Animal Radio® Network Newsletter

(By Animal Radio® News Director Bobbie Hill) The early Egyptians loved cats and elevated the most popular house pet to the level of god. But does this type of affinity for felines mean they were neurotic? It does if you believe a study by a leading authority on human personality.

Sam Gosling, professor of Psychology at the University of Texas in Austin, is publishing his findings in the journal Anthrozoös saying it is the first study to break down what cat and dog people tend to be like. Gosling says his study involving over 4500 participants shows dog people and cat people have distinct differences.

According to the findings dog people are more outgoing, easygoing and conscientious, cat people on the other hand tend to be neurotic. But on the up side, cat people are more open than their dog loving counterparts.

Gosling said, "This research suggests there are significant differences on major personality traits between dog people and cat people."

Gosling with the help of grad student Carson Sandy asked 4,565 volunteers 44 questions and ranked them according to the "Big Five" personality dimensions used by psychologists to study personalities. Forty six percent said they were dog people with just 12 percent claiming to be cat lovers. About 28% of those surveyed said they liked both dogs and cats while just 15% didn't like either pet.

When Animal Radio® host Judy Francis asked actress Betty White if she was a 'Cat Person' or 'Dog Person,' she replied "I'm an anything with four-legs person."

Listen to Betty White on Animal Radio®

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(Jerry Lousteau, WMGO 1370A, Canton, Mississippi) In recent news, it was reported that a Canton, Mississippi Animal Control Officer, Alonzo Esco, was shooting dogs to reduce the population in the overcrowded shelter. Now, more carcass dumps are being discovered throughout Canton.

Further investigation indicates this isn't the first brush with the law for Esco.

The story, first reported by radio station owner Jerry Lousteau, told of a local animal control officer fired. In a small town, while this is normally news, the undercurrent of why he was fired and the circumstances surrounding it, became the real story.

In this case, Animal Control Officer Alonzo Esco was accused of shooting over 200 dogs, then discarding their carcasses in different rural areas.

Nepotism in government agencies is abundant, and in this case, Esco was the cousin of the previous mayor. During the mayors six years in office, he assigned Esco to two different city departments.

After the revelation that Esco was stealing gas from the fire department, instead of getting rid him, they 'demoted' him, making him an animal control officer, "perhaps thinking that he wouldn't cause any more trouble," says Lousteau. A new mayor was appointed in July of 2009.

The investigation conducted by the Canton Police Report states that Esco killed over 200 dogs. But, Lousteau says, "It's more like 100."

Esco was also an auxiliary policeman, which allowed him to carry a weapon. This is the weapon he reportedly used to shoot the dogs.

It is reported that Esco shot the dogs and then disposed of them in rural areas outside of town over some time, with one body actually being dumped within the city limits. The others bodies have been spread out in many different areas. Some of the bodies of these dogs are still being discovered today.

There is a large stray population of animals in Canton according to Lousteau. "It is thought that Alonzo was under extreme pressure to deal with it. However, he went way outside the policy on how to deal with them. There was actually a mechanism in place to properly handle the situation, but that meant he had to drive to an animal shelter about an hour away."

Alonzo Esco has since been fired for 'improperly disposing of dogs.' The case is being handled by the Madison County District Attorney's office, and is being treated as a misdemeanor.

There are two petitions to encourage the state of Mississippi to enact a felony penalty for animal cruelty. Mississippi is currently one of a few remaining states where animal cruelty is just a misdemeanor. To sign the petitions, please visit http://www.wmgoradio.com.

Reader Comments About This Story:

I have been fighting Hitler's law BSL for many years,and this is one of the major problems that
exist,people like Esco gravitate to positions in Animal control units where they can murder living creatures...

I am officially now ashamed to be from the town of CANTON MS. Since I am now finding out that there are no felony laws against animal torture. (these next words stick in my throat)…I am ASHAMED to be a Mississippian...

I am torn between tears and shaking rage. When will we as a society stand up and speak for those who can't speak and say "this is not acceptable" and we will not tolerate it any longer. God has those gentle little creatures now in his arms and has prepared a special place in hell for this man...

