"You are more likely to killed by a bolt of lightening than by a dog," said Adam Goldfarb"

I would guess that stat changes by neighborhood. Where I work there are mostly pit bulls. None of them are muzzled or fixed and they are all on long leashes so they take over the sidewalk. At least once a week you see pit bulls that have escaped running through the neighborhood.

I should be worried about the cows and chickens? If dogs tasted better we wouldn't have a problem.

gord - You're straying into Kinsella territory there.

gord you sound like an asshat...where you work there's mostly pitbulls NONE are muzzled or fixed, they take over the sidewalks and "escape" running through the neighbourhood. First off...where the hell do you work that there's so many "at large" pitbulls? Second, if you are so uncomfortable, then either get another job or suck it up princess. You'll get little or pity here.

You seem like a lovely, sympathetic person, Kelly. Your aggression and insults towards gord are justified and they totally make sense and aren't insane.

but kept for hunting or breeding

Yeah cause there's nothing more vicious than a Golden Retriever with an 8" tongue!

"HSUS assimilated dozens of staffers from PETA and other animal-rights groups,"

Enough said...

That news service needs an editor. It's lightning, not lightening.

I loath pitbulls and rotweilers. Who on earth needs a frikken pitbull? The owners of pitbulls so far as i have ever seen have got esteem issues themselves. The type that rent basement apartments and have confederate flags over their windows. I fully back banning them from Ontario.

It's nice to see that Associated Press covers the horrifying deaths of these two people by giving ample space to the spokesman for a radical, agenda-driven misinformation campaign.

What's a newswire for, if not that?

Black Mamba, I meant neither insult or aggression. I was really just replying to an obviously idiotic comment.

Going by the stats quoted, death by dog is down a third in three years. It's also very rare so it shouldn't be of much concern. Dog attacks that aren't fatal are much more common and poor owner conduct is almost entirely to blame as is juvenile delinqency in humans. Sterilizing either species Is not the solution and the humane society should know that.

Maybe the people down in Georgia didn't watch the Price is Right and so they failed to get their pets spayed and neutered...

And I don't blame the animals, they are just being animals. Pack mentality, going with base instincts.

Who is responsible for these dogs? Can you pin it on someone? Maybe the local dog catcher should've been out there more often.

And as for the quote from the article "Authorities have rounded up about 11 dogs suspected in the rare attack and returned to the area Tuesday to find four more spotted by a deputy. The dogs were being held by animal control officials while authorities decide what to do with them"

Hi it's called a rifle, use it.

Okay, okay animal rights lovers, we can try and get in there and socialize these dogs...

You first!

Agent Smith, it's not the dogs, it's the owners. It's a cliche, but it's true.

Besides -- and this it not in any way a rhetorical question -- do you ban a breed by its name? By its appearance, or....?

If you ban pitbulls, the goofs you're talking about -- and I DO know what you're talking about -- will get some other breed of dog. Brasileiros, or certain backwoods eastern European guard dogs -- some of these alternate breeds are more inclined by nature to attack people -- as opposed to other dogs -- than pitbulls are.

Make dog owners accountable for what their dogs do. In the case of wild dogs, shoot them.

As for the AP story, the assertion that these dogs killed these folks because they weren't spayed or neutered is, as Kate noted, absolute, *total* bullcrap. Pure misinformation being put out there under the guise of "public education." By a news agency, no less.

"Asshat" and "princess" are both very rude things to call someone (unless that someone is an actual princess, and then it's still not done to call her an asshat).

The subject, in part, was dangerous, feral or semi-feral dogs. Gord was relating some personal experiences with such animals. I don't see why that's idiotic.

hmmm, Deaths by lightning, per state. Seems to average 44.9 deaths per year in the past 10 years. I wouldn't say it's a grand difference... area seems to really play a role in this, witness the numbers in Florida.

http://www.infoplease.com/science/weather/lightning-deaths.html

The comparison of death by lightning to death by dog is untenable, because only one method is not humanly controllable.

hehe
Black Mamba, while I hate to be rude and risk further damaging your sensibilities, I'm going to go out on a limb and call gord an asshat moonbat.
whatcha gotta say 'bout that princess?

