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Sunday, June 24, 2012
Man breaks into hotel room and orders room service
A man ordered room service at the Old Town Inn in Manassas early on Wednesday morning, but he didn’t have a room.
An employee at the hotel called police after a man called for room service just after 2 a.m., said Manassas police spokesman Sgt. Eddie Rivera.
The employees said they realized that the room the man called from was not rented out at the time, Rivera said.
Vinod Adhikary, 30, of 6905 Compton Valley Court, was arrested and charged with unlawful entry and public intoxication. He is being held at the Prince William-Manassas Regional jail in lieu of a $2,000 bond. His next court date is July 10.
An employee at the hotel called police after a man called for room service just after 2 a.m., said Manassas police spokesman Sgt. Eddie Rivera.
The employees said they realized that the room the man called from was not rented out at the time, Rivera said.
Vinod Adhikary, 30, of 6905 Compton Valley Court, was arrested and charged with unlawful entry and public intoxication. He is being held at the Prince William-Manassas Regional jail in lieu of a $2,000 bond. His next court date is July 10.
Teenager got his arm stuck inside vending machine while trying to steal drink
Firefighters on Saturday rescued a 17-year-old boy whose arm became stuck in a vending machine while he was trying to steal a can of Coke. The incident occurred at the 24th Street trolley station in National City, California and was reported at about 5 a.m.
The teen apparently reached inside the receiving slot of the vending machine in an attempt to steal a soda. At that point, his arm became stuck inside the slot. A trolley rider saw the teen trapped in the machine and called for help.
Police, firefighters, paramedics and trolley security responded. The rescue took about an hour. Firefighters used axes, crowbars and an air chisel to try and dismantle the machine to free the teen. They eventually used a rotary saw to cut the lock on the door of the machine and the teen was extricated from the tight opening.
He was then taken to a waiting ambulance to be checked out. The teen's arm did show signs of scraping. He said his arm was sore but that he is OK. After medics released the teen, he was taken into custody by police, who said he may face charges of petty theft.
With news video.
The teen apparently reached inside the receiving slot of the vending machine in an attempt to steal a soda. At that point, his arm became stuck inside the slot. A trolley rider saw the teen trapped in the machine and called for help.
Police, firefighters, paramedics and trolley security responded. The rescue took about an hour. Firefighters used axes, crowbars and an air chisel to try and dismantle the machine to free the teen. They eventually used a rotary saw to cut the lock on the door of the machine and the teen was extricated from the tight opening.
He was then taken to a waiting ambulance to be checked out. The teen's arm did show signs of scraping. He said his arm was sore but that he is OK. After medics released the teen, he was taken into custody by police, who said he may face charges of petty theft.
With news video.
Judge orders woman to cut off daughter's ponytail in court
A US judge told the Utah mother of a 13-year-old girl who chopped off a toddler's long hair in a restaurant that he would reduce her daughter's sentence if she cut off the teenager's own ponytail in court. District Juvenile Judge Scott Johansen gave Valerie Bruno the option to either cut off her daughter Kaytlen Lopan's long hair "right now" with courtroom scissors or have the teen spend an extra 150 hours in detention as punishment for hacking off the locks of a three-year-old girl she befriended in a McDonald's in Price.
Bruno opted for the haircut but later expressed her anger over the judgment and said that she had filed an official complaint against the judge. "She definitely needed to be punished for what had happened," shesaidf. "But I never dreamt it would be that much of a punishment." Mindy Moss, the mother of the three-year-old girl, supported the decision and even was asked by the judge if she was satisfied with the length Bruno initially cut off her daughter's blonde hair in court.
"No," Moss replied. "My daughter's hair that had never been cut, that was down to [the middle of her back], was cut up to here [her jaw]." Johansen then ordered Bruno to "take it off clear up to the rubber band". On the day of the attack, Kaytlen and an unnamed 11-year-old female friend spoke to the girl in McDonald's, then asked a server there if they could borrow a pair of scissors. When their request was refused, the youngsters went to a nearby dollar shop to buy a pair and returned to the restaurant to carry out the act.
At an earlier hearing, Johansen ordered the 11-year-old girl to have her hair cut as short as his but allowed the child to have the haircut in a salon. Bruno added, "I guess I should have went into the courtroom knowing my rights because I felt very intimidated. An eye for an eye, that's not how you teach kids right from wrong." Kaytlen also admitted to charges in another case rising from eight months of phone calls she made to a Colorado teen that included threats of rape and mutilation.
There's a news video here.
Bruno opted for the haircut but later expressed her anger over the judgment and said that she had filed an official complaint against the judge. "She definitely needed to be punished for what had happened," shesaidf. "But I never dreamt it would be that much of a punishment." Mindy Moss, the mother of the three-year-old girl, supported the decision and even was asked by the judge if she was satisfied with the length Bruno initially cut off her daughter's blonde hair in court.
"No," Moss replied. "My daughter's hair that had never been cut, that was down to [the middle of her back], was cut up to here [her jaw]." Johansen then ordered Bruno to "take it off clear up to the rubber band". On the day of the attack, Kaytlen and an unnamed 11-year-old female friend spoke to the girl in McDonald's, then asked a server there if they could borrow a pair of scissors. When their request was refused, the youngsters went to a nearby dollar shop to buy a pair and returned to the restaurant to carry out the act.
At an earlier hearing, Johansen ordered the 11-year-old girl to have her hair cut as short as his but allowed the child to have the haircut in a salon. Bruno added, "I guess I should have went into the courtroom knowing my rights because I felt very intimidated. An eye for an eye, that's not how you teach kids right from wrong." Kaytlen also admitted to charges in another case rising from eight months of phone calls she made to a Colorado teen that included threats of rape and mutilation.
There's a news video here.
Monks in serious condition after bee attack
More than 70 Thai novice monks have been admitted to three hospitals after they were stung by bees at Chedi Luang Worawiharn in Chiang Mai's Muang district. Large swarms of bees from several hives attacked the novice monks who were sweeping the grounds of the temple. Phra Ratcha Jetiyajarn, the temple abbot, said 76 novice monks were stung and rushed to three hospitals in central Chiang Mai.
Fifty three monks were admitted to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Nineteen of them were in serious condition, said hospital director Dr Naren Chotirosnimitr. Another 23 monks were treated at the Chang Phuek Hospital and Rhuampath Chiangmai Hospital. Dr Naren said of those in serious condition, six arrived at the hospital in a coma. Their blood pressure had dropped dangerously low.
The director said 34 monks treated for minor injuries at Maharaj hospital were later discharged. The doctors will visit them at the temple to follow up on their condition. Dr Naren said bee attacks could be fatal if patients sustain multiple stings and are allergic to them.
