Friday, August 01, 2014
Simon Cowell rescues baby hedgehog stuck in empty dog food tin
Not that Simon Cowell, but Simon Cowell, founder and managing trustee of the Wildlife Aid Foundation.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
Couple unhappy about pig's legs in soil supplied by landscaping company
A couple from Jacksonville, Florida, couldn't believe what they found buried in the soil delivered from a local landscaping company.
Chris Frank's wife was just gardening in her yard. "As she was digging, she saw something and dug around it. That's when she had discovered that there was actually some kind of animal part in there," Frank said.
They found at least two more in other spots.
Frank snapped photos and knew exactly what it was buried about 13 inches down into the soil. "That's a pig leg," he said. "She said how do you know? I said I know what the hoof looks like." Frank's wife is a semi-vegetarian. "She was disturbed by it," he said. "I was disturbed by it." Frank had paid $300 to a local landscaping company on July 22. Frank said the services were to remove palm trees and put soil in.
He said the company's owner came out to his home and took the putrid pork away. "He said, 'I've got all of them. You're good," Frank said while describing the exchange he had with the company's owner. "I said 'OK, we'd like the soil to be removed too because it's gross." Frank claims the owner recently said he'd put lime on the ground, but Frank said that hasn't happened yet. "He called my wife and told her that he was not going to come get the soil," Frank said.
"I'm sorry, for him to not take care of his customers like that, I think it's bad business." Scott, a manager with the company, said they recently bought fresh clean soil and after cleaning a pig, the pig parts were accidentally left inside the bucket of a back-hoe used to move soil. The manager said the owner apologised, removed the parts from the Frank's soil and that this has never happened before. The manager would not say if the landscaping company would give the Frank's new soil.
Frank snapped photos and knew exactly what it was buried about 13 inches down into the soil. "That's a pig leg," he said. "She said how do you know? I said I know what the hoof looks like." Frank's wife is a semi-vegetarian. "She was disturbed by it," he said. "I was disturbed by it." Frank had paid $300 to a local landscaping company on July 22. Frank said the services were to remove palm trees and put soil in.
He said the company's owner came out to his home and took the putrid pork away. "He said, 'I've got all of them. You're good," Frank said while describing the exchange he had with the company's owner. "I said 'OK, we'd like the soil to be removed too because it's gross." Frank claims the owner recently said he'd put lime on the ground, but Frank said that hasn't happened yet. "He called my wife and told her that he was not going to come get the soil," Frank said.
"I'm sorry, for him to not take care of his customers like that, I think it's bad business." Scott, a manager with the company, said they recently bought fresh clean soil and after cleaning a pig, the pig parts were accidentally left inside the bucket of a back-hoe used to move soil. The manager said the owner apologised, removed the parts from the Frank's soil and that this has never happened before. The manager would not say if the landscaping company would give the Frank's new soil.
Man claims burglar smoked his wife's ashes
A man claims a burglar broke into his home and smoked the ashes of his deceased wife.
Last week, Phillip McMullen, from Citronelle in Mobile County, Alabama, went out of town to stay with some friends. While he was gone, he said the unspeakable happened.
“(The burglar) ransacked my house, tried to break in my gun safe, which, they weren’t able to, they even took my wife’s ashes off my headboard, strewed them around, looked like they tried to smoke some of them or something,” McMullen said.
“I guess they figured out this stuff ain’t worth smoking, so they threw it up underneath one of my toolboxes.” McMullen says he thinks the burglar thought the ashes were drugs, since the ashes were kept in a plastic box, rather than a metal urn. “Tried it out to see if it was some kind of drugs, and I bet that was a nasty taste when they (did) that though,” said McMullen.
McMullen said he and his wife were married for 22 years, and now, he’s hoping the burglar will be caught, so justice can be served. The burglar was able to break in McMullen’s house through a window. Once inside, the thief stole some 15 items, according to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, including a generator, chainsaw, knife and fishing rods and reels. McMullen said he was furious when he first saw what happened.
YouTube link.
