Vinton P. Breese (1879 - 1940) was a dog show judge, writer, editor and artist in New Jersey. In the April 1939 issue of Country Life & the Sportsman, he penned this anti-vaccine/pro-killing diatribe regarding a proposed rabies bill. I post it in its entirety not just out of historical interest but to note the … Continue reading Vintage Article on “Rabies Rackets”
Category: rabies
Vintage Weird Things: Rabies Edition
Around the turn of the century, there was some doubt in the public's mind as to whether rabies actually existed. In the cartoon below, a boy invites a bite from a dog in order to visit Louis Pasteur, who was working on discovering the method of transmission and developing a vaccine in France: Forest and … Continue reading Vintage Weird Things: Rabies Edition
Dog Catchers and Pounds: 1887 – 1889
Snipped from the kennel papers of the era, these brief mentions of what is now referred to as animal control give us a view to the origins and evolution of the practice. And while I in no way wish to defend the mass cruelty and killing inflicted upon stray dogs, I feel it's important to … Continue reading Dog Catchers and Pounds: 1887 – 1889
Char-Meck Animal Control Seizes Family Dog Over Rabies Vaccine Issue
On April 24, a 6 year old plott hound called Captain got into a tangle with a raccoon in the woods at his NC home. The raccoon tested positive for rabies. Captain's owner took him to the vet for a booster shot on his rabies, even though he was already current. One month later, Captain exchanged … Continue reading Char-Meck Animal Control Seizes Family Dog Over Rabies Vaccine Issue
ACO Runs Out of Cat Catching Ideas After 60 Seconds, Calls In Police to Shoot Cat
On August 20, Some Guy in Gorham, ME called police to report that a limping cat had scratched or bitten his child and that he suspected the cat had rabies. The Gorham police sent an ACO to the scene at 7pm. The ACO was unable to immediately trap the animal and so called for a … Continue reading ACO Runs Out of Cat Catching Ideas After 60 Seconds, Calls In Police to Shoot Cat
GA Pound Oops-Kills Owned Dog Because Math
The Whitfield Co pound in GA has some "animal facts" on its webpage that the county likes so much, it printed them twice. They read, in part:Dogs and cats out number humans in this country at a ratio of about 6 to 1. [...]Pet overpopulation is a serious and growing problem in the United States. … Continue reading GA Pound Oops-Kills Owned Dog Because Math
What Happened to the Beagles in the 5 Year Group in the Rabies Challenge Fund?
Primer, snipped from the Rabies Challenge Fund website: The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust will determine the duration of immunity conveyed by rabies vaccines. The goal is to extend the required interval for rabies boosters to 5 and then to 7 years. [...] The research began in November 2007 under the direction of Dr. Ronald … Continue reading What Happened to the Beagles in the 5 Year Group in the Rabies Challenge Fund?
WV Animal Control Officer Violates Law in Dog Killing, Will Keep Job
A Fayette County dog bit a child on March 11, 2014 and stitches were required as a result of the injury. Fayette Co ACO Russell Parker seized the dog and was advised by the owner that the dog had not been vaccinated for rabies. The owner stated the dog had attacked another person in past and … Continue reading WV Animal Control Officer Violates Law in Dog Killing, Will Keep Job
Odessa’s Multi-Tiered Failure Results in Dog’s Death
The police department in Odessa, Texas runs the pound. Thousands of animals are impounded and killed each year, with the police department claiming most of them are "unadoptable". One dog impounded on February 15 for quarantine was definitely not "unadoptable" - he had a family who loved him and wanted him back. Instead, he … Continue reading Odessa’s Multi-Tiered Failure Results in Dog’s Death
Cat Drools, NC Vet Gets Frothy
Matthews, NC - Family: Hi. Our 2 year old cat has never been been outdoors or even been around another animal. He seems to be drooling. Vet: OK, he probably just got into something he shouldn't have. Here's some medicine. Family: Coolio. By the way, we had him vaccinated when he was a kitten. Are … Continue reading Cat Drools, NC Vet Gets Frothy
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