Sunday, March 25, 2012
Rural Indians worry about puppy pregnancy syndrome
In India's remote and poverty-stricken areas, health resources and qualified doctors can be scarce. Many people still rely on faith-based healers, who sometimes promote outlandish theories about how the body works. Shyamali Singh is a high school student in West Bengal's Midnapur district who holds a wild belief about dog bites.
He said getting bitten by a dog leads to the birth of puppies. The victim gets puppies inside his body and becomes like a mad dog. So-called "puppy pregnancy syndrome" has a long history in the locality. Psychiatrist Kumar Kanti Ghosh helped document the phenomenon for an article in the medical journal Lancet in 2003. His interest started when a nine-year-old boy came to his clinic about 10 days after being bitten by a domesticated dog.
YouTube link.
"There was no issue of rabies," Ghosh said. "But he believed that he had developed a pregnancy with a puppy inside his abdomen. His parents said that sometimes he was barking like a dog and was crawling on his four feet.” Farmer Gopal Singh is one of Singh's patients who was bitten by a dog about seven years ago. He said he went running to the faith healer - who explained that puppies would be born inside his stomach and he would become like a mad dog and die."
Medical doctor Sanjay Samui is frustrated by the tendency of villagers to cling to such beliefs. He said they are uneducated village people - they still hold on to such superstitions. He said he tells everyone it is impossible - in no situation can a puppy be born inside a human body. Doctors said it will probably take years to eradicate medical myths like puppy pregnancy syndrome among illiterate population. Because so many villagers distrust medical doctors, they say the media and local governments should help promote an accurate understanding of the body and what ails it.
He said getting bitten by a dog leads to the birth of puppies. The victim gets puppies inside his body and becomes like a mad dog. So-called "puppy pregnancy syndrome" has a long history in the locality. Psychiatrist Kumar Kanti Ghosh helped document the phenomenon for an article in the medical journal Lancet in 2003. His interest started when a nine-year-old boy came to his clinic about 10 days after being bitten by a domesticated dog.
YouTube link.
"There was no issue of rabies," Ghosh said. "But he believed that he had developed a pregnancy with a puppy inside his abdomen. His parents said that sometimes he was barking like a dog and was crawling on his four feet.” Farmer Gopal Singh is one of Singh's patients who was bitten by a dog about seven years ago. He said he went running to the faith healer - who explained that puppies would be born inside his stomach and he would become like a mad dog and die."
Medical doctor Sanjay Samui is frustrated by the tendency of villagers to cling to such beliefs. He said they are uneducated village people - they still hold on to such superstitions. He said he tells everyone it is impossible - in no situation can a puppy be born inside a human body. Doctors said it will probably take years to eradicate medical myths like puppy pregnancy syndrome among illiterate population. Because so many villagers distrust medical doctors, they say the media and local governments should help promote an accurate understanding of the body and what ails it.
Man sues shops for refusing to serve him and his mini horse
A paraplegic man claims in court that GameStop and Marshalls violated his civil rights by refusing to let him enter their stores with his assistance animal: a miniature horse named Princess who pulls his wheelchair. Jose Estrada sued GameStop and Marshalls in separate complaints in Superior Court, claiming they denied him and Princess access to their stores in Downey last month. Estrada, who says he "has been a paraplegic, confined to a wheelchair, and suffering from overuse syndrome of the elbows, shoulders, and wrists," seeks injunctions and damages of $4,000 from each store.
"Plaintiff's miniature horse, Princess, has been individually trained and certified by a professional trainer to assist him by pulling him in his wheelchair," the complaint against GameStop states. "The training further consisted of behavior modification, leading and heeling, turning on forehand and haunches, sidepassing, laying down on command, standing still, entering a handicapped-accessible van and confined spaces, and desensitization."
Estrada says that both stores "refused to permit said animal to accompany plaintiff therein, even though they were told that the animal in question was a service animal." The complaint adds: "Princess' height is 29 inches. Her width is 12 inches. Her length is 31 inches. Her weight is 115 pounds. Plaintiff has been professionally trained to control Princess and can do so without difficulty. Defendants' facility is large enough to accommodate Princess. Princess is housebroken. Princess' presence in defendants' facility does not compromise the legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for its safe operation."
Estrada seeks damages for violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Estrada's attorney Morse Mehrban of Sherman Oaks said that neither business was in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). "They haven't been training their employees efficiently to be knowledgeable about people with service animals," Mehrban said in an interview. "But the ADA requires that you implement a policy and train your staff regarding admission of service animals into your place of business. Including miniature horses. Miniature horses are not pets. They're specifically trained to assist a disabled person."
