Sunday, April 29, 2007

Why pets are important

Pets are very important parts of our lives because they help us cope withlife, are understanding, and have unconditional love for us I also would like to share a few amazing things that pets have done for people so below I put in some stories from http://nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/

Forget the dog park! Kato, a German shepherd mix, preferred to spend his downtime at Brooklyn’s Coney Island, in New York. At night, he guarded the Wonder Wheel, an eight-story-high Ferris wheel. But during the day, he rode it! It all started when someone put Kato on the ride to get him out of the way while cleaning. “He really liked it,” says John Vouderis, whose family owns the ride. Before long, he had his own special car outfitted with blankets, water, food, and weights to keep it from rocking. “When we’d start turning the wheel in the morning, he’d bark and scratch to go on it,” says Vouderis. He also barked to get off—for “bathroom” breaks.

Someone had set off the security alarm at the Gladstone Library, in Oregon—again. But when librarian Catherine Powers accompanied a police officer to the library, she found everything in order. This was the fourth false alarm in three months. Fed up, Powers called a repairman. After a thorough investigation, he came to an unusual conclusion. “I think it’s the cat,” he said, after repositioning the motion detectors. “He’s sliding down the banister.” Page, the library mascot, did have the run of the place. And there was a staircase. But still … a cat sliding down the banister? Powers was doubtful. Weeks later, however, another staff member looked up to see Page on the banister at the top of the staircase. “She saw him turn and slide to the bottom,” says Powers. “Then he just strolled away.”

One night, when Hazel Woodget lay down on the couch, only three of her four pet Chihuahuas snuggled beside her. Pepe, the most devoted pup, perched on her tummy, stared into her eyes, and kept sniffing her armpit instead. Annoyed, she pushed him away. Then the determined dog pounced on her chest. That’s when Woodget, of Wiltshire, England, in the United Kingdom, felt a pain that made her visit a doctor. Days later, a biopsy revealed a fast-growing cancer in her body. Woodget underwent surgery, and as soon as she was home and recovering, Pepe returned to snuggling. Months later, however, he started staring as he’d done before. Sure enough, Woodget’s cancer had spread. She was treated again.

Woodget’s cancer reappeared two more times after that, and both times Pepe alerted her. “He knew I was sick before I knew I was sick,” says Woodget. “It’s because of what Pepe did that I’m still here.” Pepe was so reliable that his story was used in a medical research study to see if cancer sniffer dogs could be trained. Turns out the answer is yes. That means hospitals may begin putting sensitive-sniffing lifesavers on staff.

When Tee Cee sits and stares directly into his face, Michael Edmonds immediately finds a chair. That’s because Tee Cee is warning him that he’s about to suffer an epileptic seizure. Edmonds, of Yorkshire, England, faints from the seizures. They can strike as often as three times a day. But Edmonds won’t get hurt if he’s sitting down. Not only does Tee Cee warn Edmonds, but the cat also finds and alerts Edmonds’s wife by biting and tugging on her pants. Then the cat stays with Edmonds until he regains consciousness.

“None of us knows how or why Tee Cee does this,” says Samantha Laidler, Edmonds’s stepdaughter. “But it’s quite reassuring. He hasn’t been wrong yet.” All this love comes from a cat that was saved from drowning in a river as a kitten. No wonder the Cats Protection organization named Tee Cee the 2006 Rescue Cat of the Year!

Zion, a Labrador retriever, reacted fast. He was paddling after a stick in Colorado’s Roaring Fork River, when Ryan Rambo, 8, floated by. Ryan’s life jacket made him look like one of the summer people who float down the river for fun. Only this was early May. The river was full of melted snow, and Ryan was so cold he could barely whisper. His body temperature was dropping dangerously low. Ryan had been kayaking with an adult when their boat flipped. The adult swam to shore, but Ryan got whisked downstream to where Chelsea Bennett, 13, of Glenwood Springs, was playing with her dog, Zion.

Zion knew the boy was in trouble and needed help,” says Chelsea. “Ryan grabbed onto the dog’s collar, and Zion just turned around and came straight back in to shore.” Friends for life, Ryan visits Zion whenever he can.