Oh, just that you might want to look into either increasing or decreasing your meds. But talk to your G.P. first, don't do anything sudden.

Kelly. You were rude. Now it seems your a thin skinned boor as well.

Black Mamba & gord I meant no offense, hope none was taken.

=^-^=

Many dogs that turn vicious aren't necessarily pets but kept for hunting or breeding, or as guard dogs.
Dogs that attack also typically are not spayed or neutered, which can contribute to aggression, Goldfarb said.

Goldfarb is sorta right.
Aggression in a hunting or guard dog is basically an important character trait, so yeah, these types of dogs aren't spayed or neutered.
Now if you want dogs for breeding purposes, spaying or neutering them is sorta counterproductive there, too.

Where Goldfarb is dead wrong, is that working or breeding dog stock are vicious.
Most dog attacks against humans are from pets.

Dog owners who own dogs for hunting, guarding, and breeding know how to train dogs properly.

Pet owners often haven't a clue beyond house training their dogs, and some even fail at that.

I feel sorry that dogs are the bad guys in this scenario.
The authorities should have shot these dogs as soon as they were found to be at large and packing, that's ferrel behaviour.

The victims probably would have been OK if they were packing too.(.25 automatics would have done the trick)

It is better to have a gun and not need one then to need a gun and not have one.

Okay, Kelly.

.25 automatics would have done the trick… You can’t own one of them in Canada, and even if you did, you couldn’t shoot the real culprit, being the owner.

It shouldn’t take too much thought to realize that the dogs aren’t the problem be they Pit Bulls or Chihuahuas. If every dog attack resulted in an owner being euthanized, the problem would quickly disappear.

The attack didn't happen in Canada.
Where I live, Alberta, the RCMP shoot dog packs soon after they're reported.

But then, Alberta is different that way.
We don't have rats, either.

Years back I had occasion to spend a considerable time in Georgia.
Packs of feral dogs were a common problem then....domestic dogs gone wild.....the mild climate/winter made it possible for them to survive and become a threat to wildlife, livestock and even children awaiting the school bus.
The standard policy then 30 years back was to shoot on sight.....some sporting types actually hunted them....a hazardous endeavor....these feral dogs had NO fear of people and didn't not turn from a shot but charged.....one of my associates got involved in such a hunt and said never again....with several companions...he said he emptied a 12 ga pump with the plugs out (8 shots) and emptied his sidearm a Colt 1911 (45ACP).
He said when he dropped the last one there was saliva on the barrel....
The MPs in the guard-shack at a not-to-be named military reservation, confronted by a pack, called for backup, and an armoured car was dispatched.....the MPs didn't like the odds with an open jeep....
A pack of feral dogs is BAD news....

Ferrel bloggers are worse...most are not spayed or neutered.

Having moved from the UK where the dog of choice for welfare recipients is the rottweiler I was quite surprised to see the numbers of, for want of a better term, "pit bulls" here in BC. It seems nearly every other week there is a story in the news about these dogs attacking people and invariably the owner turns out to be some dope peddling skel. I think Agent Smith has it about right, the owners of such animals certainly seem to have issues.

Ferrel bloggers are worse...most are not spayed or neutered. Posted by: No-One

Good one, No-One, glad to hear you're still wild and wooly.

Had an encounter with a couple of brazenly nasty dogs last year. I saw them from my deck sensed immediately they were dangerous. My huge, I mean huge mastiff/rotti/boxer was outside with me -they did not make a sound walked right up and tried to stare my dog down - it was pitch black out. I was concerned my dog was going to jump fence after he began giving them some serious snarl - I yelled at the dogs & they would not leave, so I resorted to rocks. They still stood their ground - out came bigger rocks - they walked back down my driveway non-plussed. I called the RCMP - who later rounded them up, but not b4 they killed some chickens and injured a llama. They were front page news next day - one was a pit bull the other rotti/pit bull - they were both put down. Nobody came forward to claim them as pets.

