Thursday, June 3, 2010

“Pottstown woman accused of poisoning pets wants them back - Mercury” plus 3 more

“Pottstown woman accused of poisoning pets wants them back - Mercury” plus 3 more

Pottstown woman accused of poisoning pets wants them back - Mercury

Posted: 03 Jun 2010 05:05 AM PDT

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By Carl Hessler Jr., chessler@pottsmerc.com

Click to enlarge

LINDA MUCHNICK

NORRISTOWN — A former Towamencin woman who was determined to be not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with the alleged poisoning of her cats is fighting to regain custody of the animals.

"I now have a suitable residence that is friendly to my entire pet family. I now have suitable income and support," Linda Muchnick wrote in court papers Wednesday, asking a judge to return the 17 cats and one dog that were seized from her during the investigation.

In the papers filed in Montgomery County Court, Muchnick indicated she now lives in an apartment along North Charlotte Street in Pottstown. Muchnick, 57, previously resided on East Bishopwood Boulevard in Towamencin.

Muchnick's request for "return of property" sets the stage for a court hearing at which a judge will decide the fate of the animals, which are currently being housed at a shelter by the Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Assistant District Attorney Abby Silverman previously vowed to fight any attempt Muchnick makes to regain custody of the animals.

On May 24, Judge Steven T. O'Neill determined Muchnick was not guilty by reason of insanity on multiple counts of animal cruelty and attempted cruelty to animals in connection with an August 2009 incident at her former home.

Specifically, O'Neill determined that at the time of the Aug. 20 incident, after which 12 of the 29 cats found in Muchnick's home died from complications of ingesting rat poison, was suffering from a mental disease or defect that prevented her from knowing what was right or wrong or understanding the consequences of her conduct.

While Muchnick faces no further action under criminal laws, under a so-called civil commitment, the judge ordered Muchnick to continue with outpatient mental health treatment.

Legally, now that she's been found not guilty of the crime, Muchnick can petition the court to have the animals returned to her. The surviving 17 cats and one dog have been in the custody of the SPCA since the incident.

The SPCA is currently in a holding pattern when it comes to the surviving animals and cannot put them up for adoption either until a judge, during a separate hearing, rules Muchnick can't have the animals or until Muchnick voluntarily relinquishes custody of the animals.

As of April 29, the SPCA had incurred $19,284 in expenses caring for the animals, according to Silverman.

Muchnick allegedly told authorities she fed the animals rat poison because she faced financial problems.

Prosecutors called the case "sad" but said they had to charge Muchnick because she had other avenues in that she could have taken the cats to the SPCA or could have found alternative homes for them instead of allegedly choosing to put rat poison in their rooms where they had nothing else to eat.

Court papers indicate the investigation began about 1:20 p.m. Aug. 20 when Towamencin and Lower Salford police investigated a report that Muchnick notified the Harleysville Veterninary Clinic that she intended to kill herself and her collection of pets.

"In the note Muchnick stated her building financial issues made her realize suicide was the only solution," police alleged in the arrest affidavit. "The note read Muchnick thought it would be best for her pets if she killed them along with herself so they could be in heaven together."

Towamencin police went to Muchnick's home to check on her well-being. Receiving no response from anyone inside the home, police entered the residence and found 29 cats inside two locked bedrooms. The temperature and humidity were high and there were no windows open in the rooms, police said.

Muchnick, conscious but incoherent, was found lying on the floor of a third, locked and poorly ventilated bedroom, along with a sickly pit bull dog, according to court documents.

During the investigation, authorities found animal food bowls that appeared to contain moldy food. However, on closer inspection, authorities realized the blue, moldy-looking substance was actually D-Con Rat Poison, according to the criminal complaint.

Police also found an open container of the rat poison in a dresser of the bedroom where Muchnick was discovered, according to court documents.

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Nickelodeon's stars Dora and more stop in Little Rock ... - Examiner

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 03:14 PM PDT

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Ah, yes, parents who will be dying for something to entertain the kids in July can rejoice that Storytime Live! -- a stage show featuring Nickelodeon stars -- is coming to Robinson Center Music Hall.

