khou.com | News for Houston, Texas

December 22, 2006

ANIMAL ATTRACTION WILL CONTINUE!!!

Starting in 2007, 11 News reporter and Genesis award-winning reporter Brad Woodards will continue the Animal Attraction blog! Brad is a passionate animal advocate and has great plans to expand AA's coverage. Please welcome him and send him your comments and ideas at bwoodard@khou.com. Again, he will start posting in the new year.

December 20, 2006

Not the puppy.. but the pet ferret?

Mother says ferret, not puppy, gnawed off baby's toes

BENTON, La. (AP) -- A Louisiana mother says it was a pet ferret, not a pit bull puppy, that gnawed off four of her infant daughter's toes. But a city official says the woman's husband is still blaming the dog.
The city official tells K-T-B-S T-V that the charges against the couple would remain, regardless of which animal was responsible. The two are being held in jail for child desertion and criminal negligence.
The toes were bitten off as the couple slept. An attorney says she's waiting on a hair analysis to show whether or not the parents were using drugs at the time.

December 20, 2006

My last post here

UPDATE... looks like Brad Woodard will be helping out, too. . EMAIL our 11 news reporter Brad Woodard with story ideas at bwoodard@khou.com.

I stink at long goodbyes, so I'll make this brief. My actual last day on air here at Channel 11 is December 22nd, but today, I'm posting my last entry to Animal Attraction. This blog will be on hiatus after today; it will resume early in the new year. One of our webmasters, Michelle Homer, will be taking over. Michelle is graciously taking on the blog in addition to her regular duties at the KHOU.com website. You may send her blog suggestions at mhomer@khou.com. Please be aware she will not be able to post as frequently, and there is no guarantee your submission will be posted.
I thank you for taking time out of your day to visit. I have met some of the most big-hearted humans through this endeavor - albeit some only through email! You, the animal rescuers, caregivers, and friends, are the true heroes in these stories. My life and love for my pets has been enriched by knowing you and your stories.

Please continue to do what you do. Each animal saved and loved is a potential animal saved from euthanasia. We owners are, as we know, the most important people in the world to our own pets. Rescuers and caregivers are important to them all.

I'll be sticking around Houston. You'll likely see my dogs, Findlay and Bailey, out at a dog park in the future.

December 20, 2006

Virgin dragon about to give birth

CHESTER, England -- As Christmas approaches, a virgin mother is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her offspring. She's Flora, the Komodo dragon.

In an evolutionary twist, Flora has managed to become pregnant all on her own without any male help. It would seem the timing is auspicious: The seven baby Komodo dragons are due this festive season.

"We were blown away when we realized what she'd done," said Kevin Buley, a reptile expert at Flora's home at the Chester Zoo in this town in northern England. "But we certainly won't be naming any of the hatchlings Jesus."

Other reptile species reproduce asexually in a process known as parthenogenesis. But Flora's virginal conception, and that of another Komodo dragon earlier this year at the London Zoo, are the first time it has been documented in a Komodo dragon.

The reptiles, renowned for their intelligence, are native to Indonesia. They are the world's largest lizards and have no natural predators -- making them on par with sharks and lions at the pinnacle of the animal kingdom.

The cases of Flora and the London lizard, Sungai, are described in a paper published Thursday in Nature.

Parthenogenesis is a process in which eggs become embryos without male fertilization. It has been seen in about 70 species, including snakes and lizards. Scientists are unsure whether female Komodo dragons have always had this latent ability to reproduce or if this is a new evolutionary development.

At 8 years old, Flora -- whom Buley describes as "demure" -- is sexually mature. Having been raised in captivity, she has never been exposed to a male Komodo dragon. She lives with her younger sister, Nessie.

Flora's keepers first became suspicious in May, when she laid 25 eggs.

Though it's not uncommon for female dragons to lay eggs without mating, such eggs are not usually fertilized. As a precaution, they were placed in an incubator. About half of Flora's eggs looked like real eggs -- they were very white and had solid shells.