"Plaintiff's miniature horse, Princess, has been individually trained and certified by a professional trainer to assist him by pulling him in his wheelchair," the complaint against GameStop states. "The training further consisted of behavior modification, leading and heeling, turning on forehand and haunches, sidepassing, laying down on command, standing still, entering a handicapped-accessible van and confined spaces, and desensitization."
Estrada says that both stores "refused to permit said animal to accompany plaintiff therein, even though they were told that the animal in question was a service animal." The complaint adds: "Princess' height is 29 inches. Her width is 12 inches. Her length is 31 inches. Her weight is 115 pounds. Plaintiff has been professionally trained to control Princess and can do so without difficulty. Defendants' facility is large enough to accommodate Princess. Princess is housebroken. Princess' presence in defendants' facility does not compromise the legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for its safe operation."
Estrada seeks damages for violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Estrada's attorney Morse Mehrban of Sherman Oaks said that neither business was in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). "They haven't been training their employees efficiently to be knowledgeable about people with service animals," Mehrban said in an interview. "But the ADA requires that you implement a policy and train your staff regarding admission of service animals into your place of business. Including miniature horses. Miniature horses are not pets. They're specifically trained to assist a disabled person."
Batman pulled over by police for having improper licence plate
Montgomery County Police made an unlikely traffic stop on Friday afternoon.
Batman was behind the wheel with the wrong tags on his Batmobile. Officers pulled the Caped Crusader heading southbound on Route 29 at Prelude Drive.
The back tag on the Batmobile - in this case a black Lamborghini - was the superhero's emblem rather than state tags required by law.
YouTube link.
Police did not say whether they uncovered Batman’s true identity. They did say however that he was heading to a hospital to visit sick children.
Batman was behind the wheel with the wrong tags on his Batmobile. Officers pulled the Caped Crusader heading southbound on Route 29 at Prelude Drive.
The back tag on the Batmobile - in this case a black Lamborghini - was the superhero's emblem rather than state tags required by law.
YouTube link.
Police did not say whether they uncovered Batman’s true identity. They did say however that he was heading to a hospital to visit sick children.
Brazilian police hunt 'blonde kidnap gang'
Brazilian police say they are hunting a gang of mostly blonde young women who have committed a series of kidnaps and robberies in Sao Paulo. The criminals have been targeting wealthy women in shopping centres, Sao Paulo's anti-kidnap police unit says.
The victims are followed to their cars, where they are robbed and held captive at gunpoint while the gang uses their credit cards to make luxury purchases. Police said the "blonde gang" consisted of young, educated, middle-class women.
Sao Paulo civil police anti-kidnap division chief Joaquim Dias Alves said: "One or two speak more than one language, and some have been educated overseas. They are really pretty girls, well-dressed and made up," he said. The gang tend to target women who look similar to them, so they can assume the victim's identity while they use their credit cards.
They are thought to have been operating for three years, and to have robbed at least 50 people. Police say they have begun to break up the gang, with three suspects arrested, including one man. So-called "express kidnappings" - where victims are held for a few hours while their bank accounts and credit cards are drained - are a common crime in Latin America.
The victims are followed to their cars, where they are robbed and held captive at gunpoint while the gang uses their credit cards to make luxury purchases. Police said the "blonde gang" consisted of young, educated, middle-class women.
Sao Paulo civil police anti-kidnap division chief Joaquim Dias Alves said: "One or two speak more than one language, and some have been educated overseas. They are really pretty girls, well-dressed and made up," he said. The gang tend to target women who look similar to them, so they can assume the victim's identity while they use their credit cards.
They are thought to have been operating for three years, and to have robbed at least 50 people. Police say they have begun to break up the gang, with three suspects arrested, including one man. So-called "express kidnappings" - where victims are held for a few hours while their bank accounts and credit cards are drained - are a common crime in Latin America.
Beyonce is possibly the world's tiniest puppy
A tiny puppy named Beyonce, not much bigger than a business card, has defied odds by surviving. At a day old, Beyonce could fit in a tablespoon. Now, at a little more than 2 weeks old, she is almost as big as an iPhone. Beyonce’s mother, Casey, a dachshund mix, was abandoned by her owners and living on the streets of San Bernardino, Calif., when she was picked up by Devore Animal Control.
The pregnant Casey was then scheduled to be spayed and have her puppies aborted, as happens with many stray pregnant dogs, when a veterinarian determined she was too far along to end the pregnancy. Casey was scheduled for euthanasia — with her pups inside her — when the Grace Foundation in Northern California came to the rescue.
