| Breaking News Reports |
| Global Pet Finder , from New York City-based GPS Tracks LLC, keeps tabs on pets using global positioning system technology and sends pet location reports to wireless machines. A 5-ounce locator device snaps onto an animal’s collar. It is recommended for pets weighing 30 pound or more. Owners can have the device regularly send maps or an address of their pet’s location to their cell phone, personal digital assistant, Blackberry or computer. For more info visit www.globalpetfinder.com The device costs $349.99, plus a monthly service fee of $17.99. |
| U.S. airlines reported 10 pet casualties (deaths, injury or loss) in June 2006; the second month for which carriers were required to report such incidents. There have been 9 deaths, 9 injuries and 2 losses of pets to date reported by air carriers. |
| A Richland County S.C. Deputy sheriff K-9 handler has been suspended pending an investigation after his 19-month old German shepherd died in the back seat of his patrol car. The vehicle was equipped with special gear that sounds the emergency siren and lights when the temperature inside rises above 85 degrees. The device was not activated when the deputy left the dog in the vehicle to go watch other police dog handlers. (Tundra note: A local deputy recently killed his K-9 partner in the same manner, but the sheriff exonerated the deputy.) |
| No-Fly Zone U.S. Airways will no longer accept live animals as checked baggage or cargo, effective Oct. 1. The airline adopted the more restrictive policy to match that of merger partner America West Airlines. |
| Agency Reports Kids, Pets Injured by Shredders The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received 50 reports of injuries to children and pets from paper shredders. Five reports involved dogs that had their tongues caught in shredders. As Americans have become more aware of the dangers of identity theft, millions of them have purchased electric paper shredders. The Commission recommends that shredders should be kept in places where children and pets cannot reach them, and to always unplug them when not in use. |
| Dogs for Research Gladwin County, Mich., commissioners approved an agreement that allows the county’s animal shelter to sell dogs to a kennel that provides snimals for medical research. The shelter can sell dogs to Hodgins Kennels. Commissioner Lou Kalinowski said that only dogs that were to be euthanized will be sold. (????) |
| Hunte Truck Fire Kills 60 Puppies A truck fire that killed 60 puppies being delivered to New England pet stores is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A preliminary investigation showed that the fire started in a faulty fan. The driver of the rig, Joseph Price of Joplin, Mo., received a CB call from another trucker saying that his trailer was on fire. Price was cited for several violations, including one for defective brakes. Emergency responders said that the puppies suffocated. Hunte Corp. Is the largest puppy mill breeder in the U.S., and maintains a fleet of 12 delivery trucks. |
