Yesterday, Mr Dalu Mncube was fatally attacked by one of the big cats he worked with at Zion Wildlife Gardens, just out of Whangarei in Northland.
It is alleged that Abu, a Royal White Tiger, was the animal who killed Dalu. Abu was put to sleep following the incident.
It is a sad day for all concerned, and our hearts go out to Dalu's family - his partner Sharon Arnott and their one year old daughter Starskea, as well as the rest of his family back in South Africa. He was only 26 years old.
Dalu set an excellent example of the commitment and professionalism that comes as part of the job when you work with animals - no matter what type of animals they are. Dalu had a special gift with the cats he worked with, and his enthusiasm and passion were obvious to all who met him during the course of his work or watched him on the television series, 'The Lion Man'.
It is a reality that when you choose to work with animals, you prepare yourself to take the risks that this kind of work entails. I admire and commend those keepers who work with large and potentially dangerous animals on a daily basis - they really know what they are doing and have years of training and experience to back themselves up. They are a credit to the species that they care for.
Dalu was no exception to this - in fact, if anything, he was the ultimate rule.
Dalu, you have helped show millions of people just how precious these endangered cats are. You have given us a rare insight into the caring and handling of these cats, and your respect and awareness of them is truly inspirational. You will be sorely missed by those close to you as well as those of us who watched you from afar. Your memory will live on in all the cats at the park as well as in the work that keepers do with big cats every day.
Thank you, Dalu.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Irresistible Puppy
Have you ever walked past a pet shop and been drawn in by the cute puppy in the window or perhaps surfing the net and stumbled (deliberately or otherwise) upon the pets for sale section? If you have you are not alone. Residing in Christchurch I frequently listen to More FM in the morning and the antics of Simon Barnett and his sidekick Gary McCormick. This will be a familiar story for those who listen in, but for the non locals - some years ago Simon recounted a story of how he walked into Animates in Christchurch one day to look at the puppies with his kids and walked out with not 1 but 2 puppies. A case of the kids convincing him to get one and then not being able to leave the litter mate alone in the cage. Its a common scenario!
Recently Oprah Winfrey in the US has exposed puppy farms (or puppy mills), where bitches are bred over and over again to get maximum numbers of puppies making it a profitable business. Unfortunately these puppies are not necessary well socialised or given the basics in health care. The same goes for their parents. In addition to this an article appeared in last week's Sunday Star Times magazine 'Sunday' talking about puppy purchasing. It is that article, which a colleague showed me, that has inspired me to write this post. I have also recently written an article on responsible dog breeding on The Pet Hub which was inspired by me seeing a client while working as a veterinarian one morning who, when I was explaining at the clients puppies vaccination about desexing, said "oh, I'm not going to spey her, I plan to breed from her". The puppy had been purchased from a pet shop and no history of the parents/genetics was known for a start.
As well as it being important for breeders to breed responsibly, it is also important that as purchasers, you purchase wisely too. If you make poor purchasing decisions on your new puppy, this encourages the poor breeder (and if it is from pet shop with poor policies on puppy selection) to continue the poor practices and in addition you may find yourself with a time bomb on your hand medically and or behaviourally. This translates to a monetary and social cost for you.
Please don't purchase puppies on Trade Me or other sites, without first viewing the puppy and finding out about its credentials, in terms of the parentage. If you purchase dogs prone to hip dysplasia like Labradors make sure the parents of your new puppy have been hip scored. If they haven't, search elsewhere for your puppy. Your veterinarian can advise on what specific things you should look out for on the breed you are choosing.
If you are purchasing from a pet shop, quiz them on there puppy purchasing policy and ask them what they know about the parents of the puppy you are purchasing and what the breeding facility is like. They have a responsibility to have done this research before taking on the puppy.
Purchasing from a place like the SPCA, Dogwatch or GAP (Greyhounds as pets) for example can provide a useful alternative place to purchase pets and they offer some good options. However, choose carefully. Make sure the dog will suit your situation. GAP run a very comprehensive assessment and retraining programme for example and offer great pets for people that have a suitable situation for a greyhound. What is avaialble at the likes of the SPCA vary from day to day and week to week and it may take a while to find a pet that will suit you.
