Humane Society

I don't understand the negative comments about the Humane Society I have read in the past. It really bothers me. People shouldn't write about things they know nothing about. I have volunteered at the shelter for a long time and have meet and worked with a lot of wonderful people. They are so loving and care very much about the animals. The care they receive is wonderful. They provide this care mostly on private donations and there are a lot of animals to take care of. There wouldn't be so many animals if people spayed and neutered their animals, or stop throwing them out the door like they are nothing.

The Humane Society of the United States is extremely disappointed in the recent Maryland Court of Appeals decision designating all pit bull-type dogs as inherently dangerous, and holding owners, landlords and anyone in custody of the dog automatically liable regardless of whether it dog poses a threat ("Pit bulls are inherently dangerous, court rules," April 28). This is a backward step for Maryland, and it puts both dogs and people at risk. A dog's propensity to bite is a product of several factors, including early socialization, living conditions and the owner's behavior - not breed alone.

The Humane Society of the United States filed a class action lawsuit Monday in New Jersey against Maryland-based Perdue Farms, accusing the nation's third-largest poultry producer of falsely advertising its chickens as "humanely raised. " The suit was brought on behalf of a New Jersey woman who bought chicken at a BJ's Wholesale Club bearing the Harvestland label, a trade name used by Perdue for birds raised in Kentucky and marketed as "purely all-natural" and "humanely raised. " The suit alleges that the poultry producer's marketing violates New Jersey's consumer fraud law. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages against Perdue, as well as an injunction barring it from making claims that it treats its birds humanely.

  With thanks to the Baltimore Humane Society .

The Humane Society of the United States is extremely disappointed in the recent Maryland Court of Appeals decision designating all pit bull-type dogs as inherently dangerous, and holding owners, landlords and anyone in custody of the dog automatically liable regardless of whether it dog poses a threat ("Pit bulls are inherently dangerous, court rules," April 28). This is a backward step for Maryland, and it puts both dogs and people at risk. A dog's propensity to bite is a product of several factors, including early socialization, living conditions and the owner's behavior - not breed alone.

The Humane Society of Harford County and TD Bank's Bel Air store are teaming up to host the Carnival of the Dogs on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside in the parking lot at the bank's location at 115 Baltimore Pike in Bel Air. Dog-loving representatives from Baron's K-9 Country Store, Best Friends Fur Ever, Hickory Pet Supply, Interstate Canine Swim Center, and See Spot Run will showcase their products and services. A face painter will entertain the children with her bright and colorful designs, and a hot dog vendor will provide complimentary refreshments for all. Bring your spare change and donate it to a great cause!

The Humane Society of Harford County will hold its fourth annual charity benefit, the Bow Wow Boogie, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday at the Richlin Ballroom, 1700 Van Bibber Road, Edgewood. The Bow Wow Boogie is a bull and oyster roast with open buffet featuring oysters shucked while you wait and a meat carving station. After dinner, a dessert buffet and make-your-own ice cream sundae bar are available. All beer, wine and sodas are included, with a cash bar for mixed drinks. Live music will be provided by rock band Great Train Robbery.

Carroll County Commissioners said yesterday they will consider forming a citizens group to advise the Humane Society on enforcement of animal control laws.Humane Society Executive Director Carolyn N. "Nicky" Ratliff suggested the committee because she said the county needs to clarify how to enforce laws pertaining to loose dogs, barking dogs, licensing and other issues."I want the commissioners to review our policies and procedures as they pertain to law enforcement . . . so we're all working toward the same goal," she said.

For the second time in three years, the Humane Society of the United States is advocating abolition of a decades-old tradition on Chincoteague Island: the annual pony penning and sale sponsored by the island's Fire Department.The swim and sale, nationally known because of the children's book "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry, are part of a monthlong carnival at the island fairgrounds that begins in early July. The ponies will swim from Assateague to Chincoteague tomorrow and the auction of the foals will be held Thursday.

The Marston farmers who were acquitted last year in the county's largest animal-cruelty case have filed a $700,000 libel and defamation suit against the Humane Society of Carroll County Inc. and two sheriff's deputies.Carroll Lynn Schisler and his brother, August Frederick Schisler, claim in the suit that the Humane Society, its director and its chief animal-control officer "maliciously, negligently and inexcusably exposed" the Schislers to "public hatred, contempt and ridicule."Also on Thursday, the Schislers requested zoning permission to re-open a small-scale slaughterhouse on their 112-acre farm.