“I don’t know if God will forgive them for what they’ve done or not,” added McMullen. Meanwhile, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation, and is hoping someone will do the right thing and turn the criminal in. “If someone did something like this, that’s just horrible,” said Lori Myles, with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, “and if we do prove that he has tampered with this urn, there will be additional charges, such as desecration of a grave.” Sheriff’s officials say the burglar is still at large.
“I guess they figured out this stuff ain’t worth smoking, so they threw it up underneath one of my toolboxes.” McMullen says he thinks the burglar thought the ashes were drugs, since the ashes were kept in a plastic box, rather than a metal urn. “Tried it out to see if it was some kind of drugs, and I bet that was a nasty taste when they (did) that though,” said McMullen.
McMullen said he and his wife were married for 22 years, and now, he’s hoping the burglar will be caught, so justice can be served. The burglar was able to break in McMullen’s house through a window. Once inside, the thief stole some 15 items, according to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, including a generator, chainsaw, knife and fishing rods and reels. McMullen said he was furious when he first saw what happened.
YouTube link.
“I don’t know if God will forgive them for what they’ve done or not,” added McMullen. Meanwhile, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation, and is hoping someone will do the right thing and turn the criminal in. “If someone did something like this, that’s just horrible,” said Lori Myles, with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, “and if we do prove that he has tampered with this urn, there will be additional charges, such as desecration of a grave.” Sheriff’s officials say the burglar is still at large.
Indian family surprised to find five-foot crocodile in their bathroom
A family in Sojitra village, Gujarat, were surprised to find a five-foot crocodile in their bathroom on July 21.
Bharat Patel was entering the bathroom when he saw the crocodile in the corner.
He immediately locked the bathroom from the outside and informed his neighbours about the presence of the wild animal in his house.
Forestry officials were called to cage the animal, which was released in a lake in a nearby village.
Bharat Patel was entering the bathroom when he saw the crocodile in the corner.
He immediately locked the bathroom from the outside and informed his neighbours about the presence of the wild animal in his house.
Forestry officials were called to cage the animal, which was released in a lake in a nearby village.
Men disguised as langurs employed to scare away monkeys in central Delhi
About 40 trained youths have been pressed into service, disguised as langurs and screeching and grunting loudly, to scare away monkeys from Delhi’s corridors of power.
The men are summoned by the New Delhi Municipal Council to spots, including the Parliament House, that come under siege from monkeys. The 'langurs' suddenly appear from behind bushes and trees to drive away the simians through sounds and gestures.
On Thursday, urban development minister M Venkiah Naidu acknowledged through a written reply in Rajya Sabha that men have been posing as langurs to keep the monkey menace in check. According to NDMC sources, the practice started after real langurs were barred from being kept in captivity. By all accounts, the human 'langurs' have proved to be effective in their new role. NDMC sources said the men are paid Rs 700-800 (£7-£8, $11.50-$13) per 'visit' and have not been hired permanently. They get work for around 10-15 days a month, earning anywhere between Rs 7000 to 10,000.
NDMC sources said while it would take time, the 'langur men' would continue to do their job until all the monkeys left the area. The men disguised as langurs are also armed with rubber bullets to drive away the simians. Until last year, Delhi's streets were patrolled by actual langurs. But because of change in law in November 2012 this practice ended. "These young men have trained themselves to pose as langurs. We have no option but to hire them because, as per law, even an officer who calls for langur and its master to drive away monkeys can be booked and jailed," said a senior official.
Monkeys, often moving in large groups foraging for food, pose a threat to people in the high security zone housing central government ministries. "We are no more using air guns to scare away monkeys. Only rubber bullets are used. We also use electric strips which give out a minor shock to animals when they touch them. The monkeys are only stunned, not harmed in any other way. We are taking all possible steps to address the concerns of all parties and trying to ensure that monkeys stay away," NDMC chairman Jalaj Srivastava said. He added that NDMC was also considering issuing extra taxes to those who keep bananas and other fruits on the roadside for monkeys to feed on.
