Sunday, June 27, 2010

DNA testing for new Dog Fighting Database to end Cruelty


Effort Uses Dogs’ DNA to Track Their Abusers
By MALCOLM GAY
Published: June 25, 2010 New York Times Science Section
"A coalition of scientists and animal rights advocates has found a way to do for victims of animal abuse what the criminal justice system has done for human crime victims

ST. LOUIS — Scientists and animal rights advocates have enlisted DNA evidence to do for man’s best friend what the judicial system has long done for human crime victims. They have created the country’s first dog-fighting DNA database, which they say will help criminal investigators piece together an abused animal’s history by establishing ties among breeders, owners, pit operators and the animals themselves.
Mark Katzman
The country's first dog-fighting DNA database contains samples from victims like Reggie, a pit bull recovered in a 2009 raid, and helps establish ties among breeders, owners and pit operators.
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Called the Canine Codis, or Combined DNA Index System, the database is similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigations digital archive containing the DNA profiles of criminal offenders. Scientists say that by swabbing the inner cheek of a dog, they will be able to determine whether the animal comes from one of several known dog-fighting bloodlines.
“People are not generally going to the pound and buying pit bulls to fight — these dogs are from established bloodlines,” said Tim Rickey, senior director of field investigations and response for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “And if a suspected dog fighter’s animal matches one of those bloodlines, that would be a key piece of evidence.”
The database, a joint effort by the A.S.P.C.A., the Louisiana S.P.C.A., the Humane Society of Missouri and researchers at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of California, Davis, was developed during an investigation last July that resulted in 26 arrests and the seizure of more than 400 dogs. The investigation, which stretched across seven states, from Iowa to Texas, resulted in the largest dog-fighting raid in United States history, the authorities said.
“We ran the DNA to see if we could connect the different crime scenes and 400 different dogs, which we were able to do,” said Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian for the A.S.P.C.A. “A lot of times defendants will claim not only that they are not dog fighting, but also that they’re just breeding and they don’t know each other.”
The DNA showed otherwise, indicating that many of the dogs were related. The July raids have yielded at least 17 guilty pleas, and while the DNA evidence did not conclusively prove a relationship among defendants, it certainly suggested one. Investigators caution, however, that DNA evidence alone will rarely make a case, though many juries have come to expect it.
“There is definitely a C.S.I. effect,” Dr. Merck said. “Juries want to know that if you have evidence you’ve run every possible test. The DNA is just one more tool in our kit that can bolster our cases.” She added, “I do think it’s something that is going to make the dog-fighting world very nervous.”
Illegal in all 50 states, dog fighting gained national attention in 2007 when Michael Vick, then the star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to federal dog-fighting conspiracy charges and went on to serve 21 months in prison.
Investigators say the multimillion-dollar industry is often associated with other illicit activities like drug trafficking and gambling. But the real money, they say, comes from breeding the animals, which can fetch up to $50,000 for a champion fighter.
“There’s a lot of money that’s made on the fight purses and the side wagering, but the goal for these dog fighters is to breed a champion or a grand champion,” Mr. Rickey said. “It’s not uncommon to get $5,000 for a puppy. Over a dog’s lifespan, that can be in the tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Researchers say the database, which contains the genetic profiles of nearly 400 of the dogs recovered in the raid, will become more useful as it grows.
Beth Wictum, who directs the forensic unit at the University of California, Davis, where the database is stored, hopes to “identify other lineages that are in the West.”
Investigators add that the database may also prove useful in forensic investigations of blood samples found at a dog-fighting site, allowing them to establish the presence of a particular dog.
“One of the challenges in a lot of these fighting pits is that the losing dogs are often executed and dumped along the side of the road somewhere,” Mr. Rickey said. “This database may provide a useful tool for tracking down where the animal was bred, and maybe the owner.”
Nearly 250 of the animals recovered during the July 2009 raid have been rehabilitated and are now pets or service and therapy dogs.
“These animals were horribly mutilated — missing ears, missing eyes, missing parts of their legs,” said Jeane Jae, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Missouri, which housed the animals that contributed to the database. “But when given a choice, many will choose not to fight — that’s an animal that’s capable of rehabilitation.”
One such animal, a brown and white pit bull that now goes by the name Reggie, still bears a web of fight scars across his face. The dog cowers at the sound of cheering crowds, which his owner, Gale Frey, believes he associates with the roar of the fight pit.
Nevertheless, Ms. Frey says, Reggie has made great strides and is being trained to work as a therapy dog in St. Louis-area hospitals.
“We’re moving forward,” said Ms. Frey, who runs Phoenix Pack, a nonprofit dog rescue service in St. Louis. “The pit’s in the past.”
Reposted by Mickey's Pet Supplies June 27, 2010 http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