When three of them collapsed, scientists took a closer look.

"We saw blood vessels and a small embryo," said Buley, one of the Nature study's authors. "And we knew immediately that Flora had fertilized the eggs herself."

They then sent the collapsed eggs, along with tissue samples from Flora, Nessie, and a male Komodo dragon, to a laboratory in nearby Liverpool that conducted genetic testing to determine the eggs' parentage. Results showed that although the baby Komodo dragons are not exact Flora clones, their DNA could not have come from any other dragon.

At the London Zoo, Sungai gave birth to four dragon hatchlings in April through self-fertilization. After their births, Sungai went on to mate normally with a male dragon, producing another baby dragon.

"Komodo dragons seem to be able to switch ways of reproducing to deal with a shortage of suitable boyfriends," said Dr. Rick Shine, a professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Sydney, Australia. Shine was not involved with the Nature paper. In contrast, other lizard species that reproduce asexually cannot mate normally.

That might give Komodos a distinct survival edge. Only about 4,000 dragons remain in the wild, of which 1,000 are female. Concerns about dwindling Komodo dragon populations might be allayed by Flora and Sungai's recent self-induced motherhood.

"If female dragons can on occasion help out by virgin births, more power to them," said Trooper Walsh, a U.S.-based Komodo dragon expert, who was not connected to the study. "Komodo dragons are the ultimate survivors," said Walsh. "This is just another way this species can adapt to its surroundings."

The discovery that Komodo dragons can reproduce asexually also has major implications for how they will be bred in captivity in the future.

Experts are also keen to find out how prevalent virgin births are in the wild.

"It's baffling why a species starts doing this," said Kevin de Queiroz, a research zoologist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, who was not involved with the paper. "It would be helpful to know how often this happens and what the mechanism is that allows them do that."

In the meantime, Buley and his colleagues at the Chester Zoo are eagerly anticipating the hatching of Flora's remaining eggs. A Christmas arrival, Buley says, would probably be on the early side, since the baby dragons are not technically due until January.

Source: Associated Press

December 20, 2006

Cute animal photos

There's nothing quite like a cute animal photo to lift your spirts and make you smile.

Click here for some of the best animal pics from 2006. Enjoy!

December 19, 2006

Shetland pony recovering from vicious dog attack

A Shetland pony is recovering from a vicious attack by a pack of dogs last week in northwest Harris County.

The pack of dogs, which included two pit bulls and a mastiff, were running loose in a trailer park.

Click to watch raw scene video (Warning: Video is graphic)

They attacked the horse which was tied up in a yard near the 3200 block of Bobbie.

The owner of two of the dogs rushed the horse to a Crosby veterinarian for treatment. He is also paying for the treatment, according to the vet.

The pack of dogs, which included two pit bulls and a mastiff, were running loose in a trailer park.

They attacked the horse which was tied up in a yard near the 3200 block of Bobbie.

The owner of two of the dogs rushed the horse to a Crosby veterinarian for treatment. He is also paying for the treatment, according to the vet.

The little pony was treated for severe bite wounds to its legs and snout.

Dr. James Hofmann told 11 News on the day of the attack that he wasn't sure the pony would survive.

But Monday, Dr. Hofmann said the horse has been released to its owner and appears to be on the road to recovery.

December 18, 2006

Pet emergency survivors celebrate!

This little girl, on the left, is Sophie. She's a pet ER survivor - taken to the ER after she ate some rat bait! Her grateful owner joined others for the 7th annual Holiday Pet Survivor Party for dogs and cats
that survived some horrible emergency room visit. Clients of the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group, Inc brought their pets back for a visit to our hospital. Owners and pets received presents, met the entire staff, and shared their stories.

You can see more of the party photos (be sure to read the comments to see how sick these patients were!) Here

December 18, 2006

Holiday animal rescue Christmas needs

I'm going to keep this post at the top of our list through the holiday season. This is YOUR opportunity to make special requests for help for animals. If you are a rescue group or a shelter, you can leave your request in the comments section of his post. Be sure to include any phone numbers or websites.

