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Glad you had another look

I would also be going over your dog very carefully to check for any others. In the ears, inside the lips, between toes, under the collar and around the base of the tail need extra attention. They get into all the tiny little places Full body, fingertip check. ETA - are you in an area known for paralysis tick?

He should have worn a contempt of court charge

Disgraceful behaviour and a pathetic sentence

This thread has lots of information about it and the sad results http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/238882-sick-border-collie-pup/

I haven't had a dog that couldn't swim, and I've had a few different types over the years. Two of my border collies used to do the whole head under water to pick things up from the bottom of the lake/river A fellow I used to go out with had a Weimaraner, and she was hopeless. She would be practically vertical, with front legs completely straight out in front of her, splashing on the surface of the water. She could manage to keep her head above water that way, but she never actually managed to travel anywhere :laugh:

There were quite a few photos in the hard copy, but they don't appear in the online story http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/paws-for-thought-20120821-24kc1.html Paws for thought Date August 22, 2012 If a puppy in Canberra needs rescuing, the ACT Rescue and Foster organisation is there to help. The group, made up of a network of foster carers, take the dogs into their homes before a suitable match can be made. Many of the dogs are in danger of being euthanised but thanks to the organisation's tireless fund-raising efforts, they end up leaving with a delighted new owner. Homelessness does not discriminate, which is why ARF takes in dogs of all breeds. And the reasons behind their displacement are often varied. Sometimes it is because the owner has to go into a nursing home, where they are forced to downsize their life and, consequently, their pets, or simply because pets are not allowed. To help the group continue its good work, they recently held a trivia night at the Belconnen Labor Club. Organisers were thrilled with the turnout as groups were formed and battles were waged. Larry Appley, from 2CA, was the ringmaster for the night, whipping the crowd into a competitive frenzy. Plates of food and drinks did the rounds while the groups fought it out, all for a good cause. The theme for the night was ostensibly black and white, though the dressed-up few made for a hard-fought winner in the fashion stakes. The quiz material was certainly black and white, with questions such as ''What colour is a baby zebra?'', ''Was the movie Hitchcock made in black and white?'' and ''When did black and white television fade away?'' By the time they got to questions about food, TV, movies and animals the collective brains had been exhausted. And, by the way Barry, Buddy, Mitsi, Bindi and Dot are online now at fosterdogs.org waiting to connect with you and your home. Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/paws-for-thought-20120821-24kc1.html#ixzz24EuFBaNh

There's a couple of photos on the link, so have a look http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/its-a-dog-rangers-life-for-animal-shelter-workers-20120821-24k0p.html Having killed a pet duck next door, the 40kg Rottweiler was now charging towards ranger Jason Ritzen, teeth barred, hackles up and ready to attack. Mr Ritzen had come through a collapsed fence into a huge backyard at Kambah, looking for the owner when the dog, now running at full speed, found him first. "I thought I was a goner," the ranger said. The Domestic Animal Services shelter can keep up to 100 dogs at a time. Photo: Rohan Thomson "I've been here (in this job) for five years and you get to know how to read dogs pretty quickly." He had to stand his ground. Any attempt to escape could have been fatal. "You don't run. You don't act aggressively." Standing his ground was enough to slow the Rottweiler's charge, before a tussle developed as Mr Ritzen fended off his assailant with his catcher's pole. "When the dog realises he doesn't have a chance, he stops. "I have done this so many times. I don't want to dominate the dog. I show him I'm not scared and who is the boss." The attack happened two weeks ago when the eight-strong Domestic Animal Shelter crew were short staffed. A woman had rung them after her daughter's duck had been killed. Eventually Mr Ritzen and three Australian Federal Police cornered the dog and spoke to the owner. Mr Ritzen says people reporting attacking dogs often mistake them as pit bull terriers because of their aggressive reputation. His family's English bull terrier is highly regarded for the amount of 'playfulness' it endures from his two children. Canberran Bill Slattery called at the Domestic Animal Shelter on Tuesday morning hoping to buy an unclaimed Rottweiler after his female 'rotty', Silo, died from cancer. Mr Slattery said he loved the big breed and was impressed with the shelter's record of finding homes for 90 per cent of stray dogs. Thirty two dogs are in the Symonston shelter this week. There are 50 enclosures which can be divided to hold up to 100 strays, which are fed daily and walked by volunteers. Schools often call the rangers because stray dogs are attracted to children and their food. Mr Ritzen said Staffordshire bull terriers were prolific escapees. Jack Russells were a close second. "Staffys are a great dog, placid and very good with kids," he said. Many of the dogs coming into the shelter were not registered or microchipped or desexed. Irresponsible owners who did not de-sex their dogs often found they had a litter which they advertised for sale, adding to the stray dog problem. Mr Ritzen said his biggest reward was reuniting families with their dogs. "The whole family come in. The children are crying," he said. A big black and grey Mastiff-cross wearing a studded collar which he collected from Kippax Veterinary Hospital has formed a rapport with Mr Ritzen while awaiting its owner. If people registered their dogs the shelter's population would be halved and halved again if owners of registered dogs updated information and microchips. Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/its-a-dog-rangers-life-for-animal-shelter-workers-20120821-24k0p.html#ixzz24EtcoR00