Patients typically experience nausea and difficulty breathing and develop a rash. In serious cases, their blood pressure drops sharply. Phra Ratcha Jetiyajarn said he had no idea what provoked the bees to attack. The monks were carrying out their routine clean-up of the temple ground and had had no problem with the bees before. Despite the attack, the temple will keep the bee hives and will warn outsiders and tourists visiting the temple to stay well away from them, he said.
Fifty three monks were admitted to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Nineteen of them were in serious condition, said hospital director Dr Naren Chotirosnimitr. Another 23 monks were treated at the Chang Phuek Hospital and Rhuampath Chiangmai Hospital. Dr Naren said of those in serious condition, six arrived at the hospital in a coma. Their blood pressure had dropped dangerously low.
The director said 34 monks treated for minor injuries at Maharaj hospital were later discharged. The doctors will visit them at the temple to follow up on their condition. Dr Naren said bee attacks could be fatal if patients sustain multiple stings and are allergic to them.
Patients typically experience nausea and difficulty breathing and develop a rash. In serious cases, their blood pressure drops sharply. Phra Ratcha Jetiyajarn said he had no idea what provoked the bees to attack. The monks were carrying out their routine clean-up of the temple ground and had had no problem with the bees before. Despite the attack, the temple will keep the bee hives and will warn outsiders and tourists visiting the temple to stay well away from them, he said.
RIP Lonesome George and his subspecies
Staff at the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador say Lonesome George, a giant tortoise believed to be the last of its subspecies, has died. Scientists estimate he was about 100 years old. Park officials said they would carry out a post-mortem to determine the cause of his death. With no offspring and no known individuals from his subspecies left, Lonesome George became known as the rarest creature in the world.
For decades, environmentalists unsuccessfully tried to get the Pinta Island tortoise to reproduce with females from a similar subspecies on the Galapagos Islands. Park officials said the tortoise was found dead in his corral by his keeper of 40 years, Fausto Llerena. While his exact age was not known, Lonesome George was estimated to be about 100, which made him a young adult as the subspecies can live up to an age of 200. Lonesome George was first seen by a Hungarian scientist on the Galapagos island of Pinta in 1972. Environmentalists had believed his subspecies (Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni) had become extinct.
Lonesome George became part of the Galapagos National Park breeding programme. After 15 years of living with a female tortoise from the nearby Wolf volcano, Lonesome George did mate, but the eggs were infertile. He also shared his corral with female tortoises from Espanola island, which are genetically closer to him than those from Wolf volcano, but Lonesome George failed to mate with them. He became a become a symbol of the Galapagos Islands, which attract some 180,000 visitors a year. Galapagos National Park officials said that with George's death, the Pinta tortoise subspecies has become extinct.
YouTube link.
They said his body would probably be embalmed to conserve him for future generations. Tortoises were plentiful on the Galapagos islands until the late 19th century, but were later hunted for their meat by sailors and fishermen to the point of extinction. Their habitat furthermore suffered when goats were introduced from the mainland. The differences in appearance between tortoises from different Galapagos islands were among the features which helped the British naturalist Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution. Some 20,000 giant tortoises of other subspecies still live on the Galapagos.
For decades, environmentalists unsuccessfully tried to get the Pinta Island tortoise to reproduce with females from a similar subspecies on the Galapagos Islands. Park officials said the tortoise was found dead in his corral by his keeper of 40 years, Fausto Llerena. While his exact age was not known, Lonesome George was estimated to be about 100, which made him a young adult as the subspecies can live up to an age of 200. Lonesome George was first seen by a Hungarian scientist on the Galapagos island of Pinta in 1972. Environmentalists had believed his subspecies (Chelonoidis nigra abingdoni) had become extinct.
Lonesome George became part of the Galapagos National Park breeding programme. After 15 years of living with a female tortoise from the nearby Wolf volcano, Lonesome George did mate, but the eggs were infertile. He also shared his corral with female tortoises from Espanola island, which are genetically closer to him than those from Wolf volcano, but Lonesome George failed to mate with them. He became a become a symbol of the Galapagos Islands, which attract some 180,000 visitors a year. Galapagos National Park officials said that with George's death, the Pinta tortoise subspecies has become extinct.
YouTube link.
They said his body would probably be embalmed to conserve him for future generations. Tortoises were plentiful on the Galapagos islands until the late 19th century, but were later hunted for their meat by sailors and fishermen to the point of extinction. Their habitat furthermore suffered when goats were introduced from the mainland. The differences in appearance between tortoises from different Galapagos islands were among the features which helped the British naturalist Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution. Some 20,000 giant tortoises of other subspecies still live on the Galapagos.
Environmentalist made unusual stand against property developers
Environmentalist Zhou Haijue was up to his neck in it in a bizarre protest against property developers in southern China.
Zhou, 62 - from Shiliu, Guangdong province - had planted more than 4,000 trees to restore a forest on the edge of his village and when builders said they wanted to use the land, he refused.
"Then overnight every single tree was cut down and my 30 years of planting and caring were ruined," he explained.
So Zhou buried himself up to his neck in the ruined woodland and promised not to leave until officials ruled the land was his. "Officials in the government said they recognised my claim so I didn't have to be there for weeks. But I am ready to go back if I need to," he added.
Zhou, 62 - from Shiliu, Guangdong province - had planted more than 4,000 trees to restore a forest on the edge of his village and when builders said they wanted to use the land, he refused.
"Then overnight every single tree was cut down and my 30 years of planting and caring were ruined," he explained.
So Zhou buried himself up to his neck in the ruined woodland and promised not to leave until officials ruled the land was his. "Officials in the government said they recognised my claim so I didn't have to be there for weeks. But I am ready to go back if I need to," he added.
Social workers considered sending boy to the Congo for exorcism
Council chiefs have been criticised for considering sending a boy in their care for exorcism. The boy, whose family were from Africa, had been taken into care by Islington council in north London. His mother, who no longer had responsibility for her child, asked for him to be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo for "deliverance". The boy's family claimed this was necessary because they believed he was possessed by "kindoki" or evil spirits. Islington social services officials then paid more than £4,000 for an expert to travel to Africa to investigate. The expert, Richard Hoskins, an academic specialising in African religions, was alarmed by what he saw on the visit, and advised the council that the boy should not be exorcised.
After receiving his report, the council - then under Liberal Democrat control - abandoned the plan. Dr Hoskins said that prior to his trip, some Islington council officials had been "mindful to agree to the request" for exorcism. Speaking at a conference yesterday, he said the case demonstrated how officials in Britain were reluctant to challenge the mistreatement of children when it was committed under the guise of "religious or cultural practices". "This problem is about the underlying failure to tackle abuse when it is masked behind multiculturalism," he said. "We fear to trend where sensibilities might apparently be affected." During his visit to Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, in 2005, Dr Hoskins met the grandparents of the boy at the centre of the case. They told him that the child had been "infected by sorcery" while in the UK and that he "would destroy them all".
