Meet dogs Aimee, Scout, & Stewie and
kittens Maggie & Matthew

This Saturday, August 16 from 12:00 to 2:30

Bark Natural Food Store
5805 Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville, 21029

Are you seeing dogs left in cars? Download this flyer and leave it on the car with the animal to help educate the public. This flyer is designed to be folded in half to be read from outside and inside the car.

Wording on the Flyer:
Right Now You are Risking Your Pet's Life.
The temperature inside your parked car can reach 160 degrees within minutes.
Your pet can suffer a heat stroke and sustain permanent brain damage.
A short trip can kill your pet. Is it worth it? Cracked windows DO NOT help!
Be responsible... leave your pet at home!

Please take a minute to read this as I hope it might prevent this from

happening to anyone else's pet.  My 5 yr old Lab was bitten by a Copperhead 
snake last week as I walked her (leashed) through my neighborhood tot lot in 
Columbia, Maryland.  I was able to see the snake and identify it and my husband 
and neighbors confirmed it as well.  Some things I learned with this incident that 
I would like to pass along....
 
Familiarize yourself with the various snakes that are native to the area.  
Click here for photos of copperheads .  

If anti-venom is needed you need to know what kind of snake bite it is. 
 
SEEK VETERINARY CARE IMMEDIATELY.  We weren't even sure our dog 
was bitten as she didn't yelp when it happened and we couldn't find any fang 
marks on her.  We took her to our vet just to "get her checked out" and within 
45 minutes after the occurrence her face swelled enormously.  Our vet found 
fang marks on her muzzle and confirmed it was a snake bite.  Prompt medical 
care, and the fact that she is a large dog, SAVED HER LIFE.  She spent one 
and a half days at the emergency clinic in Annapolis.  With 'round the clock 
supportive care (and a $1200.00 vet bill) she was able to come home.
 
Keep numerous emergency vet clinic phone numbers and addresses within 
quick reach.  Not all emergency clinics are open 24 hrs nor do they have the 
ability to obtain anti-venom.  An emergency clinic in Leesburg had it on hand as 
well as the National Aquarium in Baltimore.  Anti-venom is used with a "wait and 
see" approach as it is not always indicated and it poses its own serious risks 
when administered.  It needs to be given within 72 hours of the bite.
 
We are thankful our Belle came through okay, but we worry about venomous 
snake bites taking the lives of other dogs or cats, especially if their people are 
not aware of, or prepared for the possibility.   

$1,000 REWARD

Animal Advocates is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest of persons involved in dog fighting.

Dog fighting exists in almost every community, including Howard County.

Here’s why it affects all of us:

• Your dog or cat could be stolen from your yard to use as bait for dogfighters.
  These pets suffer horribly before they die.
• Dog fighting is closely linked to other crime, including gang-related activity.
• Drug use, drug possession, drug distribution, illegal weapons, assault, burglary, and illegal gambling, are common offenses found among people who participate in dog fighting.
• Our community is degraded when dog fighting is allowed to happen. Violence involving any animal, or person, is never acceptable.
• Dog fighting is not a “sport.” It is a felony in 48 states, including Maryland.

HOWARD COUNTY POLICE INFO & REWARD NUMBER – 410-313-3200

Plenty of wonderful pit bulls and their responsible owners are unfairly judged each and every day when the media focuses on portraying this breed solely in a negative manner.

Pit bulls regularly serve as Search & Rescue dogs, Therapy dogs, Bomb-Sniffing and Drug Detection dogs. But these dogs never make the news.

When raised with kindness and a soft hand, pit bulls make loving pets. They are known for their goofy sense of humor and they often have a special affinity for children.

Unfortunately, they are favorites of dog fighters because of their loyalty, easy trainability, ability to forgive poor treatment, and an extreme willingness to please their people.

As with any dog, if kept on a chain, kept in a cage, cruelly trained or abusively treated, problems can arise. Dogs used for fighting are not spayed & neutered, which makes any breed more likely to bite.

The American Temperament Testing Society results show that in 2002-2006 pit bulls have consistently equaled or outperformed such dogs as Golden Retrievers and Border Collies on a formal temperament test.

Our group has known and loved many pit bulls. We are saddened that irresponsible owners, and the sick practice of dog fighting, have distorted the public perception of the pit bull. We must insist on punishing people who break the law, and whose actions compromise the dignity of this noble breed.

Click here to download a flyer.