To hear that the mayor of Canton is the cousin of Mr. Esco only demonstrates that the nut doesn't fall far from the tree.The mayor had to be sheltering him all along for his theft of city gas, bringing drugs into city jails, the massacre of animals with illegal dumping into the waterways and the rumored connection to providing dogs and cats as bait for the fighting dogs...

See Full-story and Reader Comments:
Listen to Jerry Lousteau on Animal Radio®

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Right now on Animal Radio:

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is looking for people who want to become part of something bigger than themselves. The renowned nonprofit guide dog school is actively recruiting puppy raisers – volunteers that take 8 week old puppies into their homes, love, nurture, and educate them and send them off to their calling as a guide dog for a blind or visually impaired man or woman. Listen

Emmylou Harris and Her Rescue
The angel-voiced musician explains how one dog influenced her attitude towards rescue operations. Emmylou Harris' true love lives in the legacy of her dog 'Bonaparte.' She created a dog-rescue reserve in his name. Listen

After Holiday "Returns" Include Animals. The after holidays "returns" are continuing, and sadly that include the adorable puppies, kittens and potbelly piglets given as gifts. The Humane Society of New York reports many of those pets are being dropped off at shelters. They expect more uninformed gift decisions to result in another big drop off just after Valentines Day. Listen

A Good Story About an NFL Player and Animals
The NFL has had its share of 'bad players' in the news. Now comes number 21 of the San Diego Chargers, LaDanian Tomlinson. 'L.T.' is a dog lover. He and his wife LaTorsha own and operate a 'posh' doggie day care. According to LaTorsha, "you can find L.T. out playing in the yard with the dogs on any given Sunday....when the Chargers aren't playing." Listen

Firefighter Makes Heroic Dog Rescue
Los Angeles County firefighter Joe St. Georges made headlines when he dropped down from a helicopter to rescue a German Shepard stranded in the flooded L.A. River. In the process, St. Georges suffered several bites from the panicking dog. 'Spikey' has now been reunited with his guardian. Listen

Cancer Vaccine for Dogs
A U.S. pharmaceutical company has been given the green light to market a vaccine for one type of canine cancer. Vical's Oncept was developed to target melanoma, one of the most common types of cancer in dogs. The new vaccine is also an important step towards finding a similar vaccine for use in humans. Listen

Aid for Haiti's Pets and Animals
Humanitarian aid continues to pour into the earthquake ravaged city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti and now animal protection organizations are joining in the relief effort. A group of animal rescue organizations have formed ARCH - Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. ARCH is led by the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the World Society for the Protection of Animals in partnership with over a dozen other animal protection organizations. 'In Defense of Animals' Executive Director, Anand Ramanathan reports for Animal Radio®. Listen

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(Dr. Kim May, AVMA) Dr. Kim May is the Assistant Director of Professional and Public Affairs for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Dr. May is letting smokers know there is another good reason to quit smoking—the health of their pets.

Most people are aware of the scientific research that shows that people who smoke are more likely to get certain types of cancer and other diseases, but a lot of people don't know that the same goes for the pets of smokers. Lung cancer and nasal cancer are particularly threatening to dogs while cats that live with smokers are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma—fatal to three out of four cats within a year—and are more likely to get mouth cancer.

Dogs with short noses have double the risk of lung cancer and long-nosed dogs such as collies have two and half times greater risk of nasal cancer from secondhand smoke.

Listen to Dr. Kim May on Animal Radio®

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Amy Epstein Feldman, nationally syndicated legal commentator and author of the newly released book, "So Sue Me, Jackass," states that an estimated 63 percent of U.S. households have a pet according to some studies. And while we enjoy their companionship and unconditional love, we often overlook that there are legal ramifications to owning a furry friend.

Americans will file over 15 million lawsuits this year alone, that works out to one new lawsuit every two seconds...and while you don't usually think about being sued over Fido or Fluffy, you may want to think again.

It used to be that every dog got one "free" bite. This meant that if you had no idea that your dog had any propensity to do violence or damage, you were let off the hook. But now, you are held liable if your dog does damage to someone else, whether or not you knew your dog had that tendency.