The deliverance that the boy was to undergo would have involved starving him of food and fluids for three days. At the end of the fasting period, he would be surrounded by the deliverance team who would pray over him and command the evil spirit to be cast out of the child. When deliverance takes place, the child vomits up the "sorcery bread" that has been infecting him. Dr Hoskins also met the pastor from the Pentecostal church attended by the grandparents, who warned that if the evil spirits were not dealt with, they would cause "strife, illness, divorce, hardship, poverty and death". The pastor claimed that the boy would have sorcery tools to perform magic with, such as mirrors, brushes, sticks and string, and warned that these would have to be confiscated.
Dr Hoskins asked whether the boy would be beaten, and was assured that this was not part of the normal deliverance process. However, when he was presented with a boy who had recently undergone the ordeal, he found the child "scared and traumatised". Islington paid £4,372 to fund the trip, including Dr Hoskins's fee of £3,080, half of the cost of the £710 flight, taxi fares, accommodation and refreshments bills. In his report to the council, the academic wrote: "Whilst I found the family and the church to be very friendly, I cannot recommend that the child be allowed to go through a deliverance service such as that envisaged. From my research I think this might be deeply disturbing and traumatising for him." Islington council acknowledged it had paid Dr Hoskins to travel to Africa, but claimed it was on the instruction of a judge. "It is a normal process in care proceedings to assess the extended family when a child has been removed from parental care," a spokesman said.
After receiving his report, the council - then under Liberal Democrat control - abandoned the plan. Dr Hoskins said that prior to his trip, some Islington council officials had been "mindful to agree to the request" for exorcism. Speaking at a conference yesterday, he said the case demonstrated how officials in Britain were reluctant to challenge the mistreatement of children when it was committed under the guise of "religious or cultural practices". "This problem is about the underlying failure to tackle abuse when it is masked behind multiculturalism," he said. "We fear to trend where sensibilities might apparently be affected." During his visit to Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, in 2005, Dr Hoskins met the grandparents of the boy at the centre of the case. They told him that the child had been "infected by sorcery" while in the UK and that he "would destroy them all".
The deliverance that the boy was to undergo would have involved starving him of food and fluids for three days. At the end of the fasting period, he would be surrounded by the deliverance team who would pray over him and command the evil spirit to be cast out of the child. When deliverance takes place, the child vomits up the "sorcery bread" that has been infecting him. Dr Hoskins also met the pastor from the Pentecostal church attended by the grandparents, who warned that if the evil spirits were not dealt with, they would cause "strife, illness, divorce, hardship, poverty and death". The pastor claimed that the boy would have sorcery tools to perform magic with, such as mirrors, brushes, sticks and string, and warned that these would have to be confiscated.
Dr Hoskins asked whether the boy would be beaten, and was assured that this was not part of the normal deliverance process. However, when he was presented with a boy who had recently undergone the ordeal, he found the child "scared and traumatised". Islington paid £4,372 to fund the trip, including Dr Hoskins's fee of £3,080, half of the cost of the £710 flight, taxi fares, accommodation and refreshments bills. In his report to the council, the academic wrote: "Whilst I found the family and the church to be very friendly, I cannot recommend that the child be allowed to go through a deliverance service such as that envisaged. From my research I think this might be deeply disturbing and traumatising for him." Islington council acknowledged it had paid Dr Hoskins to travel to Africa, but claimed it was on the instruction of a judge. "It is a normal process in care proceedings to assess the extended family when a child has been removed from parental care," a spokesman said.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Meanwhile back in 1968
Here's secretary Angela McWilliams taking her pet leopard, Michael, for a walk on a lead along a London street.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
Dutch firefighters rescue horse from ditch
In Arnemuiden on Friday morning firefighters used a crane to rescue a horse from a ditch. The rescue operation lasted an half hour.
On the advice of a vet a loop was put around the head of the horse. According to the vet the horse has no permanent injury as a result of its adventure.
Video.
On the advice of a vet a loop was put around the head of the horse. According to the vet the horse has no permanent injury as a result of its adventure.
Video.
Walmart contractors brawl over cutting board
A Sandy Springs woman is facing charges after a fight inside a Milton Walmart. The victim said it's not her first encounter with the suspect. That woman told Petchenik she's had issues with the suspect in the past, only this time the issues boiled over into a violent confrontation. "The employees got mad. One got upset with the other and went over and pushed her," Capt. Shawn McCarty with the Milton Police Department said.
It all unfolded last Saturday afternoon at the Walmart on Windward Parkway. Milton police said independent contractors Dorothy Kemp, 63, and Marissa Moody, 56, were giving out samples in the produce section when they got into an argument over a cutting board. "In this case the suspect lost her temper in the crowded Walmart and took it out on the person she was angry with," McCarty said. In surveillance video you can see Kemp run after her co-worker and push her straight into the fruit cooler.
With Moody on her back, feet in the air, the video shows Kemp calmly walk back to her work station and begin cutting up more fruit. The video shows a Walmart employee comes to Moody's aid, pulling the shocked woman out of the fruit case. Moments later Milton police officers arrived on the scene and took Kemp into custody for simple battery after watching the video. When officers asked her what happened, her response was, "I don't know nothing about anything that had occurred," Kemp said.
Police said the tape doesn't lie. "It is unacceptable. You hope that someone can control their temper a little bit better," Kemp said. Moody told Petchenik she's had run-ins with Kemp since she started at that location. An official with their company wouldn't comment about whether Kemp is still employed by them.
With news video. There's a raw video here.
It all unfolded last Saturday afternoon at the Walmart on Windward Parkway. Milton police said independent contractors Dorothy Kemp, 63, and Marissa Moody, 56, were giving out samples in the produce section when they got into an argument over a cutting board. "In this case the suspect lost her temper in the crowded Walmart and took it out on the person she was angry with," McCarty said. In surveillance video you can see Kemp run after her co-worker and push her straight into the fruit cooler.
With Moody on her back, feet in the air, the video shows Kemp calmly walk back to her work station and begin cutting up more fruit. The video shows a Walmart employee comes to Moody's aid, pulling the shocked woman out of the fruit case. Moments later Milton police officers arrived on the scene and took Kemp into custody for simple battery after watching the video. When officers asked her what happened, her response was, "I don't know nothing about anything that had occurred," Kemp said.
Police said the tape doesn't lie. "It is unacceptable. You hope that someone can control their temper a little bit better," Kemp said. Moody told Petchenik she's had run-ins with Kemp since she started at that location. An official with their company wouldn't comment about whether Kemp is still employed by them.