Articles on The Pet Hub which provide useful information for the prospective puppy purchaser are:
Which type of pet is best for me? and
Which dog breed is best for me?
Please avoid purchasing on a whim. The ramifications can be quite serious. Ensure you check out the source of your new puppy properly. Do not rush into your puppy purchase, but take time, do the research on firstly whether getting a dog is right for you, then on the best breed for you and then on the best breeder to purchase from.
Dr. Francesca Matthews
Veterinarian and Director of The Pet Hub
Recently Oprah Winfrey in the US has exposed puppy farms (or puppy mills), where bitches are bred over and over again to get maximum numbers of puppies making it a profitable business. Unfortunately these puppies are not necessary well socialised or given the basics in health care. The same goes for their parents. In addition to this an article appeared in last week's Sunday Star Times magazine 'Sunday' talking about puppy purchasing. It is that article, which a colleague showed me, that has inspired me to write this post. I have also recently written an article on responsible dog breeding on The Pet Hub which was inspired by me seeing a client while working as a veterinarian one morning who, when I was explaining at the clients puppies vaccination about desexing, said "oh, I'm not going to spey her, I plan to breed from her". The puppy had been purchased from a pet shop and no history of the parents/genetics was known for a start.
As well as it being important for breeders to breed responsibly, it is also important that as purchasers, you purchase wisely too. If you make poor purchasing decisions on your new puppy, this encourages the poor breeder (and if it is from pet shop with poor policies on puppy selection) to continue the poor practices and in addition you may find yourself with a time bomb on your hand medically and or behaviourally. This translates to a monetary and social cost for you.
Please don't purchase puppies on Trade Me or other sites, without first viewing the puppy and finding out about its credentials, in terms of the parentage. If you purchase dogs prone to hip dysplasia like Labradors make sure the parents of your new puppy have been hip scored. If they haven't, search elsewhere for your puppy. Your veterinarian can advise on what specific things you should look out for on the breed you are choosing.
If you are purchasing from a pet shop, quiz them on there puppy purchasing policy and ask them what they know about the parents of the puppy you are purchasing and what the breeding facility is like. They have a responsibility to have done this research before taking on the puppy.
Purchasing from a place like the SPCA, Dogwatch or GAP (Greyhounds as pets) for example can provide a useful alternative place to purchase pets and they offer some good options. However, choose carefully. Make sure the dog will suit your situation. GAP run a very comprehensive assessment and retraining programme for example and offer great pets for people that have a suitable situation for a greyhound. What is avaialble at the likes of the SPCA vary from day to day and week to week and it may take a while to find a pet that will suit you.
Articles on The Pet Hub which provide useful information for the prospective puppy purchaser are:
Which type of pet is best for me? and
Which dog breed is best for me?
Please avoid purchasing on a whim. The ramifications can be quite serious. Ensure you check out the source of your new puppy properly. Do not rush into your puppy purchase, but take time, do the research on firstly whether getting a dog is right for you, then on the best breed for you and then on the best breeder to purchase from.
Dr. Francesca Matthews
Veterinarian and Director of The Pet Hub
Sunday, May 17, 2009
New experiences
I went to a dog club Championship Obedience Show yesterday. It was very interesting. I've never been to a dog show of any sort to be honest, so this was all new to me. Unfortunately I didn't arrive in time to see anything terribly exciting in terms of obedience, although I was lucky enough to catch the 'Paws n Music' display.
This showcased three levels of skill in both handler and dog, from beginner to advanced beginner and then a low-ish level of more highly advanced (yes, I realise now that I should have noted what the levels are officially called). Regardless, it was simply a delight to see the dogs and handlers having such a good time. What I did find out was that the two beginner levels are based on a discipline called 'Heelwork to Music', which is heeling and obedience commands set, as the name suggests, to music. The dogs were still relatively new to the sport, and it showed, but despite the trivial mistakes it was still entertaining to watch. You really have to commend both the handler and the dog for giving it a go, they performed exceptionally well under pressure (and who wouldn't melt at the sight of the matching costumes!).
