Reader photo of the day: Talented basset hound tackles agility course

We love submitter CAstangs' photo of basset hound Flash enjoying the agility course.  We can honestly say we never expected to see a basset navigating jumps, ramps and weave poles like a pro; we're far more used to seeing breeds like border collies and Shetland sheepdogs tackling such tasks. 

Flash apparently has made it something of a personal mission to shatter dog-agility stereotypes.  "Basset hound agility is not an oxymoron," CAstangs says.  "Flash has earned some titles and really loves doing it."  Well, if rabbits and chickens can do it, why not the slow and steady basset? 

Think your animal photo should be our reader photo of the day?  Show us by heading to the Pets & Animals category of Your Scene, The Times' photo-sharing site, and selecting the appropriate album (for instance, we found CAstangs' photo in the basset hounds album).  Once you've chosen your album, just click the "submit" link at the top of the page, pick your photo (.jpg format) and include a caption that tells us a little about the animal or animals in the photo -- it's as simple as that!

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: CAstangs / Your Scene

Pet rescue group New Leash on Life faces possible closure of its sanctuary, hosts online fundraiser

This Thanksgiving, we're thankful for all of the good people going to great effort to help Southern California's animals.  We're not so thankful, however, about the effects of the economic downturn on many rescue organizations and others who are working on behalf of needy animals. Guest blogger Janet Kinosian shares the story of one local group struggling to keep its doors open:

If you're aware of the great work that rescue group New Leash on Life has done in Southern California for the last 12 years, you’re sure to be saddened by the prospect of the proposed closure of the group's 13-acre Santa Clarita Valley sanctuary, The Ranch, come January. 

Any animal-rescue closure is an unhappy event, but the idea of closing The Ranch seems even more unhappy than most.  Since opening in 2002, the facility has been responsible for saving over 5,000 animals while hosting, among other things, Lend-A-Paw, a therapy and assistance-dog program for rescued pets. 

Unfortunately for the rescuers and the animals they serve, New Leash on Life has lost its major funding and its board of directors recently made the difficult decision to close The Ranch. However, after loud groans from members of the animal-loving community, the same board stepped up to the plate and quickly raised enough funds to keep the facility open through December 2009. 

Increased reward offered in Riverside Chihuahua-dumping case; essay contest will be held to select an adoptive home for surviving dog

True to form, animal lovers have come out in force to support the Chihuahua who survived being dumped in a Riverside irrigation canal with her mouth bound with electrical tape earlier this week.  

The dog, a female believed to be about 3 to 4 years old that weighs approximately 7 pounds, has been under the care of the Riverside Animal Shelter's veterinary staff.  She's reportedly in good physical shape despite the trauma of her ordeal. 

Staff report that the little dog, whom they've nicknamed Nemo, is good with people and loves to be held.  ("Definitely a lap dog," said veterinary technician Kasey Littlefield.)

A second Chihuahua, a male believed to be about 1 year old, was found dead in the canal. 

Officials with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services say they've received an outpouring of support from around the U.S.  Some callers have offered financial assistance, resulting in a dramatically increased reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for abusing the two dogs.  (At last count, the reward totaled $2,000, up from $500 that was initially offered in the case.)

Reader photo of the day: Rita the dog cavorts at Huntington Dog Beach

Submitter spccwgurl shares this sweet photo of her dog, Rita, enjoying a day at the beach -- Orange County's Huntington Dog Beach, to be exact. Rita certainly seems to be enjoying herself!

The 1.5-acre stretch of beach is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for leash-free dogs and their humans, and it's a hot spot for dog-loving Southern California residents (especially those who like to surf). For more information on area dog parks and dog-friendly beaches, check out our colleague Elina Shatkin's great, detailed list at The Guide. (For our part, we're partial to the expansive Redondo Beach Dog Park, but maybe that's just because our dogs are afraid of water.)

To share your photos with us, just head to the Pets & Animals category of Your Scene, The Times' photo-sharing site. Select the appropriate album (for instance, we found spccwgurl's photo in the Dog Parks & Beaches album), click the "submit" link at the top of the page, choose your photo (.jpg format) and include a caption that tells us a bit about the animal you've photographed.  We can't wait to see it!

RELATED:
Dogs aren't welcome in Redondo Beach's city parks (but dog owners want to change that)
Huntington Beach: One of America's dog-friendliest cities (except on Tuesday nights)

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: spccwgurl / Your Scene

After the death of Uga VII, PETA asks University of Georgia to stop using bulldog mascots

The death last week of Uga VII, the bulldog mascot for the University of Georgia's football team, hit a number of fans like a ton of bricks. (Perhaps fittingly, Uga VII himself rather resembled a ton of bricks, tipping the scales at 56 pounds.) Uga VII, like his father Uga VI, apparently died as a result of a heart condition.

Over the weekend, Uga VII was memorialized at a ceremony held at the university's football facility, Sanford Stadium, before being laid to rest along with his six Uga predecessors at a mausoleum for deceased team mascots near the stadium's entrance.

"Everyone has been so kind. Everybody loves that dog," Swann Seiler, the daughter of Frank "Sonny" Seiler, who has owned each of the seven Ugas, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Reportedly, the elder Seiler is on the lookout for the next bulldog in the long line of Ugas. 

