Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Dogfighting Video Game Deserves to Die

Opinion L.A.
Observations and provocations from The Times' Opinion staff
August 30, 2011

My colleague Jon Healey, in his post, "Technology: Should Google censor a dogfighting game?," argues that Kage Games' KG Dogfighting video game, available through Google's Android Marketplace, may be distasteful but that it shouldn't be censored. Even though dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states.
I completely agree that it's the company's 1stAmendment right to sell the game -- and the buyers' right to buy it -- despite the game itself being despicable.  There are plenty of despicable video games out there. And I believe critics couldn't sue the company claiming it promotes crime.
But I don't see anything wrong with lobbying Google to stop selling it -- and, at the same time, lobbying the company to stop making the game, as Healey suggests.
As for this statement from Kage -- "What makes the Google Android platform special is that it gives the freedom and responsibility to the individual users to decide what to put on their phones as opposed to the phone carriers and app stores making value judgments on our behalf" -- talk about palaver.  Companies make value judgments and taste decisions all the time about what they will and won't sell.  The Los Angeles Times won't run ads for sex toys.   The broadcast networks won't let TV show characters use curse words or crude slang.   Maybe they should let viewers and parents of young viewers decide for themselves what they will or will not watch.  Nope; they're deciding for you.
Google's Android Marketplace is not a university of higher learning where professors and students should be free to express their thoughts and ruminate on anything they choose.  It's just a commercial conduit to a bunch of games and apps for sale.  And if enough consumers are annoyed by what's being sold and can marshal enough pressure on Google to get it to stop selling something, I say go for it. 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Cat Mutilation Revives Neighborhood Concerns

    Sandy Luna plays with her two new kittens, Paco and Lola. (Paco's the ginger...
    Sandy Luna plays with her two new kittens, Paco and Lola. (Paco's the ginger boy.) Luna acquired the kittens after her cat Lucky was killed last month; she says they're indoor cats for their own safety. Photo by R. Clayton McKee Photo: Freelance / © R. Clayton McKee
ROBIN FOSTER, HOUSTON CHRONICLE/Published 07:30 a.m., Thursday, August 25, 2011
Jeanne Kazmierski could hardly believe it when her new acquaintance, Sandy Luna, mentioned getting two new kittens after finding her beloved cat Lucky dead and mutilated in a neighbor's yard a few weeks ago.
Both residents of Timbergrove, the women were introduced by a mutual friend on Aug. 10.
Similar mutilations
Kazmierski shared how her cat, Buddy, was found three years ago, mutilated and on display at Jaycee Park, an event that still horrifies her today.
"I can talk about it now, but then, it just about killed me," Kazmierski said.
At least five other cat mutilations were reported in the Heights and River Oaks within the following year, and Houston Press writer John Nova Lomax wrote in August 2010 that his Captain Kitty had a similar fate.
Hearing Kazmierski's tale lent new meaning to details about Lucky's demise, said Luna, a nurse with Texas Childrens Hospital.
"She was, like, put on display," Luna said.
"It was odd. There was no blood in the grass. It was strange. She was disemboweled. The way she was placed on the lawn, it was a definite message."
Extremely disturbing
Luna and Kazmierski dismiss the notion their cats were killed by dogs or a wild animal even though the alternative, that a person might have done such a thing, is extremely disturbing to both.
"The part that worries me is, this is how serial killers start," Luna said.
Luna did not file a police report when Lucky was found in the early morning of July 25.
But Kazmierski has since sent out a neighborhood alert and contacted Houston Police Department officers who live or work in the neighborhood as well as Sgt. Virginia Brasher, one of HPD's animal cruelty officers.
Brasher is aware of the previous cat mutilations but said police have no leads to link them together or even pursue an investigation.
"The best thing is to let people in the area know, and that way, if they see something suspicious, they'll let us know," Brasher said.
In Houston, cats are subject to the same leash law as dogs, she pointed out.
That means owners are supposed to have control over their pets at all times.
Keep cats inside
"I'm a firm believer that cats should probably be kept inside," Brasher said.
But state law makes torturing or killing an animal a crime punishable by jail time, Brasher said.
And like Luna and Kazmierski, Brasher expressed concern if an individual is responsible for killing the pets.
"It's very disturbing because we don't know if it's an adult or a juvenile," she said.
"If it's a juvenile, it's very disturbing because if they can do this to an animal, what are they capable of doing to a person?"
Brasher advises residents to be alert and aware and report any suspicious individuals or activities by calling HPD's non-emergency number, 713-884-3131.
Luna is still saddened by the loss of Lucky, a sweet black cat she found in a field eight years ago.
Many in the neighborhood knew her, Luna said.
Because of what happened, she's heeding Brasher's advice. Her new kittens are strictly indoor cats.
robin.foster@chron.com

