Pet Items: Bounty cat hunters and chasing tails

Would you turn in a stray cat for $100? How about $50? What about $5? Apparently a lot of people in Randolph, Iowa would. Although statistics are sketchy on the actual number of strays, the town council has introduced a cash reward for any cats found strolling down the boulevard without a collar. Residents claim the roaming population has become a public nuisance, and cats (and dogs) can be snatched and held without bail. And that’s not all... after being rounded up by the bounty hunters and handed over to the establishment, if they’re not claimed by anyone, I hate to use the E-word… euthanized. Hands down the prize for coolest rescue story of the decade goes to Rabbit Islanders Pilar Gosselin and Dave Brace. This vet and her partner bought an island to allow Katrina trauma-laden canines a place to relax.But don't worry, although the dogs run free, there are not actually any rabbits on the island." Oh, that Alaskan sled race can’t win for losing. A press release issued by the Iditarod states that, "at approximately 10 p.m. (Sunday) evening, a snowmachiner ran into Jennifer Freking's team on the Yukon River near Koyukuk (upriver from Nulato). Unfortunately, the incident caused the death of a 3-year-old female named 'Lorne.' " Although Freking is quoted as saying that this was the “worst nightmare that has ever happened,” she and her team runner husband decided to continue on in the race – which is scheduled to end late Tuesday or early Wednesday depending on who crosses the finish line first. Shout out today to Melissa, who wrote in to tell petsiders that her cat Socks, chases his tail like a dog! Socks rocks! Here's another feline tail chaser... Send us your pet news items at stories@petside.com