Police officers dedicate their lives to protect and serve the public. One special officer took that oath to the next level, when he acted to aid a wild animal in distress. Officer Robins of the Scottsdale Police Department spotted a young bobcat caught in traffic on a major roadway. Afraid for it’s safety, he risked his …
Category Archives: Current Events
Navajo Animal-Control Officers Shoot 50 Dogs
I was shocked to learn this week that Navajo County animal-control officers shot and killed more than 50 dogs. In an article published in the ARIZONA REPUBLIC titled “Shooting of 50 dogs by county criticized” reporters Glen Creno and Alex Dalenberg stated the officers felt it would be too difficult and dangerous to catch the dogs. So …
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Pets Are Part Of The Family: Poll Results
I was recently interviewed by Megan Scott of the Associated Press. The AP partnered in a recent poll on people’s view toward pets and their role in the family. Many of us know this intrinsically, but about half of those polled believe animals are a full and essential part of the family. Below is a link to the article from my …
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Abandoned Pets – City of Gilbert Gets It Right
Congratulations to the Gilbert Town Council for their work on behalf of suffering animals. Sadly, animals are still considered property under Arizona law. Therefore, police officers are not supposed to help an abandoned or suffering animal without permission from the owner. It has been reported that concerned residents reported animals abandoned in foreclosed homes, yet the police were unable …
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Tribute To Cristy Iverson, D.V.M.
The following is a tribute to Dr. Cristy Iverson. Yesterday I attended a beautiful celebration of her life at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Last summer, my husband heard a pathetic meow when he walked into a gas station. A feral kitten was trapped in the downspout. The employees poured water down the roof drain and …
Questions Regarding The Euthanasia of Macho B
As a veterinarian, media reports and other sources raise serious questions in my mind regarding the entrapment and death of Macho B. Through posting the questions here, I hope to encourage those conducting the criminal investigation and other inquiries to go as deeply as the evidence leads. Jaguars are an Endangered Species so we must find the …
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In Support Of Sharon Dial, D.V.M., Ph.D. And The Arizona Jaguar
Recently Dr. Sharon Dial, a pathologist at the University of Arizona’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory examined tissues from a jaguar named Macho B. Recall that jaguars are an Endangered Species. I find pathologists to be straightforward members of my profession. They call it as they see it based on facts and science. She described her findings to the media which brought …
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Jean McFarland – A Friend To Animals
Animals and people lost a good friend recently. As a professional speaker, I met Jean McFarland through the National Speakers Association (NSA). In the course of getting to know her, I came to understand her deep love of animals. Jean made our world a better place and focused her speaking on the prevention of bullying. …
Humane Treatment of Downer Cows
I would like to thank President Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for closing a loophole in slaughter regulations. Under the former system, cattle who collapsed after their veterinary examination were allowed into our food system. Beside posing a safety risk to humans, these animals suffered as they were picked-up with forklifts or dragged behind tractors to the …
Condors: Born Captive, Set Free
On March 7, 2009 four captive-bred California Condors took wing in the skies above the border between Arizona and Utah! Their release is a symbol of hope for this endangered species. In the wild, the birds will encounter many dangers including power lines. But the biggest threat to their existence may arise from something they will not see coming. …