Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team… A giant crocodile believed to have eaten an Australian holidaymaker, will spend the rest of its days on a farm breeding more crocodiles. According to the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, human remains have been found in the stomach of the 4.5 meter (15 foot) crocodile in the area Arthur Brooker, 62, disappeared last month while on holiday with his wife in the north of the territory. A spokesman said that because of its size, it was a protected animal and could not be killed. It could not be released either, nor displayed in a zoo or wildlife facility indicating it had eaten somebody. A breeding programme was the only alternative. “Any crocodile four meters or over is considered under the conservation plan to be an iconic croc, so it needs to go into a facility where it can be used in a way that benefits crocodile conservation”, said the spokesman. Mr Booker disappeared in September after he went to check crab pots near Cooktown in the so-called Cape Crocodile region of far north Queensland.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team…A pony had to be rescued by firemen after becoming drunk from gorging on fermented windfall apples and falling into a swimming pool. The pony, named Fat Boy, escaped from its stable and got into a nearby garden with another pony and began enjoying the fallen apples. It is believed that the rotten fruit had begun to ferment causing the animal to become drunk. Twelve-years-old Fat Boy stumbled across the garden and fell into the swimming pool, which was covered by a tarpaulin. Fire crews spent two hours building steps from hay in the pool and hoisted the animal out of the water in the early hours of the morning. It is known that horses can get drunk from eating too many apples if they were beginning to ferment. A fire service spokesman said it was a good job Fat Boy had a lot of bulk as it kept him warm while he was stuck in the water. Fat Boy was later checked over by a vet and found to have suffered no harm from his experience.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team… An award-winning kennel owner buried a surgeon’s dog in a field after it was killed by two bull terriers – and then tried to cover up by pretending the border collie had escaped. The Daily Telegraph reports the court hearing detailing how Jessica Valpied panicked when she found the remains of the dog after the attack. Fearing the death would ruin her business if it became known, she buried the carcase in a nearby field and informed the owners, who were abroad on holiday, that the dog had escaped and run away. She told employees at her kennels on Guernsey to pretend to search for the dog calling its name, Arte, and orchestrated a high-profile publicity campaign to find it. But her deception was uncovered when two junior members of her staff felt so concerned they that they told their parents, who contacted the police. Valpied was presented with the National Pet Sitter of the Year award at Crufts in 2006. It was not a Cruft’s award but presented by the National Association of Registered Petsitters. She was fined £400 by magistrates.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team… Using a pet as an introduction to romance is the latest online website. Members of Doggydate.com put their pet’s best attributes forward in the hope of finding a companion – and perhaps a mate for themselves. Internet dating has been an acceptable form of human experience for some time now, but the dog-dating idea came to David Winston, an American piano maker living in England, when he visited the vet. “You get into trouble talking to strangers in this country, but everyone was chatting away in the waiting room,” he said. “It made me think that you could use pets as an introduction. The format deliberately conceals the owner’s identity – it’s the dogs who provide the mug shots, fill out the profile and prowl the website for friendship or pen pals. They send a “woof” to any dog they like the look of – and hope that the man or woman behind the picture turns out to be compatible, too.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team…Giant pandas are taking a step away from extinction after scientists have successfully completed sequencing their genome. A group of experts from China, Britain, Canada, the United States and Hong Kong have learned through drawing and assembling the genome sequence of the giant panda that the animal is somewhat akin biologically to dogs and even humans – but very different from mice. This means that the giant panda, a rare and endangered species after existing for eight million years, now stands a better chance of survival. Scientists may be closer to understanding why pandas eat bamboo although more suited to a carnivorous diet, why they have those iconic black circles round the eyes and why adult pandas are so huge but cubs weigh only one per cent of their mother’s weight.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team… Stressed-out cats and dogs are suffering compulsive disorders because of Britain’s high break-up rate between couples, according to an animal charity. The increasing frequency of relationship breakdowns means pets are developing obsessive problems, including self-harming, because of the stress caused by their owners’ break-up. The Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) is urging owners to make the well-being of their pets an important part of the agreement to break up. Sean Wensley, a senior vet with the group said: “Dogs that are stressed can show signs of compulsive disorder. This could include chasing their own tails or licking a limb. As result of such licking the area can become raw and itchy and lead to further licking or chewing. Cats can be prone to wool sucking.” Mrs Wensley added: “Other species can also show signs of stress. Parrots, for example, sometimes pull out their own feathers after losing a mate or experiencing some other type of trauma.” He said cats and dogs, like young children, are sensitive to adult human emotions and when these become tense or unpredictable the animal can suffer from stress-related problems.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team…The recent Moscow international dog show was an exhibition of national pride with borzois, East European sheepdogs and Russian black terriers making the running. This Russian equivalent of Crufts – one breeder named it “Cruftski” - had a hefty 198 breeds on show. Apart from the odd lady dripping diamonds, reports The Times, it was not a glamorous occasion. The exhibitors tried their best, attaching ear stiffeners to hunting dogs, slipping hand knitted sweaters on shivering, hairless creatures, or applying whitener to scrub out yellow fur stains. But mainly it had the gritty atmosphere of a street market as breeders attempted to pair off their prize-winning entries. Russia has become a land of dog owners, with a third of households owning a canine of some kind, trying to convince itself that it has the capacity to be a world-beater. Even Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has a St Petersburg-bred black Labrador called Connie. But it does tend to sniff visitors in some personal places!
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team… Passengers on Italy’s train network have complained of arriving at their destinations itching and scratching and plagued with insect bites – so dogs are being banned. Blaming the flea problem on pets, the network, Trenitalia, has announced that from this month (October) passengers will no longer be able to travel with large or medium-sized dogs – defined as weighing six kilograms or more. Small dogs, as well as cats, rabbits and other domestic animals will have to travel in portable cages. The Daily Telegraph points out that fish will be exempt from the new regime and pet owners caught in breach of the law face a fine of £80 – the amount it is claimed is the cost of cleaning and disinfecting a carriage. The crackdown has enraged animal welfare groups, consumer organisations and many of Italy’s seven million dog owners. “This hygiene mania is ridiculous. What next? Will guards be checking that people’s nails and ears are clean,” said MP Carla Rocchi, head of an animal protection association.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team…What is claimed to be world’s oldest dog has died at the age of 29 – or 203 canine years. Bella was bought by David Richardson when she was three 26 years ago from the RSPCA. Since then the dog has enjoyed life at the Derbyshire home of Mr Richardson and his partner Daisy Cooper, 81. Although Mr Richardson has no written proof of Bella’s age his insists she was 29. But the RSPCA do not have records going back that distance and the Guinness World Records say Bella cannot be included because of the lack of documentation. The dog died of a heart attack when the couple were on holiday in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, where they always went because it was possible to take the dog with them. “A lot of people came to wish Bella goodbye,” said Mr Richardson. “Our friends and neighbours were very fond of her.” The officially oldest dog ever was Bluey, a sheepdog from Australia who also lived to 29.
Latest from the Buddies Pet Insurance news team…Guide dogs for people with Alzheimer’s are being pioneered in Israel. Yariv Ben-Yosefis, a dog trainer, has succeeded in getting Polly, a collie, to help a 62-years-old man when he becomes disorientated. On command the dog leads him back to his home. Polly has worked with her master for a year and saved him from becoming a captive in his own house. Ben-Yosefis now aims to train about 30 dogs a year and the idea is being spread worldwide. Only female dogs are to be used because of their maternal instincts. Male dogs, it is claimed, are too egotistical.