December 12, 2006

A cat's Christmas

Courtesy www.fluffytails.ca

BWA HA HA HA!

This picture cracks me up. We had cats when I was growing up, and we ended up having to tie our Christmas tree to the ceiling after coming home one too many times to find the tree lying on its side and broken ornaments on the floor. I suppose some Christmas trees are just too tempting to our feline friends.

In any case, this picture is from a series called "A Cat's Christmas," which you can find at this website. The cat's owner promises to post new pictures from Christmas 2006 in the next day or so.

December 12, 2006

FindHenry.com

This is Henry, and he's been missing in the Houston Midtown area since December 8th. His owner has a website set up with information on this little white terrier doggie.. Check out findhenry.com.

December 12, 2006

Pit Bull puppy chews off baby girl's toes

From the Associated Press:

BOSSIER CITY, La. -- A puppy chewed off four of a baby girl's toes next to her sleeping parents, who were then booked on charges of child desertion and criminal negligence, police said Monday.

Mary Shannon Hansche, 22, and Christopher Wayne Hansche, 26, told police they woke to the baby's cries, found her mangled foot and took her to the hospital early Sunday.

Police said that they were sleeping on a mattress and that the month-old girl was in an infant seat beside them when the 6 week old pit bull began chewing on her toes.

"They did not see the dog injuring the child," police spokesman Mark Natale said.

The puppy might have been trying to nurse on the toes of the baby, a veterinarian speculated.

"I know that sounds a little far-fetched, but that's the first thing that comes to my mind," Michael Dale said.

The girl underwent surgery Sunday in Shreveport. There was no way to reattach her toes, Natale said.

The puppy had no record of receiving shots and will be quarantined for 10 days while it is checked for rabies, officials said. Natale said he did not know what the animal's fate would be after that.

The child will be placed in a foster home until the case against her parents is settled, officials said.

You can read more on KHOU.com's website here.

December 6, 2006

Inmate says he didn't use dog crate to escape

Remember this story? A prison inmate escapes by kidnapping a woman who runs an inmate dog training program... It set of a regional manhunt.. until they found out it was a planned escape. The original post (including a guilty plea by the animal training volunteer) is here. Now, the inmate himself is saying he's not guilty. Here's what the Associated Press is reporting:

" A convicted murderer accused of escaping from prison by hiding in a dog crate pleaded not guilty to charges on Wednesday.

John Michael Manard, 28, is charged with aggravated escape from a state correctional facility and trafficking contraband in a correctional institution.

The crate, used to transport animals for an inmate rehabilitation program, was loaded into a Safe Harbor van by other inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility on Feb. 12.

The van was driven from the prison by Toby Young, who volunteered as president of the Safe Harbor dog program. Manard and Young were apprehended Feb. 24 in Tennessee.

Manard's contraband charge stems from a cell phone Young is said to have brought to the inmate prior to the escape.

Young, 48, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting aggravated escape and trafficking contraband. She was sentenced in July to 21 months in prison.

Manard is serving a life sentence for murder.

December 6, 2006

Horse injured in hit-and-run has to be put down

Written by T.L. Hamilton with the Galveston County Daily News:

A speeding car slammed into a carriage horse Saturday night, breaking both of his front legs. The animal was so badly injured that police had to shoot it in the head.

The horse and carriage were traveling east on Avenue N when a dark blue, two-door Pontiac hit the horse at the 27th Street intersection.

The wreck happened between 11:30 p.m. and midnight after the Dickens on The Strand festival had closed.

The horse suffered a large cut to its right side and two broken legs, police said.

The car sped away.

Sgt. Joel Caldwell said that a veterinarian he called to the scene examined the horse.

"Because of the size of the animal and the fact that when animals gets this seriously injured they become very combative, the vet's recommendation was to shoot the animal there," police Lt. Joe Pena said.