On Thursday, urban development minister M Venkiah Naidu acknowledged through a written reply in Rajya Sabha that men have been posing as langurs to keep the monkey menace in check. According to NDMC sources, the practice started after real langurs were barred from being kept in captivity. By all accounts, the human 'langurs' have proved to be effective in their new role. NDMC sources said the men are paid Rs 700-800 (£7-£8, $11.50-$13) per 'visit' and have not been hired permanently. They get work for around 10-15 days a month, earning anywhere between Rs 7000 to 10,000.
NDMC sources said while it would take time, the 'langur men' would continue to do their job until all the monkeys left the area. The men disguised as langurs are also armed with rubber bullets to drive away the simians. Until last year, Delhi's streets were patrolled by actual langurs. But because of change in law in November 2012 this practice ended. "These young men have trained themselves to pose as langurs. We have no option but to hire them because, as per law, even an officer who calls for langur and its master to drive away monkeys can be booked and jailed," said a senior official.
Monkeys, often moving in large groups foraging for food, pose a threat to people in the high security zone housing central government ministries. "We are no more using air guns to scare away monkeys. Only rubber bullets are used. We also use electric strips which give out a minor shock to animals when they touch them. The monkeys are only stunned, not harmed in any other way. We are taking all possible steps to address the concerns of all parties and trying to ensure that monkeys stay away," NDMC chairman Jalaj Srivastava said. He added that NDMC was also considering issuing extra taxes to those who keep bananas and other fruits on the roadside for monkeys to feed on.
Kenyan Wildlife Service warns locals and travellers against giving booze to baboons
The Kenya Wildlife Service has warned travellers on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway not to give baboons alcohol.
“Doing so is irresponsible and careless, as it poses a huge risk to motorists,” said KWS director William Kibet Kiprono.
“Liquor has the same effect in animals as on human beings. They might become violent, or distract road users, causing accidents. They might also start fighting people and cause death if unchecked.” Mr Kiprono added that the law stipulates that people should not feed wild animals, explaining that this was meant to protect the wildlife as they might be adversely affected by eating human food.
Maai Mahiu residents have been complaining of a baboon menace. “They eat our goats, and we have been unable to plant food for the last three years,” said a local farmer, Mr Kabiu Kabiru. Another villager, Mr John Mwangi added: “We chase 20 monkeys every night. They enter our kitchens and steal food.”
YouTube link.
Mr Kiprono admitted that the animals living outside the reserve were many, citing that close to 7000 animals were living outside protected areas. “We are trying to stem out human – wildlife conflict and this can only be done through ensuring that both the rights of the animals and the people are well respected,” he added.
“Liquor has the same effect in animals as on human beings. They might become violent, or distract road users, causing accidents. They might also start fighting people and cause death if unchecked.” Mr Kiprono added that the law stipulates that people should not feed wild animals, explaining that this was meant to protect the wildlife as they might be adversely affected by eating human food.
Maai Mahiu residents have been complaining of a baboon menace. “They eat our goats, and we have been unable to plant food for the last three years,” said a local farmer, Mr Kabiu Kabiru. Another villager, Mr John Mwangi added: “We chase 20 monkeys every night. They enter our kitchens and steal food.”
YouTube link.
Mr Kiprono admitted that the animals living outside the reserve were many, citing that close to 7000 animals were living outside protected areas. “We are trying to stem out human – wildlife conflict and this can only be done through ensuring that both the rights of the animals and the people are well respected,” he added.
Man who allegedly sniffed petrol while smoking a cigarette asked for a peanut butter sandwich
The case of a man in the Narrows suburb of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory who allegedly sniffed petrol while smoking a cigarette and burned down a shed has sparked debate on whether he should have known there was a “substantial” risk of explosion.
Timothy Fordham’s beard was “burned off” with clumps stuck to his shirt when police found him in a neighbour’s backyard – demanding a peanut butter sandwich – after the alleged incident, a committal hearing was told on Tuesday.
He also had blistered feet.