"Aggression in a hunting or guard dog is basically an important character trait, so yeah, these type of dogs aren't spayed and neutered."

That ergo don't hunt, Oz.

My main point is that the Georgia dog attack is largely a result of a mild climate....
In more northern areas, harsh winter weather eliminates this.
North America wide(and Europe and the antipodies) the Humaine societies, PETA, et al are a much bigger threat to life and liberty.
These wingnuts are intent upon blocking much medical research----by protesting animal testing and vandalism----and intent upon eliminating animal agriculture.
The TOFU nutbars have long infiltrated Hollywood....even Star-Trek....

I own my beloved 95 lb. golden retriever...when exposed to someone new, he whines in the most ingratiating manner. In other words, he ADORES people...any people.

But last year, I experienced a situation where the chinese family next door, who had a black lab (who unfortunately was continuously left outside), came into our yard and, being unsocialized, proceeded to threaten me.

My passive, friendly golden retreiver, raced ahead of me and challenged the lab, who then retreated.

That was the first time I ever witnessed how deep the bond really was between me and my beloved dog.

Gawd...as a human, I am sometimes not sure that I deserve the kind of love and devotion I receive from my dog...

to take agression out of a male dog, horse, bull, or man, cut their nutz off. This usually works to some extent. For most men, the threat to do so usually works!!

I say if they ban guns, then we should ban dogs. Well just poodles the left like’s their mindless little poodles. I think their vicious and a danger to society.

I agree with the first comment.

"I would guess that stat changes by neighborhood"

Jeopardy :

First clue - Which African American Football star was arrested in 2007 for conducting vicious dog fights on his multi million dollar property?

Next clue - His only defense was that "it is just a cultural thing".

Posted by: GYM>

“to take agression out of a male dog, horse, bull, or man, cut their nutz off.”

They don’t call Iggy and Kinsella “Nutzi sympathizers” for nutin you know

what is this all about. some dogs are nasty some aren't. some people are nasty as well. we should be the ones controlling our animals and if we have one that attacks then it should be put down. the pack of dogs that killed the old lady should also be put down if it can be determined which animals did the deed. dogs are great animals but they are animals.

Oz writes:

"But then, Alberta is different that way.
We don't have rats, either."

Well, that's not quite true, but I've heard that they are mostly confined to Edmonton.

Kelly said "Black Mamba & gord I meant no offense, hope none was taken."

Screw you. You call me an ashat for telling you the truth. You call me a princess. I'd like to meet you one day.

I work in the North End of Hamilton. 3 days ago there was a drive by shooting on the street. I have found 2 bodies in the last 2 years in the driveway. I have a bullet hole in the wall beside my desk. There are crack houses all around. And everyone owns a frigging pit bull. And I'm not uncomfortable cause I grew up around here.

Why don't you come by for a visit.
Dumb bitch.

Actually, Knight 99, poodles are brilliant dogs that get a bad rap. 'Problem with most of them is their often hoyty-toyty owners who pamper and spoil them.

I once had a poodle and one of his most endearing qualities was that he had no idea he was a poodle because we didn't treat him like a poodle; he was just a great dog, smart and sweet-tempered.

gord: 8:08 AM

Now that's how to handle a dog problem!

Kick the Kos kids when bad.

some of you guys need to stop pretending that you know about dog breeds and do some research.

Hunting dogs bred for aggression?

Oh boy.

So... are there any good solutions for people who like to walk the neighborhood and do not want to get bit. Pepper spray? Pocket knife? Kibbles?

sounds like they should be banning lightning in the USA. after all its part of climate change

cant Al Gore save us?

