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And They Call it "Puppy Love"
Firefighters save 4-week-old beagle
MOUNT LOOKOUT - "He was fighting for his life all night I guess. I guess he earned a good nap," said Laura Stull, gently scratching the ear of a 4-week-old beagle pup sound asleep in her arms.
About 8 p.m., Sunday night, David Sibray, who was creating a Web site for Laura and Sam Stull’s business, heard a series of distressing puppy yelps coming from somewhere under the couple’s deck.
Zoe, the family dog, had given birth to six puppies 4- weeks ago and Sibray assumed one had strayed too far from his mom.
A long search led him to a spot above a drain pipe that had not been connected to the gutter spout above the deck and the puppy was lodged somewhere in the pipe, which was more than a foot underground.
"He had apparently fallen down butt-first into the elbow of the drain and slid down, I kept trying to reach down through the drain, but I couldn’t reach far enough to get him," Sibray said.
The next morning Sibray called the animal control service but they were closed on Monday. The Sibrays then called 911 and the Nicholas County Volunteer Fire Department came right away. The four-man crew removed boards from the deck to clear some space for someone to dig through a mound a heavily packed dirt and break open the drain beneath it. Fire Chief J. W. Hughes decided firefighter Keith Stull was the best man for the job since he is a coal miner and he’s used to working in tight spaces.
It took nearly two hours for Stull to reach the puppy that had never stopped whimpering.
Once Stull had broken through the pipe, his arm was just long enough to reach the hapless pooch.
"It felt really good to get him out of there," Stull said. "He was really stuck. He could never have been able to crawl out of there."
Hughes said rescues such as this one are pretty common for his crew.
"It’s stuff we do all the time." We get cats out of trees. We’re always happy when a rescue turns out like this. It doesn’t always happen that way," Hughes said.
To see the photos the firefighter, Keith Stull rescuing the pet and of Laura Stull holding the 4-week old dog as it is napping, please Click Here.
Summarization and photos from The Register-Herald, Thursday, September 2, 2004. Reporter, Bev Davis.
Rabies Found in Horse in Greenbrier
4 people possibly exposed to virus
By Christian Giggenbach/REGISTER-HERALD REPORTER
LEWISBURG - Four people, including a veterinarian, may have been exposed to
rabies after a horse in Greenbrier County contracted the virus, county health
officials say.
County sanitarian supervisor Mike Eltzroth said testing conducted at the West
Virginia state hygienic lab in Charleston produced a positive result for a rabid
horse.
"It's very unusual for a horse to contract rabies," Eltzroth said.
"The people involved are our first priority.
"We have no idea what type of rabies this is until we get the results back
from the lab."
According to Eltzroth, the infected horse, which was discovered sick and out of
control Monday, came from an area west of Lewisburg.
Eltzroth declined to give any further information concerning the people
involved, but noted that Lewisburg veterinarian Dr. John Tomlinson assisted in
the removal of the horse's brain, which was sent to the West Virginia Office of
Laboratory Services in South Charleston for further testing.
Eltzroth said it is possible that three people assisting Tomlinson in the
handling of the horse before it was humanely put down may have been exposed to
the disease. While they were trying to coral the horse to calm it down, some of
them may have suffered rope burns that possibly absorbed saliva from the horse.
- - -
Dr. Andrea Labik, director of the WVOLS, said the test results could be
completed as early as today.
"Tests will be run early (this) morning and we should have the results
before noon," Labik said. "We should be able to determine the actual
strain of rabies and how the animal got it."
Eltzroth said three other horses, which came in contact with the infected horse,
are in danger of contracting the virus also.
He noted that because rabies can lay dormant in horses for up to six months, the
horses may have to be quarantined separately.
- - -
Eltzroth stressed the need for all animals in the county to have rabies shots to
reduce the risk of the virus from spreading. Greenbrier County led the state in
the number of rabies cases testing positive last year. State law requires
vaccination for dogs and cats.
