Corning Chief of Police Shooting Dogs

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NAFA’s position on the shooting of 7 to 8 dogs by the Corning Chief of Police

Perhaps better than most, NAFA understands the plight of Animal Control departments and City Officials throughout Northeast Arkansas with respect to stray and abandoned animals. Dogs and cats are being dumped and abandoned in unprecedented numbers and it is difficult for small communities to physically and financially care for these animals.

However, the actions by the City of Corning, specifically the Chief of
Police and the Mayor, is unconscionable, unethical and in our
opinion illegal for several reason. We also believe that these actions
pose a threat to the well being of the citizens of Northeast Arkansas.
As a result, NAFA is calling for the following actions:

1. A complete investigation by the District Prosecuting Attorney’s
office as to animal cruelty charges and improper euthanasia as defined by Arkansas State Law

2. The City of Corning must provide to NAFA and the public - the City protocol for the handling,
housing, length of holding, adoption, euthanasia procedures and proper disposal for any and
all animals picked up by or in the care of the City of Corning.

3. The City of Corning placing Wannda Turner, NAFA director and animal abuse investigator, on
the agenda of the next Corning City Council meeting to address public concerns about this
incident.

4. The City of Corning initiating written protocols, in compliance with Arkansas State Laws and
Arkansas Health Department regulations for the handling and disposing of animals suspected
of rabies. These protocols should be made public and available to any citizen.

5. The City of Corning addressing any issues that might arise from the burial of the animals that
were recently shot should those animals have actually been rabid.

In support of NAFA’s position, we provide the following:


According to Arkansas State Laws
4-97-103.Definition
(7)“Euthanasia” means the humane killing of an
animal accomplished by a method that utilizes
anesthesia produced by an agent that causes
painless loss of consciousness and subsequent
death, and administered by a licensed veterinarian
or a euthanasia technician licensed by the Drug
Enforcement Administration and certified by the
Department of Health;

20-19-308.Shipment to laboratory of head of animal
suspected of being rabid.
(a)(1)Any person causing the death of an animal, either wild or
domesticated, suspected of being rabid shall cause the head of
the animal, together with an affidavit stating that he or she has
reasonable grounds to believe that the animal was rabid, to be
presented to the county court of the county in which the animal
was killed.
(2)(A)It shall be the duty of the court to have the head shipped,
prepaid, to the State Public Health Laboratory of the Division of Health of the Department of Health
and Human Services.
(B)The expenses incurred in such a shipment shall be paid from the county general fund of the
county in which the animal was killed.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association Euthanasia Guidelines – June 2007
GUNSHOT
For use of a gunshot to the head as a method of euthanasia in captive animals, the firearm
should be aimed so that the projectile enters the brain, causing instant loss of consciousness.
A gunshot to the heart or neck does not immediately render animals unconscious and thus is


not considered to meet the panel’s definition of euthanasia.
Brain tissue may not be able to be examined for
evidence of rabies infection or chronic wasting disease
when the head is targeted.
Gunshot should not be used for routine euthanasia
of animals in animal control situations, such as municipal
pounds or shelters.




With Regards,
Tut

Low Cost Vaccination Clinic - 11/14/09

Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic for Qualified Individuals

Saturday, November 14th 7:30 am to 11:30 am

NAFA's Animal Services Building -
233 N. Gee (red and white building corner of Gee/Dan across from Riceland)

NAFA sponsored vaccinations at a reduced costs. All services will be provide by an
Arkansas licensed veterinarian - Dr Jack Jones

No Appointment Necessary. Services Available:

1) FREE exam by Veterinarian with any vaccinations. All dogs not on heartworm preventative will receive intestinal deworming at no charge. Cat deworming for intestinal parasites are available upon request.

2) $7.00 - Rabies Shot, with certificate and tag (animals must be 12 weeks of age to get a rabies shot)

3) $10.00 - Canine 5 in 1 protects against distemper, adenovirus 2, parainfluenza, parvovirus and coronavirus (dogs must be at least 7 weeks of age) puppies and totally unvaccinated dogs will need additional vaccinations

4) $10.00 - Feline 3 in 1 protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus (upper respiratory) and Panleukopenia (feline distemper)

5) $15.00 - Occult Heartworm Test - Dogs testing negative will need to take test results to local veterinarians for purchase of heartworm preventative within 30 days.

