Skip to main content

animals

Photo: Birds at the bath

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, we bought a birdbath at Pudgie's, and it's already a big hit with the neighborhood birds. I think the one on the right is saying, "Hey, quit hogging up the bath! Can't you see there are others waiting?"

Woman gets bit by dog after allegedly starting fight in neighbor's yard

By Howard B. Owens

"Scruffy" just did what his breed is wont to do when a person in his care is assaulted -- he attacked the aggressor.

An East Main Street woman was sent to UMMC around 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, after she allegedly went onto a neighbor's property and started fighting with a woman who was staying there.

Her leg was reportedly bitten pretty badly.

The woman whom "Scruffy" was reportedly protecting also suffered a dog bite, probably accidentally, when she tried pulling "Scruffy" off the other woman. She was also transported to UMMC.

When the incident started, "Scruffy" was quietly sitting on his own porch at 516 E. Main St., doing what he normally does -- just watching -- when the fight started. He jumped off the porch and attacked the woman who had allegedly come onto his property.

"Scruffy," if that's his real name, Sgt. John Peck wasn't 100 percent sure, is part pit bull.

Neither "Scruffy" nor his owner face any chargers since "Scruffy" did not leave his owner's property and didn't break any laws.

Peck said neighbors were familiar with the dog and described him as normally very friendly. The dog has no prior history of attacks or aggression. Peck said "Scruffy" was friendly with him when he approached.

Whether either of the women will be charged with any crime is unknown, Sgt. Peck said. The case is still open.

Peck said the women had been taunting each other recently, which seemed to precipate the alleged altercation last night.

The police are not releasing any names until and unless actual charges are filed.

(This is a follow up to this initial report.)

Photos: Horse show at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

There's a horse show going on at Batavia Downs. Riders from all over the northeast are in Batavia to test their skills and display their handsome mounts. If you've missed it, the show continues Sunday at 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

More photos after the jump:

 

 

 

Dog struck on Colorado Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

A dog has been struck on Colorado Avenue.

The driver did not stop.

No description of the hit-and-run vehicle is available.

A person is on scene awaiting police in order to help identify and notify the owner.

MISSING MOOSHOO!

By Arlana Pathammavong

If anyone around the Walden apartments area/Bank Street area or at this point anywhere in town sees an all white cat with a purple collar on, her name is Mooshoo.  She got out the other day and hasn't returned, she's not an outdoor cat, and I just hoped if anyone finds her they could let me know.  She doesn't know this area as I just moved over to this side of town. 

Black Bear spotting in Lime Rock

By Lorie Longhany

The bear that has been spotted in numerous locations in our area came visiting my house tonight.  My husband went to let our dogs out when our male Schipperke started barking on the deck and refused to venture down the steps. Ironically our male Schipperke's name is Bear.  That's when Danny noticed one of our bird feeders was bent to the ground.  He picked up a flashlight and made a scan from the safety of our deck across the back yard when the light shown on the culprit.  A fairly large Black Bear was sitting, quite content, under our cherry tree with our large bird seed tote between his legs feasting away.  How he dragged that large tote from beside our deck and lifted the lid off, I'll never know.  The lid was leaning on the side of the tote as if it was removed with care. We watched him eat for a good fifteen, twenty minutes and apparently when he finished off the seed (will go out in the light of day to check out the tote) he meandered down into the back yard and off to wherever he happens to be traveling to next.

We really enjoy feeding and watching the birds -- especially this time of year when the Grosbeak's, Indigo Bunting's and EasternTowhee's stop by.  I hope we won't have to dispense with a hobby that we've enjoyed for decades.

It was pretty cool, though, to actually see this magnificent animal right in our backyard. I didn't get a good picture -- tried to get a shot with my phone, but it didn't come out. Last year my husband's cousin (a 1/2 mile away) got some great shots with a motion camera that he placed on his feeders. It's probably the same bear.

