Animals

Dear Editor, I am writing to express my concern over the treatment and living conditions of the animals at the Mercer County Animal Shelter. Having fostered and later adopted a dog from this shelter myself, I know how hard the Human Society volunteers work to help the animals there. However, I have heard a number of troubling reports, including allegations of: Unsanitary living conditions for the animals, particularly during a recent period when prison inmates were not able to come in and clean the shelter.

Dear Editor: I would like to thank all the all the people of Castlerock subdivision for their generosity in giving to help the people in New Orleans. I also would like to thank the following people for helping to raise stuffed animals for the the kids in New Orleans: All my friends, students and staff for bringing in over 500 stuffed animals, Mr. Begley, from B&E Furniture for taking the boxes to RECC to be picked up and to Mr. Perkins for taking the boxes or stuffed animals to New Orleans.

While driving around parts of Kentucky during the past several weeks the evidence of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is widespread.  Although this plant is often seen along roadways, abandoned lots, fence rows and other non-cropland sites, in recent years, it has expanded out into grazed pasture lands and hay fields. Concern not only stems from its invasive nature, but the fact that it is one of the most toxic plants in the world.  According to J.D. Green, UK Extension Weed Specialist, throughout history, the toxicity of poison hemlock has been well known to cause accidental deaths of humans and other animals.

A llama was undeterred from his grazing by a layer of fog that blanketed much of Clark County Wednesday morning. The fog was burning away when the photo of the llama was taken on the David Farris farm on Boonesboro Road. The animals, which have been used for centuries as pack animals in the Andes Mountains of South America, are novelty livestock in Kentucky.

Poison hemlock, which was introduced to the United States as an ornamental in the 1800s, is widespread throughout most of the state and much of North America. In the past, it was typically found along roadways, abandoned lots, fencerows and other non-cropland sites. But in recent years, its population has exploded across Kentucky, and it is now in many pastures and hayfields. Controlling poison hemlock in pastures in early spring could help keep pastures and livestock healthy, said J.D. Green, Extension Service weeds specialist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

Twenty-six Boyle County youths will sell animals they have cared for during the past year at the fifth annual Investment in Youth Livestock Sale at 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Boyle County Stockyards. All of the animals have won prizes at local and district fairs and at the Kentucky State Fair, said Jerry Little, county extension agricultural agent. He said the 42 animals to be sold - 19 lambs, 12 goats, seven steers and four hogs - reflect an increase of nine over the sale last year.

Dear Editor, I have read the letters and stories about the miniature horse in Bluegrass Estates. If the people have read the restrictions for Bluegrass Estates, and it does not restrict service animals, the miniature horse can stay. Miniature horses are being used for service animals. In the September 2001 issue of Aviation Today, Dan Shaw and his guide animal Cuddles - a 50-pound miniature horse - fly commercial on U.S. Airways. Dogs, cats, monkeys, pigs and miniature horses are all used for different forms of service to humans.

Warmer weather brings more pest problems. Horn flies and face flies are key pests of cattle in Kentucky. Both species breed in fresh pasture manure piles but present very different threats and management problems. Fortunately, there are a variety of fly control options. Horn flies are blood feeders. They remain on animals most of the time, taking 20 to 30 small blood meals per day. More than 100 flies along the sides and backs of each animal every day during the fly season can mean 12 to 15 pounds lower weaning weights for spring calves and poor gains for older animals.

Dear Editor, Hello my fellow Danvillians. I currently live out of state, but often check the Danville online paper. I was disgusted by a recent article, "Danville-Boyle Humane Society pet cemetery needs name. " It saddens me to know that several times a month they euthanize these poor animals that no one adopts. Now they want to name the cemetery some "hypocritical, humane-happy name" where they have mass burial graves for the defenseless animals that they've killed.

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) has been increasing in Kentucky during the past several years. Although this plant was often seen along roadways, abandoned lots, fence rows, and other non-cropland sites, in more recent years, it has expanded out into grazed pasture lands and hay fields. The concern not only stems from its invasive nature, but the fact that it is one of the most toxic plants in the world. Throughout history, the toxicity of poison hemlock is well known for accidental deaths of humans and animals.