But if PETA has anything to say about it, there won't be one. Today, the animal-rights group's animals in entertainment specialist, Desiree Acholla, fired off a letter to University of Georgia athletic director Damon Evans, asking him to "honor Uga VII by choosing an animatronic or solely use a costumed mascot to represent the Georgia Bulldogs in the future."

Reward offered for information about Chihuahuas dumped in Riverside canal

A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the those responsible for dumping two Chihuahuas, their mouths taped shut, in a Riverside irrigation canal.  One of the dogs, a male believed to be about a year old, died in the canal; a female believed to be about 3 years old survived.

A public utilities worker found both dogs on a metal grate in the canal near Cridge and Olivewood late Monday morning, our colleagues at the L.A. Now blog report.  The worker removed both dogs from the canal and removed the tape from the surviving dog before notifying the Riverside County Department of Animal Services. 

Animal services officer Kristina Hillegaart responded to the call and transported the surviving dog to the Riverside Animal Shelter, where she was examined for possible injuries or trauma.  A veterinary technician reported that the dog seemed tired after her harrowing ordeal but was otherwise in fine physical shape.  

Hillegaart expressed shock that anyone could go out of their way to harm the animals.  "This was just complete malice," she said.  "Someone was just looking to be cruel." 

Anyone with information about the dogs' abuser is urged to call the Riverside animal shelter at (951) 358-PETS.

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: The female Chihuahua is held by a veterinary technician following her ordeal.  Credit: Riverside County Department of Animal Services

Reader photo of the day: Dogs mimic their napping owner

Don't fret, dog-loving readers. Although it may appear that something terrible has befallen these dogs and their human counterpart, in reality nothing could be further from the truth, as submitter Barney explains.

"On the weekend we take our dogs for a run," Barney says. "My husband decided to take a quick nap in the field and 2 of the dogs flopped onto their backs too."   Now, we've heard of dogs mimicking their human companions, but we've never seen an example of it quite like this!

Think your animal photo should be our reader photo of the day?  We'd love to see it, and showing us is easy!  Just head to the Pets & Animals category of Your Scene, The Times' photo-sharing site, and select the appropriate album (for instance, we snagged Barney's photo from the Just Five More Minutes album).  Once you've chosen your album, click the "submit" link at the top of the page, pick your photo (.jpg format) and include a caption that tells us a little about the animal or animals you've photographed. It's as simple as that!

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Barney / Your Scene

Ask a Vet: Is 4 months too young to have my pet spayed or neutered?

Last week, we introduced a new feature here at Unleashed: Ask a Vet.  We're delighted to have Dr. Heather Oxford, of L.A. veterinary hospital California Animal Rehabilitation (CARE), on board to answer your questions about your pet's health and well-being. Got a question for Dr. Oxford? Leave a comment on this post, and look for her answer in an upcoming installment of Ask a Vet.

Unleashed: L.A.'s recent spay/neuter law mandates that pet dogs and cats be sterilized by the time they’re 4 months old.  Is that an appropriate age for my pet to have surgery?

Heather Oxford, DVM: This is an incredibly complex issue.  My opinion is that the city took the right step in creating a spay/neuter law that is enforceable; however, 4 months might be too young according to new scientific studies. 

The first problem is that animals that are neutered (gender-neutral term) before their growth plates close grow significantly taller than those who are neutered after their growth plates close.  The extra growth can be unevenly distributed through the different bones of the body since the age of each growth plate closure is different for each bone, which can be up to 14 months for larger breeds.  For example, this means that the tibia (shin bone) could grow longer than the femur (thigh bone) and cause an abnormal angle of the knee which could cause ligament tears.  Therefore, we may see an increase in orthopedic diseases in the future.

L.A. County's new dogfighting tip line is unveiled

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office and the Humane Society of the United States announced plans for a novel new approach to combating animal cruelty in L.A. County: A 24-hour tip line, manned by both English and Spanish speakers, for citizens to report incidents of dogfighting.  

The tip line was officially unveiled at a press conference Tuesday at the office of L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.  Those with information about a dogfighting ring, an upcoming dogfight or an individual who is involved in dogfighting are urged to call 1-877-NO2FITE; those reporting information that leads to an arrest or conviction will be rewarded with up to $5,000.  (Cooley noted that anyone reporting a dogfight in progress should call 911 rather than the tip line.)

"Our goal is to encourage citizens to help law enforcement root out a brutal crime that often goes unreported and occurs in the shadows," Cooley said during Tuesday's press conference.  Also present Tuesday was the Humane Society's senior state director for California, Jennifer Fearing, who called Cooley "a true champion for animals." 

Three new AKC-recognized dog breeds: bluetick coonhound, Boykin spaniel and redbone coonhound

The American Kennel Club has announced that three new dog breeds -- the bluetick coonhound, the Boykin spaniel and the redbone coonhound -- will be eligible for AKC conformation competition beginning Dec. 30.

The new breeds will bring the total number of breeds recognized by the AKC to 164. 

The bluetick coonhound (left) is believed to be descended from the French staghound and English foxhound, and blueticks were originally classified as members of the English foxhound breed. 

Blueticks and English foxhounds went their separate ways in 1945 because, according to the AKC, bluetick breeders "didn't want to follow the trend toward producing a hot-nosed, faster hunter. Proud of their larger, cold-nosed and resolute, if slower hounds, they named their breed and maintained their own hunting style." 

As a result of these breeding practices, blueticks are known for their endurance in addition to their signature coloring, for which they're named.  A bluetick named Smokey is the mascot for the University of Tennessee.