With news video. There's a raw video here.
Boy survives harrowing mile-long ride in storm drain during floods
An 8-year-old boy survived being swept into a Minnesota drain tunnel filled with rushing water and surfaced in a creek about a mile away. While he was under, it was his mother that was on his mind. "Mom, I thought I lost you," Kenny Markiewicz told his mother, Amber Markiewicz, when they were reunited, she said. "I did what you told me to do. I plugged my nose, I took a breath and I prayed." Less than an hour earlier, Markiewicz feared that she had lost her youngest child. The family had travelled from their Louisiana home to Proctor, Minn., to visit relatives. Proctor is a small town about eight miles southwest of Duluth, a city that has suffered record rainfall this week resulting in its worst floods since the 1970s.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was not raining and the street where the family was staying was not flooded. Kenny and his cousin went outside, walked a few houses down and approached what looked like a regular puddle. "I never ever let my child leave my sight. This was a split second," Markiewicz said. "He just was going across by the puddle and, apparently, there was a culvert or a pipe there and he fell in. We heard my niece scream that and we opened the door, ran down the hill and dialed 911." Markiewicz said that she couldn't see a manhole so she went into the water. "I'm feeling around and then I felt it," she said. "I could feel the rush of water." What she felt was a culvert - a pipe that allows water to flow underground. Because of the recent flooding, the drain was filled with surging water.
Ann Reyelts, a witness, said that frantic bystanders were moving boulders and lifting manholes in hopes of finding Kenny underground. "I just wanted to whip out my super powers and rip up the road," Reyelts said. Despite the efforts, 4-foot-3, 63-pound Kenny was nowhere to be seen and his mother was panicking. "I was frantic," Markiewicz said through tears. "I was going after my son, no matter what the cost. I would have given my life." While some people have told her the ordeal lasted about 20 minutes, she said, "To me, it felt like an eternity." Eventually, a policeman came and told her that a little boy named Kenny had been found and he said he wanted his mom. Markiewicz rushed to a police car to be driven to her son. "All I could think was, 'Oh my God, he came this far,'" she said of the drive.
YouTube link.
About a mile away, Gordon Marshall had been at home when he heard a noise. "I heard this shrieking screaming, [it] kind of shakes me up because I got 10 grandkids," Marshall said. He went outside to check the creek behind his house and spotted a little boy "bleeding from the head down." "He was lost, petrified, scared to death," Marshall said. "The first thing I think I said to him is, 'Are you alright? Do you know where you're at?' He didn't. He just screamed." Marshall took the little boy into his house, called for help, bandaged his head and put a blanket around him until police came with his mother. "I just got out of the car and I ran. I just saw my child and my hero," Markiewicz said. "[Kenny] was worried about me. He just goes, 'I knew I had to find you,'" Markiewicz said, crying. She said the situation was an "unreal" miracle and she felt "overwhelmed, relieved, happy." In addition to the cut on the back of his head, Kenny had some bruises and abrasions but was going to be fine. His mother said that he remained a little shaken but joked that he's already getting tired of talking about the experience.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was not raining and the street where the family was staying was not flooded. Kenny and his cousin went outside, walked a few houses down and approached what looked like a regular puddle. "I never ever let my child leave my sight. This was a split second," Markiewicz said. "He just was going across by the puddle and, apparently, there was a culvert or a pipe there and he fell in. We heard my niece scream that and we opened the door, ran down the hill and dialed 911." Markiewicz said that she couldn't see a manhole so she went into the water. "I'm feeling around and then I felt it," she said. "I could feel the rush of water." What she felt was a culvert - a pipe that allows water to flow underground. Because of the recent flooding, the drain was filled with surging water.
Ann Reyelts, a witness, said that frantic bystanders were moving boulders and lifting manholes in hopes of finding Kenny underground. "I just wanted to whip out my super powers and rip up the road," Reyelts said. Despite the efforts, 4-foot-3, 63-pound Kenny was nowhere to be seen and his mother was panicking. "I was frantic," Markiewicz said through tears. "I was going after my son, no matter what the cost. I would have given my life." While some people have told her the ordeal lasted about 20 minutes, she said, "To me, it felt like an eternity." Eventually, a policeman came and told her that a little boy named Kenny had been found and he said he wanted his mom. Markiewicz rushed to a police car to be driven to her son. "All I could think was, 'Oh my God, he came this far,'" she said of the drive.
YouTube link.
About a mile away, Gordon Marshall had been at home when he heard a noise. "I heard this shrieking screaming, [it] kind of shakes me up because I got 10 grandkids," Marshall said. He went outside to check the creek behind his house and spotted a little boy "bleeding from the head down." "He was lost, petrified, scared to death," Marshall said. "The first thing I think I said to him is, 'Are you alright? Do you know where you're at?' He didn't. He just screamed." Marshall took the little boy into his house, called for help, bandaged his head and put a blanket around him until police came with his mother. "I just got out of the car and I ran. I just saw my child and my hero," Markiewicz said. "[Kenny] was worried about me. He just goes, 'I knew I had to find you,'" Markiewicz said, crying. She said the situation was an "unreal" miracle and she felt "overwhelmed, relieved, happy." In addition to the cut on the back of his head, Kenny had some bruises and abrasions but was going to be fine. His mother said that he remained a little shaken but joked that he's already getting tired of talking about the experience.
Cook sets one-handed egg-cracking world record
A steady hand, a focused gaze and a well-planned conveyor belt of hands and eggs helped Corey Peras to set a new world record. Peras, a veteran breakfast cook at Broadway Bar and Grill in Barrhaven, Ontario, Canada, set a new world record Friday for the most eggs cracked with a single hand in one hour. At 5 p.m. a Guinness official, with a timer in one hand and a counter in another, announced that Peras had cracked 3,031 eggs in one hour, beating the old record of 2,086.
“I was hoping to crack 3,600, not counting the broken shells. So I don’t know how many I cracked with broken shells, but I was hoping to beat it by at least 500,” he said. The idea came to Peras roughly a year and a half ago when one of his bosses saw a celebrity chef on TV break the world record for cracking eggs. “He came into work and he said ‘you’re way faster than that,’” said Peras.
Serious planning began around Christmas time, including flying in a Guinness World Record judge as well as planning logistics for speedily cracking eggs. In all, eight people where spinning around Peras, either pulling up cartons of fresh eggs, passing eggs from one hand to another or hauling away buckets of yokes and whites. Meanwhile, the judge and Peras stood face-to-face, neither budging for one hour as Peras cracked in haste with one hand behind his back and the judge kept a meticulous watch.
And what was on his mind for one hour? “Nothing. Just cracking the eggs, trying not to get any shells in. That’s all I was thinking about, just not getting any shells in,” said Peras. As for the eggs, all 3,031 along with hash browns and sausages were donated to the Ottawa Mission for breakfast this weekend.
