I thought about starting this blog with a Jeff Foxworthy variation: You know you’re a red neck when you try to put your Saint Bernard down and you have to shoot it three times to kill it.
But that would be insulting red necks.
I’m referring to the incident that took place in Moro a couple weeks ago where Walter Nettleton shot his St. Bernard, Max, then buried him in his yard. His neighbors heard the shots and the dog’s howls and called Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Like other pet owners, I was horrified, not just for the dog, but I felt for the man’s neighbors. If it took three shots for Nettleton to kill the dog, were they in any danger?
The information given to The Telegraph was Nettleton stated the dog suffered from seizures. Officials with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department said that there was evidence the dog did have health problems, but didn’t say what evidence or specify what kind of health problems.
As the story unfolded, The Telegraph learned that Nettleton was charged with obstruction of justice (he told law officials he had not used his own firearm) and did not have a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card.
If Nettleton lied to authorities about his ownership of the gun, a .357 caliber Magnum, and had no FOID card, did the dog really suffer from seizures as Nettleton told authorities? How did the Madison County Sheriff’s Department know there was a health problem with the dog? What evidence was there? The dog was already dead (and buried) by the time they got there. Just what was so wrong with Mac that Nettleton felt he had to shoot him?
Yes, years ago when the number of choices on what to do with an animal was slim indeed, people took their animals to a REMOTE area and shot them. The few people I’ve known in my life who put their animals down in this manner were at peace with it because they were capable of killing the animal quickly, cleanly, and therefore, humanely. At the bottom of it all, they didn’t want to do it, found it hard to do and had respect, if not love, for the animal that was at their mercy.
It would seem that, barring more information, Nettleton had respect for nothing. Not the dog, his neighbors or the law.

Nov. 14th: 5A’s adoption at Alton Square, Homer Adams Prkwy, 11 a.m until 3 pm
Nov. 28th: 5A’s adoption at Petco, Homer Adams Prkwy, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Nov. 21st: Mouse Races to benefit 5As, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov 21, Pete’s Lounge, Alby St. Tickets are $15.00 for one, $25.00 for two, that includes draft beer and or soda.

Anti-cruelty law challenged in U.S. Supreme Court

In 1999, President Clinton signed the Depiction of Animal Cruelty Law, which enabled law enforcement to crack down on the sale of so-called “crush videos.” These videos depict women crushing small animals with their feet while dressed in spike heels.
A portion of the anti-cruelty law states ” the term “depiction of animal cruelty” means any visual or auditory depiction, including any photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, electronic image, or sound recording of conduct in which a living animal is intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, or killed, if such conduct is illegal under Federal law or the law of the State in which the creation, sale, or possession takes place, regardless of whether the maiming, mutilation, torture, wounding, or killing took place in the State.”
The law does contain certain exemptions, such as videos made for educational or scientific purposes. The entire law can be found at http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/18/I/3/48.
In 2005, Robert Stevens became the first person to be convicted under this law. Stevens was convicted by a federal jury in Pittsburgh of selling videos showing dog fights and of dogs attacking hogs. The presiding judge in the case sentenced Stevens to 37 months in prison plus three years’ supervised released. Stevens appealed the conviction on the grounds that the Depiction of Animal Cruelty Law violated free speech under the First Amendment.
The upshot is that on Oct. 6, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the consitutionality of the 1999 law.
The Humane Society of the United States has a great time line and synopsis of the controversy. Go to their Web site at www.hsus.org and type in Robert Stevens in the search bar in the upper left corner.
My own opinion? I don’t see how “crush videos” and videos of dogfights can be interpreted as freedom of speech.

By the way, Halloween is fast approaching. Keep that candy away from pets!

Have a good time and help Metro East Humane Society at the same time:

Saturday, Nov. 7; doors open at 6:15; play begins at 7 p.m. at Edwardsville Knights of Columbus,7132 Marine Rd.
$150 per table (max. 10 players per team)
Cash Prizes for Top Three Teams 50/50 Drawing, Raffle and Silent Auction
Bring your own snacks - Cash Bar Available (No drinks can be brought into the event)
Reserve your table now by calling Charity at (618) 656-4405 or email info@mehs.org[mailto:info@mehs.org].

The following is a press release from Peter Weber, MS, CAE of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. The Telegraph received the release Oct. 8:

Nearly half of this country’s dogs and cats are overweight, which can lead to major health conditions and shortened life spans if not managed properly. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats are now estimated to be overweight or obese.

“Excess weight gain can lead to serious health problems in dogs such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and many forms of cancer,” says Dr. Sheldon Rubin, president of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association. “In contrast, a 15-year study in Labrador Retrievers found that simply maintaining dogs’ ideal weight can extend their median life span by nearly two years.”

Owners of pets that are already overweight should work with their veterinarian to develop a weight loss program that fits their lifestyle. An appropriate pet weight management program is made up of three parts: 1) proper food, 2) regular exercise and 3) frequent monitoring.

“Just like in people, pets being put on a weight loss program need a physical examination first,” says Dr. Rubin. “The veterinarian will look for existing health problems, obtain an accurate weight and body condition score, and work with the owner to develop food and exercise guidelines.”

In general, it is best to switch to a dog or cat food specifically designed for weight management rather than just feeding less of an adult maintenance product. Exercise should be added gradually, especially in those dogs or cats that have become less active over the years. Keeping track of the pet’s weight, body condition score, amount fed and minutes exercised can be a valuable tool in a weight loss program.

