WASHINGTON — As a strain of canine influenza spreads through the Midwest, local dog owners are perking their ears and wondering: Will it come here?
“I think it’s a distinct possibility that it could get here,” says veterinarian Katy Nelson, also known as Dr. Pawz.
While there aren’t local reports yet, the strain, which appears to have started in Chicago, is reason for dog owners to pay attention and consider their options. So far the virus, identified as H3N2, has sickened more than 1,100 dogs in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Like with the flu in humans, the canine version causes cough, runny nose and fever. In more severe cases, a small number of dogs have died.
While a canine flu vaccine is available, it doesn’t include this new strain. Nelson says it’s possible a vaccinated dog could still benefit from cross immunity and better fight the virus if they become exposed, similarly to people.
A canine flu vaccine isn’t a typical vaccine given to dogs, like rabies or parvo/distemper. Pet owners in the D.C. area should specifically bring it up with their veterinarians to discuss whether it’s appropriate.
High traffic pet areas, where lots of dogs are going in and out, are more likely to be of concern during an outbreak. In Chicago, Nelson says, dog owners are being told not to take their dogs places unless it’s necessary.
In Chicago, many dog day cares, popular in more urban environments, say they’ve been hit hard.
The good news is, this flu hasn’t been shown to transmit to humans. It’s a dog’s illness. But Nelson reiterates that good hygiene with pets will help keep them safe as well as keep owners safe from zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from animal to human.
Examples of parasites and bacteria that animals can transmit include:
“So, just washing your hands, not making out with your pets. Don’t let your dog who just licked his bum stick his tongue in your mouth. These are just common sense things, but using really good hygiene is always highly encouraged.”
http://wtop.com/health/2015/04/will-the-dog-flu-hit-d-c/
Just charged not convicted
N.J. man accused of domestic violence can be denied gun permit, court rules
TRENTON — A New Jersey appeals court ruled Wednesday that a Monmouth County man can legally be denied a gun permit because he was accused of domestic violence in the past, even though he was never convicted.
A three-judge appellate panel ruled that both the Aberdeen police chief and a state Superior Court judge were within their authority under New Jersey law to reject the application of a man — identified only as Z.L. — to buy a handgun and keep it in his home.
Z.L. had applied for a permit in 2013, but a background check revealed that he was arrested in 1998 on a domestic violence charge and that police had been called to his Aberdeen home on five other occasions, according to court papers.
The police chief in the Monmouth County township denied the application though Z.L. was acquitted in 1998, the papers say. The chief said the man's "past history of domestic violence" may be enough to "indicate a public safety concern," the documents say.
Z.L. appealed, and at the trial, he said he struck his wife in the 1998 incident but stressed that it was accidental and that he was acquitted, according to court papers. But Superior Court Judge Ronald Reisner in Monmouth County upheld the chief's denial, saying that Z.L.'s home was "not the place for a firearm."
Z.L. appealed that decision, too. But the appellate panel Wednesday ruled that New Jersey's gun control laws says a person can be denied firearms purchaser identification cards and permits if there is a possible danger "to public health, safety, and welfare."
Judge John Kennedy wrote that Z.L. has shown "the potential for violent reaction."
"The presence of a firearm in such a household enhances the potential for such a reaction to become lethal," Kennedy wrote for the panel.
"Even if an applicant was previously charged with an offense, but not convicted, in a later permit hearing the chief may still present to the court the evidence underlying the charges," Kennedy added. "The 1998 incident was not isolated or aberrational, as appellant claims."
Evan Nappen, Z.L.'s attorney, said the decision is not only disappointing but it sets a dangerous precedent.
"This would not exist anywhere else in the country," said the Eatontown-based attorney. "If you don't have a conviction or a restraining order, and if all you have are mere allegations, you don't lose your constitutional right to possess a firearm."