"Make sure all of your animals are vaccinated, no matter what they
are," Eltzroth said.
Copied and Pasted from The Register-Herald’s web site, August 20,2004
8-4-2004: Insertion, Lost and Found Pets, "Two Dogs Lost-Josie-4-20-2004." Please Click Here to learn more.
Shelter Adopts Perfect Match
The Greenbrier Humane Society has announced the implementation of the ASPCA’s Perfect Match Program designed to match the personalities and lifestyle requirement of the human with the canine.
During 2003, the Greenbrier Humane Society adopted 494 animals out to new homes. Of that number roughly 15 percent were returned due to a lack of bonding with the animals. The majority of these animals were re-adopted to better suited homes.
"Due to our own experience with return rates we find it essential to implement the Perfect Match program," said Kerri Flanagan, executive director of the organization.
"We hope to reduce our return rate drastically by year’s end. We have seen first hand the undue stress an animal goes through when adopted and again returned to the shelter. Animals cannot understand why they are not THE Perfect Match for you."
The Perfect Match program was developed by the Kansas Humane Society and animal behavior specialist Emily Weiss, Ph.D., to facilitate a bond between the canine and adopter.
The best adoptions occur when the personality or "canine-ality" of the animal is taken into consideration.
This factor is determined by assessing factors such as manners, need for interaction, independence, and activity level of the animals. This assessment will be used to match against the same profile made of the adopter so that a Perfect Match is made.
Animals are assessed using a five-step profile that determines whether they are a Wallflower or a Go-Getter or something between. Each animal is then color-coded using purple, orange, and green cage cards which will describe their "canine-ailty" along with basic information such as the animals name, sex, and identification number.
Potential adopters will be asked to complete a survey which will help match their expectation of a pet with the level in the Perfect Match program. Adopters will then be given a color-coded guest pass before viewing the kennels, which will coincide with the cage cards of the animals they are best suited with.
If you have questions about the Perfect Match program, please contact Flanagan at 645-4775.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Thursday, July 8, 2004.
McDowell Commission Vows to Work with Humane Society
WELCH - Faced with a growing controversy over the use of a carbon monoxide chamber to euthanize stray animals, the president of the McDowell County Commission is vowing to work with humane society officials on a possible solution.
Gordon Lambert said the commission is hoping to work with the McDowell Humane Society, which is planning to have a new animal shelter open within the next two to three weeks. Mr. Lambert said, "If funding can be found, the commission will explorer the possibility of putting animals down by injections."
The animal shelter which is being under constructed will be the county’s first new shelter in about seven years.
Sharon Sagety is one of the board members of the McDowell Humane Society.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Friday, July 2, 2004. Reporter, Charles Owens.
Greenbrier Animal Shelter Officially Open for Surgery
The Greenbrier Humane Society surgical suite officially opened June 10, to spay and neuter the animals adopted through the organizational adoption program.
The society broke ground to build Greenbrier County’s first-ever animal shelter facility in March 2001. This was the beginning of the journey to provide adoptions services from a public facility to help place unwanted animals into permanent homes, as well as to promote zero population growth in Greenbrier’s County already staggering population.
During the construction of the animal shelter Greenbrier County residents, and animal lovers, Bob and Cindy Jones contributed to the animal shelter capital campaign fund to dedicate the facility’s surgical suite in the memory of Bob’s late son, T. Marshall Jones.
Dr. Sandra L. Callison, DVM, assisted the humane society in obtaining equipment and supplies need to perform surgeries in the suite. Since opening, 15 animals have been spayed or neutered at the facility.
"I have always been actively involved in the community since I was a youth," Callison said. "I decided by volunteering my time and applying my expertise toward establishing the use of the surgical suite it was one way I could give back to this wonderful community."