For the longest time, pets have been considered property, but fortunately that is evolving. There is currently a case in a Vermont court where someone visiting friends with their dog and the dog got out. The dog then went onto a neighbor's property, who then shot the dog. The neighbor said he didn't mean any harm; it was just an air pellet gun. But the dog turned around, and was shot in the chest. That neighbor plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge, did 100 hours of community service and paid $4,000 in compensatory damages to the owners. The owners didn't feel this was enough, so they sued the neighbor.

Hopefully the decision of this case will change the way the courts view the value of a pet.

Listen to Amy Feldman on Animal Radio®

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If you're a pet owner, the HAPPY ACT just might bring you a tax deduction! HAPPY is an acronym for The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years Act. Also known as House of Representatives Bill 3501. The Happy Act was introduced by Representative Thaddeus McCotter, a Republican from Michigan. Should the HAPPY Act pass in its present form, it would allow pet owners to deducted the cost of food, veterinary care, and other pet related expenses from their income taxes – up to $3,500 per year.

We asked Animal Radio® listeners what they thought about the HAPPY ACT, and here's how they responded:

Hi all, I have mixed feelings about the pet tax credit. We have a very precious toy poodle that we would love to get a credit for but we have a fear about it as well. That being that people would get a pet just to get the credit and either abuse or completely neglect the pet and create an even bigger problem. Just watch any of the animal cops shows on animal planet and I think you will see my point. It really disgusts me to see what people do to pets.

I love it. If you're going to have a pet and it's not part of the family, you shouldn't have it. We have 20 and I pick up strays all across the country and I bring them home. But to me, even if it is $3,500, that's more money I can spend on saving another one; getting spays or neuters done for somebody else who can't afford it. My pets come first in my family. If we have to, we do without to make sure they get what they need. I'm all for the HAPPY Act!

Hear Listener Response on AnimalRadio®

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(By Ruth MacPete, DVM) Our pets give us so much and ask for so little. Show them how much you love and appreciate them this Valentine's Day by giving them the ultimate gift of love: good health.

* Why wait until your pet is sick before seeing the veterinarian? Instead, take your pet to the veterinarian for a routine check–up at least once a year. Routine check-ups allow your veterinarian to detect medical issues early when they are easiest to treat and help keep your pet in top shape.
* Vaccines are important so stay up to date on the recommended immunizations to protect your pet from preventable illnesses.
* Parasites are more than a nuisance. They can cause serious health problems to your pet. Protect your pet from parasites by using veterinary recommended parasite control products year-round. Unlike the products from the past, today's recommended products are safe, easy to use, and extremely effective.
* Keep your pet's smile pearly white by brushing regularly with pet-safe tooth paste and by providing dental toys and treats to help keep their teeth healthy and clean.
* Prevent your pet from becoming one of the many missing and unidentified pets at shelters around the country by making sure they always wear a collar and ID tag and have a registered microchip. No matter how careful you are, you can never be sure your animal won't get lost. Take every precaution to insure that if your pet gets lost, they have the best chance of coming home to you.
* Nutrition and exercise are as important for your pet as it is for you. Provide high quality food and plenty of exercise to keep your pet lean and fit.
* It's more than just for looks. Keep your pet's coat healthy with regular brushing and grooming.
* Be green and buy natural products that are pet, people and planet friendly. For cats, consider using all-natural, biodegradable corn based litter like World's Best Cat Litter™. And for dogs, try using biodegradable waste bags.
* Lastly, keep your pet's mind and body sharp by buying them stimulating toys for Valentine's Day. Here are a few of my favorites dog toys: The Buster Cube, TreatStik, The Babble Ball, GoDogGo and here are a few of my favorite entertaining cat toys: The Kitty Babble Ball, Panic Mouse, Cheese Mountain, and Thing in a Bag.

So remember when you are thinking about your loved ones this Valentine's Day don't forget about your four legged friends. Our furry friends give us unconditional love and companionship year round and deserve a show of affection.

Get $3.00 OFF World's Best Cat Litter NOW!

(Dr. Janice Elenbaas) The skin, kidneys and liver are the major organs in the body that are responsible for eliminating toxins and impurities. The skin is the largest of these organ systems. What is the simplest way to help your dog stay healthy and avoid skin irritations and hot spots? Feeding healthy, natural dog food provides less stress on the body and fewer toxins.