Magistrate Greg Smith said trying to imagine sniffing petrol while smoking was an 'intriguing prospect'. “He may well have been stupid enough to be doing it given what happened to his beard,” he said. Prosecutor Steve Ledek said: “If there was a charge for stupidity, it would have been made out.” Fordham was instead charged with arson and unlawfully entering the shed at a house in the Narrows, on December 18, 2013. The court was told a neighbour across the road found him, dishevelled, in her yard shortly after an “explosion”.
Acting Sergeant Paul Morrissey said the accused was sitting in a chair on the woman’s patio demanding food. He said Fordham was intoxicated but he was uncertain if he had been drinking alcohol or sniffing. “I saw (he was burnt) ... I said ‘what happened’ ... he made spontaneous admissions,” Sgt Morrissey said. “His demeanour went from calm to aggressive. He asked for a peanut butter sandwich.” The officer gave evidence that Fordham admitted going into the shed and sniffing petrol with a lit cigarette. He reportedly told Sgt Morrissey that “the fire just started”.
Investigators said the source and origin remained “undetermined” but the court heard a lawnmower and other fuel-powered machines were inside the workshop, along with containers. They found petroleum slick on the floor. Defence lawyer Anthony Pyne said Sgt Morrissey’s evidence was weak. He said the law drew a line between deliberately or recklessly starting a fire and people who did not perceive a risk. “This may be a negligence case but it’s definitely not arson,” he said. Mr Smith said it was “common knowledge” that a lit cigarette near petrol could lead to an explosion. He is now to decide if the case is handed up to the NT Supreme Court. Fordham remains in custody.
Magistrate Greg Smith said trying to imagine sniffing petrol while smoking was an 'intriguing prospect'. “He may well have been stupid enough to be doing it given what happened to his beard,” he said. Prosecutor Steve Ledek said: “If there was a charge for stupidity, it would have been made out.” Fordham was instead charged with arson and unlawfully entering the shed at a house in the Narrows, on December 18, 2013. The court was told a neighbour across the road found him, dishevelled, in her yard shortly after an “explosion”.
Acting Sergeant Paul Morrissey said the accused was sitting in a chair on the woman’s patio demanding food. He said Fordham was intoxicated but he was uncertain if he had been drinking alcohol or sniffing. “I saw (he was burnt) ... I said ‘what happened’ ... he made spontaneous admissions,” Sgt Morrissey said. “His demeanour went from calm to aggressive. He asked for a peanut butter sandwich.” The officer gave evidence that Fordham admitted going into the shed and sniffing petrol with a lit cigarette. He reportedly told Sgt Morrissey that “the fire just started”.
Investigators said the source and origin remained “undetermined” but the court heard a lawnmower and other fuel-powered machines were inside the workshop, along with containers. They found petroleum slick on the floor. Defence lawyer Anthony Pyne said Sgt Morrissey’s evidence was weak. He said the law drew a line between deliberately or recklessly starting a fire and people who did not perceive a risk. “This may be a negligence case but it’s definitely not arson,” he said. Mr Smith said it was “common knowledge” that a lit cigarette near petrol could lead to an explosion. He is now to decide if the case is handed up to the NT Supreme Court. Fordham remains in custody.
Police appeal after painted mannequin stolen from garage roof
Police in Cambridge have appealed for information after thieves stole a painted mannequin which was due to be auctioned off for charity.
The mannequin, part of a community art project called Mitcham’s Models, had been on show on top of a garage roof in when it was stolen between 9pm on Monday and 7.30am on Tuesday.
It was set to be auctioned off for Tom’s Trust in the next few days, a charity which cares for children with brain tumours.
Anyone with any information should contact the police or call Crimestoppers anonymously. Two weeks previously, another mannequin from the same series was cruelly dismembered by vandals.
The mannequin, part of a community art project called Mitcham’s Models, had been on show on top of a garage roof in when it was stolen between 9pm on Monday and 7.30am on Tuesday.
It was set to be auctioned off for Tom’s Trust in the next few days, a charity which cares for children with brain tumours.
Anyone with any information should contact the police or call Crimestoppers anonymously. Two weeks previously, another mannequin from the same series was cruelly dismembered by vandals.
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