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Stray ferret found on Ganson Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted by Pamela Fry:

For the past six days, a ferret has been living in our backyard. It is a very friendly critter which leads me to believe that it's a pet of somebody's. My neighbor next door has been kind enough to keep the ferret safe in her garage with food and water for the time being.

If you have lost your ferret, or, if you are interested in keeping this ferret as your own pet, please let me know so we can get this ferret a safe home.

UPDATE: A home has been found for the ferret.

Photo: Cercropia Moth

By Howard B. Owens

Sam Ferris of Judge Road in South Alabama called me this morning and said there were a pair of large butterflies hanging out in his yard and he thought it might make an interesting picture.

A butterfly with a six-inch wing span? Sounds pretty interesting and I had a little time this morning, so I drove out there.

After getting a picture, I drove out to the Interpretive Center at Genesee County Park to cover an event there. When talking with volunteers there, I mentioned the large butterfly and pulled the picture up on my camera.

A volunteer said, "That's not a butterfly. That's a moth."

It turns out it's a Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora Cecropia). I learned that the moth has no digestive system. Tonight, it will probably fly off, find a mate and then die. Typically, once they molt, they live about three days.

Photo: Black crow sitting on a fence

By Howard B. Owens

This black crow is sitting on a fence on Maple Street near Jackson Street, Batavia. It's been sitting there all day, according to a neighbor.

I was able to walk up close enough that I could have touched it if I wanted. I shot this with a short focal length lens, no zoom, which gives you some idea how close I got to it.

Its eyes are bright and alert, so I'm not thinking illness, but it's also not normal. So what does one do about a sick or injured crow?

Missing a beagle?

By Howard B. Owens

So I headed out to Francis Road this morning to see if I could get a picture of an intrepid deputy rounding up cows.

There were no cows, but there was this lost beagle. 

Deputy Lonnie Nati picked him up and delivered him to the animal shelter.

The beagle was wandering about 3/4 of a mile south of Lei-Ti Campground. It was a good distance from any nearby home, so not sure where he belongs (could be a she, I didn't check).

No tags. The pooch, very friendly and calm, has a large softball seized growth on its left rear hindquarter.  

Photo: Squirrel in the back yard

By Howard B. Owens

For the first time this spring, Billie and I were able to sit on our back deck, and of course, I had my camera with me, at the ready, when this squirrel stopped by for a visit.

Photos: Loose geese on Britt Road

By Howard B. Owens

When I turned onto Britt Road (Le Roy), I spotted two women wading through knee-deep water in a field seemingly herding three geese.

It turns out that Sid, Sally and Sandy had escaped their pen and decided to go for a swim. Shannon Yauchzee and daughter Kari had to go into the cold, swampy field and round up the wayward fowl.

Deer keepers on Richley Road unhappy with drive-by shooters

By Howard B. Owens

Kris Clark and his father-in-law Andy Job have a simple request of people coming past their home in Darien: "Please don't shoot our deer."

Job has been raising deer on his Richley Road property for 15 years, and on at least two occasions, his deer have been shot and killed by passersby.

On Saturday, somebody in a sedan with a loud muffler pulled up to the fence line and fired a shot.

No deer were hit, but Clark, who lives at the house with his wife and two young children, was sitting with his family in the Florida room, which offers little protection from a ricocheting bullet.

"I don't want our deer shot, but that's not my biggest concern," Clark said. "The deer fenced area is close to the road and my house is also within close range. With that in mind, my children were home and I am lucky that no one was hurt or killed."

Job started keeping deer 15 years ago, buying two pregnant does. He now has 10, but he's kept as many as 18.

Several years ago, somebody shot eight deer on his property and just left them dead behind the fence. Then two years ago, somebody fired a .22 caliber bullet at his 10-point buck.

The buck was wounded, but wouldn't let Job get near it so he could care for its wound. The buck died two weeks later of an infection.

Big bucks, Job said, are worthy anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000. At the time, he had recently turned down an offer of $12,000 for the buck.

