An international team has just discovered what they believe to be the world’s first domesticated dog. This large and toothy canine lived about 31,700 years ago. Its diet is to be thought of consisting of horses, reindeer, and ox. At first the oldest known dog was thought to be in Russia and lived about 14,000 years ago. So if this dog really is the first one it will set the evolution of dogs starting point 17,700 years. Remains for the older prehistoric dog, which were excavated at Goyet Cave in Belgium, suggest to the researchers that the Aurignacian people of Europe from the Upper Paleolithic period first domesticated dogs. It is said that If Paleolithic dogs still existed as a breed today, they would surely win best in show for strength and biting ability. The Paleolithic dogs resembled a bigger Siberian husky. Most people’s theories are that someone killed a mother wolf and took home her pups and raised them. Well, wherever dogs came from, I’m glad we have them around today.  

Dog abuse: This is a very serious matter. I don’t understand why people beat and kill their animals just because they weren’t pleased with them, something they did, or just weren’t happy. That’s like saying your child messed something up and you just about beat them to death. It’s just uncalled for and inhumane. In the Louisiana there is a place called Villalobos Rescue Center. It’s on a show on animal planet called Pit Bulls and Paroles. Most people after they get out of jail they’re on parole and can’t get a good job so their hired on this project to help out. They rescue abused, injured, and endangered pit bulls. Some people think since that they’re just animals and not humans they can just do whatever they want to them and get away with it, but this is not the case. For killing or abusing an animal there is a hefty fine and jail time.

Animal Cruelty is defined as: “causes death or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to any animal by an act, an omission, or willful neglect. Willful neglect means the intentional withholding of food and water required by an animal to prevent starvation or dehydration.” This is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year. A second or subsequent conviction carries of fine of up to $5000 and imprisonment for up to 1 year. A second or subsequent conviction which resulted in the death of an animal will be a misdemeanor of “a high and aggravated nature” with imprisonment for a minimum 3 months, maximum 12 months and/or a fine up to $10,000.  This part of info was found on (http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/PDF/AnimalCrueltyLaws.pdf)

    

Around the world there are lots of different purposes for dogs. There are working dogs, like dogs who work on farms and herd animals. There are other type of work dogs to though like ones who work for the police and search and rescue teams. They use their sensitive noses to sniff out missing peoples and hidden objects. A dog’s nose is up to 10,000 more time sensitive than a humans. There are guard dogs. Guard dogs can either guard a business or they can guard you and your family. When we think of guard dogs we think of German shepherds and or of junkyards. Then lastly we just have our lovable furry family member. In a book called the boy who harnessed the wind I learned that all their dogs really eat is mice and table scraps when they have it. He describes how they have never seen a fat dog, only ones so skinny all you can see is their ribs. I couldn’t imagine this, I always see my dogs and others dogs running around fat and healthy. This just shows how fortunate we are.

“Pit bulls are terrible and ferocious animals, that I wouldn’t want my kids or myself around”, is most people’s perception. They just assume that every pit bull out there is going to attack them or someone else. This is not the case though, this is what we call a stereotype, not all pit bulls are mean, and there are plenty of nice and playful pit bulls. Saying that all pit bulls are bad is like saying all Islamic people are terrorist, which is a stenotype, they just could just be a normal person like you and I. Just because this poor animal has a bad reputation and a bad history doesn’t mean that they should be treated like monsters. It’s just like the saying don’t judge a book by its cover. So try to be more mindful of what you say or think about people and animals just because of their race and breed.