Normally, Joey is a quiet lap-sitter. But last summer, the kitty created a ruckus. “I was napping in my bedroom, and I woke up to Joey screeching and running back and forth,” says Bernice McDowall, of McKenzie, North Dakota. Opening her eyes, McDowall found herself in a smoky haze. With Joey running alongside, she made her way through the living room, kitchen, and then out the door. By then, flames were shooting from the basement. As McDowall and Joey watched from the safety of the sheriff’s car, the firefighters who responded to her 911 call managed to quench the blaze.

McDowall had found Joey abandoned as a kitten—stuffed into a mailbox. She saved him and he’s lived with her ever since. “I feel very fortunate,” says McDowall. “Without him I’d have probably died in the smoke. Joey saved me and the house.”

It was an ordinary Saturday. Addilyn Carter, 4, and her friend Joshua Basti, 5, were playing in Addilyn’s Seabrook, New Hampshire, backyard. Their moms were nearby, and Addilyn’s dog, a Shetland sheepdog named Cinnamon, was standing guard, as usual. Suddenly a fox—acting strangely aggressive for no apparent reason—burst out of the nearby woods and headed straight for the kids. Joshua tried to run, but the fox bit his leg. Next the fox grabbed Addilyn’s pants and would have bitten her, too, if not for Cinnamon. The brave dog, barking fiercely, caught up to the quick-moving attacker and chased the fox away. Afterward, an animal control officer reported that the fox had bitten another child earlier that day, and that it had rabies. Both injured children received treatment and are fine now. “It was scary,” says Shelly, Addilyn’s mother. “Addilyn says Cinnamon is her hero and her pal.”


Don’t mess with Jack! That’s been the word around West Milford, New Jersey, ever since a young black bear dared to step onto Jack the cat’s home turf. “Jack goes out every day and patrols our perimeter,” says owner Donna Dickey. He chases off groundhogs, rabbits, and wandering cats. But bears? While black bears do live in New Jersey, they usually stay out of suburban neighborhoods.

Dickey thinks Jack—who often teases her dog—was hiding under a bush just before leaping out, spread-eagled. Startled, the timid bear scurried up a tree. And there he stayed, while Jack guarded the base. The stare-down lasted 15 minutes. When the bear did try to escape, Jack stood up and hissed, sending him up another tree. Only after Dickey called her pet home did the scaredy-bear slide down and run away. “He didn’t stop to look back!” says Dickey.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

National Pet Week!

This year, Beautify CNMI! and PAWS are proud to celebrate National Pet Week. National Pet Week was established in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association to promote responsible pet ownership, public awareness of veterinary medicine, and celebrate the human-animal bond. It is now celebrated throughout the United States and other parts of the world, including the CNMI! In 2007, National Pet Week will be observed from May 6-12. In observance of this special week, Beautify CNMI!, PAWS, and DLNR’s Dr. dela Cruz have planned numerous events intended to educate the public about the benefits of responsible pet ownership. To further these efforts, local businesses like Ace Hardware and Costco, are offering discounts on animal care items – so stock up while you can! Beautify CNMI!, PAWS, and DLNR have planned a well-balanced week to help the community experience the benefits of responsible pet ownership.

Public Education:
1) May 7-11: The PAWS Education Committee will launch their education program in schools around the island. Through the program, children will learn how to responsibly take care of animals, learn about animal behavior and how to approach an animal safely, and learn how to feel compassionately for animals.

2) Monday, May 7, 2007 at 7:00 a.m., Katie Busenkell, a PAWS Board Member and the Chair of Beautify CNMI!’s Animal Welfare Committee, will be on the Harry Blalock Show. The topic of conversation will be the newly introduced Animal Protection Act, why responsible pet ownership is so important for our community, pet care tips, and events planned for National Pet Week.

3) KZMI and Beautify CNMI! recently recorded pet care tips that will be broadcasted over the radio. The tips will be played throughout the month of May in observance of National Pet Week.

Low-Cost Veterinary Clinics:
4) Tuesday, May 8th, 8:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.: Dr. dela Cruz, from DLNR, will hold a special clinic in observance of National Pet Week at the DLNR Animal Health Center. Services that are available include: parvo vaccination for $5.00, a combo vaccination for $10.00, treatment for skin diseases, and Revolution prescriptions for $5.00. Revolution is a topical parasiticide that is applied to the skin of dogs six weeks of age or older, and is used to: prevent heartworm; kill fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and ear mite infestation, AND kills roundworms and hookworms. Revolution is also used to treat and control sarcopic mange.