New Planet Dog Toys on Sale


We are so excited with our new batch of Planet Dog Toys!
We decided to have a sale to introduce them.

Please take 10% off any Planet Dog Toy with coupon code PDOG

This coupon is good through Sunday June 27th. Plus, Mickey's Pet Supplies has FREE SHIPPING on orders of $75.
We have the Orbee Diamond Plate Balls, Baseballs, Footballs, 3 pack of Orbee tennis balls,

Strawberry, Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Orbee Ball Small - Glow/Orange, Glow for Good ball, Orbee Zoom Flyer (Glow in the dark), Luna balls, Soccer Balls and more.
You can't go wrong with a Planet Dog Orbee tuff dog toy. They are all guaranteed.Great for agressive chewers with an official chompers rating of 4 to 5 on their tuffness scale.
These toys are all MADE in the USA. Planet Dog Toys are Eco-Friendly and this company is very socially responsible with their Planet Dog Foundation to help rescue animals.
Mickey's Pet Supplies is your source for Holistic Pet supplies, Eco-Friendly (Earth friendly- Green) products for pets, Made in USA pet supplies and only the best in Organic and All Natural Dog chews and treats. Call 877-863-5431 to Order.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Iams canned cat food recalled

Iams voluntarily recalls canned cat food because of essential vitamin- Thiamin- deficiency.
The company that makes a popular brand of pet foods is voluntarily recalling one brand because it doesn't contain an essential vitamin.
Proctor & Gamble said this week that Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food contains insufficient levels of thiamine, or Vitamin B1. The recall includes all varieties of 3 and 5-ounce cans with expiration dates from September 2011 to June 2012 on the bottom of the cans.
No other Iams products are affected by the recall.
Cats that have eaten the canned Iams food could be at a higher risk of thiamine deficiency, but the condition is typically reversible, according to a statement from P&G. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include downward curving of the neck, falling, circling and seizures.
Those who have purchased the canned cat food should discard it and contact P&G for a refund by calling 877-340-8826.
For more information: http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DHP

Mickey's Pet Supplies is your source for organic pet supplies- Interactive cat toys, cat scratchers, & organic cat treats.
Take 10% off your $35 order with coupon code JU53-enter code at checkout
Call 877-863-5431 or visit http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com

Friday, June 11, 2010

Free Range MOO dog chews on sale


Mickey's Pet Supplies has the Free Range MOO dog chews available.

Check out the 12" Natural Moo Taffy, Natural Moo Taffy 4 pack, 10" Beef Tripe Twists

We know that everyone has been waiting for the Bully Juniors to arrive back in stock. We are still waiting. Everyone that loves the Bully Jrs. should check out the Moo Taffy. It really is the perfect size for your smaller size dogs. Available in the 6" pack of 4 or the 12" Natural Moo Taffy
We highly recommend the Free Range MOO bully jr. knotted bone for your small dog. It is very reasonably priced at $2.29

Take $5 off your $50 order this weekend with coupon code FR5

We do have FREE shipping on $75 order.

Our shipment of the MONSTER size Free Range Moo Bully sticks arrives on Monday. These will be availble in very limited quantities, so check our site Monday. They are available in the 6 inch and 12 inch lengths.
Mickey's Pet Supplies is a natural pet store for holistic pet supplies, organic pet supplies and eco-friendly products for pets. Call 877-863-5431 anytime to order.