Video.
“I was hoping to crack 3,600, not counting the broken shells. So I don’t know how many I cracked with broken shells, but I was hoping to beat it by at least 500,” he said. The idea came to Peras roughly a year and a half ago when one of his bosses saw a celebrity chef on TV break the world record for cracking eggs. “He came into work and he said ‘you’re way faster than that,’” said Peras.
Serious planning began around Christmas time, including flying in a Guinness World Record judge as well as planning logistics for speedily cracking eggs. In all, eight people where spinning around Peras, either pulling up cartons of fresh eggs, passing eggs from one hand to another or hauling away buckets of yokes and whites. Meanwhile, the judge and Peras stood face-to-face, neither budging for one hour as Peras cracked in haste with one hand behind his back and the judge kept a meticulous watch.
And what was on his mind for one hour? “Nothing. Just cracking the eggs, trying not to get any shells in. That’s all I was thinking about, just not getting any shells in,” said Peras. As for the eggs, all 3,031 along with hash browns and sausages were donated to the Ottawa Mission for breakfast this weekend.
Video.
Man runs for India's presidency to prove he's not dead
A 'dead man' is running in India's presidential election next month to prove he is alive. Santosh Kumar Singh, a 32 year old cook, has spent nine years trying to prove to officials that he is alive after his high caste relatives declared him dead following a row over his decision to marry a Dalit woman, known as an "untouchable". He has written to the prime minister, without success, and has now registered himself as one of 12 candidates for the presidency in the hope that the paperwork will prove his existence.
He had left his village in 2000 for a job in Mumbai where he fell in love and married a Dalit woman. When he returned to introduce his new bride to his high cast relatives three years later they told him he was a disgrace and chased him away, he said. "They filed a missing persons report which was later changed into my death report. The villagers even conducted post-funeral ceremonies and gave alms to the poor to prove I was dead," he said.
"Some of my relatives with help of police grabbed my 12.1 acres of land. I went to the police for help but they attacked me. They said: 'So far you are dead only on official papers, if you don't vacate this village you will be dead for real.'" he added. A legal action to overturn his death certificate was dismissed last year, he said, and his mother-in-law has been ridiculed for allowing her daughter to "marry a dead man".
When he visited a police station in central Delhi to file a report challenging his 'death', he was told by officers he would need to commit a crime to generate case documents. His manifesto contains only one pledge – to be recognised as alive – and he has no desire to be president. "I filed nomination papers for the president's post to prove that I am alive. I don't want to be the president. All I want to do is prove I'm alive. If the government cannot declare me alive then I request them to kill me and issue a real death certificate in my name," he said.
He had left his village in 2000 for a job in Mumbai where he fell in love and married a Dalit woman. When he returned to introduce his new bride to his high cast relatives three years later they told him he was a disgrace and chased him away, he said. "They filed a missing persons report which was later changed into my death report. The villagers even conducted post-funeral ceremonies and gave alms to the poor to prove I was dead," he said.
"Some of my relatives with help of police grabbed my 12.1 acres of land. I went to the police for help but they attacked me. They said: 'So far you are dead only on official papers, if you don't vacate this village you will be dead for real.'" he added. A legal action to overturn his death certificate was dismissed last year, he said, and his mother-in-law has been ridiculed for allowing her daughter to "marry a dead man".
When he visited a police station in central Delhi to file a report challenging his 'death', he was told by officers he would need to commit a crime to generate case documents. His manifesto contains only one pledge – to be recognised as alive – and he has no desire to be president. "I filed nomination papers for the president's post to prove that I am alive. I don't want to be the president. All I want to do is prove I'm alive. If the government cannot declare me alive then I request them to kill me and issue a real death certificate in my name," he said.
Pet piranha bites off toddler's fingertip
A little girl is recovering at a hospital after she apparently stuck her hand into the family fish tank and a piranha bit off the tip of her finger this week at their Maine Township home. The 18-month-old girl was at her home in the Bay Colony residential complex on Tuesday night, said Frank Bilecki, a spokesman for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. The parents suddenly heard their daughter start crying and rushed over to find her finger bleeding. They became frantic when they found the child's fingertip was severed and automatically believed the culprit was their 65-pound family pit bull, said Bilecki.
They called 911 and an ambulance took her to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where a doctor realized this was not the case. “He said: ‘This is not a dog bite,’’’ Bilecki said. Authorities called her father, who was still at the home, and he immediately plunged his hand into the fish bowl, grabbing one of two piranhas. “He had no fear; these were truly fatherly instincts,’’ Bilecki said. “He grabbed a knife and cut it open and found her fingertip right there.’’
The piece of her finger was taken to the hospital and doctors were trying to re-attach it, but Bilecki did not know if that operation was successful as of Friday afternoon. “He (father) was so emotional about it they almost had to drive for him,’’ Bilecki said of the sheriff's officers who helped out. Bilecki said he did not know if the tank, which was close to where the girl was playing, was covered or how the child got access to it. Bilecki said the mother and father are not facing any citations after the incident.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was called to make sure there were no “issues,’’ said Bilecki, who added that it was his understanding that there were none. Sheriff’s police, also, did not show any calls at the home. “We checked out logs to see if we had any other previous calls and there were none whatsoever,’’ Bilecki said. “The parents are truly distraught and freaked out by the incident,’’ said Bilecki. “They appear to be good parents in an unfortunate situation.’’ The girl is their only child and no other children live at the home, said Bilecki.
They called 911 and an ambulance took her to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where a doctor realized this was not the case. “He said: ‘This is not a dog bite,’’’ Bilecki said. Authorities called her father, who was still at the home, and he immediately plunged his hand into the fish bowl, grabbing one of two piranhas. “He had no fear; these were truly fatherly instincts,’’ Bilecki said. “He grabbed a knife and cut it open and found her fingertip right there.’’
The piece of her finger was taken to the hospital and doctors were trying to re-attach it, but Bilecki did not know if that operation was successful as of Friday afternoon. “He (father) was so emotional about it they almost had to drive for him,’’ Bilecki said of the sheriff's officers who helped out. Bilecki said he did not know if the tank, which was close to where the girl was playing, was covered or how the child got access to it. Bilecki said the mother and father are not facing any citations after the incident.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services was called to make sure there were no “issues,’’ said Bilecki, who added that it was his understanding that there were none. Sheriff’s police, also, did not show any calls at the home. “We checked out logs to see if we had any other previous calls and there were none whatsoever,’’ Bilecki said. “The parents are truly distraught and freaked out by the incident,’’ said Bilecki. “They appear to be good parents in an unfortunate situation.’’ The girl is their only child and no other children live at the home, said Bilecki.