What is sarcopic mange? It’s a skin mite that eats your dog’s skin, and it’s itchy! It also causes the dog’s hair to fall out. So, all those dogs you see sitting by the side of the road hairless and itching themselves raw – they have it and they need treatment by a licensed veterinarian.

Family Event – The Dog Show:

5) May 12th, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: The Best of the Worst Dog Show!!! The show will be held at the airport football field. Everyone is invited to participate. There is no entry fee. All those wishing to enter their dog(s) in the show must have their dog fitted with a collar and leash.Prizes will be awarded for the dog that wins in the following categories:
 The Fattest,
 The Most Uneven Ears,
 The Shortest Legs,
 The Most Disobedient,
 The Silliest Pure Breed, and
 The Booniest (Best of Show).

Prizes include certificates for free vaccinations at DLNR’s clinic, a gift basket from Ace Hardware, a three month supply of Frontline, large bags of dog food, collars and leashes, and flea and tick shampoo. This is not a serious event. Rather, it is intended to bring family and friends together to laugh at ourselves, and of course, the animals we love. Dogs don’t even have to know how to sit (and if they don’t, we suggest you sign them up for “Most Disobedient” category). All your dog has to do is walk a short distance in front of three celebrity judges on a leash. The dog with the most points wins the prizes - that’s it!!

Following the event, Beautify CNMI! and PAWS will do a clean up of the bomb shelters. Again, everyone and their dog(s) are invited to participate in the clean up.

ALSO, PAWS Education Committee is sponsoring a PAWS Mascot competition, open to children in Grades 1-6. Entry forms have been sent to all Elementary Schools in Saipan, both public and private. If you are interested in entering, and need a form, contact me, and I'll be happy to forward you one. The prize is 2 tickets to the PIC Water Park, generously donated by PIC.If you have any questions on the events that are planned for National Pet Week, please email Katie Busenkell at busenkell@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 21, 2007

How Do You Take Care of a Guinea Pig? Ask Maddie!

This is Daisy. She is my guinea pig (properly known as a cavy). I love guinea pigs. I have had 6 guinea pigs so far. Daisy is pretty old for a guinea pig, she is 6. Her favorite treat is carrots.

A guinea pig needs an area of at least 2 feet by 2 feet. If you are thinking of getting a piggy don't buy them a hamster cage or bird cage as these are to small and sometimes too flimsy.

The modern guinea pig is the descendant of a more wild species brought to Europe and America by European sailors who tamed them and had them as companions aboard ships. People used to eat them.

The name of the Guinea coin in Europe was named after Guinea pig because so many people ate them that the coin was often used. Guinea pigs have four long teeth and 16 claws.

Guinea pigs must have something to gnaw on in their cages to keep their teeth short such as a brick. you also have to trim their claws. There are many types of guinea pigs.

I've found that if you put newspaper below the bedding in the cage you can peel all the stuff out at cleaning time, no hose and scrub brush involved. You need to give your cavy a bath once every 3 months.

Guinea pigs eat pellets which you can buy at your local pet store. Rabbit pellets look similar but they are usually crumblier. Don't feed your guinea pig rabbit food, it will make her sick.

If your cavy has babies you need to pull the male guinea pig out. The baby pigs must be separated by gender at 6 weeks. you can tell their gender because the male cavy's genitals have an i shape on them and the girl's have a Y shape. Baby guinea pigs are very cute they are fully developed at birth. Don't touch them for the first 2 days of their life. After that you can start taming them. A guinea pig generally has 1 to 4 babies at a time. You should not breed your guinea pig if she is over 4 years old as it can break her pelvic bones and kill her during child birth.

On Saipan you can no longer purchase guinea pigs.

I hope you have fun with your guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are an ideal pet for younger children as they are mildly behaved and will not hurt the child and they create less mess than a dog or cat but are also more durable to a child's petting than a hamster. Young guinea pigs are quite energetic. They will squeak and "popcorn" (jumping and flipping around) when they see a person they know and love or they hear the fridge open or smell vegetables or hear plastic grocery bags crumpling. I am sad that some people use these gentile and docile creatures as lab animals. I love my guinea pig Daisy and hope if you get a guinea pig you will love him/her as much as I love Daisy. -maddie ;-)

[Madison is our youngest PAWS contributor. She is 13 years old and attends school at Whispering Palms. Read more about Maddie and her family at http://shazamsaipan.blogspot.com/2007/04/daisy.html]

Pet Care Tip: Teaching Children to Handle Dogs

Kids can be rough on animals. Just look at the mangled and matted stuffed animals strewn across your child's bedroom. Introducing a living, fragile, self-protective animal into this environment could be disastrous. So before you bring home a new pet, make sure your children know how to handle a furry new addition to the family properly.

