Dogs have nose for drugs in Armstrong County

By Tom Mitchell – Kittanning Leader Times – They can't read or write, but they are "bilingual" and they have a discerning sense of smell. And anyone who gives their bosses a bad time may find that their bite is far worse than their bark.
Three [...]

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Guide dog training gets warm welcome in China

CHINAdaily.com.cn – DALIAN: "Stop. Sit. Go!" You Liang, 33, instructs "Stone," a Labrador Retriever, at a simulated crossing in Dalian. 

A trainer with a seeing-eye dog training center in Dalian Medical School plays with a dog named "QQ" May 17, 2006. Six seeing-eye [...]

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Dogs, cats in need to get a chance for fun at fair

By Linda Fuoco – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – It's not every day that a dog gets a chance to attend a church fair, so June 24 will be a big day out for a dog named Tank, for dozens of other canines and felines and, perhaps, for a parrot or ferret or two.
For [...]

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Fire marshal uses Coal to probe crime scenes

By Jill King Greenwood – TRIBUNE-REVIEW – Coal flunked a seeing-eye dog training school in Virginia.
But the high energy and curiosity that made the black English Labrador retriever a bad candidate to lead a blind person made him perfect for sniffing out the source of suspicious fires.
Coal, 4, works for the Allegheny County Fire Marshal's [...]

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Man sues vet over dog’s death

By David Hunt – TRIBUNE-REVIEW – A basset hound's induced death in 2004 has led a Hempfield Township man to file a five-count malpractice lawsuit Thursday in Westmoreland County court.
Randy Slagle, 55, is suing Cathy M. Schweingruber and East Suburban Animal Hospital, of Export, over an allegedly hasty decision to euthanize 11-year-old Ezekial Watson Slagle. [...]

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Woof and Whisker Walk – Butler County Humane Society

The Butler County Humane Society's Woof and Whisker Walk is June 10, 2006 at the Deal shelter in Butler Memorial Park, rain or shine.
Registration begins at 9 a.m.; the 2-mile fun walk begins at 10 a.m. Activities are planned for dogs, adults and children. Dogs must be 6 months old with a [...]

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West Deer Township Rabies Clinic

Rabies clinic from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2006 at the West Deer Dog Shelter, 109 E. Union Road. Cost is $6 per inoculation. Proceeds benefit the shelter.
For more information, call 724-265-3680.

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Beef-flavored beer for dogs available online

By Bob Batz Jr. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Lots of dog-owning beer drinkers know how much dogs like beer. But did you know there's a beer made especially for dogs?    

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Sto-Rox Middle School bans dogs

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – A problem with dog owners has prompted the principal at Sto-Rox Middle School on Ewing Road to erect signs banning dogs from school grounds.
Principal Janell Logue-Belden said this week that she was getting the signs for health and safety reasons after nine months of recurring incidents which left "a [...]

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Dieting With Dog Helps Lose Weight

WPXI-TV – PITTSBURGH – People read books and try all kinds of products, but the weight loss answer may be as close as the nearest animal shelter.
The latest way to lose weight has a little more bite to it.
It's the dog diet. (www.thedogdiet.com)

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Dog Dieter Credits Canine With Eating Tips

John Cater Reporting – (KDKA) PITTSBURGH – It has been said that a person can find their key to a successful diet by looking at life through the eyes of their dog if they're willing to listen.

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North Side Animal Walk

The 17th annual Animal Walk on the North Side of Pittsburgh will be held Sunday, May 28, 2006.
Collect pledge money and walk 5 kilometers with your pet to benefit Animal Care and Welfare, the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, the Homeless Cat Management Team, Going [...]

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GTOTC Agility Trial Memorial Day Weekend

The Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club agility trial is on Memorial Day weekend – May 27-29, 2006 at the Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena, 220 Rich Hill Road, Cheswick from about 8:30 a.m. until 2 or 3 p.m. each day. There is no admission charge.
For further information: www.gtotc.com or 1-800-281-0920.

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Curtain closes on canine’s career as a celebrity

By Barbara Rankin for the TRIBUNE-REVIEW – Kody, a cancer survivor, enjoys relaxing after a long and enjoyable career on the stage.
After 180 stage performances spanning seven years, Kody, a yellow Labrador retriever, has now retired to a relaxing life with his owner, handler and trainer Lorraine Kelly on their farm in Coal Center. [...]