“They call us when there is absolutely no other alternative, when these dogs are on death row,” Jeanne Warr, the Grace Foundation’s director of operations, said. An ultrasound showed that Casey was carrying five puppies, one of which was “abnormally small,” said Warr.”At that point, they didn’t even know if she was going to be stillborn or a viable puppy,” On March 8, Casey delivered all her puppies, and Beyonce came out last.
YouTube link.
“She was not breathing. Her heart was not pumping,” Warr said. “Dr. Michael Russell did some little chest compressions on her and Beth DeCaprio [the Grace Foundation's executive director], gave her mouth-to-mouth … and she made it.” The foundation reports that Beyonce is “thriving and normal in every way,” despite her shaky start. In about six weeks, Beyonce, the four other pups and mother Casey will all be up for adoption. The foundation has already alerted the Guinness World Records that it might have the world’s tiniest dog on its hands.
The pregnant Casey was then scheduled to be spayed and have her puppies aborted, as happens with many stray pregnant dogs, when a veterinarian determined she was too far along to end the pregnancy. Casey was scheduled for euthanasia — with her pups inside her — when the Grace Foundation in Northern California came to the rescue.
“They call us when there is absolutely no other alternative, when these dogs are on death row,” Jeanne Warr, the Grace Foundation’s director of operations, said. An ultrasound showed that Casey was carrying five puppies, one of which was “abnormally small,” said Warr.”At that point, they didn’t even know if she was going to be stillborn or a viable puppy,” On March 8, Casey delivered all her puppies, and Beyonce came out last.
YouTube link.
“She was not breathing. Her heart was not pumping,” Warr said. “Dr. Michael Russell did some little chest compressions on her and Beth DeCaprio [the Grace Foundation's executive director], gave her mouth-to-mouth … and she made it.” The foundation reports that Beyonce is “thriving and normal in every way,” despite her shaky start. In about six weeks, Beyonce, the four other pups and mother Casey will all be up for adoption. The foundation has already alerted the Guinness World Records that it might have the world’s tiniest dog on its hands.
German pensioner accused of poisoning chocolate bunny thief
An elderly German man fed up with local children pilfering his Easter decorations has been accused of poisoning a 10-year-old boy with a spiked chocolate bunny.
Each year 68-year-old Joerg-Werner Lubbe from the town of Markneukirchen, in southeastern Germany, decks out his yard with tasty Easter treats. And every time, the decorations prove irresistible to children in the neighbourhood, who help themselves.
Determined that this year would be different, the Easter scrooge allegedly laced a batch of chocolate bunnies with ammonium hydroxide and hung them from a tree in his front yard. A sweet-toothed 10-year-old fell for the trap and gobbled down a baited bunny. He was violently ill and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Police said they were investigating Lubbe for grievous bodily harm and said they found six more poisoned bunnies in the yard. They said adults would have immediately noticed the smell of the chemical, but a hungry child may have been unable to resist the lure of chocolate.
Each year 68-year-old Joerg-Werner Lubbe from the town of Markneukirchen, in southeastern Germany, decks out his yard with tasty Easter treats. And every time, the decorations prove irresistible to children in the neighbourhood, who help themselves.
Determined that this year would be different, the Easter scrooge allegedly laced a batch of chocolate bunnies with ammonium hydroxide and hung them from a tree in his front yard. A sweet-toothed 10-year-old fell for the trap and gobbled down a baited bunny. He was violently ill and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Police said they were investigating Lubbe for grievous bodily harm and said they found six more poisoned bunnies in the yard. They said adults would have immediately noticed the smell of the chemical, but a hungry child may have been unable to resist the lure of chocolate.
Dog took train in search of owner's girlfriend
Italian canine traveller Pamela followed in her owner's footsteps and boarded a train in her Tuscan hometown of Arezzo on Monday, heading towards Bologna. Unlike previous journeys, she was all on her own.
The female pooch walked herself to the railway station in the town's centre, waited on the appropriate platform at the right time, then boarded the regional line towards the home town of her owner's girlfriend, sitting in the same car in which she usually travelled when they would make the trip
After the dog disappeared during a walk, Luca, the dog's owner, plastered his hometown of Arezzo with fliers. Three sleepless nights later, he was contacted by an animal shelter in Florence where train staff had left Pamela after noticing the unaccompanied dog on the train.
YouTube link.
Pamela was identified thanks to her microchip and the four-day search ended happily on Thursday when the tawny labrador mix was returned safely to her owner. "We can finally sleep in peace now that she is back," said an elated Luca.