The advanced handlers and dogs were just brilliant. It amazed me to see how well a dog is able to respond to simple verbal commands, hand gestures and body language and positioning. They really do read us like a book.
As this was an obedience show, all sorts of dogs were there - both purebreds and mutts. They were entered into the Paws n Music competition, and each dog performed to the best of their ability. There was definitely no difference between the application of skills of an oversized Yorkshire Terrier cross to a large German Shepherd. I must admit that this German Shepherd impressed me very much. He was very highly trained in this discipline, and showed nothing but complete dedication to taking his cues from his owner.
I think the best thing about watching heelwork to music is that it really looks enjoyable. I'm sure that it is even more fun being the handler/trainer though. Seeing your dog understand and respond to your commands after days, weeks or even months of training would definitely make it all worth it. The dogs must love it too - it gives them something to think about, and a bit of a workout at the same time. Below are two YouTube videos of two extremely well trained dogs performing a routine with their handlers. Both videos are less than 5 minutes long, and well worth watching!
This showcased three levels of skill in both handler and dog, from beginner to advanced beginner and then a low-ish level of more highly advanced (yes, I realise now that I should have noted what the levels are officially called). Regardless, it was simply a delight to see the dogs and handlers having such a good time. What I did find out was that the two beginner levels are based on a discipline called 'Heelwork to Music', which is heeling and obedience commands set, as the name suggests, to music. The dogs were still relatively new to the sport, and it showed, but despite the trivial mistakes it was still entertaining to watch. You really have to commend both the handler and the dog for giving it a go, they performed exceptionally well under pressure (and who wouldn't melt at the sight of the matching costumes!).
The advanced handlers and dogs were just brilliant. It amazed me to see how well a dog is able to respond to simple verbal commands, hand gestures and body language and positioning. They really do read us like a book.
As this was an obedience show, all sorts of dogs were there - both purebreds and mutts. They were entered into the Paws n Music competition, and each dog performed to the best of their ability. There was definitely no difference between the application of skills of an oversized Yorkshire Terrier cross to a large German Shepherd. I must admit that this German Shepherd impressed me very much. He was very highly trained in this discipline, and showed nothing but complete dedication to taking his cues from his owner.
I think the best thing about watching heelwork to music is that it really looks enjoyable. I'm sure that it is even more fun being the handler/trainer though. Seeing your dog understand and respond to your commands after days, weeks or even months of training would definitely make it all worth it. The dogs must love it too - it gives them something to think about, and a bit of a workout at the same time. Below are two YouTube videos of two extremely well trained dogs performing a routine with their handlers. Both videos are less than 5 minutes long, and well worth watching!
| Gladiator - Canine Freestyle | You're The One That I Want - Canine Freestyle |
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Is your city or town dog friendly?
by Rochelle
I think I live in the least dog-friendly city ever to exist. Wellington City Council would beg to disagree with me however, citing that they currently have over 40 'Woof Woof Ruff' dog exercise areas, specifically built and maintained for the enjoyment of all dogs and their owners in Wellington - but with either no or inadequate fencing, no or inadequate numbers of rubbish bins, and not one light in any of the parks for safety after dark.
The City Council was presented with a petition signed by over 400 people (and that's just the number who signed their e-petition) one year ago, requesting that lighting be installed in dog exercise areas, for the safety of the public as well as the dogs. No action has been made on this (yet).
There has been recent debate here on the responsibilities dog owners face for owning a dog in the Wellington City Council governance. One of the debates is regarding a very popular dog-accessible area close to where I live - the Karori Cemetery. Many dog owners take their dogs here for exercise. The current status of the Cemetery is that dogs are allowed in the grounds anytime, on lead only. Many dog owners want this rule to change, and a petition has even begun which is asking for the Council to consider making Karori Cemetery accessible for off lead exercise during weekday mornings.