The police then closed the area to traffic and the veterinarian directed Caldwell to kill the animal by gunshot.

"Unfortunately, I was the one who had to do that," Caldwell said. "It was a bad situation for all involved, to see the animal suffer the way it did."

Caldwell said five people riding in the carriage suffered minor injuries.

In March 2001, the now-deceased horse, Lucky, spooked and broke loose from his carriage which ran into a trolley, and caused the crash of two other vehicles. Neither Lucky nor any of the motorists were injured during that incident.

How to help: The police are seeking information on the hit-and-run driver. Call Sgt. Joel Caldwell, 409-765-3769 or 409-771-5520.

This story is available through KHOU, Ch. 11's partnership with The Galveston County Daily News.

December 6, 2006

BARC's pet of the week

Kent Robertson, the director, doubles as a scratching post in this edition of BARC's pet of the week... see it here.

December 6, 2006

BARC's pet of the week

Kent Robertson, the director, doubles as a scratching post in this edition of BARC's pet of the week... see it here.

December 6, 2006

Houston Zoo has new lion king

The king of the jungle has moved into the Houston Zoo and his name is Jonathan.

Zoo officials introduced this hairy and oversized cat to his adoring public Wednesday.

Jonathan is the Houston Zoo's new lion king. The six year old big cat moved into the Houston Zoo in October.

You can read the rest of the story here on KHOU.com. You'll also find video of Jonathan here.

December 5, 2006

Harris County establishes Pit Bull dog task force

Updating last night's post about Harris County's effort to control dangerous dogs: The Harris County Commissioner's Court formed a "Pit Bull task force" today to study whether the controversial breed of dog should be banned. County officials have been under pressure to do something ever since 4 year old pedro rios was mauled to death by pit bulls last month. Banning the breed in harris county would require permission of state legislators who have, in the past, been reluctant to single out specific breeds.

To attempt to answer a question I have received before when Pits have been in the news: yes, we have discussed doing a "positive" Pit Bull story on our newscast. It's been floated around. In the meantime, and because I have a bit more say in what goes on this blog, I would be willing to accept an article from someone with experience working with Pit Bulls for posting here. Email me at lforonda@khou.com if you have a submission. I'll post three.

December 5, 2006

Two animals die in pet store fire

Some animals are in critical condition .. and two birds died.. after a fire at a Houston pet store, but two birds died.

The fire broke out around this morning at the Pet City Discount Center on Bammel Westfield Road.

When two employees arrived to open the store, they saw the flames and called 911.

Read the rest of the story here on KHOU.com. You can also see the video here, and watch a slideshow here.

December 4, 2006

Should Pit Bulls be banned?

Here's a controversial one: should specific dog breeds be banned in Houston? Here's 11 News reporter Brad Woodard's story.. you can watch it here, as well.

The recent death of a little boy attacked by pit bulls has reignited the debate over the often dangerous dogs. Now Harris County commissioners are trying to come up with a plan to keep the public safe.

The pit bulls are arriving at Harris County animal control in record numbers.

Some appear timid, others aggressive -- their temperaments as varied as their former owners.

"We see them in low-income neighborhoods, high-income neighborhoods," said Colleen Hodges with Harris County Animal Control. "We see them as general pets. We see them as guard dogs."

To put the scope of the dilemma in perspective consider this: Last year, Harris County saw a 1.5 percent increase in the number of dogs it took in, but a 30% increase in the number of pit bulls taken in.

Of the 1300 dog bite cases in Harris County last year, pit bulls were responsible for roughly 200.

But it's high-profile cases -- like the fatal attack of a four year old boy last month -- that have prompted a county task force to study a variety of measures, including the possibility of banning the breed which many see as unrealistic.

The task force will also consider adding more animal control officers to the street, which would require more space to hold strays. Animal control says it outgrew its existing space ten years ago.

"You'd be taking peoples' pets away. Who's going to decide what's a pit and what's not?" said Hodges. "Is it a pit-like dog?"