"All animals adopted from the shelter must be spayed or neutered prior to release to the new owner," said Callison. "Having a surgical suite and veterinarian in-house (Dr. Sandra L. Callison, DVM) to perform surgery makes the procedure less stressful and traumatic to the animal, thereby making recovery faster for the pet."
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Thursday, June 24, 2004.
In Buddhist Bangkok, Even Stray Dogs Have Their Day
Following Euthanasia Ban, They Get Condos and Care
By Chris Prystay
BANGKOK- Six grubby dogs slept on the steps of a Buddhist temple here, as monk inside chanted. As the last prayer was intoned, the voice of the abbot crackled over a megaphone: "OK everybody, get out there and grab some dogs!"
A dozen monks dressed in saffron robes snapped on surgical gloves, picked up nets and fanned out. They pulled dogs from under benches and cars, and plucked them from the shade thrown by statues of the Buddha. The dogs were stuffed into a cage and sprayed for ticks and fleas. Later, a veterinarian neutered some of the mutts before setting them free to again roam Bangkok’s gutter, back alley-and anywhere else they choose.
In Bangkok, Buddhism calls for compassion and forbids killing any animal unnecessarily. Buddhists also believe in reincarnation-and many Thais see dogs as people who may have misbehaved in a past life. That’s why some don’t feel bad about turning unwanted pups into the street to fend for themselves.
To cope with all the pooches, devout Buddhists in Bangkok are building "dog condos," sterilizing strays and even trying to teach old dogs new tricks by pressing them into police work.
Municipal authorities used to euthanize more than 200 dogs a day. But six years ago, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals set up shop in Bangkok and ran a campaign arguing the practice violated Buddhist principles. The city adopted a pro-life dog policy to quell public outcry. Bangkok spent $824,000 caring for street dogs last year, neutering-then releasing-some 42,000 strays.
Last year city fathers hit on a new idea: ship dogs to the country. Bangkok’s city council is now building an 80-acre, $5 million kennel in a small northern town that will house up to 8,000 dogs.
North of Bangkok, Payom Kalayano, a taciturn monk who draws thousands with his fiery sermons, is building what he calls a "dog condominium" for 500 mutts at a cost of about $250,000. He got the idea on a visit to Los Angels, he says, where he saw a plush dog hotel.
"Buddhism teaches us to have mercy," he says. "We need to take care of all living creatures." .
Sasi-on- Kam-on contributed to this article
(A friend sent this newspaper clipping to me and I have no idea what
newspaper it came from, though I believe maybe from The Wall Street Journal.
This is a very brief summarization of the article.)
4-26-2004
Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies in Mercer
PRINCETON - A raccoon from Mercer County has tested positive for rabies.
The animal, taken from a road in Athens, is the first such case in the county this year, Mike Sale of the Mercer County Board of Health said Thursday.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system, and it is transmitted most often by bites or saliva through cuts or openings in the skin. If untreated, it is fatal.
Health department officials recommend avoiding wild animals and stray pets, keeping pet and agricultural animals’ rabies vaccinations up-to-date and preventing pets from running loose. If bitten, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and contact a physician and the health department immediately.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Saturday, April 10, 2004. Compiled from staff and wire reports.
Friends for Life Inc., a No-Kill Animal
Shelter
Lewisburg
Friends for Life, a No Kill organization, in Greenbrier County is doing a "blizzard" at Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital which is located on is Rt. 219 North about 2 1/2 miles from Lewisburg, WV for at least the next several weeks. Katie is waiting on a particular winter quilt that she uses this time of year for stuff like this, then we'll get everything up and ready. I've made "snowflakes" where people can sign their name, or a pet's name, etc. for a $1 donation to Friends for Life. Then Katie will pin the snowflakes up on the quilt on the wall. Hopefully we'll have enough snowflakes to make a "blizzard." All proceeds will go to help pare down our large bill at the hospital.
For addition information on Friends for Life, to make contributions or to
become a volunteer, contact Donna Jo Hinkle at 645-5905.
