Tom-cat of Toledo, All-American City with its own...Dog Warden?

Yes, that's right. My hometown, Toledo, Ohio, pays a guy about $70k / year (that's a bit for the Glass City), to, ironically, fight what he thinks is a pit bull problem. He's called the Dog Warden. And if the name of his position alone isn't laughable enough, consider that Toledo Blade reporter, Dale Emch, an attorney who also wrote the deeply moving The Ohio Dog Bite Book (seriously? please), concluded from his field work and research that pit bulls are inherently dangerous dogs that possess some "switch" that can "flip" and lead to "remarkable" damage.

In his 2005 so-named personality profile of Tom Skeldon, Dog-Bite Dale goes on about Skeldon's lifelong involvement with animals, which included "practically growing up" at the local zoo, where he worked the concession stands during Summer break, managing “guard dogs" in Vietnam, and leaving a 3-year stint heading up a Delaware zoo to form a "guard dog company" in the Philippines that made profit off, as he admits himself, "money changers and smugglers".



Is it surprising then that in the mid '80s he came back to Toledo and took on a job that hadn't even existed previously? It is to an extent, but, I’ve concluded that, sadly, it’s not that surprising for Toledo. His credentials are based on his work seeing wild animals in captivity over a sno-cone or through an office window, training dogs to fight crime just outside Saigon, and then protecting criminals in Southeast Asia. And his appointment was, according to Dale Emch, based on a rec by his uncle Ned. No joke...but feel free to crack up.



I'm not saying shame on Tom Skeldon, I'm saying shame on The Toledo Blade and shame shame shame on the city of Toledo. Skeldon has been my hometown's Dog Warden for over 20 years now, and he has not only unleashed an attack on the pit bull breed but demonstrates a totally misguided, close-minded view of rescue groups in the area. He says, "A lot of rescue groups don't have a long record of standing...They almost tend to be cults of personality around a few activists."


Read these three articles from The Blade, the only newspaper in Toledo (sadly).

1. Feb 21, 2005, by Dale Emch, reporter for Blade, personal injury lawyer, has defended dog-bite victims.
2. Aug 14, 2008, re. petition to get Dog Warden Skeldon out (as if the position of Dog Warden is even relevant today anyway)
3. Aug 23, 2008, follow-up/opinion by same Feb reporter. Reveals his ignorance and affinity for Skeldon's muscle-flexing.

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This post is meant to initiate dialogue, reflect on New York's city-wide initiative for lowering and hopefully eliminating euthanisia, and think especially about how more and more people see animal advocates not as some "cult of personality" but pretty with-it people working for a cause they feel strongly and are knowledgeable about. Should the no-kill status be met in NYC, it would reflect also an increase in compassion for animals and people, zero tolerance for the violence of animal cruelty especially for the lawlessness of dog fighting rings, and a more informed public on an issue that we all have had at least some experience with. I don't see a lot of compassion coming from anyone speaking out for or against Toledo's Dog Warden or its "vicious dog" issue -- only animosity.

Although NYC doesn't have a perfect system between the AC&C and rescue groups, it's a great example to cities around the US who are not quite there yet in terms of working toward a no-kill status and an increase in awareness of animal cruelty as well as the importance of adopting, spay/neuter, and responsible animal guardianship.

Please leave comments, questions!

Sean Casey Animal Rescue and the Missing 2-Headed Turtle

Sean Casey has been doing amazing rescue work for many years, and he's known for his "variety" of animals, including exotics.

Well, not sure if exotic describes this particular rescued turtle, which has 2 heads. How much is that turtle in the window? Possibly $5,000, and on Sunday it was stolen right out of his aquarium in Casey's Hamilton Dog House store/shelter. If you have information, contact Sean!