Gulls at Latina's market a nuisance again this year

By Howard B. Owens

There are times you can stand in the parking lot next to the vacant Latina's market and swear that you were on the film set of  The Birds. The screeching gulls seem to get louder and grow in number.

But rather than swoop down and pluck your eyes out, these feathered varmints are more likely to poop on your car.

And those droppings have area residents complaining once again, but to little avail. 

According to City Manager Jason Molino, there is no city ordinance that the property owner is violating by allowing gulls to nest on the Latina's roof.

When the city had a problem with gulls on top of City Hall, it got a DEC permit to remove the gull eggs. Once the gulls can't nest on a roof, they look for another nesting location.

Last year, we are told, the Latina's owners didn't do anything about the gulls.

Vito Gautieri is a co-owner of the building. He hasn't returned the call The Batavian placed to his office on Thursday.

Horse rescue group from Pavilion hosts event in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion's H.O.R.S.E Rescue group hosted an event at Tractor Supply, Batavia, today to help raise money for the organization. There were live horses and demonstrations along with horse rides, face painting and a prize drawing.

Pictured are Victoria Gooch and Deb Nanni with their horses. 

Gooch said the group currently has 25 horses up for adoption.

With the recent economic downturn, Gooch said, a lot of people have been giving up their horses because they can't afford to feed them and keep them in good health.

"You can go onto Craigslist and horses are very cheap or free," Gooch said.

Recently, a ranch in Rochester had 75 horses taken away from it and all of those horses now need homes, Gooch said.

No charges in dog shooting case

By Howard B. Owens

There will be no charges filed against an Alabama man who reportedly shot two dogs April 3.

A State Police investigation concluded the dogs may have been ill, as the man claimed.  The dogs belonged to him and his wife, and there is no law against killing your own dogs if you believe they are ill, said Rebecca Gibbons, spokeswoman for the State Police.

On April 3, a woman on Bloomingdale Road called police after she came home and found her dogs shot.  The woman's husband reportedly told police he was the one who shot them.

The case is closed, Gibbons said.

State Police still investigating case in Alabama of dogs shot at woman's home

By Howard B. Owens

A State trooper is still investigating the case of two dogs that were found shot dead by their owner Saturday night on Bloomingdale Road in Alabama.

State Police spokeswoman Rebecca Gibbons said a person has admitted shooting the dogs (his name is not being released at this time), but said he did so because the dogs had health problems.

The man is somebody the woman knows.

The dogs were turned over to the Department of Environmental Conservation for examination.

Gibbons said the case remains open.

Weather: Some rain, some cold, some sun over next few days

By Howard B. Owens

The forecast for today -- more drizzle, and rain showers into the night. Then it starts to clear, but temperatures over the next three or four days will range from 22 degrees to 58 degrees. Starting tomorrow, it will be partially cloudy for a few days, clearing to a sunny, but slightly chilly day, on Saturday.

Photo: Taken this morning, a horse on Pearl Road in Oakfield.

A visit to Wilson's farm, Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

That big blue and white object in the background isn't some jet engine I PhotoShoped into a farm picture -- it's a wind turbine, called the WindTamer.

Owner Garry Wilson said the turbine will be fully operational this week and will provide more power than he needs for his farm.

Wilson's farm is on Route 19 in Le Roy, right next door to the suspected meth lab police found this morning.

While Wilson said he's never heard a blade-type wind turbine, this one doesn't make much noise at all.

"We had quite a bit of wind a few nights back and it was no louder than a truck idling," Wilson said.

The turbines are advertised as more efficient, producing more power, than conventional turbines.

Wilson said he believes he has the first WindTamer in Genesee County, and the first turbine of any kind in Le Roy.

I got a chance to talk with Garry because while I was waiting for something interesting to happen at the suspected meth lab house (more on that later), I stood along the edge of the road and started trying to take some pictures of his horses, which is when I spotted one laying on the ground with its hoof apparently caught on a fence railing.