Bear,

It all depends what they hunt. If you're talking about your average retriever or pointer then aggression is not a requirement. However, if you're hunting bear, wolves or even large game with dogs then aggression is a key survival trait for the dog and the hunter. When I was a Canadian Ranger instructor in the Far North, I asked why one hunter would always bring a dog team instead of using a snowmobile--since dog teams weren't as fast. The Inuit sergeant told me that if a polar bear came during the night the dogs would fight it and make so much noise that they would wake us up. By the way, the Inuit would kill any dog that was aggressive to human beings in order to breed that trait out of their working dogs. So there is a requirement for aggression in dogs. However, I would suggest it's not a requirement in the average city dwelling pet.

~~favill~~

My daughter has a Rotie cross. Judging from the jaw muscles there is some Pitbull in her too. She was picked up from the pound as a rescue dog. Don't know her past but she is a good dog. Likes people and other dogs but a bit demanding about tummy scratching and treats. I know the dog but it surprises me how terrified people are when they meet her on the street. She shows no aggression at all and if kids are around I understand parents concern. I always let kids pet her if they want to and some ask. The dog feels better and the kids learn that not all big dogs are bad. I feel a lot better about my daughter's safety though.

Wow gord take a chill pill mate. While kelly calling you an asshat maynot have been apropriate, your reply after an apology does qualify you as a princess with a bent wand. where you live and work is your choice. you build your own boat, you sail it mate.

Gord: And I'm not uncomfortable cause I grew up around here. Why don't you come by for a visit. Dumb bitch.

FWIW, Gord serves to illustrate the fact even though one can take the trash out of the dump...at the end of the day, it's still trash. Like dogs, perhaps Gord is illustrating that it is, in fact, all about breeding and we should therefore take Goldfarb's wisdom and have Gord neutered.

Just sayin'

*
954 — The number of deaths in Canada in 2004 as a result of accidental poisoning.

378 — The number of deaths in Canada in 2004 as a result of a fall involving stairs
and steps, a building or structure, or a ladder or a tree.

130 — The number of deaths in Canada in 2004 as a result of a fall involving a
bed, chair or other furniture.

"Oh... my... gawd... everybody stop eating!!!"

100 — The number of deaths in Canada in 2004 as a result of choking on food.

*

gord,

I work in Hamilton as well. Black Bamba and kelley are dillusional rightoid rightard conbats so full of themselves their eyes are brown.

Terriers are the breed of choice for druggies and attitude addled self-annointed asshat egomaniacs.

If the rightoids here would get off their high horse and read a newspaper they'd find out that east Hamilton is truly as gord describes it.

My uncle showed, bred, and hunted with his german short-haired pointers.

One: an aggressive hunting dog is useless
Two: training and socialization is responsible for all behaviors that proper breeding didn't add/subtract.
Three: number two can apply to people as well.

When you hear of nasty dogs, you will normally find trailer trash, low-end druggies, and morons who think using chains as leads is "cool" as the responsible parties.

What is wrong with you lot this morning - no one have their coffee before they posted? You're going at each other over inanities and missing the point...

They were WILD DOGS - ergo, NO OWNER to spay or neuter them. Moreover, Kate's attempting to point out what has happened to the human society - they've gone so left wing that common sense has deserted them. Wild dogs will act more like wolf than your neighbor's Yorkie not because they haven't been spayed or neutered but because they are wild and you're now food.

Additionally, as Kate illustrates with the picture, hunting dogs (i.e., labs, golden retrievers, spaniels, beagles, etc) cannot be arbitrarily labeled as aggressive (it's a none too veiled shot at the hunting community).

Decades ago in La Ronge, a pack of dogs savaged and killed a little girl who was playing in her back yard. When dogs are not looked after and left to run wild, they are no longer your little backyard pet. These were just mongrels--no particular breed and not owned by anyone. Until that event, it was quite common for uncontrolled dogs to roam the streets of that town.

goodomens. Kelly insulted a several times before she apologized. To me that makes the apology quite phony.