THE HAMILTON DOG HOUSE
Adoption Facility and Pet Supply Store!
155 E. 3rd St., Brooklyn, New York
Between Caton and Ft. Hamilton
718-436-PETS
http://scarnyc.org


While this is a tragic crime, the news story also highlights the unique rescue work that Sean Casey does for all animals, not just the furry ones. People disgard of their turtles and snakes just as they do their dogs. Most of the time these amphibious animals are not to be kept as pets in the first place.

Read this NY Times article, in which Sean reveals some very interesting facts about two-headed turtles and the reasons they must be in a protected environment, not in someone's bathtub, which is where it may be!

Missing Turtle Report: Watch for the Two Heads

By JENNIFER 8. LEE
Published: August 18, 2008

When Sean Casey called the police on Sunday to report that a nameless two-headed turtle had been kidnapped, the officer had him repeat the complaint two or three times.
Sean Casey said his missing turtle lived in a tank in the window of the Hamilton Dog House in Brooklyn. It was not for sale. “It comes off that I am a prankster,” said Mr. Casey, who runs the Hamilton Dog House, an animal shelter and pet supply store on East Third Street in Brooklyn. “Most people have never heard of a two-headed turtle,” he explained, much less a missing one.

But the turtle was indeed two-headed, and it was missing. The police finally took Mr. Casey seriously: “They said, ‘We’ll send somebody.’ And they did.”

The police arrived several hours later and took a stolen property report. The turtle, popular among the neighborhood children, had been kept by the window. Sometime on Sunday, between 11 a.m., when the store opened, and noon, when a child asked Mr. Casey where the turtle had gone, it disappeared.

“It looks like they searched the entire store and they could not find the turtle,” said a police spokesman. “I guess this qualifies as a missing turtle report, but I don’t think we’re out there looking for it.” There were no suspects in the case.

Two-headed turtles are rare, but they do have a chance of surviving in captivity, Mr. Casey said. “In the wild, they would have zero chance. In captivity, most die within a few days of birth.”
Mr. Casey said he obtained the turtle a few months ago from a man in Florida who had been struggling to take care of it. “They were trying the best they could, but the turtle was just starting to waste away. It wasn’t feeding properly.”

In 1999, an even rarer three-headed turtle was reported to have been found in Taiwan.
Two-headed turtles have to be watched carefully. “There is always a drowning risk,” Mr. Casey said. “They don’t have the ability to dive and swim the way a normal turtle will. If they are put into deep water, they will actually drown.”
Such turtles have maneuverability problems, he said. “They will flip themselves over and they can’t right themselves because one head is going one way while the other head is going the other way.” Feeding is also a problem. Turtle pellets must be broken into two pieces or the two heads will fight over the food, he said.

Mr. Casey said he suspected that the turtle had been taken by a neighborhood child, rather than a thief intent on selling it. He said he believed the turtle was worth between $2,000 and $5,000, based on what museums and zoos might be willing to pay. The store is offering a reward of at least $1,000, partially financed by donations.

The turtle was nameless. Mr. Casey said that was partly because he avoids naming animals, lest he get too attached to them. He said he had been planning to have a naming contest through The Daily News, which published an article on the turtle.
There was no rush, he said. “It’s not like a doggy needs a name. He won’t come when you call him.”

New Hopes this Week! (August 18, 2008)

Please cross post this information only to anyone interested in fostering, rescuing, or adopting. More background for each animal will be available upon request.Contact ckistler@rational-animal.org


Amber: 10 month old female Pit, 37 pounds.



Sweet Amber has been up for adoption, still awaiting her forever home. Giver her a chance, she's a gem!






Ibu: 4 yr old male Pit, 35 lbs.



Wags his tail and loves people!








Henney: 5 yr old female Pit, 51.5 lbs

Previous owner says Henny is good with adults and kids. New Hope coordinator says Henney is very sweet, friendly, follows commands.

