Animal welfare activists and pet lovers are demanding that a dog that survived being thrown off a six-story New York building this summer be allowed to live.

The Richmond animal-protection office concluded yesterday that “no willful intent was found” in its investigation of the death of the family pet of Robin Starr. The finding apparently will end all investigations into the demise of Louie, a 16-year-old poodle mix who died of heatstroke after being accidentally confined in the Starr family’s car when the outside temperature was about 90 degrees.

For the second time in less than three months, Danville police have killed a dog. Police issued a news release saying a pit bull attacking other dogs died after officers used a Taser on it Wednesday. The dog’s owner was charged with four counts of having an unlicensed dog and three counts of having an unvaccinated dog. On June 8, a Danville officer fired a single gunshot that killed an 11-year-old miniature dachshund that was growling at him. Police Chief Philip A. Broadfoot initially said the officer had acted in accordance with department policy, but the chief later fired the officer after saying an investigation did not support the officer’s version of events that preceded the shooting.

From short to shaggy, nearly all the differences in dogs’ coat types result from variations in just three genes, according to researchers studying how genes work together.

The new drug, Palladia, manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., has been approved to treat a type of cancer that accounts for about one in five cases of canine skin tumors.

Sussex County and state officials seized 72 dogs and a potbellied pig from a dog breeder last month, a spokesman for the county Sheriff’s Office said. The animals were seized from dog breeder John Boudiette on March 23 after the state veterinarian’s office received a complaint, sheriff’s investigator W.B. Banty said this week. Most of the dogs are Labrador retrievers, and 39 of them have been taken in by Lab Rescue of the Potomac, said Sterrie Weaver, a member of the group.

Walking down a four-block stretch of Monument Avenue yesterday afternoon, it was easy to suffer from sensory overload. The senses were set upon from all directions—smells of funnel cakes and simmering sausages; sights of people and dogs traversing the historic street dressed up in unusual, often homemade headgear; and sounds of music emanating from porches and sidewalks.

The Virginia Lottery is going to the dogs, so to speak. But these dogs are some lucky dogs. The lottery’s latest marketing campaign includes television spots featuring three charmed canines.

Dog lovers have a chance to win a spot for their pet on Virginia Lottery scratcher tickets. Starting April 14, people can post photos of their dogs on the lottery’s Web site. Ten will be selected to be featured on lottery tickets.
  Online: http://www.valottery.com

A German tourist was mauled in southern Sicily by a pack of mistreated and famished dogs that have already killed a 10-year-old boy, authorities said.

Fire damaged a home in Petersburg early today, but the three residents escaped unharmed. Two dogs also escaped the fire, but one required emergency oxygen at the scene and is receiving veterinary care, according to Petersburg Fire Battalion Chief Bobby Harvell. Firefighters responded to the fire at about 5 a.m. and observed flames coming from two windows. The fire caused an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 in damage to the one-story brick rancher off Crater Road south of Walnut Hill Plaza.

The white cat mewed her holiday wishes. Caroline Umphlet listened. Ms. Claus the cat—no relation to the big guy—dictated a letter, which Caroline, 7, translated from muffled meows to modern English. “Ms. Claus wants a family and a home. Can she have a little toy, too? Can she have a great friend? Can she have a loving family?“

Roughhousing may have gone a little too far at the Ruff House Dog Park in Rockwood Park. It’s not the dogs that are causing a problem. It’s the people who aren’t following the rules.

There’s currently no limit on the number of dogs a person can own in Hanover County, but the Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to hold a public hearing on whether that should change. The board planned a Jan. 14 hearing on proposed changes to an ordinance governing the number of dogs an individual can have with a kennel license on one parcel of land. Currently, kennel licenses are given out for 20 and 50 dogs, and some owners have multiple licenses.

The Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for volunteers to join the Ruff House Dog Park committee. The committee will be made up of residents who want to promote a safe off-leash environment for their dogs to enjoy at Rockwood Park. Volunteers will be placed on a mailing list and will receive the meeting schedule for 2009.