I spotted Garry's number and gave him a call. He came out immediately to help the horse get uncaught and get back up. He said it happens once in a while when the horse lays down too close to the fence and then rolls over, getting its hoof caught.

Pictures below of the horse rescue as well as one of Garry throwing some hay to his horses and of his cattle.

The horse seemed perfectly fine after it got up, even coming over to the railing where I was hoping I might be a person with a treat. Sorry, horse, no treats.

 

Photo: Kiwi, the gum-chewing dog

By Howard B. Owens

I happened to stop in Terry Platt's office today and the conversation eventually got around to dog tricks. It turns out his dog, Kiwi, likes to chew gum. That was entertaining to watch.

Pets get their time in the spotlight at Carlson's Studio

By Howard B. Owens

Harley sure seemed to enjoy being the center of attention today at Carlson's Studio, where he was one of several dozen pets today who posed for a professional portrait by Ameka Cooper.

The Kilner family brought in 15-month-old Harley and then helped get him posed for his shots. He was a little too excited at times to cooperate. And when a flash went off, he was sure it was something he needed to chase.

Above, Jaylene and Shay try to get Harley to settle down long enough to pose for Ameka.

Below, Dan takes on the role of calming influence on Harley.

Proceeds from today's pet portraits will benefit Volunteers for Animals.

If you had your pet portrait taken, don't forget to submit your pet to our Pet of the Week contest by sending a picture to (pets  (at)  the batavian dot com) (reassemble the e-mail address, of course).

Pet of the Week: Scooby

By Pachuco Owens

Here's the scoop! Scooby is Pet of the Week. Although he has several other monikers, he's still the same down deep. Once upon a time, he was a raggedly little guy in a big, brutal world. But once he decided to plead for help in his own silent, pathetic way, his prayers were answered. That was back in another time, another world.

"In 2000, someone dropped a litter of cats (not kittens) off at our rented place in the country. There were five of them running around with no direction, food or shelter other than a barn that was only used for storage by our landlord. I had never owned a cat before, but to see the 'runt' of the bunch come running to me one day when I pulled into the driveway pulled my heartstrings. He was hungry and sick. His siblings had been killed in the road by cars, one by a tractor in the field. We took him in, and then to the vet. He’s been with us ever since – 10 years now.
 
His name is Skeet Beet, not sure why, other than he was so skinny when he came to us that he looked (to the daughter) like a “skeeter” (mosquito). Since then he has taken on many other names, such as Scooby (being the most common), Beeps, Bees Louise and more. He answers to all of them. Whenever we took the dog for a walk he wanted to go, too. He would walk along with us and come inside when we were done.
 
We have since moved and he has become an “indoor cat," still a crazy boy always wanting to get out...but he’s our “baby." He has a great personality, never a curtain climber or kitchen counter cat. He wants lovin’s and scratchin’s and is happy just snuggling with me or his sister.
 
I have learned that you can take the cat out of the barn, but you can’t take the barn out of the cat!"
 
Scooby says:  "I want to be Pet of the Week because my mom loves animals so much and visits the animal shelter on a regular basis. She would donate the gift certificate to them. They do great things there for some of us who need some help finding our families."

Contestants sought for coveted 'Pet of the Week'

By Billie Owens

Is your pet special? Do you think your pal is worthy of the decidedly prestigous designation Pet of the Week? Then let Pachuco know! Winners get ten bucks to spend at Genesee Feeds!

All entrants will be taken into consideration, be they four-legged, fowl or amphibious. They can tell our readers their story or you can tell it for them, your choice. Please send submissions, along with a digital photo, to:  billie at the batavian dot com

She handles correspondence for Pachuco, a 130-pound Rottweiller/Doberman who was found at the pound as a pup. Be assured this handsome, gentle giant makes the actual selections. Being an animal himself, he is discerning about their qualities and qualifications.

