Legal Beagle's Report

Here Is My Report For This Month

First Beagle To Win Best In Show At Westminster

NEW YORK – America has a new Snoop doggie.
Barking and baying up a storm, Uno lived up to his name Tuesday night February 12, 2008 by becoming the first beagle to win best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club.
The nation's new top dog was clearly the fan favorite and drew a standing ovation from the sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden when he was picked.
Uno got right into the act, jumping up on handler Aaron Wilkerson and confirming his other title: noisiest in show. Years from now, he'll be known for the "ah-roo" heard round the ring.
The only dog consistently listed among America's most popular breeds for nearly 100 years, a beagle had never won in the 100 times Westminster picked a winner. That changed when judge J. Donald Jones pointed to this nearly 3-year-old packaged of personality.
Good ol' Snoopy, a champion at last.
Uno was numero uno, beating out two perfect poodles, a top Sealyham terrier, a sleek Weimaraner, a lively Australian shepherd and a sprightly Akita.
More than 169 breeds and varieties were represented at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club event and the competition brought 2,627 entries.
Barks echoed around Madison Square Garden as the crowd cheered its favorites, among them a Neapolitan mastiff that lumbered around the ring, a Chihuahua that spun in circles and a miniature pinscher that plucked a piece of food off the green carpet without missing a beat.
Formally known as K-Run's Park Me in First, Uno spent the day going on a brisk walk around Manhattan and taking a nap.
But when it came time to show, Uno was precocious and precious as ever.

The above is from an article written by Ben Walker for the Associated Press found in The Arizona Republic newspaper. Wednesday, February 13, 2008 issue.

"Good Job Uno"
Respectfully Yours,
Legal Beagle

I would like to invite you all to visit the web site of a very good friend of mine. His name is "Action Bear" and on his web site you will find very interesting articles and stories on endangered animals. You will also find various ways in which you may protect and help these endangered creatures. There are also very important links to organizations and agencies that protect animals and their God given rights. I have provided a link to Action Bear's web site below. I am sure that you will enjoy your visit there.

My Article For This Month Is:

"Coyotes Abundant in Chicago And Suburbs"

If someone were shooting at you and you knew of a place where they couldn't, you'd go there.
Coyotes are no different.
That's one reason the animals — though shy and largely unseen — are surprisingly abundant in Chicago and most suburbs, where hunting is illegal.
And it's a reason urban coyotes' survival rate is twice that of their country cousins.
In addition, city coyotes learn how not to become road kill.
Those are among the latest findings of a long-term study headed by Stan Gehrt, a former Chicagoan now teaching at Ohio State University.
He estimates at least 2,000 coyotes live in the area — in parks, on golf courses, and among apartment and commercial buildings.
Indeed, in the past few years, coyotes have been spotted near Ke-De-Ka road north of Sugar Grove, in Batavia, Geneva and even on Aurora's far East Side.
When he launched the study six years ago, "we thought there were just a few, that we would find isolated pockets of small groups or individuals," said Gehrt, then a researcher for the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation in Dundee. "That's one reason it began as a one -year study."
Blamed for pet disappearances
But once his team began trapping coyotes with padded traps and leash-like snares, "we found we were just scratching the surface," Gehrt said.
There were so many critters, and so much to be learned, that Cook County Animal Control has continued to fund the research at a cost of $80,000 to $90,000 a year.
Gehrt bases his 2,000 estimate on the 350 - 400 "nuisance" coyotes trapped each year in the region. Coyotes get reported as nuisances when pets disappear, whether or not they're responsible.
"There have been no attacks on people yet," he said.
"But if someone tries to protect their pet, the coyote may stand its ground and growl and bark."
Problem coyotes are a small minority.
"We've marked over 200, and five became nuisance animals," Gehrt said.
An urban coyote stands a 60 percent chance of living another year, twice that of a coyote in the country. They're no more likely to be killed by a car than their rural counterparts, despite much higher traffic volumes.
"It's very common to see them sitting by a roadside watching traffic go by," Gehrt said. "It's speculation, but we think they're taking notes mentally, looking for gaps and when they occur. And they probably teach it to their pup."
He once watched the oldest coyote in his study, a 7-year-old female in the Schaumburg area, trot across Interstate 290 during the evening commute.
"Eight lanes of traffic and she crossed it," Gehrt said. "We were horrified."
But while a typical coyote in captivity can, like a mid-size dog, make it to age 13, urban coyotes usually live only two or three years.
"Eventually," Gehrt said, "they do make a mistake."

COYOTE FACTS

• Called "prairie wolf" by early settlers of Illinois.
• Weighs 35 to 45 pounds in the Midwest (wolves often weigh more than 100 pounds). May appear heavier because of thick double coat.
• Looks like a medium-sized dog, but its nose is more pointed and its tail bushier. Coat is gray or reddish gray, with a cream colored throat and belly.
• Runs with its tail down. Can top 40 mph over short distances.
• In the wild, eats mostly rabbits and other rodents, along with fruit, vegetables and insects. In urbanized areas also preys on rats, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, Canada geese, ducks, cats and small dogs.

The above is an article written by Gary Wisby for The Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. Found in The Beacon News newspaper of Aurora Illinois. Monday, January 16th. 2006 issue (Our Towns) section.

"May You All Have A Most Excellent Day"

Respectfully ,
Sir Reginald Fox

sir.reginaldfox@maxhasthefacts.com