Starving and freezing on a garbage dump behind her owner's home, Sophia was only able to walk on her hind legs when she was rescued. Next week, she will star in the Shakespearan play "Macbeth," assuming the role of "Man's Best Friend. " Thanks to the Baltimore Humane Society, homeless dogs and cats will have the opportunity to star in famous productions throughout the year with The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory. The acting company is helping to get these animals adopted, giving them a full-page "actor's bio" in the playbill and providing the Baltimore Humane Society with an information table at each show.

Families (and their four-legged friends) looking for Easter fun should check out the Baltimore Humane Society's Easter Eggstravaganza this Saturday, April 7, from noon until 3 p.m. Both kids and pets are invited to this Easter celebration. Parents can snap photos of their children and beloved pets with the Easter Bunny. Kids can hunt for eggs and play the I Spy Cat Detective game. There be a bake sale for humans, and your furry friends can enjoy ice cream from Tiki's Playhouse Doggie Ice-Cream Truck, Maryland's first ice cream truck for canines.

New details have come to light regrading an incident in which animal control officers were sent to a home in the Street area Friday afternoon to remove several dogs and cats. A deputy from the Harford County Sheriff's Office was also dispatched to the property in the 2900 block of Lochary Road at the request of the county's animal control office, Monica Worrell, spokesperson for the sheriff's office confirmed Friday. "Animal control asked the Harford County Sheriff's Office to assist in serving a search and seizure warrant at a location on Lochary Road," Worrell said, explaining a single deputy was sent to provide assistance at 2:35 p.m. and was still at the scene at 5 p.m. Worrell said she could not discuss the contents of the warrant, except to say it was obtained by animal control.

To the Editor: I don't understand what people have against the Humane Society, and what they do for the discarded animals that nobody wanted. What would they like folks to do for them other than try to find them good homes? This is in regard to the article in Wednesday Jan. 4, and the Rebels dog park. People from all over come go use this park because it's safe. It's grass, not dirt and mud. It is fenced, and everyone seems to have a great time...owners and dogs. There aren't many places folks can take their dogs that is basically worry free.

Joe Flacco is giving a little star power to area animals in need. In addition to a recent donation, the Ravens quarterback is lending his image to help the Baltimore Humane Society. People can see Flacco's smiling face throughout the region on billboards, where he's holding a puppy and asking folks to "team up with Joe" and the shelter. The most prominent one will be along the Jones Falls Expressway. Humane Society, a non-profit, no-kill shelter, hopes the new campaign will raise awareness about its adoption efforts, based out of a newly renovated shelter in Reisterstown.

The Humane Society of Harford County had been an embattled organization for a number of years. The private, not-for-profit organization that manages the de facto county animal shelter has at times been at odds with factions of volunteers as well as with the county government. The organization's relationship with the county is critical and mutually beneficial as the county provides substantial funding for the shelter, but doesn't have to pay a lot more to maintain a full-fledged municipal pound.

A Humane Society program responsible for neutering and spaying thousands of city pets has been canceled because of budget shortfalls. For four years, the Neuter Scooter traveled the city, making the surgeries available for free to dog and cat owners. Now the brightly painted, 36-foot bus sits in the parking lot of the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "No one wanted to cut Neuter Scooter, but we just couldn't afford not to anymore," said Randy Brinton, president of the society's board of directors.

Tranquillity is an abundant commodity at the cemetery in Reisterstown where Penny, Posey and Max have been laid to rest.Underneath stately oaks, paper flowers have been placed over gray stone markers, many of them carved with loving tributes like those to Penny ("My Best Friend"), Posey ("Thank You for Loving Me") and Max ("You Will Always Sing in Our Hearts").The peaceful pet cemetery at the entrance to the Humane Society of Baltimore County is evidence of the passion people feel for their pets and the dedication of Elsie Seeger Barton, an animal lover sufficiently moved by the plight of strays that she left her 325-acre estate along with a $6 million endowment to the society when she died in May 1983.

Just got a very interesting email from a local cat advocate. Apparently cats rescued from a Westminster home during the taping of a recent episode of the show "Hoarders" need homes. Here is the email I got from Jill Mehra, a volunteer with Metro Ferals. The Humane Society of the United States thought the readers of Unleashed might be able to help out with these cats. Mehra writes: Basically, the A&E Network produces a show called Hoarders. They recently taped an episode in Westminster.

I don't understand the negative comments about the Humane Society I have read in the past. It really bothers me. People shouldn't write about things they know nothing about. I have volunteered at the shelter for a long time and have meet and worked with a lot of wonderful people. They are so loving and care very much about the animals. The care they receive is wonderful. They provide this care mostly on private donations and there are a lot of animals to take care of. There wouldn't be so many animals if people spayed and neutered their animals, or stop throwing them out the door like they are nothing.