6) $10.00- Bordatella - protects against kennel cough

Individuals must qualify for these services...

Elderly - 65 years of age and on fixed income
Disabled - someone in household must be drawing disability
Low Income - Individual - less than $17,000 annually
Low Income - Family of 4 - less than $20,000 annually
Unempolyed for at least 60 days
Animal may not have seen a vet within last 12 months

No Appointment Necessary For more information call 870-932-1955

Pet Tips - 11/11/09 - Wolf Hybrid Laws

NAFA's RAID unit was called to an incident last night which involved two neighborhood dogs fighting and subsequently one being shot. When NAFA’s RAID investigator arrived, one individual had shot his neighbor’s male Labrador retriever after a vicious battle with a one of his wolf hybrid females. There was no positive result for either neighbor – one lab is dead and the wolf hybrid died this morning as a result of serious lacerations to the neck. The center of the dog fight was the female wolf-hybrid being in heat and the male lab being unaltered. The neighbor who is proudly breeding wolf hybrid puppies for sale was quickly educated as to state law and wolves or wolf hybrids. Because there are many individuals in Northeast Arkansas who claim to be owners of wolf hybrids, NAFA thought this was a good time to provide some information on Arkansas State Law and owning a wolf or wolf-hybrid.

Wolves and Wolf hybrids in Arkansas Law
For the purpose of Arkansas State Law, "wolf-dog hybrid" is defined as any animal which is publicly acknowledged by its owner as being a wolf or a wolf hybrid. No animal may be judged to be a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid based strictly on its appearance.

(a) Wolves and wolf-dog hybrids are required to be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine approved for dog use, and a rabies certificate may be issued.
(b) Veterinarians must inform the owner of the wolf or wolf-dog hybrid, preferably in writing, that the vaccination is considered "off label" and that protection against rabies is not guaranteed.

Confinement - Care - Inspections.
(a) Wolves and wolf-dog hybrids shall be provided adequate confinement and adequate feeding.
(b) Adequate confinement shall include at least:
(1) A brick, concrete, or chain link enclosure surrounded by two (2) layers of fencing as follows:
(A) For a single animal:
(i) Either an inner chain link fence a minimum of fifteen feet by eight feet by ten feet (15' x 8' x 10') or an electric fence that prevents climbing over, and either extending two feet (2') underground or employing some other means that prevents digging under; and
(ii) An outer fence eight feet (8') high with at least four feet (4') between the two (2) fences unless the inner fence is an electric fence posted with warning signs and the gate is locked at all times;
(B) For a pair, double the cage length for a single animal; or
(C) For more than two (2) animals, add ten feet (10') to the single animal length and width for each additional animal;
(2) A secluded den four feet (4') square for each animal; and
(3) No more than four (4) total of wolves or wolf-dog hybrids, or both, per acre.
(c) Adequate confinement shall not include tethering of a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid not under the direct supervision and control of the owner or custodian.
(d) (1) Adequate feeding shall include daily feedings and provisions of water.
(2) The feed used shall consist of a minimum meat-based protein content of twenty-five percent (25%) and crude fat of fifteen percent (15%), with exceptions for geriatric and overweight animals or under the advice of a licensed veterinarian.
(e) Owners and custodians of wolves and wolf-dog hybrids shall allow inspections by law enforcement personnel at reasonable hours to ensure adequate confinement and adequate feeding.

Pet Tips - 11/10/09

California cities vote to ban cat declawing.

The Los Angeles City Council voted 11 to 0 on Friday to ban declawing. Beverly Hills voted 5 to 0 on Thursday, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 9 to 2 on Tuesday. The cities must finalize their votes in coming weeks. "Onychectomy, commonly known as declawing, is the practice of amputating a cat's first paw joints, including the claw at the first knuckle," said Mirisch, the councilman who introduced the measure. "Indeed, I find this practice to be a prima facie instance of animal cruelty, and I don't need Big Brother in Sacramento or a veterinary board to tell me otherwise."

To read more about this visit http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-declaw-cats7-2009nov07,0,4016163.story?track=rss

Pig Ears and Beef Hooves - Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing this health alert to warn consumers not to use Pig Ears and Beef Hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger , Calif.
The products were manufactured under conditions that facilitate cross-contamination within batches or lots. Although no illnesses associated with these products have been reported, the FDA is advising consumers in possession of these products to not handle or feed them to their pets.
Read more about the recall - http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm189400.htm