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Selling Pit Bull Puppies in the Walmart Parking Lot

These photos were taken by a friend of Barrio Dogs' last weekend. Two men are selling pit bull puppies out the back of their car in the Walmart parking lot at I-45 and West Road across from Fry's. We are speaking to law enforcement officials to see if there is anything that can be done to stop this practice. If you see people selling dogs out of their home or car or out on the street, please take a picture and send it to us at watchdog@barriodogs.org.

UPDATE: It is illegal to sell animals by the roadside in Harris County. If you see anyone doing so, please report it to local police or Harris County at 281-999-3191.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Texas Takes First Steps to Comply with Puppy Mill Bill

PR Newswire: news distribution, targeting and monitoringAUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is taking the first steps to bring dog and cat breeders into compliance with the newly passed HB 1451, also known as the Puppy Mill Bill.  TDLR announced that a Licensed Breeders Advisory Committee (Committee) is now in the process of being formed to determine the rules and standards for large scale commercial dog and cat breeders as directed by the passage of HB 1451.

The Committee will be composed of nine members: two licensed breeders; two veterinarians; two members who represent Texas animal welfare organizations; two members of the public; and one animal control officer. Committee applications will be accepted through September 15, 2011

Governor Perry signed HB 1451, the Large Scale Commercial Dog and Cat Breeder Bill, popularly known as the Puppy Mill Bill, into law on June 17, 2011. HB 1451 is a regulation and licensing measure  for breeders and will provide basic protection for dogs and cats raised in breeding operations by providing humane housing standards , veterinary care, and inspections.

HB 1451 was championed by two highly respected legislators from Houston – Rep. Senfronia Thompson and Sen. John Whitmire.  Their commitment and persistence will provide protection for hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats in Texas puppy mills. "We're very happy Texas has joined the many other states in regulation of commercial breeders, and we look forward to working with TDLR in developing and implementing humane standards for dogs and cats living in these facilities," says Cile Holloway, THLN President.

TDLR will promulgate regulations by March 31, 2012. Those breeders meeting the thresholds in HB 1451 will have until September 1, 2012 to come into compliance with the provisions of the bill and subsequent regulations and to obtain the license.

To learn more about Puppy Mills in Texas, click here. To watch the THLN puppy mill video, please click here.  

About Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN): Established in 1975, THLN is a grassroots, 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that fights for the enactment and enforcement of laws to protect animals from neglect and abuse. THLN is the political arm and voice for every animal and animal welfare organization in Texas. For more information, please visit www.THLN.org.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Crack Down on Spectators at Animal Fights

Over the past decade, Congress has strengthened the penalties for and closed major loopholes in the federal animal fighting law, yet there is a remaining gap in the law that should be corrected to allow for a more comprehensive crackdown on this barbaric activity. Representatives Tom Marino (R-PA) and Betty Sutton (D-OH) have introduced H.R. 2492 to prohibit knowing attendance at an animal fighting event and bringing a minor to such an event.

Visit the Humane Society of America's website for information about contacting your legislators and letting them how your feel about H.R. 2492. Also, visit change.org to sign a petition in support of H.R. 2492.

Two Rescues, One Day



Nearly 50 dogs were rescued off two separate properties in North Carolina - one in Pamlico County and another in Jones County on August 4, 2011. Both were suspected dogfighting operations. Experts from The HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team were on the scene to help law enforcement document evidence and safely remove the dogs from the property. The animal rescue team is transporting the dogs to an undisclosed location where they will be cared for and provided with enrichment.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Part of the Problem