1-18-2004
Pet Agencies Expect Influx of Rejected Animals
CHARLESTON (AP)- Along with the tossing of the Christmas tree and taking down of the holiday lights, another early January tradition is about to unfold: new pets that are no longer wanted.
They might look adorable draped in a red bow, but more than 4 million pet givens as gifts will be dropped off at animal shelters across the country over the next few weeks.
"It happens every year. It just breaks our heart," said Carolyn Gibson, director of the Putnam County Animal Relief Center in Winfield.
The majority of pets bought as a Christmas gift are intended for a school-age child with the notion that the child will be responsible.
"When Christmas is over and everyone is back to school, back to work, and the newness wears off, they realize what a responsibility a pet is," said Donna Pauley Clark, director of the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association." "We always tell people that kids are occupied with a lot of things and don’t usually have all the time that is required to take care of an animal."
Gibson said she also tries to counsel people who come in to get a holiday pet.
"Kids always promise that they’ll take care of it, but we know that isn’t the case," she said. "We try to make sure this is really what they want and let them know the responsibility and care that is necessary."
Gibson said her shelter sometimes can relocate smaller animals that are returned but has difficultly finding new homes for larger breeds.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Sunday, January 4, 2003.
"Ride for Life" Seeks Support
LEWISBURG - The Greenbrier County Humane Society is seeking donations and volunteers for the Ride for Life Program.
The recently started project is a joint effort with a no kill shelter near Gaithersburg, MD. The Maryland facility began accepting animals from the local animal shelter whose time at the shelter has ran out and are in danger of being euthanized. Since its inception eight animals have been saved through the project.
Greenbrier County volunteer Stephanie Mendelson played an integral part in establishing a working relationship between the shelter, along with Mendelson’s niece, who is a volunteer in Maryland for the no kill shelter, Mendelson herself has made several trips to Maryland with animals from the shelter. Other volunteers have assisted with transport as well.
If you are able to assist with transporting animals, contact GSHS director, Kerri Flanagan at 645-4775 for information. If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to sponsor a dog’s trip mail to Ride for Life, c/o Greenbrier County Humane Society, P.O. Box 305, Lewisburg, WV 24901. You will receive a letter with a photograph of the dog you have sponsored for a trip.
Summarization from The Post Report a section of The Register-Herald, Thursday, July 31, 2003.
White Named Director of Mercer County Animal Shelter
PRINCETON
-- Debbie White has been named the new director of the Mercer County Animal Shelter, reporting directly to the Mercer County Commission.White, a former employee of Southern States, started her duties at the shelter in mid-June.
Boasting a deep love for "animals of all kinds," White now is getting the opportunity to express that on a full-time basis.
Formerly of Maryland, White has lived in this area for the past 11 years with her husband William Darrell White. They have two daughters, Brandy and Christina White.
White said she was employed at Southern States in Princeton for about seven years in power equipment and the pet department.
When the store originally announced it was closing and employees were advised to seek other jobs, White said she applied for the animal shelter job.
"I think the day that Southern States announced that they were moving to another and smaller location and not closing was the day I received the call that I'd gotten the job at the shelter," White said. "I made a decision to take the shelter job. I love animals, all animals of all kinds, and I like working with the public. So here I am."
Her love of animals is well known to those acquainted with her, White said. "They used to call me Ellie Mae. I've had everything from miniature horses to iguanas to pot-bellied pigs to everything else."
In Maryland, White said she managed a ceramic and marble showroom for 15 years.
"My husband is from here and when our daughter was starting kindergarten, he wanted her to come back here to where he thought it would be better for our children to grow up," White said. "He didn't want her to grow up in the city. So we had excellent jobs. We gave it up and we've been here about 11 years. It's a wonderful place to live and work."
White said she lives in the Lerona area, not far from the entrance to Pipestem State Park.