The female pooch walked herself to the railway station in the town's centre, waited on the appropriate platform at the right time, then boarded the regional line towards the home town of her owner's girlfriend, sitting in the same car in which she usually travelled when they would make the trip
After the dog disappeared during a walk, Luca, the dog's owner, plastered his hometown of Arezzo with fliers. Three sleepless nights later, he was contacted by an animal shelter in Florence where train staff had left Pamela after noticing the unaccompanied dog on the train.
YouTube link.
Pamela was identified thanks to her microchip and the four-day search ended happily on Thursday when the tawny labrador mix was returned safely to her owner. "We can finally sleep in peace now that she is back," said an elated Luca.
Urinating cat led to man swinging shovel at neighbour
New York Police say a neighbourly dispute could have become very ugly when a man allegedly swung a shovel at his neighbour's head after a dispute over something his pet did.
Police responded and say Frank Shackleford, 59, of Utica got into an argument with his neighbour at around 10 pm on Thursday because he said the cat had urinated in his garage.
The victim claims the argument turned physical with Shackleford finally swinging a shovel at his head.
Officers located Shackleford a short time later and have charged him with menacing.
Police responded and say Frank Shackleford, 59, of Utica got into an argument with his neighbour at around 10 pm on Thursday because he said the cat had urinated in his garage.
The victim claims the argument turned physical with Shackleford finally swinging a shovel at his head.
Officers located Shackleford a short time later and have charged him with menacing.
Man cited for yelling obscenities at his cat
A Chaska, Minnesota, man has been cited for yelling obscenities at his cat.
Chaska Police said the man was at his home on Prescott Court when he got upset with his cat. His cat wouldn't come inside, so he stood on his porch yelling obscenities at it.
Neighbours called police to complain about the yelling. When police arrived, the man admitted to yelling profanities at the cat.
His defence to officers was that he is “human.” The man had several incidents in the past where he had been warned, and eventually cited for his behaviour. He was cited for disorderly conduct.
Chaska Police said the man was at his home on Prescott Court when he got upset with his cat. His cat wouldn't come inside, so he stood on his porch yelling obscenities at it.
Neighbours called police to complain about the yelling. When police arrived, the man admitted to yelling profanities at the cat.
His defence to officers was that he is “human.” The man had several incidents in the past where he had been warned, and eventually cited for his behaviour. He was cited for disorderly conduct.
Ice cream man installed as rector at University of Aberdeen
Ice cream tycoon Maitland Mackie has taken over as rector of the University of Aberdeen. Mr Mackie, chairman of Aberdeen-based Mackie's of Scotland ice cream business officially began his three-year tenure on Friday with a ceremony down the city's High Street.
Tradition dictates that the new rector must ride down the street on top of a bull, carried at shoulder height by university students.
The rector, an ancient post dating back to 1495, is the students' representative and sits on the University Court.
YouTube link.
Mr Mackie said: "It is an honour to be representing students of the University of Aberdeen. This brings back memories of my own student days at the university 55 years ago - a wonderful experience which has never left me."
Tradition dictates that the new rector must ride down the street on top of a bull, carried at shoulder height by university students.
The rector, an ancient post dating back to 1495, is the students' representative and sits on the University Court.
YouTube link.
Mr Mackie said: "It is an honour to be representing students of the University of Aberdeen. This brings back memories of my own student days at the university 55 years ago - a wonderful experience which has never left me."
Police use night-vision goggles to tackle allotment thieves
Rural police have been issued with with night-vision goggles in a crackdown against vegetable thieves. Angry allotment holders in Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, Wilts, demanded action after raiders pounced repeatedly at night.
Photo from SWNS.
Now police have been kitted with night-vision goggles which turn the view green. Parish council clerk Paul Russell said: “We’ve had theft and vandalism.
“Many of our holders grow big vegetables to show. Some have worked for seven months on their produce. We thought about fences but that costs £20,000.
Photo from SWNS.
“So we got a pair of £350 night-vision goggles instead.” PC Frank Key said: “With these, darkness is now no longer the criminal’s friend.”
There's a news video here.
Photo from SWNS.
Now police have been kitted with night-vision goggles which turn the view green. Parish council clerk Paul Russell said: “We’ve had theft and vandalism.
“Many of our holders grow big vegetables to show. Some have worked for seven months on their produce. We thought about fences but that costs £20,000.
Photo from SWNS.
“So we got a pair of £350 night-vision goggles instead.” PC Frank Key said: “With these, darkness is now no longer the criminal’s friend.”
There's a news video here.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)