I-45 and Wayside near Lawndale

Greater East End, 1542 Elliott, 77023 across from Broadmoor Park

Woman Charged with Leaving Dog in Hot Car

Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle 
Aug. 11, 2011, 6:29AM

Fort Bend County prosecutors have charged a Beasley woman with animal cruelty, accusing her of leaving her dog inside a hot car.
Police responded to a call about 11:50 a.m. June 18 at the Whole Foods at 15900 Southwest Freeway, according to the report from the Sugar Land Police Department.
A caller had told police a small dog was left inside a car with the windows slightly cracked for more than an hour.
Reports say the temperature inside the car was 120 degrees and that no water had been left for the dog. Animal Services came and removed the dog.
Police said Roxanne Deanna Zamora, 26, later returned to her car and admitted to officers that she left the dog inside it.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7692827.html#ixzz1UioFWt2D

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Harris County Animal Control

It is a terrible fact of life that not all our homeless dog and cat friends can be rescued and adopted into a loving home. Some of them end up at Harris County Animal Control (HCAC) or similar places where their short and sad lives are put to an end. The very least we can do for them in their final days is make sure they are treated with kindness and respect; even the barest protections of Texas state law afford them that final dignity.

That is why the conditions and treatment of animals at Harris County Animal Control, funded by our tax dollars, are so unacceptable. Local Fox news did a story recently that featured video of the facility taken by former employees. The video is below and hard to watch. The Harris County Commissioners Court, which has authority over the facility, has directed the County Attorney's Office to investigate to see if state law has been violated.

It is only through our ongoing vigilance and expressed concern that conditions will improve. We must let the county judge and commissioners know that we care about what happens at HCAC and expect to see conditions there improve as quickly as possible.

County Judge Ed Emmett   judge.emmett@cjo.hctx.net
Commissioner Pct. 1 El Franco Lee  Janet_Duran@cp1.hctx.net
Commissioner Pct. 2 Jack Morman  jack.morman@pct2.hctx.net
Commissioner Pct. 3 Steve Radack  pct3@hctx.net
Commissioner Pct. 4 Jerry Eversole jyounts@hcp4.net


Monday, August 1, 2011

Responding to Animal Abuse or Neglect in Houston

Here is a list of resources compiled by Barrio Dogs for reporting animal abuse, mistreatment, neglect and chained dogs. The list is not exhaustive but contains the best information we have available.

1. HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: Officers are supposed to investigate any report of animal abuse or neglect. Contact HPD through Dispatch; they will assign the report to an officer who is supposed to investigate.
 To make a report, call HPD Dispatch: 713-884-3131 (do not call 911)

2. HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 6 AND THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY R.A.I.D.E.R.:  In a partnership between Harris County and the Houston Humane Society, several Pct. 6 deputies spend 100% of their time responding to and investigating complaints of abuse and neglect.  
To contact, call Precinct 6 Dispatch: 713-923-9156
 Humane Society R.A.I.D.E.R.: 713-433-6421, ext. 396
 R.A.I.D.E.R. Officers: Sgt. Guerra, Sgt. Schuelke, Deputy Bair: deputy@houstonhumane.org
3. HOUSTON SPCA: Has an investigations department staffed by nine full-time cruelty investigators; also provides an injured animal ambulance and rescue service 24 hours a day every day of the year. Unfortunately, the SPCA euthanizes many of the animals it takes in.
 SPCA main number: 713-869-SPCA (7722)

4. HOUSTON CRIME STOPPERS: Dog fighting and animal cruelty are illegal in Texas. You can report cruelty and dog fighting by calling Crime Stoppers, which pays up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and charging of any felony suspects. All callers will remain anonymous. 
 For more information or to make a report: Call 712-222-TIPS (8477) or go to www.crime-stoppers.org

TEXAS CHAINED DOG/UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF DOG LAW: In Texas, it is illegal to: 1) chain your dog from 10 PM to 6 AM; 2) chain your dog in extreme weather, and 3) chain your dog on a short leash [Texas health & Safety Code §821.077]. If you see a dog that is chained in violation of state law, call Houston Police or the Houston Humane Society.
 
Please remember that once law enforcement authorities become involved, there are several possible outcomes for the animal. In some instances, its owners may agree to address the problem, improve its living conditions or move it to a better location. In other instances, a rescue group may step up and take in the animal. However, there is also the possibility that the animal will be confiscated and taken to a potential kill shelter. In this situation, we are at a loss as to what is better for the animal: removal because of cruelty or neglect and allowing it to suffer the entire length of its short life. If we all report it, something will happen. There is strength in numbers!