"It's beautiful country," she said. "If it's not heaven on earth, it's pretty close."
While in Maryland, White did volunteer work for an animal shelter.
"There were about 40 applications here, and they got that down to the last 10 or 15 and ended up selecting me," White said. "I considered that an honor. I would like to thank the Mercer County Commission and the board (Mercer County Humane Society) for the confidence shown in me."
White also commended the employees at the shelter "for working with me. I really appreciate all that they've done. They're a great group of people to work with. They're really dedicated to their work."
There are a few concerns at the shelter, White said.
"We are in real need of supplies," White said. "Cat food, dog food, litter, blankets, you name it. We need some fans up here. It's very hot in these buildings. It's boiling. And, we could use some volunteers."
Those who wish to help can call the shelter at 425-2838.
Taken from the Princeton Times’ web site, Friday, July, 11, 2003. Reporter, Jim Terry
Commission Adopts a Noise Ordinance
PRINCETON - The Mercer County commission has adopted on first reading an ordinance that would prohibit "unnecessary, excessive, and annoying noises from all sources subject to its police power."
A public hearing on the matter will be scheduled soon, preferably in the evening, officials said, during which the ordinance will be read by its title for the second time.
Those who violate the ordinance would be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon first conviction would be fined between $5 and $50. A second conviction would result in a fine of between $25. and $100. Upon conviction a third time, those who violate the ordinance would be fined between $100 and $500, or jailed no more than 90 days, or face both a fine and jail time.
The ordinance appears to be geared as much to animals, such as "barking dogs" and "crying cats," as other common noises.
Under the ordinances, it would be unlawful for "any person knowingly or keep or harbor any animal which habitually barks, howls, cries or yelps to the great discomfort of the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, or in such manner as to materially disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are ordinary sensibility. Such animals are hereby declared to be a public nuisances."
Summarization from The Register-herald, Thursday, July 10, 2003. Reporter, Jim Terry.
Greenbrier Rabies Cases On the Rise
LEWISBURG - Greenbrier County health officials fear a resurgence of rabies in
the area.
Last year, Greenbrier County led the state in confirmed rabies cases, Sanitarian
Mike Eltzroth said. Now, cases are on the rise again.
"It goes in cycles," he said. "Previously, Morgan and Mineral
counties had the most."
Earlier this year, three rabid skunks were reported, Eltzroth said. Monday,
residents near Renick discovered a raccoon acting strangely at their home.
"It tried to come through a screen door," he said.
Their dog attacked the raccoon, killing it. The raccoon tested positive for
rabies, he said.
Since the dog had not had rabies shots, it had to be put to sleep.
Rabies in humans has declined significantly in the United States, thanks to
animal control programs and vaccination of domestic animals, Eltzroth said. But
the fatal infection still occurs.
Rabies in wildlife is a continuing problem, and state officials are dropping
bait containing rabies vaccine in wooded areas of the state to try to control
the spread of the disease, he noted.
Vaccination of domestic animals provides a barrier between wildlife and humans.
State law requires all domestic dogs and cats to be vaccinated. Even pets
generally kept indoors may be exposed if they are attacked when taken outside or
if a bat gets into the home.
Bat bites can be very small and people may not be aware they were bitten.
Residents should also be concerned if a bat is found in a room with a sleeping
person, an unattended child or an intoxicated or mentally disabled individual.
Rabies cannot be ruled out by testing the bat.
Pet ferrets should also be vaccinated, he said.
Farmers should consider vaccinating livestock that might have frequent contact
with humans, such as in petting zoos, fairs or exhibitions. Horses traveling
interstate should be vaccinated.
Rabies is usually transmitted by a bite, but there is also risk if the animal
licks your nose, eyes or an open wound.
If you are bitten by an animal, clean and flush the wound immediately with soap
and water and seek medical attention. If the animal cannot be located for
testing, you may need to undergo preventative treatment consisting of a series
of shots.