Friday, June 4, 2010

Dying, dead marine wildlife paint dark, morbid picture of Gulf Coast following oil spill


We at Mickey's Pet Supplies believe that BP should face criminal charges for the oil spill disaster. The pictures of the dying marine wildlife sure paints a grim reckoning of what has happened.

Please support the effort and buy DAWN dish soap. For every bottle you purchase, $1 goes toward the effort to clean and save these animals. You can join the cause by going to: http://www.facebook.com/dawnsaveswildlife?gclid=CMvMrcrwhqICFRchDQod0Vp5VQ


Dying, dead marine wildlife paint dark, morbid picture of Gulf Coast following oil spill
BY Matthew Lysiak In Grand Isle, La. and Helen Kennedy DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Originally Published:Wednesday, June 2nd 2010, 12:52 AMUpdated: Wednesday, June 2nd 2010, 5:44 PM
Here's what President Obama didn't see when he visited the Gulf Coast: a dead dolphin rotting in the shore weeds.
"When we found this dolphin it was filled with oil. Oil was just pouring out of it. It was the saddest darn thing to look at," said a BP contract worker who took the Daily News on a surreptitious tour of the wildlife disaster unfolding in Louisiana.
His motive: simple outrage.
"There is a lot of coverup for BP. They specifically informed us that they don't want these pictures of the dead animals. They know the ocean will wipe away most of the evidence. It's important to me that people know the truth about what's going on here," the contractor said.
"The things I've seen: They just aren't right. All the life out here is just full of oil. I'm going to show you what BP never showed the President."
The day was 85 degrees, the blue sky almost white with sunshine, the air fresh with salt tang.
After checking that he was unobserved, he motored out to Queen Bess barrier island, known to the locals as Bird Island.
The grasses by the shore were littered with tarred marine life, some dead and others struggling under a thick coating of crude.
"When you see some of the things I've seen, it would make you sick," the contractor said. "No living creature should endure that kind of suffering."
Queen Bess Island was the first place where fledglings were born when the beloved, endangered Louisiana brown pelicans were reintroduced in the 1970s. Their population rebounded and was finally declared stabilized in 2002.
Now their future is once again in doubt. In what had been such an important hatchery, hundreds of pelicans - their white heads stained black - stood sentinel. They seemed slow and lethargic.
"Those pelicans are supposed to have white heads. The black is from the oil. Most of them won't survive," the contractor said.
"They keep trying to clean themselves. They try and they try, but they can't do it."
The contractor has been attempting to save birds and turtles.
"I saw a pelican under water with only its wing sticking out," he said. "I grabbed it and lifted it out of the water. It was just covered in oil. It was struggling so hard to survive. We did what we could for it.
"Nature is cruel, but what's happening here is crueler."
The uninhabited barrier islands are surrounded by yellow floating booms, also stained black, that are supposed to keep the oil out. It's not working.
"That grass was green a few weeks ago," the contractor said. "Now look. ... This whole island is destroyed. How do you write a check for something like this?"
He said he recently found five turtles drowning in oil.
"Three turtles were dead. Two were dying and not dead yet. They will be," he said.
As the boat headed back amid the choppy waves, a pod of dolphins showed up to swim with the vessel and guide it to land.
"They know they are in trouble. We are all in trouble," the contractor said.
BP's central role in the disaster cleanup has apparently given the company a lot of latitude in keeping the press away from beaches where the oil is thickest.
On Monday, a Daily News team was escorted away from a public beach on Elmer's Island bycops who said they were taking orders from BP.
BP spokesman Toby Odone denied the company is trying to hide the environmental damage; he noted BP has organized press visits to the spill zone and said BP cannot tell cops what to do.
The contractor for BP said the public needs to see the truth.
"BP is going to say the deaths of these animals wasn't oil-related," he said. "We know the truth. I hope these pictures get to the right people - to someone who can do something."
hkennedy@nydailynews.comRead more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/06/02/2010-06-02_the_hidden_death_in_the_gulf.html#ixzz0pu4XQ7wV
Mickey's Pet Supplies is your online source for holistic, organic and Eco-friendly pet supplies.
http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.com/-- FREE shipping on $75 order
Take $5 off any order of $50 and over with coupon code JUN4
Place your order by phone: 877-863-5431