He didn't sell only because of DEC regulations that would have made a sale difficult and expensive.

But the deer are more than livestock to Job. They're also his pets. Clark said his father-in-law was upset when his buck died for reasons that had nothing to do with money.

When something like Saturday's gun shot happen, Clark said, the deer are spooked for days afterwards, making them less social and a little harder to get out of the back wooded area of the wooded area at feeding time.

The Sheriff's Office took a report on the shooting incident Saturday, but there isn't much to go on. It was dark and neither Clark nor a neighbor who also heard the shot got a good look at the car.

Still, Clark said, he's hoping somebody might know something and the Sheriff's Office can make an arrest in the case. Tips can be called into 345-3000.

Job said he welcomes people driving down Richley Road and stopping to look at his deer when they're near the front fence line. As long as they're just looking, Job said, that's fine.

Along with the deer, Job keeps geese, turkeys, an emu and chickens. More pictures from his place after the jump.

Police looking for truck after somebody reportedly threw a cat out the window

By Howard B. Owens

Somebody reportedly threw a cat from a moving vehicle in the area of Sport of Kings on West Main Street.

Police are looking for a gray Ford utility truck with a ladder rack on it.

A unit is being dispatched to the Sport of Kings area to see if he can find the cat and check on its welfare.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m. (Billie): The truck was last spotted eastbound on Route 5. So far, the cat has not been located.

Photos: Kiera's 'Animal Shelter Birthday Party'

By Howard B. Owens

Kiera Gross, above, got just what she wanted for her 11th birthday. She was surrounded by friends and dogs and cats.

Gross wanted her birthday party to be something that would help support the animal shelter and pet adoption. Volunteers for Animals helped out by bringing some dogs and kittens to the Bethany Fire Hall today.

Guests were asked to bring a donation to the party. More than a dozen of Kiera's friends joined in the party, which included games with the pets, a chance to make a pet bed and lots and lots of petting and cuddling the animals.

Clockwise -- Kim Davis, Sarah Stefan, Loy Gross (Kiera's mom) and Taylor Heineman, work on making pet beds.

Alannah Gross.

Meet "Buddy." If I were more impulsive, I would have taken Buddy home immediately.  He's a super-good natured dog, very friendly -- a real "people person" -- and eager for a new master. The shelter is looking for a home for him very, very soon, so go adopt him.

K-9 'Finn' has law-enforcement career cut short due to parasite infection

By Howard B. Owens

K-9 "Finn" has tracked his last criminal and is on the verge of becoming somebody's family pet.

The 6-year-old police dog suffered a parasite infection in his hip about a year ago and his muscles have yet to regain their full strength.

“He’s not going to ever fully recover to the point to be able to do the job of a K-9 police dog,” Sheriff Gary Maha told the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.

Maha is asking the County Legislature to pass a resolution allowing the Sheriff's Department to donate "Finn" to a person in the community, and then accept -- as a gift from the Niagara Falls PD -- a K-9 about the same age.

Deputy Brian Thompson said he will be sorry to see "Finn" go, but with another police dog about to join his household, there just won't be room for "Finn."

"It's heartbreaking to me," Thompson said.

The new dog, whom Thompson already knows, will be the last K-9 Thompson will work with professionally. After 19 years, going back to his time in the Army, Thompson is stepping aside as a K-9 handler. The Sheriff's Office is already starting the process of finding a new handler.

The new handler will get a "green" dog, at a cost of $6,200 to $6,500, plus the cost of at least 16 weeks of training.

The Niagara Falls dog is available because its current handler was involved in a shooting and has had trouble returning to work. The dog will be donated to Genesee County.

Thompson said the expectation is that the dog will have two or three years of working life left before retirement. Thompson will continue on as a K-9 handler so long as that dog is able to work.

Meanwhile, Thompson continues to work with K-9 "Jay," whom Thompson said is "the best narcotics dog I've ever worked with." 