For other questions, residents may contact the Greenbrier County Health
Department at 645-1539.
Taken from The Register-Herald’s site July 3, 2003. Reporter, Joe Myers.
Kanawha County Animal Shelter Damaged by Foods
The governor's declaration of a state of emergency in eight counties might make recovery easier for responders, but it will do little to provide direct financial assistance to flood victims, officials said today.
Gov. Bob Wise declared a state of emergency in Kanawha County, where damage was thought to be most widespread, and in Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo and Putnam counties.
Wise spent most of Tuesday touring Charleston and surrounding areas, where at least 200 homes now are estimated to have been destroyed or severely damaged since last week's floods began. ...
So far, the city of Charleston has sustained $4 million to $5 million damage from the weeklong bout of flooding, Emergency Services Director Mark Wolford said. ...
Today, Wolford said weary city crews, comprised of police officers and firefighters and public works employees, will head back into flooded areas. Every part of Charleston has experienced flooding except for Kanawha City, he said. ...
The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association received a little relief last night from the Kanawha County Commission, which gave $25,000 in emergency funds so the association could begin cleaning up after Monday's floods sent both employees and animals to higher ground.
No injuries or structural damages were reported, but animals now have to be housed on the shelter's second floor until clean up is complete. A window in the shelter's first floor had to be broken to rescue about 12 dogs, and vehicles used for animal pick-up are landlocked since the shelter's parking lot also was destroyed.
Donna Clarke, association director, said the shelter hoped to be open for adoptions by Thursday, the same day the National Weather Service predicted rains would let up across much of West Virginia. ...
Click here to see the damage at the Kanawha County Animal Shelter.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. Writer Kris Wise can be reached at 348-1244.
Excerpts were taken from The Charleston Daily Mail, June 17, 2003
National Effort to Contain Rabies Runs Through W.VA.
CHARLESTON - (AP) Early this fall specially equipped airplanes will drop small, foul-smelling blocks along a 30-mile wide corridor down the center of West Virginia.
To a population on alert since the Sept 11 terrorist attack in 2001, the low-flying aircraft may seem suspicious.
The flight actually are part of a 6-year-old federally funded program to eradicate a spreading strain of an old-age disease-rabies.
Since 2001, fishy smelling blocks containing oral rabies vaccine have been dropped in parts of West Virginia to stop the westward spread of raccoon-borne rabies.
In early September, blocks will be dropping in 34 counties stretching from Hancock in the north to Mc Dowell in the south.
"We’re trying to create a barrier on the westernmost of the raccoon rabies front," said Dr. Jane Rooney, West Virginia public health veterinarian.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Saturday, May 10, 2003.
Greenbrier County Humane Society 11th Annual Golf Tournament May 14
LEWISBURG - The Greenbrier County Humane Society’s 11th annual Grand Slam Golf Tournament will be held Wednesday, May 14, 2003 at the Lewisburg Elks Country Club. Registration will begin at noon with a shotgun start at 2:00 p.m. This is a Captain’s Choice Tournament with a team handicap greater than or equal to 40.
All proceeds of the tournament will benefit the ongoing programming offered by the Greenbrier County Humane Society including its spay and neuter programming, adoptions, lost and found, humane education and abuse investigation.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Thursday, April 24, 2003.
2 Rabies Cases Reported in Greenbrier
Two positive cases of rabies, both in skunks in the Dawson area, have been reported in Greenbrier County.
Greenbrier County led the state in the number of rabies cases last year. Most of the infected wild animals came into contact with domesticated or humans before being killed.
Rabies is almost always fatal to the infected animal and is also deadly to humans who don’t receive prompt and proper medical attention with a rabid animal.
To protect your animals and yourself from the spread of rabies, state law requires rabies vaccination for dog and cats.