Jonesy. That's a typical rich kid comment. Someone insults me, I hit back and now I'm trash because I'm not from your side of town.

How about this. Jonesy you're a moron. Jonesy your parents are cousins. Jonesy I didn't mean to offend you. Sorry. See all better.

"Wild dogs will act more like wolf than your neighbor's Yorkie... because they are wild and you're now food"

There are no - as in zero - recorded instances of wolves hunting and killing people.

They haven't just "gone left wing".

The Humane Society of the United States isn't a humane society at all.

They're an activist group that runs no shelters, focusing almost exclusively on drafting anti-breeding legislation, organizing breeder "busts", etc.

gord: Your inferiority complex is hanging right out there.

Black Mamba: who made you central scrutinizer?

Kelly: I kinda agree with your first comment.

Wild dogs are a good reason for concealed carry especially for seniors.

I own a cat, dogs are far too needy, they smell bad and they bark.

Mornin' all.

Dogs are dogs. To ban a breed of dogs is wrong. I've seen bad dogs of just about every breed there is on earth. Some of those little suckers are extremely mean but, being small, are overlooked.

Also, a dog's loyalty is to its pack. It is only loyal to a human it perceives as its pack and its loyalties will change if its pack is defeated or destroyed, or else the dog will die. This is animal nature and people have named it loyalty but it is really just a commitment from the dog to stick with a pack that provides the necessities of life for it. These are not human emotions from a dog, they are instincts that evolved to benefit their survival in a pack.

In my opinion, a good dog is one that will never bite a human no matter what. There are reasons that dogs bite but there are no excuses. This is the same opinion I have on human criminals. There may be reasons that they commit a crime (poverty, abuse, etc) but there is no excuse.

I agree that we have to hold owners of dogs responsible for their dogs' behavior. In the case of wild dogs, use guns to humanely dispatch them.

"Aggression in a hunting or guard dog is basically an important character trait, so yeah, these type of dogs aren't spayed and neutered."
~Oz

some of you guys need to stop pretending that you know about dog breeds and do some research.
Hunting dogs bred for aggression?
Oh boy.
~the bear

Where did I say they were bred for aggression?

The second difference in a hunting dogs training is the training goal itself. While it is desirable to almost completely remove aggressive behavior in a companion animal, it is advisable to leave some of this instinct intact for hunting animals. The reason behind this is simple. These animals spend long hours and sometimes days in the field and may encounter danger from wildlife or even wounded prey. Also the first time your untrained dog hands you a squirrel that is stunned and not completely dead, you will understand the reason for leaving the aggressive instinct in the animal.
FROM
http://information.i-love-dogs.com/dog-articles/dog-training/3650.html

I could give you more links, but some of you think you already know everything.
I have 2 gun dogs, American Water Spaniels.
They are aggressive, high spirited dogs, even in old age.

Posted by: Kate at August 19, 2009 10:45 AM

That is exactly what they are.

Hmmm...humane society - dogs killing seniors....Obama's new health care plan. Obama says he's humane but wants to kill seniors (or a least have them plan for their own demise, a least once every 5 years) using the Dr's as dogs for his humane approach. Ppl thought Obama was a golden retriever - apparently he's a pit bull.

What is up with Obama putting his age as 52 on his myspace page. Does it make him more "senior like" thought he was born in 61 and just had a birthday. Perhaps he is baiting birthers.

Momar @10:55 - "gord: Your inferiority complex is hanging right out there. Black Mamba: who made you central scrutinizer?"

I can't remember, but I pass my powers on to you; you seem to be getting the hang of it.

Looks like this thread is going to the dogs... badda boom!

Not-stirred-enough's endorsement of fellow Hamiltonian gord, speaks volumes.

Momar, why would you need a "concealed" weapon? Just put a holster on the walker let it hang out there and maybe scare away human curs too.

