Men who have sex with animals may have an increased risk of penile cancer, a study finds.
A recent case-control study published in the peer-reviewedJournal of Sexual Medicinefocused on men who lived in rural areas of Brazil.
When animals attack, Tim Bedore nods.
He knows whats going on.
He believes a vast conspiracy exists to undermine mankind and it has nothing to do with evil Wall Street capitalists or bug-eyed aliens. He says animals are out to get us. He says theyre fed up with being hunted in woods and fished out of lakes and theyre getting even.
Those cute-looking, bushy-tailed squirrels who scurry about your front yard are, in fact, on the front line doing surveillance work, he says.
Bedores animal conspiracy piece aired on the nationally syndicated Bob Tom Show in 2003 and became a sensation. The conspiracy theory remains a key part of his stand-up — wait til you see the slide show — which plays Jr.s Last Laugh today and Friday.
Bedore didnt realize hed written a classic bit until it aired. The day he was on Bob Tom, he read every one of his prepared pieces but that one.
Then Tom saw it sitting there and said, It looks like you have one more piece for us. I was going, Oh, boy. The weird one. Then I launched into it and, you know, your best hopes and dreams are fulfilled. Its accepted the way youre hoping. It was one of those pieces I thought would either be a grand slam or send me back to the minors.
Bedore, who also hosts Vague but True on the syndicated Marketplace radio show, highlights evidence of the animal conspiracy on his website: moose attacks, deer running into malls, whatever.
Is he serious?
I think if were evolving, then why not the animals? Why arent they getting smarter, he says. I got a new video clip of a bunch of soldiers who give a chimpanzee who walks into their camp an AK47, wondering what itll do. And it immediately started shooting at them, then raising it over its head in a victory stance. I mean, they are smarter than we think. They can copy us, they can learn.
Youd think this might make Bedore wary of owning a pet, but no: He has Lexie, a vizsla. He says pets arent part of the conspiracy.
They benefit from capitalism. They dont hate us; they get to live inside. Animals that get to live inside, theyll work with you.
And while Bedore sounds serious, keep in mind hes an extremely sharp comedian in a Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert vein. The original animal conspiracy routine can be interpreted a different way, as commentary on the Iraq War. In fact, thats how he intended. it.
Of course, he said. But I seriously do think things have changed. Not that (animals) are angry at capitalism. But why wouldnt they be?
Shooting them is bad enough but humans also name sports teams after them like Cubs, baseballs eternal losers whom, as it turns out, Bedore follows.
That explains his philosophy of life.
He is, he says, an optimistic cynic.
By Chelsea Bannach
The Spokesman Review
ARDEN, Wash. Several animals died when a fire broke out in a building at a small Stevens County animal shelter Wednesday morning.
The thing went up in just a matter of minutes, said Lisa Gallagher, a volunteer at the Colville Valley Animal Sanctuary in Arden, Wash. Theres really little left.
Shelter volunteers rushed to save the trapped animals one ran to retrieve a rifle from his vehicle and shoot out a window to get in but no one could gain entry in time. Volunteers listened helplessly to the animals cries as the building burned to the ground.
A dog and two cats perished in the fire, which started in the single-story Puppy Cabin at 11:37 am Fire crews, who arrived just three minutes later, believe a wood-burning stove caused the fire.
Joe Paccerelli, Stevens County Fire District 7 chief, said the building had no smoke alarm system, adding that they are not required in Stevens County.
It definitely would have helped, he said. Thats why we support smoke alarms and fire alarms whenever possible.
His biggest piece of advice to people with stoves in their shops: check them often.
Luckily, Gallagher said, most of the other animals had been let out for air and exercise.
The blaze was contained to one building, but the Puppy Cabin is a total loss. With temperatures in the low teens, volunteers are frantically seeking emergency foster care for the surviving animals that were staying in the heated Puppy Cabin, which was reserved for vulnerable animals that cant handle the cold. So far, volunteers have temporarily taken some animals and the Spokane Humane Society has taken in a few displaced dogs.
There are about five more animals in need of emergency shelter as a result of the fire, Gallagher said, but they are always seeking foster care for the shelters other residents between 50 and 100 animals that stay in a cold barn.