If you are bitten by an animal, clean and flush the wound immediately with soap and water, and seek medical attention. Rabies is usually transmitted by a bite, but there is also a risk of transmission if the animal licks the nose, eye, or an open wound.
If the animal cannot be located, you may need to undergo treatment consisting of a series shots.
To help avoid the expense and pain of rabies treatment, health officials urge residents to be cautious around unfamiliar animals. Don’t pet, handle or feed stray, injured or sick animals. Don’t keep wild animals as pets and teach children not to approach stray animals.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Friday, March 28, 2003. Staff reporter.
Sam:
I wanted to let you know that a good friend to the dog world left this place for a heavenly place with her father in heaven, Marie Ziegler passed away today. Will let you know more just as soon as we get the details.
Nancy Bowman
President of the Beckley Kennel Club
Marie M. Ziegler
Marie Mercedes Ziegler, 59, of Flat Top in Mercer County, WV went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 5, 2003, in a local hospital.
Born May 9, 1943, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late George and Iris Camal.
Mrs. Ziegler was a business owner, secretary and a student at Mountain State University. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Princeton, Ghent Volunteer Fire Department, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Beckley Kennel Club. She was an officer for the Raleigh County Humane Society.
She was owner and operator of Zieg-Field Kennels and a dog show enthusiast.
Survivors include her husband, Christoph Ziegler Sr.; two sons, Christoph Ziegler Jr. and wife, Robin, of Butler, N.J., and Michael Ziegler and wife, Jennifer, of Richmond, Va.; two brothers, Max Salazar of New York City and Frank Camal of Bronx, N.Y.; two sisters, Tina Sparks of New York City and Irene Camal of Bronx; two grandchildren, Brianna Lynn and Sebastian; and her stepmother, Elda Camal of Bronx.
A celebration of Marie Ziegler's life will be held at a later date.
The family requests that donations of sympathy be made to the Raleigh County Humane Society, P.O. Box 115, Beckley, WV 25801.
Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Beckley
I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Ziegler at the Beckley Kennel Club's
Annual Dog Show which was held at the Raleigh County Armory on April 27-28,
2002. To see a photo of Mrs. Ziegler and of the Beckley Kennel Club's
Annual Dog Show, please click the Annual
Dog Show's link. Mrs. Ziegler's husband, Chris Ziegler was active with
the Becley Kennel Club.
Can Pets be Called Companions?
Lawmakers propose animals should not be deemed property
DENVER - (AP) - Several Colorado lawmakers are supporting legislation to elevate the status of cats and dogs from property to companions.
The measure would allow people in Colorado to sue veterinarians and animal abusers and seek damage for "loss of companionship," up to $100,000. Current law classifies them as property, and pet owners can only seek only "fair market value" in a lawsuit.
If passed, it would be the first such companionship law in the nation, said lawyer Josh Pazour.
A related ordinance, making pet owners guardians so pets will not be seen as property, was recently passed by the San Francisco Board.
The Colorado measured is opposed by the state Veterinary Medical association which contends the proposed change would increase the cost of veterinary care.
"Veterinarians will have to pass on to consumers the increase cost of doing businesses, including time spent responding to frivolous lawsuits and additional diagnostic tests that now will be required to practice defensive medicine," the association said in a statement of its members.
Colorado already is among 14 states legally recognizing dogs and cats as beneficiaries and allowing people to leave money and property to their pets.
"If you can leave something to your animal, they’re obviously a status beyond property," said state Representative Mark Cloer, the chief House sponsor of the companionship measure.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Monday, February 10, 2003.
Judiciary Wants Animal Torture a Felony
CHARLESTON - Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill providing an enhanced penalty for deliberately killing, injuring or poisoning an animal.
If a felony offense occurs in animal torture or death, the criminal penalty would be a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 and a prison term of one to three years.
Anyone so convicted would be barred from owning or living with an animal for five years.
Killing a dog engaged in an assault against a human, pet or livestock is exempt.