Man in intensive care after being pinned by 16-foot cactus
A city of Yuma Utilities Department employee remains under intensive care after being seriously injured while responding to an emergency water leak earlier this week. City officials confirmed that William “Billy” Mason, a water distribution technician, was injured early on Tuesday morning while working with a crew that was repairing an emergency water leak in the Del Oro Estates subdivision.
A 16-foot saguaro from a nearby property struck and pinned the 40-year-old Mason while he was working, resulting in multiple injuries. After being freed, Mason was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he remains in intensive care.
According to his mother-in-law, Caroline Ashley, the falling cactus broke Mason's back and leg and injured his arm. He also suffered internal injuries and was running a fever. So far, 146 cactus spines had been pulled out of him but more remained. However, the full extent of his injuries are still unknown.
Ashley said the medical team treating Mason includes a pulmonologist, trauma orthopedic surgeon, regular orthopedic doctor, spinal specialist, general surgeon, infectious control doctor and hospitalist. The largest cactus in the United States, saguaros weigh between 3,200 pounds and 4,800 pounds despite having roots that are generally only four to six inches deep, anchored by a larger, single tap root.
A 16-foot saguaro from a nearby property struck and pinned the 40-year-old Mason while he was working, resulting in multiple injuries. After being freed, Mason was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he remains in intensive care.
According to his mother-in-law, Caroline Ashley, the falling cactus broke Mason's back and leg and injured his arm. He also suffered internal injuries and was running a fever. So far, 146 cactus spines had been pulled out of him but more remained. However, the full extent of his injuries are still unknown.
Ashley said the medical team treating Mason includes a pulmonologist, trauma orthopedic surgeon, regular orthopedic doctor, spinal specialist, general surgeon, infectious control doctor and hospitalist. The largest cactus in the United States, saguaros weigh between 3,200 pounds and 4,800 pounds despite having roots that are generally only four to six inches deep, anchored by a larger, single tap root.
Miracle cat survives getting impaled on metal fence spike
A lucky cat cat has used one of his nine lives after skewering himself on a metal fence spike. The unfortunate moggy was found by RSPCA officers in an overgrown garden, with the huge piece of Victorian fencing sticking straight through his body. A passerby raised the alarm after hearing his cries of pain in Wolverhampton, and when they arrived vets had to sedate the feline because he was in so much pain.
The cat — dubbed Spikey by his rescuers — underwent emergency surgery to repair the five-inch wound, but vets feared he may die from stress and blood loss. But amazingly, he survived the horrific ordeal, and is now well on the road to recovery. He is being cared for by RSPCA support specialist Rachele Follini at her home in Shropshire.
Rachele, who has cared for hundreds of injured cats, said Spikey’s wound was the worst she had ever seen. She believes Spikey probably made a jump and didn’t realise the fence was there. She said: “The garden where they found Spikey was very overgrown so chances are he was jumping down from something and didn’t see the spike, he must have hit it with some force because it went right through him.
“We think Spikey might have an owner because it was thanks to his good condition that he survived for as long as he did, and he’s been neutered. Spikey is doing well now and the vets don’t think he’ll lose his leg, he’s a very affectionate cat and he’s got a lovely nature to him. I guess he’s lost one of his nine lives now but he doesn’t seem to have let it get him down. He’ll just have to look before he leaps from now on.”
The cat — dubbed Spikey by his rescuers — underwent emergency surgery to repair the five-inch wound, but vets feared he may die from stress and blood loss. But amazingly, he survived the horrific ordeal, and is now well on the road to recovery. He is being cared for by RSPCA support specialist Rachele Follini at her home in Shropshire.
Rachele, who has cared for hundreds of injured cats, said Spikey’s wound was the worst she had ever seen. She believes Spikey probably made a jump and didn’t realise the fence was there. She said: “The garden where they found Spikey was very overgrown so chances are he was jumping down from something and didn’t see the spike, he must have hit it with some force because it went right through him.
“We think Spikey might have an owner because it was thanks to his good condition that he survived for as long as he did, and he’s been neutered. Spikey is doing well now and the vets don’t think he’ll lose his leg, he’s a very affectionate cat and he’s got a lovely nature to him. I guess he’s lost one of his nine lives now but he doesn’t seem to have let it get him down. He’ll just have to look before he leaps from now on.”
Battle to save noisy donkey after complaints he can be heard two miles away
Locals fearing a donkey may be shot for being too loud have launched a bid to save him. The animal’s braying at all times of day and night have sparked complaints to the council from people who say the noise, which can be heard two miles away, keeps them kept awake.
But villagers have started a campaign to stop the donkey, called Joseph, being sent to the knacker’s yard. Owners Phil and Clare Williams claim the braying is Joseph being sociable and they cannot move him as he shares the field with a horse who is his friend.
They did separate them but the donkey got ill and they moved him back again. Self-employed Phil, 50, of Brierley, South Yorks said: “He has got a very loud bray but he’s only doing what comes naturally.
"He brays if he sees people. It’s his way of being friendly.” Local councillor Roy Miller confirmed a complaint is being probed. But he assured villagers whatever the outcome Joseph will not be shot.
But villagers have started a campaign to stop the donkey, called Joseph, being sent to the knacker’s yard. Owners Phil and Clare Williams claim the braying is Joseph being sociable and they cannot move him as he shares the field with a horse who is his friend.
They did separate them but the donkey got ill and they moved him back again. Self-employed Phil, 50, of Brierley, South Yorks said: “He has got a very loud bray but he’s only doing what comes naturally.
"He brays if he sees people. It’s his way of being friendly.” Local councillor Roy Miller confirmed a complaint is being probed. But he assured villagers whatever the outcome Joseph will not be shot.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Man who resisted arrest arrested
Deputies say they found this man, Kelsey Smith, parked in a running car at an intersection in Deltona, Florida. They say they could smell alcohol in the car.
According to authorities, Smith refused to go through field sobriety tests and got physical with them when they tried to arrest him.
They say they had to use a stun gun on him twice to get him into handcuffs.
According to the incident report, Smith repeatedly hit his head and face on the roof of the patrol car and then spit blood at deputies.
According to authorities, Smith refused to go through field sobriety tests and got physical with them when they tried to arrest him.
They say they had to use a stun gun on him twice to get him into handcuffs.
According to the incident report, Smith repeatedly hit his head and face on the roof of the patrol car and then spit blood at deputies.
Dutch man in fence dispute defends his property with Molotov cocktails and bow and arrow
A situation “escalated” when council workers arrived to remove the protective fence the man, Gijsbert Rider, 59 had constructed round his house he shares with his wife, Margot Barel, 52, in Haelen in the south of the Netherlands.