Its really horrible timing, Gallagher said. Our animals struggle as it is.
She said one of the shelters biggest needs right now is some sort of insulated, portable shelter or storage building to house the animals.
That would mean a whole lot to us right now, she said.
The shelter, which survives solely on private donations, was already struggling before the fire, she said. The all-volunteer organization is in desperate need of more manpower and money. Many volunteers use money out of their own pockets to keep the shelter the only one of its kind in the county going each month.
Theres not a need we dont have, she said. Its just heartbreaking. This has been a real devastating thing to have happen when youre that close to the edge anyway.
How to help
Donations can be made at www.colvillevalleyanimal sanctuary.com or to the Colville Valley Animal Sanctuary Emergency Fund at Key Bank, 211 South Main Street in Colville.
A group of bird lovers in South Carolina sent a box of bird food and toys for Treasure Valley residents who are caring for some of the 59 animals seized at a Meridian home Friday, local animal advocates said Wednesday.
Investigators say the trailer home on Cherry Lane where the animals were housed was covered in feces. Some animals were in cages, but others were roaming about the house. The Ada County Prosecutors Office will decide if the woman with the animals will be charged with animal cruelty.
Twenty-seven of the animals were cats. Simply Cats is caring for those animals, and hoping to find foster homes for them. Simply Cats Director Patty Cutler said six to 10 people have called or e-mailed to express interest in providing the cats with temporary homes, once the animals are checked out by veterinarians.
The cats are being treated for fleas and some are suffering from respiratory problems. Cutler said the cats probably would not be ready for foster homes this week, but Simply Cats is collecting names and contact information from those willing to help. Donations of food and litter also are welcome.
The rest of the animals are being cared for in homes of volunteers with the Meridian Valley Humane Society. The groups shelter only houses dogs.
The group is asking for donations of food for the variety of animals in their care, including cockatoos, parrots, love birds, rats, hamsters, a rabbit and a blind squirrel. Shoeboxes and cedar shavings are needed for the rats.
Sharon Whaley, a spokeswoman for the Meridian Valley Humane Society, said the woman who housed the animals has relinquished custody of all but 12; no information was immediately available on which animals.
If youd like to foster a cat or donate money, food or supplies, call Simply Cats at 343-7177, or e-mail info@simplycats.org. To donate for other animals, e-mail the Meridian Valley Humane Society at meridiananimalshelter@hotmail.com or call 794-0944.
E and J Reptile RescueJeanne and Ed Skuza will be able to keep their Burmese python if House Bill 352 passes. It would ban Ohioans from acquiring more dangerous exotic animals, like this constricting snake.
HARBOR SPRINGS Two Harbor Springs residents were ordered Wednesday to spend 30 days in jail as part of their sentences relating to damage that occurred at an unoccupied residence in their hometown earlier this year.
Judge Richard May imposed sentences for Dean Leonard Carpenter and Marilyn Gardener Laffoon in 90th District Court, a little more than a month after the two took plea deals in the case, which involved placement of crickets and dead animals in the home at 30 Sayan Drive. They each pleaded guilty to illegal entry and malicious destruction of property, $200 or more but less than $1,000. Breaking and entering – illegal entry (without owners permission) is a 90-day misdemeanor offense, and malicious destruction of property, $200 or more but less than $1,000, is a one-year misdemeanor, Carpenters attorney Bryan Klawuhn said last month.
Children at a primary school in Midsomer Norton have been learning about the role police horses played during the summer riots when they were paid a visit by two horses from Avon and Somerset Police.
Horses Imperial and Michael were accompanied by PC Tracy Small and PC Gary Young for a trip to St Johns Primary School which saw the horses perform for the students by playing football and walking backwards.
PC Small, whose two sons Harry and Jack are at the school, explained to children what the horses get up to during their working week.
Pupils heard how in the past year the two 18-year-old horses have been keeping revellers under control at Glastonbury Festival, policing football matches and guarding the Lord Mayor of Bristol on special occasions including the recent Remembrance Day parade.
They also heard how the animals are trained to walk through fire because of what they may face during times of civil unrest and how they are the first port of call when Avon and Somerset Police are faced with a missing person search.
