Lodger shoots home owner 10 times arguing over 6 cats

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA, USA - NEWS AND OPINION: I'll keep this concise and short. A woman allowed a man who had been evicted from his previous residence to become a lodger at her bungalow with his three cats. A kindly act which turned very nasty.

The home where it happened. Image: Google Maps.

The man, 59-year-old Glenn White, started to acquire cats more cats. We are not told how but they were probably rescue cats. He brought three more cats into the home.

The woman found this to be too much and asked that the cats live outside.

“The victim and White have been arguing for the past couple of days about the cats and how the victim would like the cats to live outside the house instead of inside the house. On (March 8), the victim got tired of having all the cats inside the residence and told White she was going to place them outside in the lanai.” - Police report

A 'lanai' is a Hawaiian term for a porch.

Mr White became upset and arrived with a gun - Smith & Wesson SD40 - while she was searching for the cats to put them outside.

S&W SD40

He allegedly shot her 10 times in places that did not kill her such as "on her lower extremities, two on her right rib, and one on her left middle finger", according to the police.

White allegedly pointed the gun at her head and said that he was going to kill her. She begged to let her call the police. In the end he called the police!

He is now in jail waiting for his trail. She must be very well bandaged with four fingers on her left hand.

He was charged with aggravated battery and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon. In Britain it would have been 'grievous bodily harm'.

Moral: Investigate why a ledger was evicted from their previous residence and ask the person who did the evicting. Ask the landlord not the tenant. Get references etc. And specify in a formal agreement that no cats are allowed or one cat is allowed. It seems that this was a poor informal, verbal agreement. These are distinctly dodgy. As dodgy as Mr. White.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

How did Henry Bergh, the founder of the first SPCA in North America, spend his life?

This week, 136 years ago, the animals lost a great friend. On March 12, 1888, Henry Bergh, the founder of the first SPCA in North America, died. For two decades, Bergh had taken to the streets to protect animals. 

Henry Bergh. Image believed to be in the public domain.

This is how he described his life as an animal advocate of his time. 

“Day after day, I am in slaughterhouses; or lying in wait at midnight with a squad of police near some dog pit; through the filthy markets and about the rotten docks; out into the crowded and dangerous streets; lifting a fallen horse to his feet, and perhaps sending the driver before a magistrate; penetrating dark and unwholesome buildings where I inspect collars and saddles for raw flesh; then lecturing in public schools to children, and again to adult Societies. Thus my whole life is spent.”

The above comes from Nathan Winograd's newsletter.

Below is from Bing's co-pilot. 

Henry Bergh, born on August 29, 1813, in New York City, led a remarkable life dedicated to animal welfare and the protection of children. Here are the key aspects of his impactful journey:

1. Founding the ASPCA:

   • In April 1866, just three days after the first effective legislation against animal cruelty was passed in the United States by the New York State Legislature, Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
   • His mission was clear: to ensure that animals received kind and respectful treatment from humans and were protected under the law 2.
   • Bergh assumed the role of ASPCA president and provided initial funding for the organization alongside his wife.

2. Championing Animal Rights:

   • During his stay in Europe, Bergh witnessed various cruelties committed upon animals, which deeply affected him.
   • In England, he met Lord Harrowby, the president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who emphasized the importance of Bergh’s mission.
   • Inspired by this encounter, Bergh dedicated the rest of his life to the cause of ending animal cruelty.

3. Additional Advocacy Efforts:

   • Bergh’s impact extended beyond animals. He also played a crucial role in founding the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1874.
   • His commitment to humane treatment extended to both animals and children, emphasizing compassion and protection.

4. Background and Career:

   • Henry Bergh hailed from a wealthy New York family. His father, Christian Bergh III, was a successful shipbuilder.
   • Bergh joined his father’s shipbuilding business, C. Bergh & Co., and inherited a substantial estate upon his father’s death in 1843.
   • He attended Columbia College in New York City but left before completing his degree, choosing instead to tour Europe for five years.
   • In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him secretary of the U.S. legation in Tsarist Russia, where he served in St. Petersburg as acting vice-consul/

Henry Bergh’s legacy as a pioneer in animal advocacy and child protection endures, shaping the compassionate treatment of both animals and vulnerable members of society. 🐾🌟

Should Alaska’s annual Iditarod sled dog race be banned?

Image by DALL-E 3

The question of whether Alaska’s annual Iditarod sled dog race should be banned is a complex and contentious one. Let’s explore both sides of the argument:

Arguments in Favor of Banning the Iditarod:

1. Animal Welfare Concerns: Critics argue that the race places an immense physical strain on the sled dogs. The harsh conditions, long distances, and extreme cold can lead to injuries, exhaustion, and even death. Advocates for banning the race emphasize the need to prioritize the well-being of these animals.

2. Ethical Considerations: Some people view the Iditarod as an outdated tradition that no longer aligns with modern sensibilities. They believe that using dogs for such gruelling races is ethically questionable and that it perpetuates a harmful mindset about animals as mere tools.

3. Changing Attitudes: As societal attitudes toward animal rights evolve, there is growing pressure to re-evaluate practices like the Iditarod. Bans on other animal-related events (such as circuses with animal acts) have set a precedent for reconsidering the treatment of animals in various contexts.

Arguments Against Banning the Iditarod:

1. Historical and Cultural Significance: Proponents of the Iditarod emphasize its historical roots and cultural importance. The race commemorates the vital role sled dogs played in Alaska’s history, transporting supplies and people across vast wilderness areas.