He and his family had decided to build the defences because they felt threatened by two residents of a nearby mobile-homes camp.
A legal battle ensued between the family and the council, and a judge eventually ruled that the fence should be removed.
LiveLeak link.
When council workers tried to demolish the fence yesterday, the man defended his property “like a medieval castle lord”' using a bow and arrow and Molotov cocktails. Only after officers forced their way into the house, did the man beat his retreat. He was finally arrested around midnight.
There's an additional video here.
He and his family had decided to build the defences because they felt threatened by two residents of a nearby mobile-homes camp.
A legal battle ensued between the family and the council, and a judge eventually ruled that the fence should be removed.
LiveLeak link.
When council workers tried to demolish the fence yesterday, the man defended his property “like a medieval castle lord”' using a bow and arrow and Molotov cocktails. Only after officers forced their way into the house, did the man beat his retreat. He was finally arrested around midnight.
There's an additional video here.
Topless feminist disrupts psychic pig's feeding time
A topless protest by a Ukrainian feminist group livened up feeding time for Ukraine's Euro 2012 psychic pig Funtik, as soccer fans waited to see who he would choose to win this morning's quarter-final. Ukraine's tournament mascot had been dozing in his pen in Kiev but stirred and got up when he heard the familiar sound of the gate opening for his afternoon meal. Funtik is given two bowls daily to eat from, each marked with the national flag of two teams playing each other at the finals.
Those who have faith in his psychic powers say the bowl he eats from first will prove to be the winner on the night. But even before a fan zone steward could bring in his food - a bowlful each for Portugal and the Czech Republic - an activist from feminist group Femen barged into the pen. Olexandra Nemchinova, 31, threw off her blouse to reveal the words "F... Euro 2012" on her torso and began shouting slogans denouncing the tournament, being co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland.
Stewards led Ms Nemchinova out of the pen and handed her over to the local police. The group carries out topless protests to highlight the growth of the sex industry in Ukraine and has targeted the championship - which it says feeds sex tourism - and UEFA president Michel Platini. Femen later issued a statement saying the demonstration had been a birthday "gift" to Platini, who turned 57 on Thursday.
The statement said Kiev's fan zone, where hundreds drink beer and watch Euro 2012 matches on big screens, were nothing more than "a cattle pen for deceived fans who are seduced by swill in the form of beer and mindless entertainment". Funtik, the pig, seemed unperturbed by the uproar going on around him. He sniffed Ms Nemchinova's blouse and later dived into his bowls of food, demolishing both of them in short order.
Those who have faith in his psychic powers say the bowl he eats from first will prove to be the winner on the night. But even before a fan zone steward could bring in his food - a bowlful each for Portugal and the Czech Republic - an activist from feminist group Femen barged into the pen. Olexandra Nemchinova, 31, threw off her blouse to reveal the words "F... Euro 2012" on her torso and began shouting slogans denouncing the tournament, being co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland.
Stewards led Ms Nemchinova out of the pen and handed her over to the local police. The group carries out topless protests to highlight the growth of the sex industry in Ukraine and has targeted the championship - which it says feeds sex tourism - and UEFA president Michel Platini. Femen later issued a statement saying the demonstration had been a birthday "gift" to Platini, who turned 57 on Thursday.
The statement said Kiev's fan zone, where hundreds drink beer and watch Euro 2012 matches on big screens, were nothing more than "a cattle pen for deceived fans who are seduced by swill in the form of beer and mindless entertainment". Funtik, the pig, seemed unperturbed by the uproar going on around him. He sniffed Ms Nemchinova's blouse and later dived into his bowls of food, demolishing both of them in short order.
Robin Hood stole two computers
Apparently Robin Hood steals from stores to give to himself. A 33-year-old St. Paul man, whose legal name is Robin Hood, allegedly stole two computers from a St. Louis Park store and has been charged with one count of theft over $1,000 and one count of possession of burglary or theft tools.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County, Hood stole a $700 desktop computer on June 7 from Micro Center in St. Louis Park. The complaint states that on June 15, Hood left Micro Center with a $500 desktop computer without paying.
After being confronted in the parking lot by a store employee, Hood said he must have dropped the receipt at the register. Police said Hood then entered Micro Center’s bathroom, tossed his grey shirt in the garbage to reveal his red shirt underneath and put on a baseball hat.
Hood then made a small purchase and left the store before being detained by St. Louis Park police in the parking lot, the complaint states. Police found a demagnetizing tool clipped to Hood’s belt, a device that thwarts security sensors commonly found on high-dollar items.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County, Hood stole a $700 desktop computer on June 7 from Micro Center in St. Louis Park. The complaint states that on June 15, Hood left Micro Center with a $500 desktop computer without paying.
After being confronted in the parking lot by a store employee, Hood said he must have dropped the receipt at the register. Police said Hood then entered Micro Center’s bathroom, tossed his grey shirt in the garbage to reveal his red shirt underneath and put on a baseball hat.
Hood then made a small purchase and left the store before being detained by St. Louis Park police in the parking lot, the complaint states. Police found a demagnetizing tool clipped to Hood’s belt, a device that thwarts security sensors commonly found on high-dollar items.
Thieves leave letter explaining why they stole family's dog
A family in Benton Harbor, Michigan wants to find the person who took their dog. Adriana Perez says someone took her Husky, Aspen, from her family's yard.
She also says the thief left a note explaining why. Perez says the dognapper said she was abusing Aspen by leaving him in a house in the backyard. The note said dogs are pack animals that need to be around other dogs and humans, that dogs get lonely in a pen.
"To leave a letter, it was a slap in the face," she said and then read from the letter, "I wanted to write to you and explain to you why we took your dog. Sincerely, someone who loves all dogs."
Click for bigger.
Perez says county animal control officials had been by to check on Aspen over the course of two years but didn't find any neglect or abuse.
With video.
She also says the thief left a note explaining why. Perez says the dognapper said she was abusing Aspen by leaving him in a house in the backyard. The note said dogs are pack animals that need to be around other dogs and humans, that dogs get lonely in a pen.
"To leave a letter, it was a slap in the face," she said and then read from the letter, "I wanted to write to you and explain to you why we took your dog. Sincerely, someone who loves all dogs."
Click for bigger.
Perez says county animal control officials had been by to check on Aspen over the course of two years but didn't find any neglect or abuse.
With video.
Woman gets stuck in sewer trying to retrieve phone
A 46-year-old Jackson, Mississippi woman got stuck in a sewer on Wednesday morning while trying to retrieve a cell phone she had accidentally dropped into the sewer. Lori McElroy was talking on a cell phone, when she accidentally dropped it into the sewer.
She went down into the sewer to get the phone back and got stuck. The fire department was called and had to use the jaws of life to get her out. She was not hurt.