For obvious reasons, neither the Houston SPCA or Humane Society will adopt out pit bulls. And those ending up in animal control are euthanized within three days.

Which made it that much more difficult for Jane Maiers to bring in this stray she found on the streets.

"I've been crying all the way down here, because she's such a good dog," said Maiers.

A good dog from a breed that has a bad reputation.

December 4, 2006

Happy trails (I hope!) to me..

If you have not already read about it on the our KHOU.com webpage, here's the scoop: I am leaving Channel 11 at the end of the year. My final day on air will be December 22nd. You can read the official story here, but I wanted to add a few tidbits and answer some questions you may have.

1. Why am I leaving? Bottom line, I'm looking forward to a career that is not in the public eye and allows me to work one on one with people, rather that through a camera. I'm also young enough to make a career change. Ten years down the road, I don't want to be stuck in a job I'm not passionate about.

2. What will I do? I will not be doing TV. This is the end of the line for me in this business. I'm not sure what career I will go into, but I have a few "irons in the fire."

3. What will happen to Animal Attraction? The station will do its best to keep it going. Web story ideas (after December 22nd) can be emailed to mhomer@khou.com. No guarantee she will be able to post them. She will do what she can.

4. What about the pet events calendar? It will no longer be available.

5. Is there an "animal-friendly" contact at KHOU? Yes. Brad Woodard, an award winning reporter who's gotten kudos for his animal stories. You can contact him at bwoodard@khou.com.

I'll have more as the December 22nd nears.

December 1, 2006

Holiday hope for Houston's homeless animals

Although many of you are likely deluged by nonprofits and charities during the holiday season, I ask that you also keep your local animal shelters and rescues in mind. You'll find weblinks to most of them in the Houston area here. These good hearted folks often work with little funding to save homeless animals. One story follows:

Benny's belly

Benny's smile

Yikes! These belly bumps are NOT at all attractive. But, they've sprouted up all over the tummy of Benny the black lab when he was rescued by Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue. His foster parents say it's a raging staph infection that is so bad, one vet recommended Benny be euthanized. However, they are working with other vets to provide treatment. The medicines each month are costing some serious cash, though. If you have extra in your stocking, consider donating to his fun at South Texas Lab Rescue.. the webpage is here.

December 1, 2006

Know about puppy mills? Help a student doing a project about it

I received the following email from a student at Stephen F. Austin U, requesting help for a project on puppy mills. Since many of you have more experience with them than I do, I offered to post her email to the blog. If you can help Melissa with good information or anecdotes, please leave a comment in the comments section.

"I am a student at SFA and an active reader of your blog....I would love for you to answer some questions for a project I am doing about cruelty in Puppy Mills. Do you
think enough people know about puppy mills? Do you think enough action is being
taken to stop puppy mills? What of your thoughts of what should be done to raise
awareness of this issue? I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and concerns."

I am going to forward this link to Melissa, and she'll be checking for comments.

December 1, 2006

Attention Friendswood! Missing dog!

If you live in the Friendswood, do you know of anyone who might have recently gotten a dog that looks like this one (click the picture to enlarge it)? This girl is named Sandy, and her owners say someone stole her during a garage sale. They write:

We live in Friendswood and had a garage sale Friday Nov 17th, That is when she disappeared. We fear a garage sale shopper took her.

She is a Peekapoo, lots and lots of very blonde hair, groomed in a Schnauzer cut. She has a purple collar with two tags, one for rabies from her vet another heart shaped PAWS.

Her front two teeth on the top and bottom have been pulled. She weighs about 20 pounds. She needs her medication.. she gets down in her back legs and seems to be sensitive around her ribs behind her front legs. She kind of snaps at you if you hurt her when you pick her up. She has a beautiful horse like tail that almost goes to the ground. She has short legs and thick paws that she will not let you clip.

A tattoo on her belly that looks similar to this:

If you think you have found her or know her whereabouts please call her family at 281-610-7450 or 281 648-0028 or email them at lcprince@swbell.net.