Canine Security Costs for the Baghdad Embassy Double in Three Years from $24 to $50 Million

In a redacted report released by the U.S. State Department Inspector General in May 2013, Inspection of Baghdad and Constituent Posts Iraq (ISP-I-13-24A), the IG states that several "security programs at Embassy Baghdad are atypical.  The sense and warn system (identifies, tracks, and warns employees of incoming rocket and mortar fire), biometric access control (daily iris scans or fingerprinting of local employees), emergency reaction teams,...

Read More

NY Court Approves Use of Therapy Dog during Testimony of 15-Year Old Abused by Her Father

An appellate decision handed down on July 10 puts New York in the column of states that allow trained dogs to accompany vulnerable witnesses during testimony.  The case involved a 15-year old girl testifying against her father, who had abused her for four years.  I have added a description of the case to a running article posted on the website of Michigan State University’s Animal Legal and Historical Center (see Part II for discussion of Tohom)....

Read More

Breeding Sled Dogs to Support Mushing Hobby is a Business, so Homeowner’s Policy Does Not Cover Bite

Paul Hougas, an aficionado of mushing for ten years, had three adult Siberian huskies, a male and two females.  In addition to using the dogs for his passion, he sold puppies from their litters.  The puppies were advertised in the Chicago Sun Times at $450 each, though lower prices were always reached with buyers.  Hougas apparently did not regard the mushing, or the breeding of his dogs, as a business.  According to the Illinois appellate court, he “never claimed business losses on his tax return as a result of his mushing...

Read More

Obama Administration Declares Gray Wolves No Longer Endangered Except for 75 Mexican Wolves in Arizona and New Mexico

Additional Note: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced an extension of the comment period on these proposals as well as setting three public hearings where verbal comments will be received.  The time period and the dates and locations of the hearings are listed in a blog posted here on September 5. On October 2, Fish and Wildlife announced that an additional hearing will take place in Denver on October 17.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife...

Read More