FIFA's Fidos, California Canines Go Postal, Ghost Dogs of the Amazon, and More!
Arlo is one of a small pack of highly-trained scent detection dogs keeping everyone safe from explosives at this year’s World Cup competition in Dallas, TX.
As any soccer fan who's followed corporate corruption knows, FIFA went to the dogs a long time ago and not in a good way. But now real live canines - and their robotic counterparts - are patrolling World Cup stadiums across the Americas, working to keep fans and players safe during the globe's most-watched sporting event.
Meet Arlo, a black Lab who's one of 14 "vapor wake" dogs on the job at the World Cup's Dallas area venue. These highly trained K-9s are capable of detecting even trace amounts of explosives, not just on bags and objects, but on people as they move through dense crowds. Their keen noses can also detect incendiary hazards like flares and fireworks, stopping them from entering the stadium.
Arlo and his crew actually began their work weeks ahead of the first kickoff, with an initial sweep of the entire venue to ensure a clean start. Since then, every single thing entering the stadium - people, supplies, vehicles - gets screened again. The dogs' typical workday runs between 10 and 14 hours with breaks every 30 minutes, plus plenty of praise and treats.
But it's not all flesh and fur in the security biz. Robotic dogs are also on the case at World Cup venues in Texas, New Jersey, and Mexico. All named Spot, these headless, four-legged robots have cameras for eyes and are programmed to report any potential risks to the humans overseeing them. Snuggly they are not.
While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, we'll take Arlo and his furry friends over those creepy dog bots any day. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell had it right: ain't nothing like the real thing, baby.
Sources: nbcdfw.com, axios.com, wired.com
Going Postal:
California Tops the Bad Dog List
A Sacramento postal worker describes his most recent dog aggression incident. photo: Sacramento Bee
It's not the win you want, but California is currently #1 in dog attacks on mail carriers, with 673 reported incidents last year, according to the U.S. Postal Service. That's almost twice as many as Texas, which came in second with 358 reported attacks. Other states making the Top 10 list include Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, and Indiana. At least it was a nice bipartisan mix of reds and blues, but is this really what we want to unite us?
"Even the most predictable pets can act unpredictably when defending territory or feeling startled," said the postal service in a statement. "Because dogs rely on protective instincts, owners must manage their dogs during delivery times to prevent accidents." Besides obvious strategies like keeping dogs leashed or inside, they advise people to never take mail directly from a carrier if a dog is present because the dog may misunderstand this gesture as an attack.
And if your dog does bite a mail carrier? You could be on the hook for thousands of dollars to cover medical care, lost shifts, replacement clothing, and emotional distress. Not only that, but the postal service may suspend delivery to homes or even entire neighborhoods that are deemed hazardous because of loose dogs.
So do everyone a favor and keep your pups safely contained, no matter where you live. This is one top ranking no one wants to get.
Source: sacbee.com
Ghost Dog captured by the lens of a wildlife photographer proves their existence. photo: G. Ayala & M.E Viscarra
Ready for Their Closeups:
Cameras Capture Ghost Dogs of the Amazon
One of the world's most mysterious wild dogs just got a little better known.
The short-eared Atelocynus microtis, also called the "ghost dog," lives deep in the Amazon forests of Bolivia and Peru. Until recently, it was considered so rare as to be almost mythical.
Now results of a camera-trap survey carried out over 25 years show the little canid is actually more abundant than researchers had originally thought. Based on this data, researchers now estimate a population density of 15 ghost dogs for every 38+ square miles in the survey area.
Photos of the elusive creatures show a smallish dog with a large head, small rounded ears, short legs, and a long bushy tail, with coloring ranging from reddish-brown to blackish-gray. They also appear to have partially webbed paws, a feature not seen in other Amazonian canids. Most active between 6 a.m. and noon, the ghost dogs' secretive nature and excellent hearing and sense of smell allows them to avoid people, which is clearly their preference.
Not surprisingly, researchers found the ghost dog population was higher in nationally protected areas and overlapping Indigenous territories, as opposed to unprotected areas. As we humans continue to expand our footprint on the planet, the survival of many wild species depends on our willingness to conserve and protect these natural habitats, including the Amazon forests where the shy little ghost dog makes its home.
Source: popsci.com
Screwworms are the latest grossness to make the news in the parasite world as a bug that feeds on open wounds. graphic: Arrowview Animal Hospital
Screw You, Screwworms:
Vets Warn About Flesh-Eating Parasite
In medical news, veterinarians are warning pet owners in states near the Mexico border - or those who have traveled to Mexico - to be on the lookout for New World screwworms, a flesh-eating parasite drawn to open wounds, even minor ones. The cattle industry has already been on high alert for months, but cases in dogs have now been diagnosed in Texas and New Mexico. Risks are greatest for newborns, young animals, or senior dogs with hot spots.
The screwworm looks like a common fly so dog guardians may not be aware of its presence until symptoms appear. Warning signs include a wound with a foul odor; a wound that is increasing in size or draining a lot; a swelling or irritation; maggots or egg masses in a wound; or a dog that appears restless, distressed, or in pain.
According to veterinarians, the single best defense against screwworms is keeping your pet on a regular, year-round flea and tick preventative such as Credelio Quattro, Simparico Trio, NexGard Plus, K9Advantix, or Vectra 3D. These medications not only clear screwworm infestations, but they also help prevent flea and tick bites that can lead to scratching and the open wounds that attract the flies.
Federal authorities are working to ramp up production of sterile screwworm flies in an effort to curb a growing fly population that appears to be spreading north, but realistically that effort may take years. In the meantime, keep your pets on preventive medication, be aware of symptoms, and see your vet immediately if you suspect an infection.
Source: akc.org
Beagles used for research seen at Ridglan Farms during a break-in by activists in Blue Mounds, WI. photo: Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs
Wisconsin Beagle Update:
Controversial Breeding/Research Facility To Close
Finally, an update on last month's item about Wisconsin's Ridglan Farms, the controversial Beagle breeding and research facility that was the site of protests earlier this spring. As you may recall, in a novel arrangement, Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy had joined forces to purchase 1,500 of the facility's dogs, removing them safely for adoption to loving homes. But that agreement still left several hundred dogs in Ridglan Farms.
Now Big Dog Ranch Rescue CEO Lauree Simmons has announced her group will transfer out all remaining dogs by summer's end, shutting down the facility for good. Her organization purchased 300 of the remaining dogs who were removed in mid-June, and Ridglan Farm will donate the final 150 dogs, all of which are puppies, to be transferred out by mid-August. As part of a binding legal agreement, Ridglan Farms will then cease operations.
"This marks a historic victory for the dogs of Ridglan Farms," Simmons declared. "No more breeding, no more selling, no more testing, and full closure. Not one dog will remain."
Meanwhile, several activists are still facing criminal charges for their actions during the spring protests. "We are praying that the courts have leniency on them, and see what they were doing was out of love for the animals," said Simmons.
Source: wpr.org