. MacKenzie / Pikaworks

Travel blogger offers tips on San Diego animal attractions

How long has it been since you’ve gone to any of the animal-themed attractions in the San Diego area, such as the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, or SeaWorld?

Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel blogger, offers us some suggestions with a online-only discount offer:

The Second-Day Free deal is an online-only special, and each theme park has its own rules as to how many days you have to use the second-day pass, or if there are any blackout dates. Note that the deal is not offered on the parks’ websites, but on various travel websites. I