"Jay" is 13 years old, however, and is no longer physically able to handle chasing suspects or tracking criminals.

"Finn" was only on the job for six months when he was out on a detail assisting Niagara Regional Police Services in Canada.

Thompson had to take him into a wooded area, and it turned out the area was full of ticks. The ticks were treated and the dog seemed fine at first, but parasites apparently weakened the muscles in his hip.

Over the next couple of months, he developed muscle tears while working and training. On one job, it became apparent that "Finn" was in a good deal of pain. He's been out of service for nearly a year.

A friend of County Attorney Charles Zambito raises purebred German shepherds and is interested in taking in Finn, but first the woman needs to ensure "Finn" and her other dogs will get along.

If that person accepts "Finn," Zambito will need to draft a contract relieving the county of any liability.

Both Maha and Thompson, however, said "Finn" would make an excellent family pet.

"He’s not a violent dog," Maha said. "He’s a very friendly dog."

"Finn" just isn't aggressive at all, said Thompson.

"Even in his job, he doesn’t like the aggression part of it," Thompson said. "It’s just not in him. We tried putting it in him with different training and different work, but it’s just not part of his personality. He’s not the least bit interested in harming anybody."

Injured skunk in roadway on Vernon Avenue

By Billie Owens

Authorities have been notified that there's an injured skunk, "still alive," in the roadway on Vernon Avenue in the City of Batavia.

Photo: A frog visits a backyard in Oakfield

By Howard B. Owens

Tom Monnier submitted this photo of a frog that he found in his backyard a couple of days ago.

He writes:

I did a bit of research because I'm no frog expert, but I found it to be a tree frog. I live right in the Village of Oakfield so it's rather rare to see this frog on my grill! Had to take a picture and it seemed very photogenic! Figured maybe someone might be able to tell me if I will be seeing more of them around this season.

What Animals Teach Us About our Lives

By Joseph Langen

 

Barbary Apes

~Lots of people talk to animals…Not very many listen, though…That’s the problem~

Benjamin Huff, The Tao of Pooh

Recently, as Carol and I drove home at dusk, we scanned the meadows along the highway where deer usually graze. None in sight, As we neared home, we swerved to avoid a faun lying in a pool of blood. struggling to arise on its two front legs which still worked. The scene left us feeling shocked and helpless. Not at all what we expected. We could only imagine what the faun was feeling.

Earlier that day we had watched Marley and Me, a movie ending with the death of a beloved family dog and felt the emotions the family experienced in letting go of their pet. Sometimes we ignore animals and take them for granted. Sometimes animals fascinate us. Sometimes they become part of our lives and we wind up loving them.

If we look closely, we can find in animals the traits we abhor in each other.  We can also find traits which endear us to each other. Killer whales toss panicked seals into the air before eating them. Chimps groom and embrace each other fondly. Many species display the tenderness and fierce protective behavior we admire in human mothers.

Animals seem to experience pure joy. Watch sea otters slide down slippery rocks into the sea.  See rabbits chase each other around a field. Listen to birds greeting each new day. We tell ourselves that all of these animal reactions are purely instinctual. But who knows? They probably wonder what we are all about as well.

Even though we muse about how well animals understand what we say, we certainly seem to communicate with them on an emotional level. Animals can arouse our interest, curiosity, affection, concern, fear and anger. We seem to draw the same emotions from a variety of animals as well. When a puppy or kitten cuddles up with us, it is hard to know whether the animal or human feels more cozy.

While we see many parallels between human and animal lives, what can we learn from them? On the whole animals seem to be better at staying focused on what is imp0rtant. They do what is necessary for survival, their own and that of their offspring.

They eat what is healthy for them when at all possible. They don’t succumb to addictions, They don’t worry about who has more or better possessions or look down on less fortunate or merely different creatures. They don’t hold grudges, I am not suggesting that animals are any better than we are. I just think we can learn from the simplicity of their lives in contrast to the complexity with which we often surround ourselves.