Here is the release.

***

LITTLE ROCK, June 2, 2010–Nickelodeon and Broadway Across America bring STORYTIME LIVE! to Little Rock July 13 & 14, 2010. STORYTIME LIVE! is the first-ever live family theatrical tour featuring characters from four of the current top-rated preschool shows on television today : Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, The Wonder Pets! and Ni Hao, Kai-lan;. Preschoolers and their parents can see their favorite Nick Jr. characters come to life in one action-packed on-stage adventure hosted by Nick Jr.'s Moose A. Moose and Zee. The tour will visit more than 70 cities in 2010.

Each segment of STORYTIME LIVE! takes kids and their families on a different brand-new adventure, whether its leaping into Fairytale Land with Dora and Sleeping Boots, journeying through Filthingham with The Backyardigans, hopping into Wonderland with the Wonder Pets! or jumping on clouds with Kai-lan and the Monkey King.

The STORYTIME LIVE! creative team comes with a diverse theatrical background and includes: Director Sam Scalamoni (Associate Director: Lestat and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway); Scenic Designer Josh Zangen; Costume Designer Patrick Bevilacqua (Thomas and Friends: A Day at the Circus, Costume Designer;); and Choreographer Wendy Seyb.

Additionally, the creative teams for each of the Nick Jr. shows featured are part of the production, including: contributions from Sascha Paladino, head writer for Ni Hao, Kai-lan; Janice Burgess, creator of The Backyardigans; Josh Selig, Billy Lopez and Little Airplane Productions, Inc for Wonder Pets and Valerie Walsh-Valdes, co-creator of Dora the Explorer.

Nickelodeon has produced several of the top quality theatrical and touring shows for kids and their families which have drawn more than 2.5 million attendees in 12 years.

Nickelodeon, now in its 30th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 15 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)

Broadway Across America (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 40 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Recent productions include Hair, West Side Story, Memphis and the West End production of Breakfast At Tiffany's. Upcoming Broadway productions include the return of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Million Dollar Quartet and Minsky's. Touring productions include Nickelodeon's Storytime Live featuring Dora the Explorer and Dreamgirls. For more information on Broadway Across America or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

STORYTIME LIVE!, presented by Celebrity Attractions, will play the Robinson Center Music Hall July 13-14, 2010 for 3 performances including a Wednesday morning show. Show times are 7:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 10:30am Wednesday. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 7 at 9:00am and may be purchased via phone through Celebrity Attractions (501) 244-8800 or Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000, in person at the Celebrity Attractions Ticket Office and Ticketmaster outlet locations, or online at www.Ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices are $39, $29, $23, & $17 for the evening performances and $39, $26, $18 & $15 for the Wednesday morning show. (Handling fees may apply.) Groups of 10 or more receive a discount by calling Celebrity Attractions Group Sales at (501) 492-3314.

Celebrity Attractions' 2010-2011 Broadway Season is SPELLBINDING! Only season subscribers get the best seats at the lowest prices for four fabulous Broadway national touring productions – WICKED, THE COLOR PURPLE, ALUMINUM, and Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST. For information on how to become a season subscriber, call (501) 244-8800 or log on to www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

 

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Naples council considers allowing pets at outdoor restaurants - msnbc.com

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 03:47 AM PDT

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NAPLES Doggy dining is coming to Naples.

Naples City Council is expected Wednesday to discuss an ordinance that would allow restaurants with outdoor seating to have designated seating for dogs and their owners.

The ordinance creates an exemption to state law which forbids pets from entering a restaurant and will allow dogs in the outdoor dining areas that have received a permit.

Read more at the Naples Daily News


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Rabies clinics, vaccines offered for owners, pets in Montgomery County - Phoenixville News

Posted: 02 Jun 2010 09:48 PM PDT

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By CARL HESSLER Jr.
Journal Register News Service


NORRISTOWN — As summer arrives, area residents should beware of the danger lurking outdoors as they romp, play and exercise with their pets in yards, parks and recreational areas.