This tip is brought to you by Petco.com.

For more information on how you can be a responsible pet owner, visit Petco.com or see our pet care tips posted on www.paws-saipan.org.

National Pet Week in the CNMI!

This year, Beautify CNMI! and PAWS are proud to celebrate National Pet Week. National Pet Week was established in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association to promote responsible pet ownership, public awareness of veterinary medicine, and celebrate the human-animal bond. It is now celebrated throughout the United States and other parts of the world, including the CNMI!

In 2007, National Pet Week will be observed from May 6-12. In observance of this special week, Beautify CNMI!, PAWS, and DLNR’s Dr. dela Cruz have planned numerous events intended to educate the public about the benefits of responsible pet ownership. To further these efforts, local businesses like Ace Hardware and Costco, are offering discounts on animal care items – so stock up while you can!

Beautify CNMI!, PAWS, and DLNR have planned a well-balanced week to help the community experience the benefits of responsible pet ownership.

Public Education:

1) May 7-11: The PAWS Education Committee will launch their education program in schools around the island. Through the program, children will learn how to responsibly take care of animals, learn about animal behavior and how to approach an animal safely, and learn how to feel compassionately for animals.

2) Monday, May 7, 2007 at 7:00 a.m., Katie Busenkell, a PAWS Board Member and the Chair of Beautify CNMI!’s Animal Welfare Committee, will be on the Harry Blalock Show. The topic of conversation will be the newly introduced Animal Protection Act, why responsible pet ownership is so important for our community, pet care tips, and events planned for National Pet Week.

3) KZMI and Beautify CNMI! recently recorded pet care tips that will be broadcasted over the radio. The tips will be played throughout the month of May in observance of National Pet Week.

Low-Cost Veterinary Clinics:

4) Tuesday, May 8th, 8:00 a.m - 11:00 a.m.: Dr. dela Cruz, from DLNR, will hold a special clinic in observance of National Pet Week at the DLNR Animal Health Center. Services that are available include: parvo vaccination for $5.00, a combo vaccination for $10.00, treatment for skin diseases, and Revolution prescriptions for $5.00. Revolution is a topical parasiticide that is applied to the skin of dogs six weeks of age or older, and is used to: prevent heartworm; kill fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and ear mite infestation, AND kills roundworms and hookworms. Revolution is also used to treat and control sarcopic mange.

What is sarcopic mange? It’s a skin mite that eats your dog’s skin, and it’s itchy! It also causes the dog’s hair to fall out. So, all those dogs you see sitting by the side of the road hairless and itching themselves raw – they have it and they need treatment by a licensed veterinarian.

Family Event – The Dog Show:

5) May 12th, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: The Best of the Worst Dog Show!!! The show will be held at the airport football field. Everyone is invited to participate. There is no entry fee. All those wishing to enter their dog(s) in the show must have their dog fitted with a collar and leash.

Prizes will be awarded for the dog that wins in the following categories:
- The Fattest,
- The Most Uneven Ears,
- The Shortest Legs,
- The Most Disobedient,
- The Silliest Pure Breed, and
- The Booniest (Best of Show).

Prizes include certificates for free vaccinations at DLNR’s clinic, a gift basket from Ace Hardware, a three month supply of Frontline, large bags of dog food, collars and leashes, and flea and tick shampoo.

This is not a serious event. Rather, it is intended to bring family and friends together to laugh at ourselves, and of course, the animals we love. Dogs don’t even have to know how to sit (and if they don’t, we suggest you sign them up for “Most Disobedient” category). All your dog has to do is walk a short distance in front of three celebrity judges on a leash. The dog with the most points wins the prizes - that’s it!!

Following the event, Beautify CNMI! and PAWS will do a clean up of the bomb shelters. Again, everyone and their dog(s) are invited to participate in the clean up.