Live Lab Lessons

  • Do you know what is truly important in your life?
  • Do Your daily choices reflect your values?
  • Do you put the essentials first?
  • Do you complicate your life with toys and gadgets?
  • Could you benefit from watching how animals live?

 

What Animals Teach Us About our Lives

By Joseph Langen

 

Barbary Apes

~Lots of people talk to animals…Not very many listen, though…That’s the problem~

Benjamin Huff, The Tao of Pooh

Recently, as Carol and I drove home at dusk, we scanned the meadows along the highway where deer usually graze. None in sight, As we neared home, we swerved to avoid a faun lying in a pool of blood. struggling to arise on its two front legs which still worked. The scene left us feeling shocked and helpless. Not at all what we expected. We could only imagine what the faun was feeling.

Earlier that day we had watched Marley and Me, a movie ending with the death of a beloved family dog and felt the emotions the family experienced in letting go of their pet. Sometimes we ignore animals and take them for granted. Sometimes animals fascinate us. Sometimes they become part of our lives and we wind up loving them.

If we look closely, we can find in animals the traits we abhor in each other.  We can also find traits which endear us to teach other. Killer whales toss panicked seals into the air before eating them. Chimps groom and embrace each other fondly. Many species display the tenderness and fierce protective behavior we admire in human mothers.

Animals seem to experience pure joy. Watch sea otters slide down slippery rocks into the sea.  See rabbits chase each other around a field. Listen to birds greeting each new day. We tell ourselves that all of these animal reactions are purely instinctual. But who knows? They probably wonder what we are all about as well.

Even though we muse about how well animals understand what we say, we certainly seem to communicate with them on an emotional level. Animals can arouse our interest, curiosity, affection, concern, fear and anger. We seem to draw the same emotions from a variety of animals as well. When a puppy or kitten cuddles up with us, it is hard to know whether the animal or human feels more cozy.

While we see many parallels between human and animal lives, what can we learn from them? On the whole animals seem to be better at staying focused on what is imp0rtant. They do what is necessary for survival, their own and that of their offspring.

They eat what is healthy for them when at all possible. They don’t succumb to addictions, They don’t worry about who has more or better possessions or look down on less fortunate or merely different creatures. They don’t hold grudges, I am not suggesting that animals are any better than we are. I just think we can learn from the simplicity of their lives in contrast to the complexity with which we often surround ourselves.

Live Lab Lessons

  • Do you know what is truly important in your life?
  • Do Your daily choices reflect your values?
  • Do you put the essentials first?
  • Do you complicate your life with toys and gadgets?
  • Could you benefit from watching how animals live?

 

Pachuco says: Don't leave your dog in your car

By Pachuco Owens

I hate hot weather. I much prefer snow. But summer is unavoidable, so I just do my best to stay cool and not over exert myself.

As hot as it is, as humid as it is, I'm glad my Alphas never leave me locked in a hot car.

If you don't believe hot weather is hard and even dangerous for a dog, read this piece called, "Your car is an oven."

Today, I've heard at least three calls (I listen to the scanner, too, you know -- it's my instinct to be protective) about dogs locked in cars.

You may think you're just running into the store for a minute, but if you meet a friend or relative inside that one minute could turn into 30 really fast and your canine friend could be dead.

Or what if you lost your keys? It happens, you know.

Heat and humidity, especially humidity, are bad for dogs. You wouldn't leave your children in a hot car -- I would hope -- so why leave your best friend?

Reptiles visit Richmond Library on Friday afternoon

By Daniel Crofts

Like reptiles? Come get a look at a variety of them on Friday at the Richmond Memorial Library, at 19 Ross St. in Batavia!

This opportunity to see these creatures is being offered as part of the "Nickel City Reptiles" -- part of the library's 2010 Summer Reading Program.

Admission is free and does not require pre-registration. The fun starts at 2:30 p.m.

For more info, call the library at 343-9550, ext. 4.