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Fund pays to neuter pets

By CS Glessner for the Tribune-Review – The Nardecchia Spay and Neuter Fund, an organization started by a small group of big-hearted people in Cambria and Somerset counties, has vowed to make a difference in the lives of less forunate dogs and cats living in those [...]

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Del Monte puts Meow Mix into its kitty

By Teresa F. Lindeman – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – The brand that cats ask for by name is now safely in the Del Monte Foods Co. portfolio with yesterday's closing of the $705 million acquisition of the Meow Mix cat food business.
The Meow Mix acquisition will bring about 60 jobs to Pittsburgh, bringing [...]

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Hopewell policeman opens home, heart to rescued dog

By Patrick O'Shea – Beaver County Times – HOPEWELL TWP. – A big puppy who's been through a big adventure has found a new home with a big-hearted Hopewell Township police officer who loves big dogs.     

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Whitehall to get new four-legged friend

By Genea Webb – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -  Her owner was sent to the slammer. Now she'll work to sniff out drugs to send dealers and users to the same place.
Keela, an 8-month-old Belgium Malinois, will become the newest member of Whitehall's police force this fall. The canine will replace Alex, a 10-year-old [...]

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School police may get canine patrol

By Eleanor Chute – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Pittsburgh Public Schools is considering adding two new tools named Quincy and Mack to help school police find drugs, guns and explosives.
Quincy and Mack are Labrador retrievers the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy has offered to donate. It would train both dogs and handlers, saving the district $11,400. [...]

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Pioneer police canine prepares for retirement

By Jim McMahon – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – After a decade as Whitehall's first police dog, Alex, a 12-year-old Belgian Malinois, will retire this fall and learn to be content to sniff out doggy treats instead of contraband.
Donated to the borough's police department by a West Newton trainer who specialized in police dogs, [...]

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Dangerous Dogs in Collier

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – On May 6, police received a complaint about two dogs fighting with a cat on Prestley Street. The cat, which was 15 years old and a pet, was subsequently put to sleep. The owner of one of the dogs, Bruce Goolsby, 37, of Fourth Street, Carnegie, was charged with [...]

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For ‘famous’ Doberman, there are no strangers

By Linda Wilson Fuoco – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – The Doberman pinscher had 15 minutes of fame in February when a driver in Avella found him huddled under her school bus in an apparent effort to get warm. The woman was saddened and sickened, for he was emaciated and both of his front [...]

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Letter carriers worry about being bitten by dogs

By Tom Mitchell – LEADER TIMES – KITTANNING — When a 250-pound, not so friendly St. Bernard decided that it didn’t like postal letter carrier Mark Jones, Jones realized it was time to “discourage” the slavering jaw-snapping K-9 with a dose of pepper spray. To Jones’s horror, the spray can was [...]

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Animal-loving seniors get a hand to adopt and care for furry companions

By Linda Wilson Fuoco – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – There were the ever-popular bingo games and nutritious $1 lunches. As always there was the chance to chat with "the regulars" and maybe meet a new friend. But there was an added element one recent day at the Elder-ado Knoxville Center. There was the [...]

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As Seen On TV: ‘Direct response’ advertising becoming more popular

By Teresa F. Lindeman – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – OK, so there's this pig and a dog on a leather couch. They're in counseling. She's been chewing on his big pink ears.
How was this relationship saved?
The marriage counselor recommended Better Than Ears dog treats. Oh, and by the way, here's a Web site where [...]

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They don’t have to go it alone anymore

By Marilyn Forbes – Connellsville Daily-Courier – Ruffin' It, a new dog and cat day-care and training facility in Uniontown, has the answer to the dilemma of leaving your best friends at home alone while at work.
"Many pets left to their devices for long periods suffer from depression or destructive separation anxiety," [...]

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Rendell fires state’s dog law advisory panel – Seeks to reverse image as puppy mill capital of East Coast

By Tracie Mauriello and Tom Barnes – Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau – HARRISBURG – Trying to rid Pennsylvania of its reputation as the "puppy mill capital of the East Coast," Gov. Ed Rendell has fired all 14 members of the state Dog Law Advisory Board.
Mr. Rendell, a pet lover who owns two golden retrievers, said [...]

