Photography Ban Is the Latest Chapter in a Controversy at a Tennessee Rabies Control Center

Rescuers, who allege harsh conditions at the facility, say the policy hinders adoption efforts.

Sometimes it seems almost a matter of courtesy to take a photo of someone's dog acting adorable and then share it with the rest of the world via Instagram or Twitter. In any case, you rarely hear people objecting to pictures being taken of their pets. Typically, they just stand aside, beaming like proud parents while you immortalize their pet in a high-rez, HDR image on your phone. And when it comes to adoption, rescue groups often use photo-sharing on the Internet to help find animals in shelters homes.

And then, there are people like those at the Jackson-Madison County Rabies Control Center in Tennessee. They would be very happy if you refrained from taking pictures or video of the animals in their facility, thank you very much. They've gone so far as to make an official policy saying so, which has added another layer of controversy around the center, which has already seen its share in the last few months.

The ban is in part a response to some extremely harsh allegations made by local activists about the conditions of animals at the center, including overcrowding, lack of medical care, a high rate of euthanasia, and dirty living conditions. The management has said that all the allegations are false, and it characterizes them as "hysteria." The Jackson-Madison County Health Department says that it has investigated all the claims and come up with nothing. The center says that the "no pictures" policy is at the advice of its attorneys, to prevent false claims of abuse.

But the activist group Reform Jackson Rabies Control sees the new policy as an attempt by the center to suppress criticism. Bridget Gross told local TV station WBBJ, "They want pictures shown of the dogs, but in the good conditions. They don't want the diarrhea, they don't want the bloody parvo pictures, they don't want the cats with the urine or feces floating in their bowls."

Rescuers say that it makes their job harder because if they can't post pictures of the dogs that are up for adoption, it makes the chances of finding homes for them increasingly slim.

"If we can't get the pictures out to the rescues, then we can't find a place for them," rescuer Susan Bell said. "If we can't take pictures then we can't really network."

Workers at the center are still posting pictures of animals on their own website, but photography by non-staff is forbidden.

At a protest against the Center in September, one of reform group's leaders, Rachael Ray (no, not the one with the cooking show) claimed that conditions were so bad that it might be better to consider closing the whole thing down.

"I don't think it's enough for JRC to just start following state law," she told the Jackson Sun. "We need way more than that. As far as the law is concerned, animals really don't have a lot of rights. You can tie a dog up to a tree and make it live that way for 14 years. I'm looking for more than the bare minimum."

One of the most perplexing things about the whole fuss about taking pictures is that there really do seem to be very few pictures available on the Internet chronicling the allegations that the activists are making. Even on the group's Facebook page, there are only three photographs: one of the sign banning photographs, one of a group logo, and one of a dog in a cage with a large red stain on the ground.

The comments claim that the stain is blood caused by the Parvo virus, and that the dog was killed with a heartstick after that. It seems that for all the controversy over photography, pictures don't make up the main thrust of Reform Jackson Rabies Control's case, and the policy probably isn't going to slow down its allegations.

Via WBBJ and Jackson Sun

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Courtroom dog at center of legal battle

Rosie is an adorable golden retriever (shown at right) who lives in Duchess County, New York. She’s a therapy dog, and as part of her duties she works to calm people in particularly stressful situations, such as testifying in court proceedings. That’s where her story becomes interesting. Rosie recently assisted a teenage victim in a rape case who was testifying under oath against her accuser. The New York Times picks up the story:

The new role for dogs as testimony enablers can, however, raise thorny legal questions. Defense lawyers argue that the dogs may unfairly sway jurors with their cuteness and the natural empathy they attract, whether a witness is telling the truth or not, and some prosecutors insist that the courtroom dogs can be a crucial comfort to those enduring the ordeal of testifying, especially children.

The new witness-stand role for dogs in several states began in 2003, when the prosecution won permission for a dog named Jeeter with a beige button nose to help in a sexual assault case in Seattle. “Sometimes the dog means the difference between a conviction and an acquittal,” said Ellen O’Neill-Stephens, a prosecutor there who has become a campaigner for the dog-in-court cause.

Service dogs have long been permitted in courts. But in a ruling in June that allowed Rosie to accompany the teenage rape victim to the trial here, a Dutchess County Court judge, Stephen L. Greller, said the teenager was traumatized and the defendant, Victor Tohom, appeared threatening. Although he said there was no precedent in the state, Judge Greller ruled that Rosie was similar to the teddy bear that a New York appeals court said in 1994 could accompany a child witness.

At least once when the teenager hesitated in Judge Greller’s courtroom, the dog rose and seemed to push the girl gently with her nose. Mr. Tohom was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life.

Is the mere presence of a cute dog who offers comfort an unfairly prejudicial influence on a jury? Interesting question, isn’t it?

The dog park question in Vancouver: It’s a never-ending recurrence: the tension between the rights of dog owners and non-dog owners in public spaces. The latest setting is Vancouver, British Columbia. The story comes from the Globe and Mail.

Beware of counterfeit medication: How many times have we warned against buying bargain medications from online retailers because of the risk of them being counterfeit (and even worse, harmful)? The latest troubling anecdote appeared in the Daily Kos. Marge Wright tipped me to the link discussing the fatal poisoning of a dog in Centreville, Virginia, due to probable bogus knockoff medication packaged as Frontline. EPA and FDA both know about it. Still, every year dogs and cats die because the truth never goes away: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The ten or twenty bucks you think you’re saving aren’t worth your pet’s life.