Event Date and Time
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Dispute over ducks, other complaints, has Oak Street man headed to court

By Howard B. Owens

There's more than a property line that separate Ron Graziaplena and Cheryl Collins. There's 30 years of neighbor disputes, and now that Collins wants to sell her property and move away, she's even more concerned about what Graziaplena does outside his house.

Graziaplena, a former truck driver, builds things in his front yard, has a row of tomato boxes along his driveway, a boat parked on the grass of the north side of his house, and he's keeping 18 mallard ducks in his back yard.

"My home is assessed at $80,000," Collins said. "The last real estate agent I had over said I probably couldn't get $50,000 for it."

The dispute will land Graziaplena in City Court on July 23. He is accused by city inspectors of keeping his yard full of debris, trash and junk, and of keeping the ducks in unsanitary conditions.

On April 26, 2001, Graziaplena was granted a variance to keep 10 water fowl on his property. He is allegedly in violation of the variance. The city says he has 19 ducks. Graziaplena says he has 18.

The variance, reportedly, also doesn't allow mallards.

Graziaplena said he's kept dozens of different varieties of ducks over the years, and that he wasn't aware the variance allowed only certain breeds of ducks, and besides, what's the difference?

"They’re pets," Graziaplena said. "People have dogs and cats. I have ducks. I ‘ve always been fond of ducks and geese -- waterfowl."

He said he got his first duck when he was 2 years old (his parents moved into 172 Oak St. when he was a year old), and he's pretty much kept ducks ever since -- for 59 years, most of the time living in the same house.

He moved back into his parent's house about 25 years ago, he said, and it's been for close to that long, by his version, that Collins has been complaining about "anything and everything" around his home.

"It's been no picnic living next door to that man," Collins said.

The real trouble started, Graziaplena said, when he let go a young woman that was working for him, helping him with his projects and the care of his ducks.

The woman had become friends with Collins, and Graziaplena accuses Collins of retaliation for letting her go.

"There’s a lot of work around here that needs to be done by a guy, and I’m disabled, so I needed to hire a guy," Graziaplena said.

Collins said the girl wasn't fired, she quit. She couldn't stand, according to Collins, the unsanitary conditions the ducks lived in.

Graziaplena disputes that the ducks are kept in an unhealthy environment. Their water pond is cleaned regularly and they get fresh water daily, he said. It's heated in the winter, they have shelter and plenty of food.

As for the limit on ducks, Graziaplena notes that ducks breed. They lay eggs and produce ducklings. When the young ducks have enough feathers to fly, Graziaplena said, he releases them at a swamp owned by a cousin. He only keeps the 10 adult ducks, otherwise.

The young ducks are usually released in the last week of July.

As for Collins, she said she's about done with the situation.

"I’m ready to walk away from it all," Collins said.

Cats find basement living just purrrrrfect

By Howard B. Owens

There are five cats that have the basement of the old Carr's building pretty much to themselves.

The cats wound up in the basement after owner Ken Mistler sold his pet store on East Main Street and the new owners wanted to get out of the cat sale business. Mistler's wife, Andrea, set up the cozy basement apartment and she ensures all of their needs are met.

They have plenty of places to climb and lounge. There's even a ramp to a cat gate that allows them outdoor time in a fenced-off area behind the Carr's building.

Andrea takes care of the cats and besides feeding them and keeping the litter boxes clean, she gives them plenty of affection.

For the cats, the living arrangement is probably more like a penthouse than a basement.

Water buffalo reported loose on Chaddock Road, Alexander

By Howard B. Owens

Sheriff's Dispatch has received a report of four or five water buffalo loose on Chaddock Road in Alexander.

Attempts to contact the man on Spring Road who is believed to own the water buffalo have been unsuccessful, so a deputy is in process of trying to make contact now.

UPDATE: 8:45 p.m.: A deputy reports that the animals have broken into the pasture of a neighbor and that neighbor has contacted the owner of the water buffalo.


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