Petco Turtles
On closer inspection, one of the two turtles has a seriously deformed shell; this is fairly common with captive sliders, and shouldn't be a problem. Such deformities are common due in part to the reckless, large-scale breeding of these animals. The United States exports about ten million red-eared sliders every year, and funnels many more into the domestic pet trade. Those sent overseas are usually destined to be eaten, while others are used for laboratory experimentation. This careless trade has led to the accidental or intentional release of sliders in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world, where they compete with native turtles for food and nesting sites, and thereby contribute to the decline of a number of endangered species.
While sliders are cheap to buy and can be found in most pet stores, their proper care is costly and complicated. Aquatic turtles produce a large amount of solid waste, and their shed skin can clog most aquarium filters. They require ultraviolet light and a basking area with plenty of heat. They are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections, and nutritional deficiencies can lead to a number of health problems, including the softening of their shells. They also bite and scratch, making them a poor choice for pets, especially as they grow larger.
Posted on February 27, 2007 | Link
Wayward Dog
Steve found a German shepherd mix standing, shivering, in the middle of Division Street in Forks. She seemed to be in a trance. The dog had a collar and tags, so the owner was called and wanted Steve to just let her go and find her way back home. He refused and made the owner pick up the dog. She was very underweight, which the owner claimed was from running around town all day, and because she was part greyhound. This explanation does not hold water: dogs are built to be endurance runners and it does not cause them to become emaciated, and healthy greyhounds are packed with lean muscle, not malnourished.
Further investigation uncovered the fact that the dog was indeed going hungry; she had been found earlier the same day by another concerned citizen who fed her everything she had in her refrigerator, which the dog hungrily consumed.
The dog's owners put her out every day when they go to work, and they take her inside at night when they get home, despite having a large yard that could be fenced. Low-quality dry dog food is left out for her to eat, but we believe it is being eaten by neighborhood cats, other dogs, or crows. Since Forks Police Department will typically not issue citations for dogs running at large, there is little we can do about this situation but catch the dog when we see her and make the owners come pick her up.
Posted on February 23, 2007 | Link
Hawk Rescue
Steve transported a red-tail hawk to the Northwest Raptor Center in Sequim. The bird apparently approached a man on foot while he was out working in his field, and he picked it up and put it in one of his chicken coops. He fed the hawk raw elk meat until it could be transported to a rehabilitation facility. There looks to be an old injury on one of the hawk's legs, preventing him from opening his talon without considerable pain -- possibly a gunshot injury. The bird is old and in poor condition, but may recover. At the very least, he will pass under the care of the staff at the Raptor Center, and not in a soggy field in the rain.
Posted on February 13, 2007 | Link