If you have any questions on the events that are planned for National Pet Week, please email Katie Busenkell at busenkell@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Pet Care Tip - Train Your Children!

Children need to learn to be gentle and never to bully your pet. Here are some rules to teach your children about pet handling:
  • Don't bother your pet at mealtimes or during his afternoon nap.
  • Play gently. Rowdy play can confuse and over stimulate your dog.
  • Don't allow a young child walk around holding a puppy. A puppy can easily squirm out of a child's hands and hurt himself or the child.
  • Supervise your children when they play with the dog for the first few weeks. And don't let children out of your sight when there's a dog around. Animals and children can be harsh on each other in the absence of adult supervision.

Information provided by Petco.com.

Monday, April 9, 2007

DLNR Animal Clinics

Beautify CNMI! and PAWS want you to know that Dr. dela Cruz, Director of DLNR, holds a clinic every other Tuesday at Animal Health from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

At the clinics, Dr. dela Cruz administers vaccinations for parvovirus, leptospirosis, canine distemper,coronavirus, and infectious canine hepatitis. The cost of a combo-vaccination is $10.00 and a parvo shot is $5.00.
Dr. dela Cruz also treats skin diseases associated with mange, ticks, and fleas. The clinic usually charges $5.00 per treatment for sarcoptic mange, which requires a minimum of two visits, depending upon the severity of the disease and the animal's response to the treatment. Complete treatment for a severe case of sarcoptic mange is usually less than $50.00 - so don't dump that dog - treat that dog!!

Upon request, Dr. dela Cruz can provide a prescription for Revolution. Revolution is a topical parasiticide that is applied to the skin of dogs six weeks of age or older, and is used to: prevent heartworm; kill fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and ear mite infestation, AND kills roundworms and hookworms. Revolution is also used to treat and control sarcopic mange. A prescription for Revolution costs $5.00.

The next scheduled clinic is:

Tuesday, April 17, 2007
From 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
DLNR Health Center in As Lito.
The clinics are operated on a first-come, first-service basis, so it is best to get their early and plan on staying for at least an hour.

For more information, please contact Dr. dela Cruz or his staff at 234-6169.

Friday, April 6, 2007

MISSING DOG - COOKIE


We need your help finding Cookie!!

A woman by the name of Aya has contacted PAWS seeking help to find her dog, Cookie. Cookie was last seen in Gualo Rai at the Pacific Eagle Building. She disappeared on April 6, 2007 at 1:00 a.m. Her picture can be seen posted on our website at paws-saipan.org or on our blog site at paws-saipan.blogspot.com.

Cookie is wearing a red collar.

If you have any information, please call AYA, 234-1210. If you are unable to contact Aya (she will leaving island Sunday, April 8, 2007 until Wednesday, April 11, 2007) please contact Katie at 256-0243 or at busenkell@gmail.com.



Cookie please come back...
I heard the bad news this morning,
and cant believe that your gone.
I hope this is all a dream that I’m in
what really happened...

I hope your not in pain...
I hope that your happy now
I hope.....
I really do hope for you to come back home...

please... by Marie

Tuesday, April 3, 2007

Beautify CNMI! Anniversary Party

Everyone is invited to attend the Beautify CNMI! Anniversary Party!
The fundraiser will be at the Aqua Resort on April 20th at 7:30 PM. The price is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children (very affordable!). Admission includes the Seafood Night Buffet with draft beer and champagne, a raffle ticket, and other surprises. There will also be a presentation of several Beautify CNMI Environmental Stewardship awards and a presentation of all the work we have accomplished (and the fun we had) together in the last year. Information on where to buy tickets is soon to follow. Until then, please RSVP to Angelo Villagomez via email at angelovillagomez@gmail.com so that we have an idea of how many people to expect. Please, come out and have a good time with all the people who have worked hard this year to make our island a better place to live and visit!

PAWS Rescues 2006-2007

PAWS Commercial

Monday, April 2, 2007

Getting a Tinian Shelter Started

Below, please find an update from Dr. Thomas Arkle of Tinian. In an effort to reduce the number of stray dogs on Tinian, Dr. Arkle has been working diligently for the Tinian Mayor's Office to open an animal shelter.

Sounds like they have encountered a couple of speedbumps along the way, but no one said it was going to be easy in the beginning!

"I guess by now you've seen the article in todays trib. It was supposed to be in the variety too, but maybe on Monday.