Hot spots are a symptom of toxicity. As the body attempts to remove these impurities, they show up as skin lesions. If we try to treat the symptom with drugs that suppress them we end up with two problems. One, drugs themselves can suppress the expression of disease and therefore the ability to heal. Much like the analogy of seeing your car's oil light come on. Spray painting over the light does not make the problem go away. You know that, in time, the internal workings of your engine will be damaged; you just won't have seen the signals to remind you.

Two, when the drugs are stopped the symptoms will return and drugs like corticosteroids, contribute to overall chemical damage. Now the body has to clear these drugs from the system too. Symptoms mean something is wrong. We need to fix the problem. Fewer toxins in the body mean less stress on the elimination systems like the liver, kidney and skin. If your dog has skin irritations, dry patchy skin or hot spots, do something about it now. Examine potential sources of toxicity. Chemical toxicity is one of the major factors in blocking the body's ability to heal. Look at your dog's diet. Your dog needs pure, healthy, natural dog foods. You try to eat healthy, unprocessed foods. Why shouldn't your best friend?

Dr. Janice Elenbaas DC has had a long and successful career as a Chiropractor to both humans and animals. As the first woman recognized to adjust animals in Canada and a founding member of the first Ontario Veterinarian Chiropractic Association she is passionate about our animals' health. With four years of Nutritional Studies coupled with a natural approach to health care and a lifelong love of animals it was only natural that Dr. Elenbaas founded Lucky Dog Cuisine Inc. A company dedicated to providing All American, all natural, "Human Grade", cooked meals for dogs. For more information or to contact Dr. Elenbaas please go to www.luckydogcuisine.com.

1-866-405-8405 or email yourvoice@AnimalRadio.com

Red Mange or Allergies?

Sherry: I have a 12 month old female parti (mostly white) female Boxer. She is in her first "real heat" and has developed a red rash with hair loss also. The rash was diagnosed as red mange and dips prescribed. I am against the dips as they are toxic and from my understanding this type of mange is an immune disorder. My vet is not a Fan of holistic treatment. It is also worth mentioning that the rash seems to worsen when she is goes out into our backyard. She loves to rut in the bushes and we live in SC where poison oak and sumac thrive. Have restricted her to lease walks and rash looks less red with out new pimple outbreaks. Lost as to what to do next and hoping you can provide help. Would hate to put her through dips if it is not mange (negative skins scraps) and environmental/immune disorder. Thanks so much!

Doctor Debbie: One important point to clarify regarding your Boxer....is there just a single mange location (localized demodex) or many areas (generalized demodex)?? A localized case of demodectic mites does not warrant full body dipping, but a generalized one does. I too share your concern with use of pesticides if not needed. However, if your dog has generalized mange then I definitely advise starting treatment for the mites. You are correct that some pet's immune system is better able to fight off demodex mites, but it is a parasitic disease not an environmental one. My absolute MUST TREAT situations include when a dog has generalized demodex, secondary bacterial infections, or excessive hair loss. I do not advocate holistic therapies in these situations .....I would reserve holistic therapies for the pet with a single localized demodex area.

My typical treatment of generalized mites in a young dog include:

1. Amitraz dips or oral ivermectin therapy. Ask your vet about the oral ivermectin alternative if you're not keen on the dips. Some docs feel this is now one of the best ways to treat the disease.

2. Spay her and do not breed her. This is because Generalized mites are a heritable problem and not desired to be passed to pups. And the hormones of the heat cycle will make it harder for her to recover from the mites!

And certainly before any treatment is started, I'd want to make sure the mites have actually been diagnosed with a test called a skin scraping. If your vet hasn't done this for you STOP and REQUEST this test!

Best Wishes to you and your Boxer!