The following information is from Jackie Spiker, an Alton Dog Park task Force member:

The La La Paw Loosa Dog Festival will be held from 10 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. The event is to support the proposed dog park in the city of Alton at Gordon Moore Park.

The ball fields at Gordon Moore will be converted into an off-leash dog play area. For a $2 donation, your pet can run and socialize with others. There will be pet specialty vendors on site selling products and services for pet lovers. There will be food for the humans and treats for the dogs.

All friendly humans and dogs are welcome to attend this festival. Current vaccines are a must for your pet to attend and pets should be sporting their registration tags. Children are welcome to attend with their best friend, however for safety reasons, no children will be allowed in the actual dog park runs.

The La La Paw Loosa will be a trial run of what the Alton dog park will resemble. The information gathered from the event will determine the size of the majority of the dogs using the park and therefore, the size the park needs to be. These particulars are essential in the planning and creating of the Alton Dog Park.

Periodically, someone sends me a link to a video that is just priceless and better than the average.
This video will make your day (if it doesn’t, you have a heart of stone):
http://hopeanimalnetwork.ning.com/video/catdeer-1

Now through the end of October, MEHS will offer reduced adoption fees to anyone who takes home an adult dog. In particular, MEHS is looking for homes for three dogs that came to MEHS because their owners could no longer care for them.

Tammy (top, left) is a 5 to 6 year old border collie mix. She is content to relax at your feet, snuggle when you want, and take leisurely walks when you have the time. She would be a great dog for seniors because she doesn’t require a game of Frisbee or a jog to keep her happy. She is a dog who prefers to not share the home with other dogs - it’s the diva in her.

Baby (right) is an 8 year old Boston terrier mix. She is small in size but large in heart. Baby is already housebroken, and her greatest pleasures are cuddling with her caretaker or curling up in her bed. Because of her size, Baby is a little skittish around small children, but would be great in a home where the humans understand she’s not a toy.

Pip is a four to five year old beagle mix. Weighing in at only 29 pounds, Pip would be great for a smaller household.

From now through the end of October MEHS is offering a reduced adoption fee of $100 for all dogs and cats over the age of 2. The adoption fee includes the animal’s shots to date, spaying or neutering and microchip with registration, as well as their healthy pet warranty supported by Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital. Senior adopters (over the age of 65) receive an additional reduction in the fees.

To view all the animals available at MEHS, check out their website at www.mehs.org.

The Telegraph received a letter recently from a Bethalto couple about the death of their beloved dog. The dog’s story was printed neatly, deliberately, and was eloquent in its simplicity.

To be truthful, we didn’t know what to do with it. It really wasn’t news, a Letter to the Editor or a feature story. Yet we thought that every pet owner would be able to relate to the story and the couple’s anguish at losing a pet. So, then, here is Peewee’s story as written by the people who loved him:

“I’m writing in memory of the dearest dog I’ve ever known. If you are an animal lover and don’t want to shed a tear, don’t read any farther.
My dear heart, whose name was Peewee, even though he weighed about 110 pounds, passed away on July 24. He was close to 13 years old.
My son brought him to us when he was just a little bitty guy. He had picked him up on a back road. The little dog had been licking a McDonald’s hamburger wrapper. He didn’t look very well. My boy dubbed him Peewee and the name stuck. My wife commented that with the size of his paws, he was not going to be a Peewee.

The little hungry pup grew up to be a beautiful, loving and gentle companion. He loved everyone. This dear fellow never had a hurtful bone in his body. Through the years, he never got into a dogfight, he never harmed anything.

Within the past few years, we have taken in three different kitties. These were his buddies. He protected each of them, even though when they were young they aggravated him to no end as kittens will do. The youngest cat, who we call Little Man, was particularly good at pestering him. This little 5 pound cat would run at the 110 pound dog and aggravate him endlessly. When Peewee had enough of it, he would push Little Man away with his big old nose and then grab the little guy with his mouth and hold him down with no more pressure on him than a baby’s hand on a person’s arm. Little Man always ended up looking like a wet wash cloth. But he would be back for more the next day.

A few years ago, four little tykes from the neighborhood knocked on the door. When I answered, they asked, “Can Peewee come out and play?” I will never forget that. I think that shows how much a dog can love and be loved.

It all ended on July 24. This kind, gentle soul passed on. Yes, I said soul. Many say and preach that animals have no soul. No one will ever make me believe that God doesn’t have a place for these dear companions.

Peewee had been having a rough day on July 24. I was getting ready for bed at about 11 p.m. He was laying on the carpet in the livingroom. He was breathing very hard. I knelt down to comfort him. He raised his head and looked at me with those beautiful bright eyes as though to say, “I know you love me - can you help me?” I was helpless. I prayed, “God, please let him go - don’t let him suffer.” About an hour later, I got back up to check on him. God had answered.

I woke my wife and told her “Peewee’s gone.” She had always shared a special bond with him. I truly believe that he loved her most of all.

I covered him and we both sat up all night. We talked and cried and remembered. We remembered how much love and joy that dear old dog had given to all who touched his life.

We will be together again.”

The Rev. David Boase willl celebrate the Blessing of the Animals at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Garden of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 10 E. Third St., in Alton.
The brief liturgy is open to the public to present their pets for a special blessing.
Please leash or cage your pet for everyone’s safety.
Please bring an item for the wish list for 5As.