It's very easy to tell whether wounds are caused post mortem or not. They would easily be able to tell whether she died and was then bitten by the dogs, or whether the bites caused the death. I imagine that the US has the same standards for an unexplained death as we do here. Any suspicious or unexplained death, suicide, death by drowning or other accident always has a post mortem conducted. If you haven't seen your doctor within a specified period of time prior to the death AND your usual doctor won't sign a death certificate, there will be a post mortem conducted. They are also referred to the coroner for an official finding of death. They don't just speculate about the cause of death, an opinion is provided after all testing and examinations have been conducted. I highly doubt it is a shoddy investigation, more a case of poor media reporting. They don't know the facts, so they are making up a story to fit what they do know, and what others have told them. Very sad for all involved.

Shallow Crossing is a little more further south from Ulladulla, maybe 20-30 mins? It is on the Clyde river, and there is a private camping ground there. I haven't been there for a few years, but they certainly used to let you take dogs. They have big shelters (like carports) set up around the place, so if you set up your tents next to one, you can usually claim it as your kitchen/dining area. I've never been there when there are so many people that you can't manage to do this. Can't recall what the toilet/shower facilities are like. I know they had them, but don't remember if they were hot or cold showers and whether the toilets were flushing, composting or longdrop. No shops or other amenities. It is an out of the way spot. Great for Canoeing, fishing, trailbike riding, hiking or mountain bike riding. I can't find a link to the actual campsite details, but this link talks about it. If you contact the organisation, they might be able to tell you the details http://australia.shopsafe.com.au/new_south_wales_destination/shoalhaven_area/shallow_crossing.htm There was often some great middle of the night entertainment when some idiot would go roaring across the crossing in their 4wd and fall off the side into the river because they were going too fast in the dark. Another camping location that is great if you want an out of the way site is Yadboro Flats. This is inland from Ulladulla and also on the Clyde river. Fantastic swimming holes, great canoeing, cycling, trailbiking, horseriding etc. Pigeon House Mountain is nearby and is a great hike. They only allow dogs at the actual camping ground, not the surrounding state forest and national park. This link says there are toilets, but they are new since I was last there. There are no showers. Great for birdwatching as well. http://www.forests.nsw.gov.au/visiting/forests/yadboro

http://www.caravanandcampingnsw.com.au/parks/dolphins_point_tourist_park Burrill Lake, just south of Ulladulla (3kms?). It's on a Lake, right at the inlet to the beach, so you can swim in calm waters or surf. There are plenty of playgrounds for kids. Dogs are permitted, but you can't take them to one part of the beach (signposted) as it is a breeding area for some endgangered plovers. You can take them to the other areas of the beach (may be time restrictions) Well within your 3 hour travel request.

Thanks for that Primedogs. Didn't find any in Australia - but some of the sites have quite detailed illustrations, so might see if OH can make one

I usually give him his dry food when it's dark, in an attempt to prevent the issue, but he often doesn't eat it. The bowl is about arms length in underneath a caravan, which doesn't bother the birds at all. Every so often I hear a thunk when he manages to chase one while it is still under the van and they take off and try to fly straight up to avoid him :laugh: I might try putting it in his kennel, there is a curtain across the door which I don't think the birds could get past. He doesn't go in there much either though, much prefers to curl up in a padded basket under the caravan.

At my house, that would be a pedal bin. :D :laugh: My boy is only little and wouldn't be able to reach, unless it was full to the top

I've previously read about dog bowls that have a lid on them that opens when the dog steps on a pressure plate. I can't remember what they are called, so my google searches have been futile. I leave dry food outside for my dog while I'm at work - but we have a resident currawong population who have found the free feed. I'd like to find someway to stop the currawongs eating his food. Does anyone know what they are called? Or have a link to one? Thanks in advance

