Marjorie Knoller, the San Francisco lawyer who allowed the 2 vicious 100+ pound Presa Canario dogs she was caring for to kill her neighbor Dianne Whipple in 2001 - may be going back to prison. Knoller served 16 months of a 4 year sentence in prison before she was paroled for the crime, which had been reduced to involuntary manslaughter. A superior court judge on Friday reinstated the jury’s original second degree murder conviction.
The judge ruled after listing some of more than 30 incidents in which Marjorie Knoller’s dogs bit or lunged at other people, and there was even a veterinarian’s letter warning that the dogs were dangerous.
Knoller now faces 15 years to life in prison when she’s sentenced on Sept. 22, 2008.
Knoller will be held in jail until her sentencing, without bail, since she faces a possible life sentence, has no community ties and can be considered a flight risk.
I say it’s about time irresponsible dog owners get exactly what’s coming to them!
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August 24, 2008 - 9:34 am
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Cynthia
Jennifer Lopez is being sued by a flight attendant because her “well behaved” German Shepherd guard dog bit the flight attendant during a flight in 2006. The dog didn’t actually break the skin but bit the woman’s pant leg. In trying to get away from the dog, the woman fell, twisting her back. That was 2 years ago. She claims she can no longer work because the injury was severe enough to require surgery. The former flight attendant’s lawyer said his client has made several attempts to settle the case with Lopez, but she has been ignored.
Why is it that so many celebrities feel they don’t have to be responsible dog owners. Even though Lopez hired a private jet, letting an aggressive dog roam free (especially in a small space like a plane) is just plain irresponsible.
Summer is upon us & this is the time of year when many a beloved dog dies after being left in a hot, locked car. Even leaving your pooch in the car for just a few minutes (even if you crack the window) could kill your dog. Remember, dogs can’t sweat to cool themselves off. Be mindful before you take your dog with you when you run errands this summer.
One place many people don’t consider their dog suffering heat related problems is when they take their dog cross country with them on an airplane. Most pets are put in the cargo hold (which is air conditioned), however when the plane is coming in for a landing, the air conditioning is turned off. The temperature in the city you land in should be no more than 86°, otherwise it is like leaving your dog in a hot car with the windows up (& who knows how long it’ll be before they get your pet out of the cargo hold). Again be mindful if you are transporting your pet via airplane. If the temperature is going to be hot when you land, schedule your flight for the coolest part of the day.
Speaking of summer, 60 dogs rode the waves at the 3rd Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition held at Imperial Beach, Calif. The competition raised money for the Modest Needs Foundation, which combats poverty.
Some of these dogs really have style on the boards - decked out in sunglasses & shorts. Check them out…
There’s a song with the lyrics, “who let the dogs out, woof!” Well, the warmer weather is causing owners to let their dogs out, and it is causing lots of complaints of excessive dog barking across the country. The warm weather means Fido can go outside and hang out in the yard. Many dogs bark even more outside because there are just so many more things to see.
Many people resort to some type of collar to stop barking. But collars don’t always work. There are more humane ways to deal with the behavior.
Just because your dog is outside and not disturbing you with his barking doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take responsibility for the behavior. If you own a barking dog, be responsible and do something about it. Get “The Ultimate Guide To Stop Your Dog From Barking…Fast!”
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June 29, 2008 - 1:01 pm
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Cynthia
Barkings dogs in Albemarle County, Virginia just got a blow. A new ordinance has been passed that states if any dog barks for more than 30 minutes, your neighbors can take you to court. A $500 fine is awaiting you if you are found guilty only one time. If you’re found guilty three times, say goodbye to your pooch.
I predict more counties across the country will adopt harsh legislation like this. That’s why it’s so very important to do something about your barking dog. Go here to get “The Ultimate Guide To Stop Your Dog From Barking…Fast!” Don’t wait for a law to pass against you.
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June 14, 2008 - 9:46 am
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Cynthia
I recently reported about New Yorkers seeing increased fines for not picking up after their dogs. Well, leave it to New York dog owners to find a way to get out of the ticket. Whoopi Goldberg reported on the TV talk show, “The View” that they’re using the excuse that they “forgot” their identification. It seems tickets can only be issued by showing your ID to the enforcement officer. I guess looking at the license the dog is wearing around it’s neck isn’t an option.
A poll was taken online asking how much someone should be fined for not picking up after their dogs. The largest number of votes was for $25. Is $25 enough to deter someone from leaving the poop on the street? I think not. The second highest number of votes was to pay nothing. If you don’t punish bad behavior or have to suffer some sort of consequence, the unwanted behavior doesn’t change. That applies to training dogs and people!
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June 11, 2008 - 8:42 am
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Cynthia
There’s a report out of London, England that there are more & more “dangerous” (code for pit bull) dogs being used as not only status symbols by (insecure) men and teenage boys, but the dogs are also being used as weapons…since it’s against the law to carry a knife or gun. These dogs are used not only to intimidate people but are also being used in the growing & secretly popular “sport” of dog fighting.
It’s been said to be “one of the UK’s most pressing social issues.”
It’s not just a problem in the U.K. Not only common folk but high profile athletes & rappers in the U.S. own these “macho” dogs too with little regard to how dangerous a dog trained & bred to be not only a fighter but a killer can be.
The issue is the owner, not the dog. Any dog can be trained to be aggressive (my neighbors Chihuahua’s are little terrors because they’ve been allowed to be). Unfortunately, aggressive breeds like pit bulls, etc generally have to be put down.
The owner should face consequences severe enough to deter ownership of these aggressive dogs. Perhaps jail time for using a dog as a weapon? But I think the thugs (um, people) who are using their dogs in this way won’t be deterred by a stay in jail. Jail is probably a second home to them. Once again it boils down to responsible dog ownership!
Watch the video about this growing dog problem here.
If you are a dog owner in New York City, you better make certain you pick up after your pooch…every time. The Department of Sanitation has more than doubled the amount of tickets handed out for not curbing your dog. Don’t waste your money on these tickets. Do the right thing, be a responsible dog owner & pick up after your dog.
The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services is under fire because it was revealed after an audit that they have only issued 123,000 licenses when the dog population is estimated at 400,000 - 800,000.
Collecting on licenses is the largest source of revenue for the agency with licenses for dogs that have been ‘fixed’ fetching $15 and dogs that haven’t at $100. Because they haven’t collected on roughly 75 to 80 percent, there is a resulting loss of about $2 million on dog licenses.
Ironically, the city doesn’t do anything to collect the money it’s owed. The department sends out one notice of delinquency and then doesn’t approach it again.
The department could be losing nearly $11 million a year by not enforcing penalties against people who fail to license their animals.
This latest news paints L.A. as a city of irresponsible dog owners. Responsible dog owners license their dogs.
Owning a dog is a big responsibility. And part of being a responsible dog owner is training. Here are the top 10 dog training tips.
1. Research your breed
Before your canine companion puts a paw across the threshold, you need to research the most suitable breed for your family and lifestyle. People often choose a pooch…continue here.