Give me shelter: the state of animal sheltering in Kentucky’s county shelter system

Abstract

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Animal Control and Advisory Board estimates that in 2012, approximately 285,000 dogs and cats entered the shelter system, but only 15% were retrieved by owners or adopted to a new home. While some shelters incorporate adoption, fostering, and low-cost spay and neuter programs, many shelters euthanize the majority of the animals that enter the shelter system. In an effort to address severe deficiencies within the shelter system, Kentucky passed the Humane Shelter Law which defined minimum care and facility standards for animals held in shelters, along with required data collection. The law also placed responsibility with the individual county governments for oversight and implementation of these requirements. This paper presents the background and history of the state policy regarding animal shelters followed by results from a study of the county animal shelters in Kentucky. Results from the study suggest that numerous problems with data collection and maintenance exist throughout Kentucky and that levels of care vary widely for animals in the system. We discuss these issues before making recommendations for improvement to this system and its oversight. Our research suggests that with proper funding and oversight, Kentucky’s statute could become a model for humane animal sheltering.     

Cosmetic and convenience surgeries on companion animals: the case for laws with bite to protect a dog’s bark

Abstract

Of the various potential improvements and expansions of the current legal protections for companion animals, this paper will focus on the rationale for, and the possibility of, a ban on companion dog and cat cosmetic and convenience surgeries. After discussing the practical significance of society’s soft spot for companion dogs and cats, this paper will discuss the ‘physically painful’ and ‘unjustifiable’ nature of the cosmetic and convenience surgeries themselves, as well as the statutes, legislative and voter initiatives, and case law relevant to those surgeries. Ultimately, this paper will conclude that although across the board bans on companion dog and cat cosmetic and convenience surgeries would likely fail in all but a tiny minority of ‘animal-friendly’ municipalities, bans that solely target debarking could be more broadly enacted because debarking has been practiced for a shorter period of time than the other surgeries, is performed less frequently, and may be more readily understood by the average American as ‘unnatural,’ and therefore, cruel.     

影像：跨文化传播的最佳载体——兼对广西电视台国际频道的思考

2010年1月1日,广西电视台国际频道（Guangxi TV Intemational）正式开播,这是广西第一个面向海外播出的电视频道,频道设有《连线东盟》、《寻找金花》、《时尚中国》等十几档栏目和电视剧场。如何利用这一优势平台做好跨文化传播,以推动广西经济的发展成了一个值得探讨的问题。本文通过对传播理论的研究,并结合广西电视台国际频道目前的传播实践,从理论和实践两方面得出了破解跨文化传播坚冰的关键词——影像。     

从比较法的视角论动物福利法的立法模式

法律调整的是人与人之间关系。人与动物之间的关系,不是主体与主体之间的关系,而是主体与客体之间的关系。动物福利法的立法目的应是维护人类尊重生命、爱护生命的善良道德情操。在动物福利法的制定成为我国的必然的历史条件下,只有明确界定动物的法律地位,才能制定出一部符合时代特色和民族精神的动物福利法。     

A Preliminary Assessment of the Identification of Saw Marks on Burned Bone*

Abstract: This study assesses the degree of modification to the saw mark characteristics of dismembered skeletal remains when exposed to a controlled outdoor fire of limited duration. The sample consists of 36 adult pig hind limbs which were dismembered fleshed. Six handsaws and six power saws were used, with three limbs dismembered and burned for each of the saw types. Results indicate that fire exposure affects the visibility and identifiability of saw mark striae. With the handsaws, the bow saw, hacksaw, and keyhole saw were consistently recognizable. In the power saw group, the saw marks of the jigsaw, reciprocating saw, and chainsaw remained identifiable. Although the bone ends exhibited thermal alterations, the false starts were well preserved with minimal damage. Given the parameters of this study, it is possible to identify the class of saw based on the diagnostic characteristics present on the cremated bones.     

The effect of feeding enrichment upon reported working ability and behavior of kenneled working dogs

It is widely recommended that kenneled dogs are provided with environmental enrichment such as toys or feeding devices. However, the adoption of enrichment for military working dogs is impeded by a widespread belief that it reduces their motivation to work. Handlers of 22 working German Shepherd dogs were asked to rate their dogs on 11 attributes pertaining to working ability, related behavioral traits, and health. Eight of the dogs were then provided with daily feeding enrichment for 4 months, while the remainder were given equivalent human attention. The same 11 traits were scored again following the enrichment period: 10 changed little over the period while handlers' reports of their dogs' Ability to learn from being rewarded increased significantly. Changes for all attributes were virtually identical in enriched and control dogs. We conclude that if correctly managed, feeding enrichment can be introduced to kenneled working dogs without any reported detrimental effects upon working ability, health, or behavior.     

论动植物检疫失职罪

通过对动植物检疫失职罪的概念和构成要件特征进行分析,结合司法实践阐述了本罪认定应注意的若干问题,并详尽论述了本罪成罪标准及与相关罪的区别和联系.     

On the Creation and Formation of New Words

Part I IntroductionAmericanlinguist Mario Pei saidin his Englishin2061:AFore-cast:The factor that would truly make the Englishin2061differentfromEnglish of the present dayis newly created wordsinlarge scale.(Wang Rongpei,1998:334)So is the fact.English vo…     

评英汉词典中词汇翻译的“一步到位”

英汉双语词典在处理词汇时,翻译的比重应大于释义。本文旨在指出一般英汉词典中某些词汇在翻译上的不足或疏漏,目的是希望日后的英汉词典能更上一层楼。     

多元文化中的苗族话语研究——用当代话语理论对苗文化的阐释

本文以世界话语为背景,运用当代话语理论阐述了苗族文化研究的三个主要观点：苗族文化是世界第三种经济文化类型;苗族文化是由一个文化母体演绎而成的复杂文化系统;苗族文化超越许多世代具有极大的历史穿透力。文章并根据这些观点分析了苗族文化的若干事象。