PC Small said: Every day we go out on patrol. We make sure everybody is behaving themselves and if they are not we arrest them. We do the same job as other police officers, just mounted on the back of a horse.
PC Small spoke to the children about the part Imperial played in the Bristol riots.
She said: At 1am I got a phone call saying we were needed in Bristol. When there is a problem like a riot the horses are the first out. The reason we train them to walk through fire is because when a riot unfolds people often throw petrol bombs or set fire to wheelie bins which they throw at us. The horses have not to be scared and must carry on walking.
Is Kim Kardashian fur real?
The divorcee-to-be, 31, is the latest celeb target of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), who have dedicated a holiday-season billboard in Los Angeles urging the reality star to rethink one of her luxe fashion choices.
PHOTOS: Kim shares her biggest fashion faux pas with Us
On the billboard, going up in early December at the corner of Beverly Boulevard and Sweetzer Avenue, a fur-clad Kardashian sits opposite an adorable, sad shot of baby foxes. Kim: These Babies Miss Their Mother, reads the provocative sign. Is She on Your Back?
PHOTOS: Kims hottest bikini shots
Kim knows that animals on fur farms are beaten, electrocuted, and often skinned alive. Weve explained it to her, and shes watched a video expose that was filmed inside fur farms, says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange of the E! star, who has been laying relatively low since filing for divorce from Kris Humphries on Halloween.
When Kim is ready to put an end to her relationship with fur, PETA will be happy to take her discards and donate them to the homeless, Lang adds.
VIDEO: Kim and Kris go near-naked on their honeymoon
While Kim was named PETAs Worst Dress Celebrity of 2010, her sister Khloe, 27, swore off animal pelts and even appeared in the buff for an Id Rather go Naked Than Wear Fur campaign ad.
PETA hopes that the prominent billboard will finally be enough to convince Kim…to divorce herself from fur and say I do to a more compassionate wardrobe, they add.
Cruel treatment of stray animals in Ukraine may cause boycott of Euro 2012, Princess of Hohenzollern says
19:14
Kyiv, November 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) ? Ambassador of the European Animal and Nature Protection Association Her Royal Highness Princess Maja von Hohenzollern (Germany) has appealed to the Ukrainian authorities to take all measures to stop the cruel treatment of stray animals.
Not only Ukrainians, but also all of Europe was shocked by the methods used to kill animals, which are being cremated in mobile crematoria, poisoned, and buried while partially alive, the princess told Interfax agency at the press conference in Kyiv on Thursday.
She said that lately the association had received many photos depicting the cruel treatment of stray dogs. The association has drawn up a petition for Ukrainian government with the demand that such practices be stopped, with about 500,000 people from various countries having signed it.
We came to draw countrys attention to this problem and demand concrete action, the princess of Hohenzollern said.
She also added that the association was ready to render aid to sterilize stray animals, sending vets and special equipment, and also instruct Ukrainian vets about new methods of sterilization.
The princess also said that she had visited a veterinary clinic in Kyiv where animals are being sterilized.
I was very surprised when I saw a great number of animals that were cold, as were the clinics personnel, as the clinic couldnt pay its heating bills, she said.
There are many appeals to boycott Euro 2012, which could harm Ukraines image and harm the idea of football itself, Princess Maja said.
If the Ukrainian authorities do not react to associations appeal appropriately, then the animal rights activists will appeal to the official sponsors of Euro 2012, the princess said.
Its quite possible that they will decide that pictures with bloodied animals are not good for them and they will refuse [to back the event in Ukraine], she said.
President of Germanys ETN European Animal and Nature Protection Organization Dieter Ernst said that a boycott of Euro 2012 would probably not lead to its cancellation, as UEFA would not allow it.
But at least we would get on their nerves, he said.
Ernst also said that he together with the princess would give a report on the problem at the European Parliament on November 22.
President of the SOS International Animal Protection Society Tamara Tarnawska said the situation with stray animals differs from region to region. She said that the most unfavorable situation was in the eastern region. There, the practice of using of mobile crematoria is even used, she said.
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Animals Getting Less Health Care in Poor Economy
Heartworm can be potentially fatal for animals. Low-cost preventive treatments are available and should be given to dogs once a month.