2. Musher Dedication: Many mushers (the sled dog drivers) have deep connections with their dogs and treat them well. They argue that the race provides an opportunity to showcase the bond between humans and animals, as well as the resilience of both.

3. Regulation and Improvements: Supporters contend that the Iditarod has made significant improvements over the years. Stricter regulations, better veterinary care, and improved race conditions have been implemented to safeguard the dogs’ welfare.

In conclusion, the decision to ban or continue the Iditarod involves weighing tradition, cultural significance, animal welfare, and evolving societal values. It’s a nuanced debate, and finding a balanced solution that respects both history and ethics is essential. Ultimately, it’s up to policymakers, communities, and stakeholders to determine the race’s future. 🐾🏁

This article was written by Bing's Co-pilot and illustrated by its assistant DALLE. They are both AI computers and they are amazing. If you can't beat them join them is the motto nowadays. I didn't even read the article! Just copied and pasted it for good or bad.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. NOTE: THERE ARE  NO TYPOS IN THIS!!

Which cat is more affectionate, a Maine Coon or a Ragdoll?

I've got to be a little bit irritated by the question in the title. Perhaps I shouldn't be doing this post which by the way is a cross post from another website. It's the kind of information people might like to have before adopting either a Maine Coon or a Ragdoll or perhaps another cat breed.

But the question is a little bit misguided in my view. Although I have strong views on this sort of thing. The point is this: each individual cat of whatever breed they come from has their own individual personality. It is therefore sometimes unhelpful to say all the cats of one breed have the same personality.

That said, the Ragdoll would probably be described as the more affectionate of these two breeds because they are selectively bred to be very laid-back and indoor cats almost. They are calm and gentle and affable. This translates to affection. No other breed is specifically bred to have a particular character i.e. laid back and floppy (like a ragdoll toy).

But, that said, Maine Coon cats can also be very affectionate although a person who I rely upon to describe cat breed personalities, Gloria Stephens, a cat show judge and breeder herself, and by the way a Maine Coon cat owner, says that the Maine Coon cat can be somewhat independent and not necessarily a lap cat.

This hints at the fact that the Maine Coon is a little bit more independent-minded than the Ragdoll which lends itself to believing that the Ragdoll is the more affectionate of the two.

Personally, I would go to the breeder and check out the kittens and let the kitten choose you. You will decide yourself once you interact with Maine Coon kittens and Ragdoll kittens as to which individual kitten is more affectionate for you. 

Sometimes kittens and cats are attracted to a particular person so the affection can be directed at you, the person asking this question! There is such as thing a chemistry.

There is no better way than meeting the cats. It is a 'must' really.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Cat flea treatment insecticides are poisoning aquatic life in rivers

It may surprise people to know that spot-on cat flea treatments used in the home in the ordinary way can poison aquatic life in rivers and watercourses miles away. It's the insecticides used in these treatments such as fipronil and imidacloprid which do the damage. 

This is what happens: you apply the treatment to your cat at the back of the neck and some of the treatment gets on your hands so you wash your hands afterwards. The water goes down into the drainage system and then to rivers. In fact we are advised to wash our hands afterwards as the chemicals are dangerous to us! 🤢

Or after you apply the treatment your cat goes on to their bedding and some of the chemical is deposited on the bedding. You wash the bedding in due course and the chemical is then washed into the wastewater system and thence into watercourses miles away.

The research was carried out by a PhD student and veterinary surgeon at the University of Sussex in the UK, Rosemary Perkins. She says the following:

This research confirms that fipronil and imidacloprid used in spot-on flea products are important surface water pollutants. With around 22 million cats and dogs in the UK, we urgently need to rethink how these products are regulated and used.

Of the methods mentioned above, the most common is washing your hands. The research by Perkins builds on earlier research which found that the insecticide fipronil was found in 98% of freshwater samples. The other insecticide, imidacloprid was found in 66% of freshwater samples. Both are in concentrations at which they can harm aquatic animals.

The scientists are asking for a review of regulations concerning these cat flea treatments. Professor David Goulson also of Sussex University, who supervised the research said that these two chemicals are extremely potent neurotoxic insecticides. 

He added that it is deeply concerning they are routinely found on the hands of dog and cat owners and that people should be concerned and will be concerned that they pollute rivers and kill aquatic life.

He implies a third way the chemicals get into watercourses. After applying the treatment, the dog owner or cat owner handles their pet and some of the chemical is still in the fur and that gets onto their hands.

I've mention this many times but these insecticides are very toxic to cats as well as people.

The solution?

There appears to be two obvious solutions. The first is not the use the spot-on treatments (I don't) and find other ways, holistic ways, to keep your home and your cat flea-free. 

It can be done. For example it means no carpets or if you have a carpet to vacuum your carpet regularly as this is an effective way to get rid of larvae and pupae and adult fees in the carpet. 

Ideally it should be a beater type vacuum cleaner which disturbs the particles and flea larvae at the base of the carpet.

Another way is to use surgical gloves would you can buy very cheaply on Amazon when you apply this treatment. Use the gloves repeatedly and then when they are finally worn out placed them in the rubbish in the usual way. That would be a very effective way of preventing the insecticides getting into the water system.

The bottom line is to focus on keeping your home totally flea free which means applying a lot of vigilance such as flea combing your cat once or twice a day to keep tabs on what is going on. 

Minimise the number of cats that you keep in your home. That won't be that popular with some people but the more cats you have the more chance of fleas jumping from one cat to the other and the more treatments you use.

I just want people to think about this problem and try and find their own way to remove it because we don't want to put wildlife under further pressure. Wildlife across the globe is already under immense pressure from human activity in a myriad of ways.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.