Town hold dog census.

It begins with a knock on the door of a well-appointed house on a quiet street in a South Jersey suburb.

On doorsteps across the state, residents are opening their doors to find municipal workers conducting house-by-house searches to check for unlicensed dogs.

Under a state law that health officials estimate dates to the 1950s, when rabies was a real threat to household pets, New Jersey towns are required to conduct the census every two years.

"I started here in 1985, and there was a requirement then," said Faye Sorhage, chief veterinarian for the Department of Health and Senior Services. "It's pretty much eliminated dog rabies in New Jersey."

As the rabies threat has declined, so has the number of municipalities following the little-known regulation. In 1980, 91 percent of towns submitted canvases to the state; in 2008, only 32 percent did so, according to health department records.

Chesilhurst, a mostly low-income community near the Pine Barrens, does not participate in the census and won't for the foreseeable future, Mayor Michael Blunt said.

"Chesilhurst has so many other problems, the last thing we're concerned about is a dog census," he said. "The minute you start giving people tickets, you bring hell on yourself."

Under state rules, if a resident is found to have an unlicensed dog in his or her home, the municipality can send out a bill for the license with the threat of a fine for nonpayment.

For New Jersey residents, who generally consider themselves to be some of the most onerously taxed people in the country, the $10 to $20 charge is like a red flag to a bull.

A visit from Fries earlier this month left Chuck Rupertus, owner of a small landscaping company, irate."Why do we even have this guy? I pay $14,000 a year in property taxes, and they're nickel-and-diming me about my dog. It's not costing anybody in the town,"

How much is that doggy in the window?

Thanks to Matt Pynn

Many parents will be scouring the internet to find the best deal on toys and gadgets this Christmas, which means facing the online threat of ‘counterfeit’ goods. However, there’s another item on the list and it’s not the latest games console or fad toy, but one of the 50,000* trafficked puppies believed to be imported from Ireland each year, as well as those bred by unscrupulous breeders in the UK.

Nearly a third (32 per cent) of people thinking about buying a puppy admitted they will search the internet or ads in a local newspaper to find a cut-price, puppy bargain and 45 per cent would be prepared to pay less than £200, according to new research from animal welfare charity, the RSPCA.

The charity is concerned that, despite warnings not to buy a puppy this Christmas, people are unaware of the threat of potentially huge hidden costs, and dangers of buying a ‘counterfeit’ puppy.

Furthermore, almost one in five people (19 per cent) planning to buy a puppy are giving in to the demands of their family’s children. The research shows that the combination of desperate parents, and the Christmas rush for presents, could create the perfect storm for the puppy ‘counterfeiters’ who have little regard for animal welfare and whose main concern is profit.

When asked about buying a puppy, 92 per cent of those planning to purchase feel it is important to know where it has come from, yet more than half (56 per cent) say they plan to get one from an advertisement in a newspaper, on the internet or from a pet shop. Based on complaints received from members of the public, the RSPCA believes this increases the chance of buying a ‘counterfeit’ puppy, with potentially fatal health problems such as Canine parvovirus or worms. This means that some new owners could find themselves facing the heartache of a very sick or even dead puppy after Christmas.

Justine Pannett, spokesperson from the RSPCA, said: “The RSPCA warns people not to buy puppies as Christmas presents. It’s quite shocking to learn that despite this, people may be treating shopping for a puppy in much the same way they would for other Christmas gifts, like a Wii, and looking at ways to make savings wherever possible. There’s no cheap way to be a puppy owner. People thinking about buying a puppy don’t just need to plan for the initial cost of buying it. They also need to consider the on-going costs and commitment needed to care for a dog throughout its life.”

The RSPCA emphasises the importance of thorough research before buying a puppy. A few examples of checks that can be done include always seeing a puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred, as well as checking vaccination cards and vet details carefully. The charity also advises that if the vet’s contact details are obscured or are registered outside of the UK, the vaccination card could be a fake.

One mother from Kent, who remains anonymous due to an ongoing investigation, gave into pressure from her children to buy a puppy and has regretted not researching its origins ever since. This October, after scouring the newspapers and internet an advertisement on a website selling puppies caught her eye. She went to the breeder’s home in Surrey with her family and paid £250 for Archie, a Jack Russell puppy. Despite seeing what the breeder claims was a vaccination card, within five days Archie became dehydrated, was diagnosed with suspected Canine parvovirus and placed on a drip. A few days later he was put to sleep.