Anyway, this has been a real struggle at every step. We have found that such a program is not just 1,2,3. There has been a million details that keep coming up almost daily - and each one has to be dealt with - usually on the spot.

But we have learned a lot - and are still learning, every day.

There has been a lot of problems just catching the strays. All those dogs one sees just running playfully around (loose) - are not so playful. MOST of them, when trapped or approached, are quite vicious. Many had to be eliminated on the spot - TWO grown men, most of the time, could not control them even with the humane "catch-all" device. These dogs are actually so vicious that they bloody themselves trying to get at their captors. They're FINE as long as they"re LOOSE. But now we know why so many people were being threatened by these dogs as they became hungier or the economy declined. The dogs were getting to the point of being really dangerous - and for the most part, we had not been fully aware of it - until we caught some of them.

One of our biggest problems has been public acceptance and participation. Apparently the many voices that have been crying for us to eliminate the problem are being overshadowed by the SILENT ones who have tried to subvert the program - or simply not participate. We did get that initial rush of people to register pets - but only about 35 or so. Then - nothing. We began personal door to door visits and found nearly everyone had a dog or two or four or six. Most "promised" to register - none did.

In many cases, our traps were tampered with, set off without dog, doors jammed, etc. In some cases, caught dogs were removed before we could get to them - presumably by the owner. Also, traps near schools or areas where kids congregate resulted in some trapped dogs being tortured by the kids. We also had a problem with "other" animals being caught - mainly cats - they were after the bait.

We also had to work out how to transfer the dogs from the traps to the kennel - the traps were too heavy or bulky to move themselves - so we designed a lightweight "transfer" cage and made a "door-to-door" transfer without having to actually handle the dog. This worked quite well. The traps had to be monitored at LEAST twice a day.

On two instances, some one, probably the pet owner entered our kennel facility in the middle of the night and simply took back their impounded dog. The first one, we found the next day, comfortably relaxing at its owners house. The owner admitted taking the dog back but said we couldn't do anything because we didn't witness the act. he was right, but he didn't figure that we had the authority to impose a $100.00 citation on the spot because his dog had not yet been registered. The second one was taken the night our public notice appeared announcing the euthansia. We haven't seen that one yet as its owner is probably hidinbg the animal - but we will and the citation will be written without further notice.

Once our new "traffic ticket like" citations became available and authorized for use, we began an intensive program of "threats." We went back door to door to those we had earlier visited and gave them an on the spot choice, Register the dog on the spot, surrender the dog on the spot, or we would write the citation - on the spot. In less than one week alone we generated 60 registrations and 5 or 6 surrendered dogs. We are looking at that many if not more next week.

We haven't yet had a "test" citation go to the courts because everybody so faced has elected to avoid it - but it won't be long till we get to test the CNMI system with a first of a kind municipal citation prosecuted at the state level. That's never been tried before -but the AG did approve the regs, so they must know about it. Hopefully, the judiciary will accept it too.

We have found that it was a good thing our regs were written as detailed as possible - some people still try to come up with loopholes - none have succeeded yet. I guess it pays to have a twewnty page regulation instead of a one or two pager.

well, that's some of what we have found so far. The euthanasia went very well and fairly rapidly. We will be better set up next time (in about two weeks) so it will be even more efficient.

At first we were being given the run around by DEQ over digging a burial pit and when they said it would be OK but the permit never came, we just went ahead and did it anyway -and claimed we were using an old DLNR permit which was true.

Oh,m almost forgot, loose dogs are hard to trap or catch. Dogs in a particular area will not enter the trap once they know a couple of their fellow dogs have been caught, so the traps must be moved frequently. We also tried a net approach - we designed a 6 foot diamter rope net with a re-bar around the rim to make a large circular net we could throw over a dog along the road as we tossed it from the truck. - didn't work! it seems like the dogs on Tinian learned that our truck was bad news and they would run away before we could gete anywhere near them - even though they stayed put as other cars and trucks passed! Incredible!

It's realtively slow progress, but we have made a significant difference so far and if we keep at it, I believe in 6 months or so, it will be a much better place. When we issue that first citation, we plan on making a PR release - just to leet the public know we really mean business - this time.

I've probably left something out, but if I think of anything else important, I'll let you know - feel free to use this anyway you want.

Regards,
Tom Arkle"