2012 – too many pet food recalls

2012 brought good news and bad news, as far as the animals are concerned. The following is a partial roundup of less than stellar news in Tucson and beyond (working backwards).

Lost dogs not found alive
Most recently, in December two Labrador pups that were lost around the Westin La Paloma golf course were not found in time. Their remains were found for closure’s sake. The good people of Tucson Cold Wet Noses and other volunteers spent many days looking and hoping. It was not to be.

Euthanized
If you follow PACC Pets Need You on Facebook, you will see some gut-wrenching posts about dogs that will be PTS if they are not spoken for by a certain time of day. This is heart-breaking. A volunteer-run page works quite hard to get these dogs and cats fostered and adopted by numerous rescue groups and social media has helped make great strides. Still too many adoptable pets die. This needs to change in 2013.

Greyhound racing
Greyhound racing has been in the news lately; as usual, none of it good.

Dead bear
17 year old polar bear found dead at Reid Park Zoo

Greyhound racing
Arizona Department of Racing makes excuses why they do not honor public record requests for greyhound racing injury reports.

Dead elephant
The Tucson public was in an uproar at the Reid Park Zoo for shipping Connie the elephant off to the San Diego Zoo. Zoo management said she would thrive there. Now Connie is dead.

DPS dog dies
Jeg, a K-9 working for the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), was left in a hot car by his handler & partner on Wednesday, July 11. Jeg died.

Circus cruelty
Thinking about going to the circus with live animals? Think again. Watch the video. Think again.

Greyhound racing
While it’s good news that this greyhound was found, it’s bad news that he was left after falling out of a transport vehicle on his way from one race track to another.

Greyhound racing
One would think this decoupling bill passed as a business bill in the AZ legislature is good news but it is still business as usual at Tucson Greyhound Park and that’s bad news.

Covance cruelty
It’s good news for the Chandler residents but bad news for the animals which were sent to other facilities as ongoing torturous science experiments.

Dog cruelty bill
Is anyone surprised that a dog cruelty bill passed in our legislature?

Pet food recalls
Numerous pet food recalls throughout the year. Recalls include bird food, pig ears, chicken jerky, dog biscuits, beef bully sticks, cat treats, kibble and more. Pet owners even sued pet food makers.

Luck?
How many horses have to die on a HBO series before they cancel the show?

Worst
Tucson likes to be on the best lists like best place to bicycle, best resorts, best place to vacation, best restaurants, etc. Our zoo ranks on the 10-worst-zoos-for-elephants list.

Greyhound racing
Skechers made a major branding faux pas by filming their Super Bowl ad at that crumbling dog park in South Tucson.

Tomorrow: A roundup of good news for Tucson animals and beyond…