Nappen said he may appeal the case to the state Supreme Court or appeal directly to the federal courts.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/nj_man_accused_of_domestic_violence_can_be_denied.html
“I think it’s a distinct possibility that it could get here,” says veterinarian Katy Nelson, also known as Dr. Pawz.
While there aren’t local reports yet, the strain, which appears to have started in Chicago, is reason for dog owners to pay attention and consider their options. So far the virus, identified as H3N2, has sickened more than 1,100 dogs in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Like with the flu in humans, the canine version causes cough, runny nose and fever. In more severe cases, a small number of dogs have died.
While a canine flu vaccine is available, it doesn’t include this new strain. Nelson says it’s possible a vaccinated dog could still benefit from cross immunity and better fight the virus if they become exposed, similarly to people.
A canine flu vaccine isn’t a typical vaccine given to dogs, like rabies or parvo/distemper. Pet owners in the D.C. area should specifically bring it up with their veterinarians to discuss whether it’s appropriate.
High traffic pet areas, where lots of dogs are going in and out, are more likely to be of concern during an outbreak. In Chicago, Nelson says, dog owners are being told not to take their dogs places unless it’s necessary.
In Chicago, many dog day cares, popular in more urban environments, say they’ve been hit hard.
The good news is, this flu hasn’t been shown to transmit to humans. It’s a dog’s illness. But Nelson reiterates that good hygiene with pets will help keep them safe as well as keep owners safe from zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from animal to human.
Examples of parasites and bacteria that animals can transmit include:
“So, just washing your hands, not making out with your pets. Don’t let your dog who just licked his bum stick his tongue in your mouth. These are just common sense things, but using really good hygiene is always highly encouraged.”
http://wtop.com/health/2015/04/will-the-dog-flu-hit-d-c/
Just charged not convicted
N.J. man accused of domestic violence can be denied gun permit, court rules
TRENTON — A New Jersey appeals court ruled Wednesday that a Monmouth County man can legally be denied a gun permit because he was accused of domestic violence in the past, even though he was never convicted.
A three-judge appellate panel ruled that both the Aberdeen police chief and a state Superior Court judge were within their authority under New Jersey law to reject the application of a man — identified only as Z.L. — to buy a handgun and keep it in his home.
Z.L. had applied for a permit in 2013, but a background check revealed that he was arrested in 1998 on a domestic violence charge and that police had been called to his Aberdeen home on five other occasions, according to court papers.
The police chief in the Monmouth County township denied the application though Z.L. was acquitted in 1998, the papers say. The chief said the man's "past history of domestic violence" may be enough to "indicate a public safety concern," the documents say.
Z.L. appealed, and at the trial, he said he struck his wife in the 1998 incident but stressed that it was accidental and that he was acquitted, according to court papers. But Superior Court Judge Ronald Reisner in Monmouth County upheld the chief's denial, saying that Z.L.'s home was "not the place for a firearm."
Z.L. appealed that decision, too. But the appellate panel Wednesday ruled that New Jersey's gun control laws says a person can be denied firearms purchaser identification cards and permits if there is a possible danger "to public health, safety, and welfare."
Judge John Kennedy wrote that Z.L. has shown "the potential for violent reaction."
"The presence of a firearm in such a household enhances the potential for such a reaction to become lethal," Kennedy wrote for the panel.
"Even if an applicant was previously charged with an offense, but not convicted, in a later permit hearing the chief may still present to the court the evidence underlying the charges," Kennedy added. "The 1998 incident was not isolated or aberrational, as appellant claims."
Evan Nappen, Z.L.'s attorney, said the decision is not only disappointing but it sets a dangerous precedent.
"This would not exist anywhere else in the country," said the Eatontown-based attorney. "If you don't have a conviction or a restraining order, and if all you have are mere allegations, you don't lose your constitutional right to possess a firearm."
Nappen said he may appeal the case to the state Supreme Court or appeal directly to the federal courts.
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/nj_man_accused_of_domestic_violence_can_be_denied.html
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