Sen. Larry Rowe, D-Kanawha, suggested cruelty to animals carries over to violence against humans.
"People who intentionally injure or torture an animal do the same thing to children," he said.
Sylvia Shaffer, a long time member of the South Charleston Humane Society, agreed, telling the committee, "People who kill animals go on to higher crimes."
She said such offenses are "related to domestic violence of some sort."
"These people need to be stopped," she added.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Friday, January 24, 2003. Reporter, Mannix Porterfield.
Mercer County Animal Shelter
On the crest of the hill above the Mercer County Landfill on Shelter Road off
of 460 near the Princeton Exit, Exit 9, sits a cinder block dwelling known as
the Mercer County Animal
Shelter. This is the home for the unwanted pets in
Mercer County which is staffed by a small friendly dedicated group of people,
hoping to give these animals a "second chance at life."
Upon entering the structure, you will get a warm friendly greeting from a very busy staff who is trying to make a difference in the lives of the animals in their charge. Within the small office, you may see a beautiful cat and dog overseeing the staff to make sure they are working to par.
The reason for my visit to the Mercer County Animal Shelter was to see if they were on the Internet in hopes, if so, I might be of some assistance to them to post the photos of their pets on the Internet, if needed, which would be another media they could use to get their pets adopted.
Speaking to the competent caring director Kim Wilfe, I was informed they had several pieces of computer hardware but nothing that would allow them to get on the Internet. Kim said, "She has often thought of buying a computer out of her own money, which she could ill afford, so posting of the pets on the Internet would become a reality." A digital camera is owned by the shelter which was contributed by one of the citizens in Mercer County.
Kim was thankful that the television station in Bluefield, WV, Channel 6, WVVA, Monday through Friday, at the end of the morning newscast which airs from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. shows pets for adoption on alternate weeks for Tazewell County, Pet Haven in Falls Mills, VA, and for their county, Mercer County. Also, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph post photos of pets for adoptions on a regular basis.
When I asked Kim if she had a wish list for the shelter, I was amazed that she gave that question such great thinking. Kim stated, "Although our needs like any animal shelter is great, our direst needs are cat litter, puppy food, kitten food, bleach, Dollar Store brooms ( not the straw type), long-handled squeegees for cleaning purposes, H2O buckets for dogs, a computer and monetary donations to our shelter to help us move more efficient and forward in behalf of our animal friends." Wal-Mart in Princeton donates adult dog food where the bags have been broken and opened.
The Mercer County Animal Shelter address is 1003 Shelter Road, Princeton, WV 24740. Their phone numbers are 1-304-425-2838 and 1-304-487-2880. The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Their adoption fees for dogs and puppies are $55.00 and for cats and kittens, $30.00. The adoption fee covers spay/neuter and rabies vaccination. Spaying and neutering is mandatory.
The Mercer County Animal Shelter specializes in all American pets and they gladly will adopt to out of county or out of state residents, with the understanding spaying and neutering is required.
To make a monetary donation to the Mercer County Animal Shelter, please make your check payable to the Mercer County Humane Society and send it to Mercer County Animal Shelter, 1003 Shelter Road, Princeton, WV 24740.
No Action Taken on Animal Group’s Request
UNION - Monroe County commissioners took no action Wednesday on a $10,000 funding request by members of the Monroe County animal League.
Previously commissioners gave the group $3,000 a year. But that was dropped last fiscal year because of the budget constraints. Now the county is in better shape financially.
Organizer Dina Wood said, "The group has attempted various fund-raising efforts, but money is hard to come by. " Woods also stated she doesn’t know how long her members can continue without financial help.
Commissioner Oliver Porterfield suggested putting the request off until March, when the county budget is prepared for the upcoming fiscal year.
"We’ll have to sit down and take a look at our income and expenses," he said. "We’ll look at it carefully and do the best we can."
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Thursday, January 8, 2003. Reporter, Joe Myers.
