MelSkunk's stories

"Tossed puppies" woman caught in hoax
Tue 8 Jul 2003 - 23:38

A woman who claimed that she saw someone throw a bag of puppies out of a car, making national news and spawning a large reward for information leading to the capture of the puppy tosser, has now been charged with filing a false report. The puppy that was being shown as a valient rescue of the tragic event was discovered to be a recent purchase.
Tracy Lloyd told reporters that she didn't want her face on TV when the original story broke, but she was undone as the woman who sold her the dog not a week earlier came forward after recognising Lloyd's voice and her dog. The puppy has been returned to the original owner.
Update: Interestingly, or perhaps sickly, enough, the description Lloyd gave of the suspects who threw the dogs out of the car matched the family who gave her the dog in the first place. Not a very nice lady at all.

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Holywood vs. Dvd copying software
Fri 16 May 2003 - 18:14

In much a similar battle as file sharing servers have gone through, several major DVD manufacturers are bringing up a lawsuit against manufacturers of software that allows people to copy DVDs to their computer. At stake is the definition of copyright and whether providing the means to potentially infringe on it is illegal, at least in the case of DVDs. I wonder when publishers are going to bring up the same thing with photocopiers?

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Austrian dog toilets give new spot to lift the leg
Fri 16 May 2003 - 12:06

Vienna, concerned with canine excrement on the streets, has spent $30,000 on new stainless steel doggy commodes to help reduce the cost of clearing away dog poop. City officials say the resendent animals leave up to 40 tonnes of droppings that need to be cleaned each day, making this a very big savings indeed. Just as well, considering piddling dogs are causing lamposts to collapse in Croatia.If only dogs knew how to flush...

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Happy birthday, Double Helix
Fri 25 Apr 2003 - 16:58

Happy birthday, structure of DNA! This landmark discovery was first published 50 years ago today.

Now, man saves dog!
Wed 23 Apr 2003 - 11:48

In another doggy story, a tale of a man, his pit bull, and his reckless behavior to save his pet from a fire has captured the hearts and support of thousands of newspaper readers. Jarrod Martin was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment when he broke open a window in his burning house to save his dog on the other side when told repeatedly to keep away. The police and fire department defended their actions saying the entry could have caused a back draft or other problems, in spite of the fact no fire fighters were in the building at the time.
This is especially hitting the people of Tennessee hard in the heart as it follows up less than a year after a mixed breed puppy was shot by police in an amazing comedy of errors. The story, just a local event, has been picked up by national and international media, and people are offering everything from emotional to legal support to the accused. After all, anyone who's ever had a pet can relate.

Man bites police dog
Wed 23 Apr 2003 - 11:48

You know the old saying, dog bites man is just gossip but man bites dog is news! And what news it is: Paul Russell, a Syracuse man, is being charged with attacking and biting a police dog when an officer and dog were called to investigate a disterbance at a bar. "I don't think I bit the dog. I just got into a fight with him. I don't really remember. I was pretty drunk," Russell apparently told police.

Mine clearing dolphins see first in battle use
Thu 27 Mar 2003 - 22:52

Dolphins and sea lion are part of the US troops deployed in the Gulf. Tacoma and Makai, part of the US Navy's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three, are the two dolphins charged with helping clear Iraqi ports of misplaced mines. Using echolocation, the mines are found in the silt of the ocean floor. Floats are put in place by the dolphins, marking the locations. The Navy says they face no "significant" risk.

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Dolphins in danger
Wed 26 Mar 2003 - 09:59

Fishing is still killing dolphins, and conservationists worry that the damage could soon lead to extinction. Plans have been brought up to try high tech sound deterrants or net holes to keep dolphins out of fishing nets. But the best way to keep dolphins out of nets is to keep nets out of the sea.

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Global gum stick-up?
Wed 26 Mar 2003 - 09:57

Get it stuck on your shoe or get it sticking you to a seat, and you'll quickly understand why China has a $200,000 gum removal research program and Singapore has banned the sticky stuff (except with a note from your doctor).
Cities spent hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars a year cleaning up gum stick to stuff.But even with that, manufacturers don't have the incentive to make a non-stick gum, because chewers prefer the sticky feel of chewing gum just as it is. So what's in the future? A biodegradable chew? Or gum-removing specialty cleaners? Only time will tell.

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Rio named UK's Dog of the Year for giving owner will to live
Wed 19 Mar 2003 - 12:30

Weighing less than 70 pounds, anorexic Michelle Smart was given just 3 months to live when her parents made her a deal: start trying to gain weight, and we'll let you have the dog of your dreams.
The beautiful Siberian Huskey became Dog of the Year after her playful spirit drove Michelle to get better and get out to play with her dog, a big change from in the hospital and not caring that she was going to die. When her owner suffered a setback, Rio also stopped eating, bringing home the pain her family had been going through to Michelle. One of the judges, Anthea Turner said, "What was incredible about the winner was it saved her owner's life. This is an ongoing relationship and every day he helps to save her life because anybody who has been through anorexia doesn't just get well. It's no different from any addiction."The £1,000 prize money will be used to take them both on a trip, and to get another huskey.