With the exception of Disney creatures, any animal gone feral and especially with packs are beyond domesticating.

Posted by: Jason at August 19, 2009 10:41 AM
**Wild dogs will act more like wolf than your neighbor's Yorkie... because they are wild and you're now food"

There are no - as in zero - recorded instances of wolves hunting and killing people.**

Jason you bleeped outa turn and have forever lost your credibility.
That nonsense is an urban myth, as valid as CO2 AGW. Our literature is rife with instances of wolf attacks....from proverbs like "The boy who cried wolf" to old favourites such as "Peter and the wolf" to "Little Red RidingHood".
These were based on fact.
Prior to the introduction of firearms, wolf attacks would regularly destroy entire villages in Eastern Europe.
Feral dogs are much more dangerous than wolves because they have little or NO FEAR of humans.
I have it on good authority that a .25 auto is not much help against an attack by feral dogs.....recommended----a rifle of at least .30 cal or 12Ga with AA buck.
The problem is you are dealing with a 4 legged Kamakaze.....wounding is just not sufficient.

A surveyor was killed by wolves in Saskatchewan about 3 years ago, just weeks after another wolf attack that was successfully fought off when help arrived.

And by the way -

Certain commentors cease and desist with the personal insults now.

>By the way, the Inuit would kill any dog that was aggressive to human beings in order to breed that trait out of their working dogs. So there is a requirement for aggression in dogs.

Possibly true, but it doesn't much matter since the dogs are not socialized and often run wild, so this is where the most deaths in Canada have occurred. The #1 killer "breed" is "sled dog", the most frequent victim, native children, nearly always multiple dogs. Whatever genetic component of human aggression is being reduced in that population is clearly more than made up for by environment.
Sooooo genetics doesn't really matter to an attack, whether its breed, purpose or colour of fur. Also to round out those of Neo's, the average # of fatal dog attacks in Canada is 1-2/year.

Check it out at www.pitbullproject.ca/FatalAttacks.pdf

Kate at 10:45 a.m.

You are so right with that comment!!!
And the best piece of advice I have seen for a long time is "TO STOP GIVING THEM MONEY" and that includes taxpayer money.

er...that would be *stats* of Neo's. (typed too fast. sigh.)

Now I'm certainly no expert on dogs and I can't comment on whether or not one breed is more aggressive than another. However, the most vicious and anti-social dog that I have ever encountered is our chihuahua, especially if he's eating. He's been like this since birth and no amount of love and attention can adjust his bad attitude. Fortunately his bark is obviously much worse than his bite. Cesar Milan would have his hands full with this one.

Interesting that Gord "asshat" works in a neighbourhood with mostly pit bulls, un-neutered and on long leads or running free, but he doesn't say that he's ever been attacked by any of these dogs. So what is it Gord? Are you just some sicko with a phobia of dogs?

hamilton went to the dogs long before the pitbulls arrived

and why are all the fools picking on gord for pointing out a valid observation on dog/human charater mix????

In fact, the "pack mentality" seems to prevail in human relationships too. Witness the attacks on Gord by writers who had nothing to do with the initial skirmish.

"The Humane Society of the United States isn't a humane society at all.

They're an activist group that runs no shelters, focusing almost exclusively on drafting anti-breeding legislation, organizing breeder "busts""

That's quite true. For those of you interested in a humane society, the American Humane Society is a completely seperate organization that deals with animal welfare and not the PETA type crap.

Jason: well-known case of morning jogger killed - and eaten - by wolves on Long Beach.

gord - sasquatch got it: who needs a .25? 12-bore safer and more efficient, and totally legal. ;)

I lived in St Catharines some time ago, at the time the old pound was replaced with a spankin new one. this was aroundabouts 1988.

but apparently sumbudy at the lincoln county humane society warn't pleased with the new digs because it had a rather mysterious fire and burned up soon after.

some people are never satisfied.