—ABOUT NEW HOPE at NYC AC&C— New Hope is a network of over 100 pet rescue, support and adoption agencies in the eastern US who are now associated with AC&C in the process of locating homes for the animals we rescue. As the largest animal rescue organization east of the Rocky Mountains, AC&C has begun to function as the source of adoptable pets for numerous animal rescue organizations including breed-specific groups (for both cats & dogs). In recognition of these organization’s work and collaboration with our successes, AC&C assists New Hope partnered rescue groups by offering low cost microchips, free spay and neuter, vaccinations, behavioral tests and transport for animals that are rescued from our shelters.You can contact us at (212)788-4000 or email us at info@nycacc.orgIf you are a rescue group and would like to apply to become one of our New Hope partners, please see application link below. Please email application to info@nycacc.org

New Hopes this Week! (August 11, 2008)

Please cross post this information only to anyone interested in fostering, rescuing, or adopting. More background for each animal will be available upon request.Contact ckistler@rational-animal.org

Amber

10 month spayed female pit bull, 37 pounds.

Amber is up for adoption, won’t you help her find her happy ending?

Yankee

11 month female Lab / GSD mix, 54 pounds

Great with adults, kids; energetic and friendly; needs owner who can give a lot of attention and exercise

Leila

2 year old female pit, 49 lbs

Loves her toys!!!

—ABOUT NEW HOPE at NYC AC&C—
New Hope is a network of over 100 pet rescue, support and adoption agencies in the eastern US who are now associated with AC&C in the process of locating homes for the animals we rescue. As the largest animal rescue organization east of the Rocky Mountains, AC&C has begun to function as the source of adoptable pets for numerous animal rescue organizations including breed-specific groups (for both cats & dogs). In recognition of these organization’s work and collaboration with our successes, AC&C assists New Hope partnered rescue groups by offering low cost microchips, free spay and neuter, vaccinations, behavioral tests and transport for animals that are rescued from our shelters.You can contact us at (212)788-4000 or email us at info@nycacc.orgIf you are a rescue group and would like to apply to become one of our New Hope partners, please see application link below. Please email application to info@nycacc.org

RATIONAL ANIMAL PRESENTS A UNIQUE EVENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH NATIONAL HOMELESS ANIMALS' DAY, August 16, 2008

This Saturday, people nationwide will be holding vigils, fundraisers, and other events to honor National Homeless Animals Day, August 16th, 2008. Here in New York City, a unique activity to help homeless animals will be taking place in Brooklyn.

Volunteers for Rational Animal will gather for the monthly "Mother's Comfort Project" event to sew cage comforters and make cat nip cat toys for homeless cats and dogs that are donated to New York City's Animal Care and Control.

This month's event will have special meaning as volunteers make comfortable beds for homeless animals on National Homeless Animals Day. Although there are far too many animals without homes, these beds help many of the animals in city shelters feel a little more at home.

City shelter staff stand by the power these handmade beds have on the ability to help an animal get adopted. Not only do the beds provide comfort, they calm animals that are stressed, reducing risk of illness and help potential adopters see an animal as a part of their family.

Purchased or donated beds carry the chemicals from mass manufacturing and often do not have the durability the handmade beds provide. Volunteers also have a chance to connect during these sewing sessions, building a community of animal advocates and sharing best practices to create a more effective movement to reduce the rate of euthanasia in the city's shelters.

The International Society for Animal Rights began National Homeless Animals' Day in 1992 to publicize dog and cat overpopulation in its overwhelming magnitude, to increase public awareness of the millions of dogs and cats killed in shelters annually for lack of homes, and to emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals. Over the last 15 years, National Homeless Animals' Day, commemorated on the third Saturday of August each year, has grown enormously in both number and content. Animal Rights/Welfare organizations, as well as individuals from around the world have taken part in the event to increase public awareness of this issue.

Rational Animal's cage comforter project, the Mother's Comfort Project, which began last year, has also grown in scope, popularity, and production.

MORE INFORMATION:
-About Rational Animal's Mother's Comfort Project: http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/newsletter/07-11/comforters.htm
-About Making Cage Comforters: http://www.nycacc.org/cagecomforters.htm
-About Rational Animal: http://www.rational-animal.org