Posts tagged "san francisco"

Opponents Sharpen Claws in Fight Over San Francisco Cat-Declawing Ban

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Sep 15th 2009 9:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Health

Should declawing cats be against the law? Photo: Muffet/Flickr

Cat declawing gets a bad rap from anti-cruelty groups: "Declawing is a surgery that involves the amputation of the end of a cat's toes and causes significant pain during recovery," states the website of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Declawing cats can lead to chronic paw pain and other problems down the road, Louise Murray, the director of medicine at the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital told Paw Nation. "Many veterinarians feel that cats who have been declawed become more aggressive. This may be due to a feeling of being defenseless, or may be due to chronic pain," Murray says. "These cats tend to bite when afraid or stressed."

So you'd think that animal rights groups would all be jumping for joy that, as the San Francisco Chronicle reports, San Fran is considering a ban on onychectomy (declawing) and tendonectomy (removal of the flexor tendon). Not quite.

The law under consideration would would ban the surgery unless it was deemed medically necessary, the Chronicle reports. But the issue is more complicated than it sounds, says the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The SF/SPCA has released a statement explaining why they're opposed to the declawing ban.

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San Francisco Pedestrians Attacked by Blackbird

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Jun 24th 2009 12:00PM Filed Under: Birds

When birds attack...it's kind of funny.

A blackbird perched high atop an awning in the financial district of San Francisco suddenly began dive-bombing unsuspecting pedestrians, striking people on their heads and causing them to run for cover. Amused onlookers gathered at the corner of California and Front Streets, reports the San Francisco Business Journal, snickering or clapping high-fives each time the bird made contact.

Turns out, the bird wasn't trying to be malicious, but was merely protecting a nearby nest.

The bird has become such a big landmark that a website has been launched to follow the bird, referred to as Swoops by the site's creators.

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Miniature Dogs

Miniature Poodle
Miniature Poodles, like all Poodles, are excellent swimmers who originated as a water retrievers. All Poodles, Standard, Miniature and Toy are actually one breed, just different sizes. Miniature Poodles, who can be white, black, apricot or gray, are usually 15 inches or under, according to the American Kennel Club.

David McKelvey/http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgmckelvey/3748491903/

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Dachshund
The Miniature Daschund, only 11 pounds or under, is not a separate classification of the Daschund -- it's just a smaller version of the Standard. The miniature dog, with its long bodies and strong sense of smell, are both hunters and lapdogs, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is of German descent and was originally bred to be a small farm dog. The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer is a attentive, lively and a favorite among celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore and Bill Cosby. The strongly built miniature dog is between 12 to 14 inches, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Bull Terrier
Just like the playful Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier, who originated in England, has a similar personality. Don't let its size fool you – the Miniature Bull Terrier is strong, energetic and audacious. Miniature Bull Terriers are between 10 to 15 inches and can be solid white or colored, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is one of three separate categories of the American Eskimo Dog. Between 12 to 15 inches, the bright white dog is loving, protecting and sociable. Now a great companion dog, the miniature dog was once a circus dog, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs

Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the "Min Pin," the Miniature Pinscher is a German Breed whose ancestry includes the Daschund, Italian Greyhound and the shorthaired German Pinscher. The quick, curious dog is the perfect apartment dog. Despite its small size, the compact pooch makes a wonderful watchdog. The spirited miniature dog, about 10 inches to 12 1/2 inches, can be red, black, or chocolate with tan, according to the American Kennel Club.

Miniature Dogs