Heartworm supply shortage: Speaking of medication, VIN News confirms the shortage of Immiticide that has been looming since last year is reaching an even more serious levels.

Little known kitteh fact? CathyA forwarded this link to me (as well as the heartworm link above), and I don’t have a reason to dispute it…though I can’t confirm it, either. When cats are stressed, their right ear is hotter than their left. Anyone want to test this one out and report back?

Fun infographic! Thanks to the Pet365Blog, via Dogster, for this fun infographic: Dog vs. Human anatomy facts.

Video of the week comes from my pal Miz in Sacramento: Herm vs. the stairs. What’s that?  I only cited it because it shows a little bitty dachshund? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Is that a dachshund? Really? I didn’t know.

I always like to hear from readers, especially if you have tips, and links for interesting stories.  Give me a shout in the comments, or better yet, send me an e-mail.

Image credit: Rosie, Kelly Shimoda for NYT.

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Nation’s first animal trauma center opens

Tracking veterinary school advances gives us clues to what the future of veterinary medicine might be. Big news, then, out of the University of Minnesota. UMN’s Veterinary Medical Center is opening the country’s first animal trauma center. From a university press release:

According to board-certified veterinary criticalist Dr. Kelly Hall, the hope is that the University of Minnesota’s new trauma center model will be adopted by other large veterinary medical centers and teaching hospitals across the country, creating a network that will work collaboratively to continually develop methods to improve trauma patient care.

“By working collaboratively with leaders in the veterinary trauma field throughout the country, advancements in trauma care will be shared between centers rapidly, assuring the most severely injured patients have access to the most advanced therapies,” Hall said.

Like human trauma centers, the Animal Trauma Center will also provide leadership in education and research. The Animal Trauma Center designation reflects a depth of resources as opposed to just an ability to deliver medical care.

Let’s see more of these to come in other parts of the country!

Prop B to be reversed: We kept close track of Missouri’s Proposition B in November. Though it passed with 52 percent of the popular vote, the state Senate is now watering it down in a big way. Business Week reports the legislature is concerned Prop B will destroy the state’s dog breeding (read: puppy mill) industry.

Missouri has about 1,400 licensed commercial dog breeders, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture. They amount to a $1 billion industry that employs thousands of people and spends millions of dollars annually on dog food, veterinarian services and utilities, said Sen. Mike Parsons, R-Bolivar, who is sponsoring the legislation reversing parts of the voter-approved initiative.

[...]
The Senate bill would strike a provision in the voter-approved initiative that limits businesses to owning 50 breeding dogs. It also would roll back various requirements on the dogs’ living conditions. For example, it would replace a mandate that water bowls remain free of debris, feces or algae with a general requirement for water to be provided in a safe container. Parsons had argued that, under the ballot initiative, breeders could be jailed if dog dropped a piece of food in its water bowl.

Specific language mandating that dogs have sufficient space to lie down or turn around in their cages? That’s being struck down. Plus more. Maybe the “Show Me” state could show some concern over the dogs forced to live their lives in these places?

Iditarod update: The 2011 Iditarod Sled Dog Race is underway in Alaska. Defending champion Lance Mackey’s team is seriously depleted, and two other teams have already withdrawn. Thanks to AP and the Anchorage Daily News for the updates.

Caution on Easter rabbits: Easter is April 24. For those considering buying a rabbit as an Easter gift, please don’t, unless you’ve thought it through very carefully. The House Rabbit Society gives you a few points to keep in mind.

Rabbits are not “low-maintenance” pets, and are a poor choice as a pet for children.They have a lifespan of 10 years and require as much work as a dog or cat.Your home must be bunny-proofed, or Thumper will chew cords and furniture.Rabbits must be neutered or spayed or they will mark your house with feces and urine.They should live indoors, as members of the family.

Perhaps it might be better to consider the Make Mine Chocolate campaign. That’s right, I’m urging you to support your local chocolatier. You could send me some, too. Dark, please.

Work out with your dog! A fun iVillage slide show to remind you about the importance of getting enough exercise for your pooch – and yourself. Stay tuned for a post later today from me on the topic, too….

Caring for Cara: Do you read Covered in Cat Hair? Robin’s tale of the enduring struggle of monitoring her cat Cara’s ongoing health issue is exhausting, scary, and at the same time, it leaves me with lots of hope.

Al fresco in Poe’s back yard: Now here’s some legislation I can get behind. The state of Maryland is considering a bill to allow dogs to accompany diners in outdoor venues. Ever had fresh Chesapeake stone crab on a warm summer night in Baltimore? It’s worth trying, trust me. (thanks, NBCWashington)

Irony – Ur doin’ it right. Finally, a Thursday chuckle. Enjoy.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures,

Note: The news wrap is taking a short hiatus. You’ll be hearing from me plenty over the next week, but most of it will be from Global Pet Expo 2011 in sunny Orlando. I’ll be joined by a Pet Connection posse: Ericka, Gina and Dr. Becker. Plus, a cameo appearance by our own Dr. Tony. Hmmm, Dr. Becker, Dr. Johnson and yours truly in the same place? This could be fun (or dangerous, take your pick).

I always like to hear from readers, especially if you have tips, and links for interesting stories.  Give me a shout in the comments, or better yet,send me an e-mail.

Photo credit: UMN ATC screenshot courtesy KARE11.com. MMC logo, makeminechocolate.org.

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