"With the warm weather upon us, more residents will be outside with their pets walking or hiking on trails and in parks," said Harriet Morton, spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Health Department. "These activities could place county residents at a higher risk of exposure to wild animals or stray domestic animals."

Dogs and cats risk a dire future if they are exposed to suspected rabid animals and do not have proof of a rabies vaccination, officials said.

Under state law and the Montgomery County Public Health Code, all dogs and cats three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies.

"Vaccinating domestic animals is an important way to prevent rabies transmission from wildlife animal reservoirs to the human population," Morton explained.

A dog or cat that is not current with rabies vaccinations and has a wound of unknown origin must be quarantined in their owner's home under the watchful eye of officials of the state Department of Agriculture, for six months at the owner's expense or it must be euthanized and tested for rabies.

In 2009, 275 pets were exposed to suspected rabid animals and were quarantined in the county, according to the most recent statistics.

County residents can avoid having to make those difficult, emotional decisions by taking advantage of a low-cost rabies immunization program for their pets, beginning June 5. This marks the 19th year that the county is offering the program.

"As in previous years, these clinics are located throughout the county in order to ensure that resident pet owners have access to this disease prevention service," Morton said.

Health officials will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 5 at the Abington Recycling Center, Florey Lane, Abington, to kickoff this year's rabies prevention program and to administer low-cost rabies vaccines to cats and dogs.

The cost is $10 for each pet vaccinated. All animals must be leashed or in an approved carrier, officials said.

Other clinics are scheduled for the following dates and times: June 12, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Collegeville Community Park, Fourth and Park avenues, Collegeville; June 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Harleysville Senior Center on Alumni Avenue, Harleysville; and June 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Burnside Oakland Park, Burnside Avenue and Oakland Drive, West Norriton.

Officials said a fifth clinic will likely be held in the Pottstown area later this year. During previous years that clinic has been held in September at the Pottstown Roller Mills on Industrial Highway.

But Pottstown area residents can attend any of the other clinics in June.

In 2009, at total of 928 dogs, cats and ferrets - 273 in Abington, 149 in Collegeville, 194 in Harleysville, 262 in West Norriton and 50 in Pottstown - were vaccinated countywide during the initiative.

However, statistics seem to indicate many residents are not heeding the advice of health officials.

A review of the approximate 1,500 animal bites reported to county health officials in 2009 show that 23 percent of cats and 7 percent of dogs involved in biting incidents were not vaccinated or not up-to-date with rabies vaccinations.

In 2009, there were 14 confirmed animal rabies cases in the county - 10 raccoons; two skunks; one bat; and one fox. The numbers reflect a decrease from the 21 cases confirmed in 2008 but an increase from the 11 cases reported in 2007 and the 10 reported in 2006.

So far this year, there have been four positive animal rabies cases in the county - two raccoons, one skunk and one stray cat. The cases were reported in West Pottsgrove, Ambler, Upper Merion and Whitpain.

Officials said nothing can be done to stop the spread of rabies in the county's wildlife population. Rabies runs in cycles and must run its course.

While vaccinations won't help reduce the wildlife epidemic, they will protect domestic animals from getting the disease.

Officials said vaccinating domestic pets is an important way to prevent rabies from being transmitted from wildlife to humans.

Rabies is an acute viral disease that attacks the central nervous system of its victims. Rabies, which is fatal, is carried in the infected animal's saliva.

Although normally passed from animal to animal or animal to human through bites, the virus also can be transmitted through licking when saliva is deposited on damaged or broken skin.

In humans, it can take as little as nine days or as long as a year or more for the horrible symptoms of rabies to appear.

Initial symptoms include fever, sore throat, nausea, lethargy and abdominal pain. Symptoms rapidly progress to include paralysis, spasms of the throat, coma and finally death.

The delay between exposure and the onset of symptoms, called the incubation period, is the factor that allows humans the time to seek effective treatment, which includes a series of inoculations over the course of a month, officials said.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of phoenixvillenews.com.

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