MDARD Director Gordon Wenk Selects Dr. Nora Wineland as New State Veterinarian Starting November 5th

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Gordon Wenk today announced the selection of Dr. Nora Wineland as the department’s new state veterinarian, effective Monday, November 5, 2018. Wineland replaces Dr. James Averill who is now MDARD’s Deputy Director. “MDARD is excited to welcome Dr. Wineland back home. As a native Michigander, not only does Dr. Wineland bring with her a commitment to protecting animal health, but also a deep understanding of federal regulations which is important to Michigan’s farmers and ranchers,” said Wenk. Click here for the rest of the story.

Shop in Downtown Traverse City and Help Animal Organizations at the Same Time!

Every year, Traverse City residents get the opportunity to participate in “Shop Your Community” Day. This year, the shopping opportunity occurs on Saturday, November 10th (which is coincidentally the same day as the AC PAW craft show!) When you shop in downtown Traverse City at participating stores, 15% of each sale goes to the non-profit of your choice.

Animal-related non-profits that are able to receive these proceeds include: AC PAW, Cherryland Humane Society, For Animals, PEACE Ranch, Silver Muzzle Cottage Rescue & Hospice.

New DNR Rule Forcing Leelanau Wildlife Care to Shut Down Fawn Rescue

David and Donna Prevo have been wildlife rehabilitators rescuing fawns for more than 10 years. Their licensed and certified wildlife rehabilitation center, Leelanau Wildlife Care has saved and rehabilitated more than 100 fawns over those years on their 132 acres of woodland in Leelanau county. Their all volunteer organization has a licensed veterinarian who is on-call to assist them with injured animals, with their organization specializing in white tail fawns and other small mammals.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has become a problem in southern Michigan. It is a fatal nervous system disease found in deer, moose and elk. It attacks the brain of infected animals, creating small lesions in the brain, which results in death. There is no cure. The first CWD deer was found in Michigan in 2015. The Michigan DNR has created new rules for hunters and the moving of deer carcasses for their management zone which includes the counties of Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hilsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawassee. Although CWD hasn’t been found in the Upper Peninsula, it was discovered about 16 miles from the western Upper Peninsula border in Wisconsin. The transferability to other members of the deer family, other wildlife or pets is not known and ongoing research is being conducted.

At Least One Coyote Spotted in Traverse Heights Area

Two sources have confirmed one or more coyotes running around the Traverse Heights area. One coyote was seen near the intersection of Bates and Centre Street for the past two weeks.

Traverse Heights area

The video here is provided by Maxwell Wolf of a coyote running down his street in the Traverse Heights area and going in neighboring yards. Wolf says that the coyote is “very brazen and doesn’t seem to have such fear of people. Although their main diet is mice, rabbits, squirrels and trash, these animals will eat small dogs, cats. and chickens.”

Wolf continues, “I just watched a documentary about coyotes that says they have even been known to attack little dogs while people are walking them on leash. They also attacked some kids in Vancouver and there’s a video of one attacking a full grown man. Please spread the word about this and take care with your pets and small kids. Take a cane or stick with you when you go walking especially if you have a little dog or baby with you. If you see it in your yard bang some pots and throw things at it. Don’t let it linger around. Don’t let your little dogs out alone unless you have a tall wooden fence. Check the fence for evidence of tunneling under. Note that this coyote is not sticking to nighttime hours. It’s running around in full daylight middle of the day. So far it’s just been running around but we are all concerned about what it might be up to.”

 

Joseph Plowman Sentenced to Three Months in Jail

For the last 92 days, Heidi Yates and her staff at the Cherryland Humane Society have taken dogs shaking and paralyzed with fear into their arms and carried them outside just to go to the bathroom. Those 92 days — and the days, weeks and possibly months ahead — have been an attempt to rehabilitate the dogs and cats found living in what 13th Circuit Court Judge Kevin Elsenheimer described as “hell” at Joseph Plowman’s sentencing hearing Monday.

Plowman, 39, was given the maximum sentence of three months in a county jail and five years of probation after pleading guilty to one felony count of animal abandonment or cruelty. Elsenheimer firmly told Plowman that he is not allowed to own an animal during those five years and could face “serious prison time” if he violates those terms.

For the rest of the story, click here.