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Rendell dismisses dog-law advisers: He cites the poor conditions at Pa. “puppy mills.” Board members contend they are not at fault for inaction.

By Amy Worden – Philadelphia Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau – HARRISBURG – Members of the Pennsylvania Dog Law Advisory Board have received pink slips from Gov. Rendell, in what he called the first step toward addressing inhumane conditions at the growing number of commercial dog breeding operations.
The action comes as animal-welfare advocates increase pressure on officials [...]

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Dog Law Violations in Scott Twp.

Danielle Cosentino, 32, of Scott, was charged Saturday with dog law violations after someone complained that her dog had soiled his yard and knocked over a solar lamp.

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Boy Scout Fundraiser for Police Dog

Castle Shannon Boy Scout Troop 350 will sponsor a spaghetti dinner, 3-7 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2006 at the St. Anne School gym, 4040 Willow Ave.
Part of the proceeds will be used to buy a bulletproof vest for Nitro, the Castle Shannon police dog. Cost: $6 adults; $4 children; free for children [...]

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Westmoreland County humane officers joining forces

By Rachel Smith – TRIBUNE-REVIEW – Westmoreland County's two humane officers are joining forces to protect the county's animals better.
Elaine Gower, who has worked for the Action for Animals shelter in Latrobe for more than 10 years, will team up with Jan Dillion, who recently joined the Humane [...]

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‘Dog Whisperer’ sued by his TV producer

MSNBC – Man claims Labrador retriever was injured at Cesar Millan's training facility – LOS ANGELES – A television producer sued dog trainer Cesar Millan, star of TV’s “Dog Whisperer,” claiming his Labrador retriever was injured at Millan’s training facility after being [...]

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Fat cats, hog dogs – Overfeeding, table scraps lead to an ‘epidemic’ of overweight pets

By Linda Wilson Fuoco – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - In this era of pet resorts, doggie yoga, feng shui pet gardens and Retin-A acne treatments for cats, it was just a matter of time.
A weight-loss contest for your pet.
Your dog or cat can win money, a year's supply of pricey pet food and free airline [...]

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Does Your Pet Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

WPXI-TV Channel 11 Investigates Pet Panic – PITTSBURGH – If your dog's destructive behavior only happens while you're away, it's very likely it may be suffering from separation anxiety.

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Lend me an ear

By Marjorie Wertz for the TRIBUNE-REVIEW – Tammy Catalano, of Mt. Pleasant, doesn't go anywhere without her black Labrador, Windy. Restaurants, shopping malls, grocery stores and Westmoreland County Community College, where Catalano works as a secretary in the athletic department, all welcome Windy, [...]

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More hotels cater to four-legged guests

By Nate Guidry – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Three years ago, Pam Woitas of Plum searched the Internet looking for hotel accommodations for both her family and their new pet, Sandy, a small mixed-breed.

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Some tours welcome pets

The Associated Press – According to the Travel Industry Association of America, more than 29 million Americans took trips of more than 50 miles with their pets during the past three years.
In addition to hotels that accommodate pets, a growing industry of tours caters to dogs.

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How to Rescue Dogs From Puppy Mill System

Sheldon Ingram – WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News Pittsburgh – The images from a Channel 4 Action News Extra on puppy mills triggered tears and outrage on Thursday.The gripping image of a Boston terrier haunted many viewers. She is losing her uterus because [...]

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Action News Extra: Puppy Mills Investigated

Sheldon Ingram – WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News Pittsburgh – For those who have never heard of a puppy mill, it's equivalent to solitary confinement for young dogs, with substandard conditions.
As a result, some of the dogs that emerge from puppy mills look either malnourished or in overall bad health.
Channel 4 Action News went undercover [...]

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South Park, Paw Prints in the Park

Angel Ridge Animal Rescue, a Washington County shelter and sanctuary for aged, abused, handicapped and abandoned animals, will hold its spring dog walk and festival, Paw Prints in the Park, on Sunday, May 7, 2006 in South Park.
The event, set for noon to 5 p.m. at the park's community house and grounds, [...]

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Man acquitted of cruelty to pit bull

By Ryan Haggerty – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – A McKees Rocks man who said he shot his neighbor's pit bull after it attacked him in his house was acquitted by a jury after a one-day trial Monday.
Gary L. Richter, 54, testified that the pit bull, which is still alive, entered his home Dec. [...]

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