The onus of selection is something he takes very seriously. It's not as hard as mastering the preparation of French cuisine, which he doggedly pursues despite his limited ability to make pate without sampling it. But it's not a snap either. 

He had such a hard time recently when considering the goldfish Steve, Phineus the ferret and a burro named Burrito. He almost resorted to pulling names out a Stetson. He managed to get ahold of himself and went for a dog named Althea instead.

But he thinks this is all worthwhile because he likes reading the stories and seeing the pictures and knows you will, too.

Be sure to include your family's name and address (addresses will not be published) so we can send you the gift certificate.

 

 

Owner of 14 pure bred dogs upset after board votes against permit

By Howard B. Owens

Suzanne Macre left last night's Genesee County Planning Board meeting in tears, seemingly sure that she will need to put down some of the Shiba Inu pure bred dogs she owns.

Macre has been involved in a dispute with neighbors and the Town of Alabama over her kenneling as many as 14 dogs at her home on Wright Road.

According to neighbors, the dogs bark in loud, shrill woofs multiple times per day, destroying the quiet of their neighborhood and making it impossible to do something as simple as sit on a back deck and watch the grass grow.

At one point, it looked like the board was going to recommend approval of her application for a special-use permit to kennel more than six dogs, which Alabama declared was required after neighbors started complaining about the dogs. Just as the motion for approval was about to be made, one of the neighbors spoke up and reminded the board there were residents who wished to talk on the topic.

In all, five neighbors spoke and disputed Macre's claim that the dogs only bark for a minute or so two or three times a day.

They said the dogs bark any time there is any noise of motion in the area of Macre's house.

Board member Michael Cianfrini noted that many times with requests for special-use permits the board only hears what the impact might be of a proposed development, but in this case, the impact was already clear.

"I don't think anybody has the right to destroy the quiet use and enjoyment of other home owners for what is in essence a hobby," Cianfrini said.

He then made a motion to recommend denying the special-use permit.

The motion passed 9-0.

Macre said, "So I'm just supposed to destroy half of my dogs?"

One of the other residents then spoke up and told the board a search of Google will show that there is a good market for Shiba Inu. He said nobody wanted to see dogs destroyed, but he was sure Macre could find buyers.

"Nobody is going to pay to ship a 10-year-old dog across the country," Macre said.

Pet(s) of the Week: Winslow, Brandy and Bailey

By Pachuco Owens

I am such a believer in the spirit of Christmas, that even after Christmas is over, I still enjoy the afterglow. And so it is that I have chosen pets from two different households -- a total of three dogs -- as the Pet(s) of the Week.

They embody the kind of joie de vivre that ought to be evident more often throughout the year. So Happy New Year to these merrymakers!

My name is Winslow, and I live in LeRoy with my mom. I turned 1 year old on Dec. 17. I love the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills. We have been looking for a brother or sister for me, and often see animals at the animal shelter on The Batavian. However, when we call they have already been adopted. I agree with a previous Pet of the Week, Shadow, and if I win, I will also donate my winnings to the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Thanks,
Winslow

Hello there! Our Mom and Dad dressed us like this to help spread holiday cheer and to make people smile and feel happy. Our Aunt says we just look so cute that she wanted you to see us and hope we make you feel good, too. We are Yorkie-Poms and our names are Brandy and Bailey Claus....yes that's right, the same last name as Santa. We are 10 and 11 years old and are brother and sister and even though it's cold like at the North Pole, we live right here in Batavia with our GREAT parents; Dawn and Tim Claus.

This is such a happy time of the year. We want to thank all our animals friends for leaving out a treat for us on Christmas Eve. We visited them all and wish them and their families a happy, healthy holiday season. Please remember to be kind to your companion and they will be kind to you! So "from our doghouse to yours, we wish you all a very Happy New Year!"
 
Love, Brandy and Bailey Claus........Arf...Arf...Arf....with love and licks!

Authentically Local