The latest proposal that the Council has put forward is to fine dog owners & walkers $300 if they are seen walking a dog and do not have a doggy poo bag and/or dispenser with them on their trip. It is commendable that the Council want people to take responsibility for their pet's messes, but I don't think threatening people with an excessive fine will stop those irresponsible owners from doing what they have no doubt always done. And, how on earth do they propose to police this? I can't see 8,500 Council members shadowing the same amount of registered dogs during each and every walk they go on. Which begs the question, what about those unregistered dogs?
A possibly positive piece of news to come from the Council's meeting is the proposal to either develop or build a dog park with rubbish receptacles, water stations, fences and perhaps (let's hope) even lighting. A 'destination dog park' you might say, for all dog owners to take their dogs to. That is definitely something that Wellington is sorely missing.
The Council has recently met to discuss the WCC dog control bylaw and will be opening recommendations, suggestions and debates to the general public from June onwards. It will be interesting to hear what comes of this.
Tell us about your dog exercise areas and Council initiatives to help dog owners enjoy exercising their dogs. What are you allowed to do? What can't you do? Where is the best place to exercise your dog?
I think I live in the least dog-friendly city ever to exist. Wellington City Council would beg to disagree with me however, citing that they currently have over 40 'Woof Woof Ruff' dog exercise areas, specifically built and maintained for the enjoyment of all dogs and their owners in Wellington - but with either no or inadequate fencing, no or inadequate numbers of rubbish bins, and not one light in any of the parks for safety after dark.
The City Council was presented with a petition signed by over 400 people (and that's just the number who signed their e-petition) one year ago, requesting that lighting be installed in dog exercise areas, for the safety of the public as well as the dogs. No action has been made on this (yet).
There has been recent debate here on the responsibilities dog owners face for owning a dog in the Wellington City Council governance. One of the debates is regarding a very popular dog-accessible area close to where I live - the Karori Cemetery. Many dog owners take their dogs here for exercise. The current status of the Cemetery is that dogs are allowed in the grounds anytime, on lead only. Many dog owners want this rule to change, and a petition has even begun which is asking for the Council to consider making Karori Cemetery accessible for off lead exercise during weekday mornings.
The latest proposal that the Council has put forward is to fine dog owners & walkers $300 if they are seen walking a dog and do not have a doggy poo bag and/or dispenser with them on their trip. It is commendable that the Council want people to take responsibility for their pet's messes, but I don't think threatening people with an excessive fine will stop those irresponsible owners from doing what they have no doubt always done. And, how on earth do they propose to police this? I can't see 8,500 Council members shadowing the same amount of registered dogs during each and every walk they go on. Which begs the question, what about those unregistered dogs?
A possibly positive piece of news to come from the Council's meeting is the proposal to either develop or build a dog park with rubbish receptacles, water stations, fences and perhaps (let's hope) even lighting. A 'destination dog park' you might say, for all dog owners to take their dogs to. That is definitely something that Wellington is sorely missing.
The Council has recently met to discuss the WCC dog control bylaw and will be opening recommendations, suggestions and debates to the general public from June onwards. It will be interesting to hear what comes of this.
Tell us about your dog exercise areas and Council initiatives to help dog owners enjoy exercising their dogs. What are you allowed to do? What can't you do? Where is the best place to exercise your dog?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A storm's a'brewing ...
This morning I was woken suddenly by what seemed to be the loudest, most soul-shuddering thunderclap I think I've ever heard. I stayed still in bed, relatively calm, and after what seemed like a few minutes, drifted back off to sleep. Then again, suddenly, another boomingly loud thunderclap, followed shortly afterwards by an incredibly bright flash of lightning. By this time, my young cat was fully awake and alert, swinging his head from side to side like a periscope searching for land. I then realised that this was most likely, his first thunderstorm. Tiger, my older cat, is well versed in matters relating to earthly physics and natural phenomena, so she was tucked up soundly in a ball near my feet.