“We were all absolutely devastated,” the Mother said. “I feel like I’ve been very naïve but you don’t expect to get a puppy and for it to die just a few days later. Archie was supposed to have been vaccinated, but when we looked closer the card we had been given by the breeder looked like a fake. Next time we will do more research and think very carefully about where we get a puppy from.”

Justine concluded: “Puppy trafficking is an appalling, profit-driven business and we can’t emphasise enough the importance to Britain’s dog-loving public of working together to fight the puppy ‘counterfeiters’. It’s not always easy to spot a trafficked puppy just from looking at it, but we recommend doing thorough research before buying a puppy, to help save heartache and spare people from lining the pockets of unscrupulous ‘counterfeiters’.”

To find out more about puppy trafficking please visit www.rspca.org.uk/puppytrafficking

ALERT: Pig Ear and Beef Hoof recall.

Pet Carousel has initiated a recall of all Pig Ears and all varieties of Beef Hoof pet treats because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was discovered after FDA testing found positive results for Salmonella in pig ears and beef hoof products.

These products were recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The following products have been recalled: The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight, Pork Tasteez and Pet CarouselItem No.: * 18100-P Bulk* 18016-P 10-pk red mesh bag* 18120-P 20-pk red mesh bag.

The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet CarouselItem No.: * 1506-K 5 lb. bulk* 1507-K 10 lb. bulk* 1520-K 20 lb. bulk* 12125-T 10-pk vinyl bag* 12110-T 10-pk, vinyl bag* 12111-T 10-pk, vinyl bag* 12122-T 10 lb., bulk* 1503-K 3-pk, vinyl bag* 1510-K 10-pk ,vinyl bag* 1405-S 5 lb., bulk* 1408-S 10-pk, vinyl bag* 1410-S 10 lb., bulk* 1420-S 20 lb., bulk* 90058-H Cheese/& Bacon Stuffed Hoof, bulk* 90056-H Peanut Butter Stuffed Hoof, bulk* 17005-R Rope toy with Hooves.

The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores throughout the country. All sizes and all lots of these pork ears purchased on or after 08/16/2009 and all beef hoof products in all varieties purchased on or after 09/16/2009 made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

Pet Carousel has completed notifying its consignees and requested the consignees return affected products and remove them from retail sales. Out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety, Pet Carousel is issuing this press release to inform consumers of potential risks and to ensure that all affected product has either been returned or otherwise removed from use.

Consumers who have purchased the products described above should cease use and return the product to their place of purchase. Additionally, consumers with questions may contact Pet Carousel at 800-231-3572 from 8:00am to 4:00pm PST.

Review: Dog Town - Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitaion, and Redemption

The Daily Woof gets asked to review items from time to time and we especially enjoy books and useful products.

Sometimes it is difficult to adequately review an item in just mere words, as sometimes the item reviewed seems to transcend conventional narratives and is more of a ‘feeling’ than anything else. That’s how we feel about the book “Dog Town: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption.” from National Geographic Press.

This book clocks in around 300 pages and is a collection of heart wrenching stories, all true, from the viewpoint of various staff members at the Best Friends Animal Society just outside Kanab, Utah. For those that have ever watched the show, both some of the staff and dogs will be very familiar to you, but the writings contained within can capture and compliment those tales seen within the television show.

Each of the 15 chapters follows the story of a rescued dog. The stories can really touch your soul and it’s impossible not to have empathy for both the dog and the caretaker in question. From abused animals, to older and sickly ones, these are first hand accounts told from the viewpoint and words of those on the front line.

Some of the chapters end in happiness, and some do not. It’s fact, it’s raw, and makes one really think about animals and the volunteers in a whole new light.

The chapters are accompanied with nice black and white photographs, and there is also educational and training tips contained within as well (Thanks to Pat Whitcare). The education comes in exposing puppy mills, dog fighting, and other important care related issues.

As we said, it’s hard to put into words the power of this book. The Daily Woof highly recommends this as a ‘must read’ for anyone who has ever loved or cared for not just a dog, but any animal and the people who volunteer their skills and time to ease their suffering and make a ‘quality’ life. 5 stars.

Oh, and every book that is purchased? A portion of the proceeds goes to the Best Freinds Animal Society.