If you don't want to build one yourself, just buy a large parrot nestbox from a pet or produce store. You may need to weatherproof it if it's just chipboard - some thin tin or corrugated iron should do it. If you are able to get into the ceiling space, put it near to where the possum is sleeping. If it doesn't go into it of it's own accord, the box will at least take on its odour. If it does go into the box to sleep, you can just cover over the hole and relocate possum and box at the same time. The box will already be familiar to it, so it will be more accepting of it. If it doesn't go into the box, set the trap. Once you have the possum in the trap, make sure you mend the hole that it is gaining access to your roof through. Don't just use chicken wire, they can get through that. Take the trap to the box, put the door up against the entry hole and stand back. Do this during daylight hours so that it goes straight into the box, If you let it out at night, it won't stay in the box and may not return to it. Good luck ETA - you may need to check with Parks and Wildlife about whether you need a licence to trap the possum yourself. They probably also have restrictions about how far away it can be released. Possums are very territorial, so you can't take it more than about 50 metres away from where you catch it, or you will be releasing it into someone else's territory and there will be huge fights.

Glad that he is going to keep him on as the family dog when he retires. Great work Bosun

My dog was about 18 months old when I had my first child and saw the arrival of my other two kids over the following 9 years. He was a border collie, very active and long coated. It was hard work. Trying to fit everything in frequently saw me getting distressed about it all. But, we all coped. Eventually In contrast to what others have suggested, maybe you could take the baby and dog out for a walk and leave your wife at home, with orders that she go to bed, have a bath, or just sit down with a book or something else that she enjoys. Tell her she is not to do anything around the house while you are out, it is absolutely relaxing time for her. Take over some of the other chores for her. Load the dishwasher and set it running last thing at night (or do the washing up and leave it to drain). Put away in the morning while you're getting your breakfast. Breaking it up makes it less daunting and time consuming. Put a load of nappies on each night before bed too (or other washing if you're doing disposables). You might not have time to hang it out before you go to bed, but it just makes one less thing that your wife has to do. Offer to bath the baby when you get home and take over bedtime routines. Tread carefully with this though, this might be one of the "fun" things that your wife enjoys doing, rather than the "hard" work of feeding and changing the baby all day, while you are at work. Don't forget that your wife is still a woman, not just a mother. Tell her she looks beautiful (even when she is still in her dressing gown at 5pm and hasn't brushed her hair). Give her a kiss and a hug, without any expectation that it will progress to anything more. Above all, enjoy your family. "This too shall pass"

Love the commentary that goes with the photos :laugh: What time do you go to work? Looks like that happened shortly after you left

I think a lot of this has to do with general acceptance of dogs. There are very few places in Australia where your dog will be accepted - cafes, restaurants, transport, shopping centres etc. You are practically discouraged from having your dog involved in your daily life. In European countries and many others, dogs are accepted and welcomed in these venues. There are also the issues of predators, diseases and high density housing, which are prevalent in other countries, but not as common in Australia. Because the majority of people still leave in a home with a yard, not high rise apartments, they can leave dogs outside, without fear that they will be bitten by an animal which carries rabies, or indeed, is big enough to carry the dog off for dinner (let's just forget about snakes for the moment) I think a lot of the attitudes experienced arose out of fear that this would occur

http://citynews.com.au/2012/news/death-row-dogs-break-your-heart-says-rescuer/ Death-row dogs break your heart, says rescuer EVERY time school holidays approach, the number of dogs dumped at the pound shoots up and it’s happening again right now, says Beverley Margosis, of ACT Rescue and Foster. “There are 20 dogs on death row for next week and we are extremely concerned that yet again people are dumping dogs as school holidays approach,” she says. “An Irish wolfhound is one of the 20 and if you look at the Domestic Animal Service website you’ll see her sitting frightened and unsure for her photograph – it really breaks your heart to see her and the many other lovely dogs dumped by irresponsible owners, many of whom haven’t even bothered to register or microchip their dogs. “Once again we are urging people to take a look at these dogs as potential lifetime companions. ’ “Please check the Domestic Animal Services website http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/pets/lost,_found,_impounded_and_wanted_dogs/impounded_dogs to see what we’re talking about.” City news is a local free publication, published weekly.

Unfortunately, if the deaths were quick with no undue suffering, it is unlikely that they have committed any offences against that states equivalent of the Animal Welfare Act (not sure what it's called there, that's what it is here). There may be some issues for the council themselves with procedures.

Silly question, but how old are Foals when they leave their mum? I just presumed that as a larger animal, they would stay with them for a long time, but it seems not.

While it seems like an animal welfare issue, it is primarily a Theft, which the police investigate. RSPCA don't have any powers under the Criminal Code, only the Animal Welfare Act relevant to their state/territory.

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/pets/lost,_found,_impounded_and_wanted_dogs/impounded_dogs