The thunder and rain has continued here for the best part of the day, but I'm not too worried about the effects that it might have on my cats as they are indoor-only (well, Nauty is, Tiger still has outside privileges). Unfortunately, it is all too common a situation where a pet (usually a dog) hasn't been properly acclimatised to storms and adverse weather conditions, and if kept inside, can create chaos with the house furnishings or even the physical house itself. There have been cases of dogs jamming their heads in cat and dog door flaps, ripping the frames to pieces in an attempt to remove themselves from the situation that is happening around them. Some pets have also broken glass doors and windows to remove themselves from the noise, either narrowly escaping with their lives or unfortunately being found lifeless by their owners on their return home because of injuries the pet has sustained in its escape attempts.
With winter quickly approaching and storm surges on the rise, I urge you to ensure your house and property is as safe for your pets as possible. Make sure that any possible escape routes for your pets are safe, and if possible, add stickers or cover the bottoms of glass panels so that they are more visible to your pets. Have your cats wear elasticated or easily breakable neck collars, and keep an up-to-date tag on your pets' collars in case they do escape your property. By law, all dogs over 3 months of age must be microchipped - currently this is the only form of permanent identification available for pets. I strongly encourage you to consider microchipping your cats also - if they go missing, they are more likely to be reunited with you sooner than if they didn't have a chip. If you find that your pet has gone missing in stormy conditions, call your local veterinary clinics, the SPCA, animal control and put flyers in letterboxes in your neighbourhood asking your neighbours to contact you if they find your pet.
You can also purchase CDs that have recordings of thunderstorms on them which are used to desensitise pets to the noise of a storm. Play them at a low level to begin with, and engage your pet in a fun activity such as playing with a toy, training with rewards, or just gentle cuddling and stroking (provided your pet isn't scared at the time, otherwise you will inadvertently reinforce their fear of storms). As your pet begins to ignore the noise (and if played low, it shouldn't bother them anyway), gradually turn up the volume so they become more accustomed to the noise level.
As we share our lives with our pets, we need to understand their needs. Something we have become accustomed to will be new for them and we must respond to their needs appropriately. Then we can be sure that they will be able to accept anything.
The thunder and rain has continued here for the best part of the day, but I'm not too worried about the effects that it might have on my cats as they are indoor-only (well, Nauty is, Tiger still has outside privileges). Unfortunately, it is all too common a situation where a pet (usually a dog) hasn't been properly acclimatised to storms and adverse weather conditions, and if kept inside, can create chaos with the house furnishings or even the physical house itself. There have been cases of dogs jamming their heads in cat and dog door flaps, ripping the frames to pieces in an attempt to remove themselves from the situation that is happening around them. Some pets have also broken glass doors and windows to remove themselves from the noise, either narrowly escaping with their lives or unfortunately being found lifeless by their owners on their return home because of injuries the pet has sustained in its escape attempts.
With winter quickly approaching and storm surges on the rise, I urge you to ensure your house and property is as safe for your pets as possible. Make sure that any possible escape routes for your pets are safe, and if possible, add stickers or cover the bottoms of glass panels so that they are more visible to your pets. Have your cats wear elasticated or easily breakable neck collars, and keep an up-to-date tag on your pets' collars in case they do escape your property. By law, all dogs over 3 months of age must be microchipped - currently this is the only form of permanent identification available for pets. I strongly encourage you to consider microchipping your cats also - if they go missing, they are more likely to be reunited with you sooner than if they didn't have a chip. If you find that your pet has gone missing in stormy conditions, call your local veterinary clinics, the SPCA, animal control and put flyers in letterboxes in your neighbourhood asking your neighbours to contact you if they find your pet.
You can also purchase CDs that have recordings of thunderstorms on them which are used to desensitise pets to the noise of a storm. Play them at a low level to begin with, and engage your pet in a fun activity such as playing with a toy, training with rewards, or just gentle cuddling and stroking (provided your pet isn't scared at the time, otherwise you will inadvertently reinforce their fear of storms). As your pet begins to ignore the noise (and if played low, it shouldn't bother them anyway), gradually turn up the volume so they become more accustomed to the noise level.
As we share our lives with our pets, we need to understand their needs. Something we have become accustomed to will be new for them and we must respond to their needs appropriately. Then we can be sure that they will be able to accept anything.
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