My Dog 's Diet Mainly Consists of Treats

Valerie: I rescued a 3 year old black lab (Kiah) from the Madera, CA Animal Shelter 5 years ago. She came to me as a very timid lab - prone to destroying things when left alone and also with a terrible fear of men. We have worked through these problems, and with a lot of love and patience she has grown to be a very secure dog and an integral part of my life. Here's the problem, and I'd have to say that I am to blame for the situation. Throughout her first months at my home, Kiah wouldn't want to eat or play and only seemed happy when I would give her treats. Now 5 years later, I find that her diet is consisting mostly of treats. I suppose it was a gradual transition through the years of when she ignored her food I would give her some treats, progressing to now someday she will not eat any dog food - so since I can't handle the thought of her not eating, I give hear treats. As I'm gone for 9-10 hours most every day I find myself leaving enough treats to get her through that time ...I suppose it's my own guilt about leaving her alone for that period of time. Any advice on how I can correct the situation? I can't imagine just leaving her for a large portion of the day with only a bowl of food. An interesting footnote is that when I take her visiting to family members or friends homes, I take her food and bowl along and she will always finish the bowl of food. This very same bowl with the same food will usually sit untouched at home even when I am home with her in the evenings. One more questions, is it harmful to the dogs well being to leave her alone for such a long period of time every day?

Doctor Debbie: Hi Valerie! I have to jump in....your sweet lab has taken advantage of your concern for her appetite and well-being. Treats should never account for more than 10% of a dogs total food calorie intake. An all treat diet is simply not healthy for her. She is dictating the feeding program in the house and it is going to be to her detriment. Does a 5 year old child know what foods are good for them? No, they would eat candy and ice cream if we allow it. So Valerie.... It's time for TOUGH LOVE!

I suppose there could be a medical problem for her not eating, but the fact she eats her kibble at your family/friend's homes tells me she knows where and when she can hold out. A good check up with your vet is advised first. After a clean bill of health.... it's Dr Debbie's TOUGH LOVE FEEDING PROGRAM.

First of all- do not feel guilty for leaving her 9-10 hours without food. She will not starve without food for this time. Water should be available at all times however. Perhaps you've heard this guideline for people....the same holds true for dogs: "You can only survive 3 minutes without oxgen....You can only survive 3 days without water.....You can survive 3 weeks without food." Once you get past the fear of her not eating for a day, or even a few days....then you are really ready to tackle this problem head on! In fact, I don't worry until a picky dog hasn't eaten for 3 days or more.

Next, you need to realize YOU are the boss in the house and decide that you CAN set down the rules for feeding the dog. Dogs learn by repetition and your actions have rewarded her indifference to eating from the bowl. To undo this you will need to restructure all aspects of how you feed her.

1. Feed on a schedule
DO NOT leave food out for her to nibble on throughout the day. She will not suffer without food available. Offer her mealtime at set times and leave available for 15 minutes. If uneaten then take it away. At first you may want to offer the meal 2-3 times a day. Do not offer it any more than that.

2. Skip the treats
If she fails to eat her food at the provided time...you should not give in and offer treats. This is where you have to find a firm backbone. She will learn that once no other food is provided- that meal time means it is time to eat! Use praise in place of treats when you need to provide positive reinforcement for training at other times.

3. Secure the edibles!
Never underestimate a labrador's ability to scavenge for food on their own. A hungry dog, but especially a Labrador, is especially talented at opening cabinets, getting on tables, and digging into garbage. Make sure all food (dog and human) is secured and out of her reach. If she were able to "find" her own food during this retraining program then it could jeopardize the success of the training.

4. Keep her active
Avoid boredom and amp up her calorie consumption by increasing physical activity. (Don't we tend to get hungry after a workout?) Take her for a 30-60 minute walk every day. Play ball or take her to a dog park.

You also asked if it was harmful for dogs alone for long periods. In general the answer is no, but it becomes even more important to schedule play and exercise time daily for pet's left alone during long workdays. Otherwise a cooped up dog will become bored and more likely to develop behavioral issues. I am a huge fan of doggie daycare to "wear out" dogs while families are working.

Best of luck to you Valerie! Don't feel guilty that you have to leave Kiah for work...you clearly love her and are focused on taking good care of her. You will likely discover that she is a happier dog with more structured rules in the home. And later, after she relearns to eat regular dog food at mealtimes you can reintroduce treat foods as the occasional treat.

I have labradors and know how hard it can be to look in those brown eyes and stand firm. Once you accept that the current feeding pattern is unhealthy and cannot continue- you will find the strength. You can do it!

Listen to Dr. Debbie on Animal Radio®

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