"Wild dogs will act more like wolf than your neighbor's Yorkie... because they are wild and you're now food"

There are no - as in zero - recorded instances of wolves hunting and killing people.

Posted by: Jason at August 19, 2009 10:41 AM "

Yup,Jason.You lose this round,buddy.
Besides the surveyor Kate mentioned and the jogger...between the year 851 to 0600 hrs,Feb 18,2009,there have been 4411 VERIFIED killing and consumption of humans by wolves. 80 % were prepubescent children, 16% women, and 4% men.

Posted by: batb>

No offence batb. Was just light humor to make a subtle point.

Although I have never found any personal use for the "little rodents" I used to have a great Border collie/ Healer cross that was the most amazing animal I have known.

Never fenced, never wandered the community, never barked, responded to hand signals for communication, great with kids, and a natural bird hunter. Very sad at it's untimely demise when it was 8 years old.

The Glengarrian>

“And the best piece of advice I have seen for a long time is "TO STOP GIVING THEM MONEY" and that includes taxpayer money.”

The climax of the issue! Hence the left loves their socialism, where you have no say in where your taxpayer money goes. It goes where they want it to go.

You earn it, they take it, and then they spend it. A little like Bono aid to Africa.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/new.zealand.dog.bbq/index.html

How do you like your mutt,rare or well done?

No offence taken, Knight 99.

I've heard that border collies are the smartest dogs (they amaze me) and next to them are ... poodles! Poodles are also bird dogs; they retrieve birds shot down in the water -- or, at least, that's what they were bred to do, thus the crazy "hair cut," to keep their body heat in.

Our little guy never had a poodle cut and used to look like a mini-sheepdog. He's gone now, too.

Sigh. I still miss him.

Michael H Anderson, Justthinkin

Mea culpa.

That'll teach me to believe the National Geographic chanel...

National Geographic has a similar love affair with sharks as it does with wolves and other top tier predators.

Have you ever met a grizzly bear or timber wolf in the wild?
No?
Then why would you miss them if they all became extinct?

I canceled my subscription to NG when I could no longer avoid the conclusion that they'd become a print organ of the environmental movement. Plenty human-hatin' in those pages now.

Oz - wonder who really believes these asstard pseudo-stats about extinction rates anyway? What, there are millions of field biologists out there doing headcounts of every one of the known 1.6 million species on this planet (rough guess of about 12 million as yet undiscovered, new ones found every day)? Nonsense. Here's what I suspect happens: a new species is found in the rainforest, maybe not abundant to begin with. Some masochist of a zoologist devotes himself to living out there as funding permits, and observing this critter, notes that habitat loss seems to be affecting it. One day he can't find the teeny beetle or fungus any more, and he reports an extinction.

Two problems: he doesn't KNOW it's actually extinct, and (surprise surprise) he doesn't have the resources to observe the entire Amazon rainforest to find out. It's just been (he observes) extirpated from whatever minute region of the forest he did have the resources to observe.

What happens next is the really stupid part: statisticians decide as a result of such reports that "25 (or whatever) species are becoming extinct daily."

On the other hand, it might just be a colossal ugly lie thought up entirely by the Green Ministry of Truth.

You've got to keep the dogs away! You've got to keep the dogs at bay!

Posted by: Oz>

"Have you ever met a grizzly bear or timber wolf in the wild?"

Yes.

and we should miss them when they DO become extinct. Remember when that day comes, Calgary will resemble a little Mumbai India. How nice.

gord speaks the truth about north hamilton, even if he's a bit steamed. Try walking off burlington street at night sometime, and then come back and let's chat.

And a .25 isn't doing squat against an enraged pitbull or rotweiller, sorry. You need a .357 with good aim, or if you had a 9mm you'd better empty at least a half-dozen or more into him. Even then, I'd drop the mag, reload & blow a few more holes, just to be sure.

mhb23re
at gmail d0t calm