EatonvilleNews

Companion animals great and small were walked, driven and carried to the annual Blessing of the Animals, at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and School courtyard Friday, Oct. 10. The event coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Above, a young girl lovingly holds her pet hamster, which cautiously peers out from its travel ball. There were nearly 200 people in attendance, with many breeds of dogs, cats, turtles and other reptiles and birds. I took my young, neutered, male tabby cat Tai Chi to the blessing ceremony. The animals were calm and well behaved.

What are those large birds flying overhead? They're not the usual red tailed hawks or bald eagles we have become accustomed to seeing. They are vultures !! Turkey vultures to be exact. Several were spotted Saturday, September 21, in the Ohop Valley feeding on road kill. Pictured is one of the vultures walking up the Clay City road. Like many other migratory birds, turkey vultures migrate north in the early spring and return south in the fall months, passing through Washington for a quick snack.

The Turkey Vulture (and also the California Condor) are classified by the Ornithological Union in the same order as storks and flamingos (Ciconiiformes).

The Turkey Vulture is lacking strength in its tiny grasping claw and does not, and cannot, kill. Also, the Turkey Vulture's beak has neither the shape nor strength to tear into a fresh carcass?

The Turkey Vulture's digestive system has the unique ability to kill any virus and bacteria in the food the bird eats and the vulture's droppings and dry pellets (bolus) are clean and do not carry disease?

For more information on turkey vultures visit The Turkey Vulture Society at www.accutek.com/vulture/ .

     TACOMA: Three pit bull terriers are being held by The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County after a three-year-old Lakewood boy was attacked and killed in a fenced yard early Tuesday. It is unclear if one or more of the dogs was involved in the fatal mauling. Initial reports indicate the boy's mother visited the home where the dogs were kept to do laundry. According to neighbors the boy had been seen playing with the dogs in the past. Presently the dogs' ownership is in question. Witnesses said the dogs did not belong to the homeowner and had only been in the area about three weeks. One man said the dogs seemed to be "aggressive" and would growl, bark and hit the fence which enclosed them.
     Approximately one year ago the City of Lakewood ended their animal control contract with The Humane Society and began a city-run animal control program. Lakewood still contracts with the shelter in Tacoma to house and feed animals picked up within their city limits. The Lakewood animal control officer was not available Tuesday when 911 - LESA (Law Enforcement Support Agency) was called about the violent, tragic attack.
      Tom Sayre, spokesman for The Humane Society, said "LESA then called the shelter and we sent animal control officers to remove the dogs." The three pit bulls will be kept at The Humane Society until Lakewood detectives complete their investigation. When the investigation is completed, the Lakewood Police Department will decide whether or not to send the case to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney.
      Sayre explained that Lakewood Police Chief, Larry Saunders, called Humane Society executive director Steve Pierce today and asked that they, "respond to emergencies until the city has its animal control program up and running one hundred percent."
     He also explained, "The call came in at 12:50 p.m. and The Humane Society called Lakewood City Hall to seek permission to pick up the dogs, because the society is not commissioned to enforce laws within Lakewood." The dogs in question, one female and two males, will remain in custody and be cared for by The Humane Society until "the outcome is decided," Sayre noted.
     Sayre spoke for the staff of The Humane Society, "This is a very sad ordeal. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and friends of this boy."



	ABOUT ANIMALS... Annual Blessing of the Animals... (photo by Bob Walter) *by Bob Walter* October 12, 2003 Companion animals great and small were walked, driven and carried to the annual Blessing of the Animals, at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and School courtyard Friday, Oct. 10. The event coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Above, a young girl lovingly holds her pet hamster, which cautiously peers out from its travel ball. There were nearly 200 people in attendance, with many breeds of dogs, cats, turtles and other reptiles and birds. I took my young, neutered, male tabby cat Tai Chi to the blessing ceremony. The animals were calm and well behaved. What Is That Bird? (photo by Tony Sirgedas) by Tony Sirgedas September 22, 2003 What are those large birds flying overhead? They're not the usual red tailed hawks or bald eagles we have become accustomed to seeing. They are vultures !! Turkey vultures to be exact. Several were spotted Saturday, September 21, in the Ohop Valley feeding on road kill. Pictured is one of the vultures walking up the Clay City road. Like many other migratory birds, turkey vultures migrate north in the early spring and return south in the fall months, passing through Washington for a quick snack. *Did you know ?* The Turkey Vulture (and also the California Condor) are classified by the Ornithological Union in the same order as storks and flamingos (Ciconiiformes). The Turkey Vulture is lacking strength in its tiny grasping claw and does not, and cannot, kill. Also, the Turkey Vulture's beak has neither the shape nor strength to tear into a fresh carcass? The Turkey Vulture's digestive system has the unique ability to kill any virus and bacteria in the food the bird eats and the vulture's droppings and dry pellets (bolus) are clean and do not carry disease? For more information on turkey vultures visit The Turkey Vulture Society at www.accutek.com/vulture/ . Lakewood Child Killed in Dog Attack by Dixie A. Walter March 25, 2003 TACOMA: Three pit bull terriers are being held by The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County after a three-year-old Lakewood boy was attacked and killed in a fenced yard early Tuesday. It is unclear if one or more of the dogs was involved in the fatal mauling. Initial reports indicate the boy's mother visited the home where the dogs were kept to do laundry. According to neighbors the boy had been seen playing with the dogs in the past. Presently the dogs' ownership is in question. Witnesses said the dogs did not belong to the homeowner and had only been in the area about three weeks. One man said the dogs seemed to be "aggressive" and would growl, bark and hit the fence which enclosed them. Approximately one year ago the City of Lakewood ended their animal control contract with The Humane Society and began a city-run animal control program. Lakewood still contracts with the shelter in Tacoma to house and feed animals picked up within their city limits. The Lakewood animal control officer was not available Tuesday when 911 - LESA (Law Enforcement Support Agency) was called about the violent, tragic attack. Tom Sayre, spokesman for The Humane Society, said "LESA then called the shelter and we sent animal control officers to remove the dogs." The three pit bulls will be kept at The Humane Society until Lakewood detectives complete their investigation. When the investigation is completed, the Lakewood Police Department will decide whether or not to send the case to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney. Sayre explained that Lakewood Police Chief, Larry Saunders, called Humane Society executive director Steve Pierce today and asked that they, "respond to emergencies until the city has its animal control program up and running one hundred percent." He also explained, "The call came in at 12:50 p.m. and The Humane Society called Lakewood City Hall to seek permission to pick up the dogs, because the society is not commissioned to enforce laws within Lakewood." The dogs in question, one female and two males, will remain in custody and be cared for by The Humane Society until "the outcome is decided," Sayre noted. Sayre spoke for the staff of The Humane Society, "This is a very sad ordeal. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and friends of this boy." Back to Top Back to Front Page		"If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." ~Woodrow Wilson "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail." ~Unknown "Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend, and inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." ~Groucho Marx.





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