"I was on the phone talking with somebody and then I dropped the phone in the sewer," said McElroy. "There wasn't no water in it, so I figured I could go down there and get it. Then I got stuck and couldn't get out."
Video link.
"The man got the top out and they still couldn't get me out" McElroy added. "And then they had to call the fire department and the ambulance. I feel wonderful that I am out, but it was a stupid mistake. It's better to just go buy another phone instead of having to go through that." McElroy says she doesn't want the same thing to happen to someone else.
She went down into the sewer to get the phone back and got stuck. The fire department was called and had to use the jaws of life to get her out. She was not hurt.
"I was on the phone talking with somebody and then I dropped the phone in the sewer," said McElroy. "There wasn't no water in it, so I figured I could go down there and get it. Then I got stuck and couldn't get out."
Video link.
"The man got the top out and they still couldn't get me out" McElroy added. "And then they had to call the fire department and the ambulance. I feel wonderful that I am out, but it was a stupid mistake. It's better to just go buy another phone instead of having to go through that." McElroy says she doesn't want the same thing to happen to someone else.
Workers rescue baby raccoon from sewer grate
In many residential areas, raccoons are considered pests. But when a baby raccoon got caught in a Dearborn Heights sewer grate, city workers sprang into action to save the animal. Department of Public Works Director Bill Zimmer was in his front yard late Wednesday morning when he noticed the critter. It was stuck head-first in the centre of a large iron sewer grate, Zimmer told colleagues.
The animal got trapped after apparently climbing out of a storm drain along Ecorse Creek, Dearborn Heights Emergency Manager Robert Ankrapp said. And it was an emergency indeed — if you asked the raccoon. Realizing the urgency of the situation and the rising temperatures, Zimmer called on fellow DPW employees Don Sepanski, Sean Moylan and Carl Kennedy for help,
Ankrapp said. The DPW crew carefully removed the manhole so they didn’t injure the raccoon, and then went to work “with a quantity of vegetable oil and dish soap ... and a little TLC,” Ankrapp said. That slick combo worked wonders. But then, a new concern arose: You can’t render aid and then let a self-respecting raccoon go free smelling like Wesson oil and Palmolive liquid. After all, a raccoon can get a little ripe on a scorching day all gooped up.
“The furry friend was freed and placed in a cage for a trip to the DPW yard for a much-needed shower,” Ankrapp said. After that, this animal’s tale had a happy ending. “Once cleaned, watered and cooled down, the unharmed raccoon was set free in a nearby wooded area to enjoy the rest of the day’s heat wave in a familiar (but cooler) habitat,” said Ankrapp. That brought a round of verbal applause for the Department of Public Works from Mayor Dan Paletko, who said: “It’s gratifying to see the care these employees take to ensure all our residents have a great city to live, work and play in.”
The animal got trapped after apparently climbing out of a storm drain along Ecorse Creek, Dearborn Heights Emergency Manager Robert Ankrapp said. And it was an emergency indeed — if you asked the raccoon. Realizing the urgency of the situation and the rising temperatures, Zimmer called on fellow DPW employees Don Sepanski, Sean Moylan and Carl Kennedy for help,
Ankrapp said. The DPW crew carefully removed the manhole so they didn’t injure the raccoon, and then went to work “with a quantity of vegetable oil and dish soap ... and a little TLC,” Ankrapp said. That slick combo worked wonders. But then, a new concern arose: You can’t render aid and then let a self-respecting raccoon go free smelling like Wesson oil and Palmolive liquid. After all, a raccoon can get a little ripe on a scorching day all gooped up.
“The furry friend was freed and placed in a cage for a trip to the DPW yard for a much-needed shower,” Ankrapp said. After that, this animal’s tale had a happy ending. “Once cleaned, watered and cooled down, the unharmed raccoon was set free in a nearby wooded area to enjoy the rest of the day’s heat wave in a familiar (but cooler) habitat,” said Ankrapp. That brought a round of verbal applause for the Department of Public Works from Mayor Dan Paletko, who said: “It’s gratifying to see the care these employees take to ensure all our residents have a great city to live, work and play in.”
Ducklings help deliver mail at nursing home
53-year-old volunteer mailman Steve Score is walking his daily route at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Some residents receive letters, others cards. But everyone is getting bills.
The bills don't ask for money. But, they sure make a lot of noise. The girls actually don't quack, they peep. They're called peeper and the pipettes.
That means waddling into action, once they hear the magic words from the mailman - or to them, mom. The ducklings make it to the nursing home every couple of weeks. So, when they do, it makes for a fluffy yellow surprise. Score bought 8-week-old peeper and the 6-week-old pipettes at L-and-M Fleet, also in Detroit Lakes.
"I get to interact with them and the residents, so it's a plus all the way around." With scores' ducks all in a row, the mail is not delivered as quickly as it usually is. But residents' smiles speak more than quacks, or in this case, peeps.
With news video.
The bills don't ask for money. But, they sure make a lot of noise. The girls actually don't quack, they peep. They're called peeper and the pipettes.
That means waddling into action, once they hear the magic words from the mailman - or to them, mom. The ducklings make it to the nursing home every couple of weeks. So, when they do, it makes for a fluffy yellow surprise. Score bought 8-week-old peeper and the 6-week-old pipettes at L-and-M Fleet, also in Detroit Lakes.
"I get to interact with them and the residents, so it's a plus all the way around." With scores' ducks all in a row, the mail is not delivered as quickly as it usually is. But residents' smiles speak more than quacks, or in this case, peeps.
With news video.
Cow attacks reflection in window ending up in woman's kitchen
German police called to a break-in had to deal with a runaway cow rather than robbers, after the bolshie bovine jumped through a window and landed in an old woman’s kitchen. The cow had escaped from her field near Quickborn in Schleswig-Holstein on Wednesday, and wandered into the woman’s garden – where she spotted what she thought was another cow also on a midweek jailbreak.
Enraged, she charged into what was actually her own reflection in the window of the woman's house and crashed through the double glazing, police said on Friday. Passersby who saw the smashed glass called the police, who arrived to find the cow calmly chewing cud in the kitchen with just a few scratches to show for her mix-up.
There was glass all over the floor and the window was completely destroyed – but the woman who lived in the house was not at home at the time. Police officers rang a local vet to help them coax out the animal out, who had made herself at home on the kitchen floor. The initial plan was to tranquilise her and drag her out of the house.
But being sturdier than the vet had calculated, the injections only annoyed her and she galloped out of the door compos mentis into the neighbour's garden. It was there that the vet managed to sedate her and she keeled over, asleep, into some shrubbery. She is now back with her herd and has fully recovered from the ordeal, while repairs are being made to the house.
There's a photo gallery here.
Enraged, she charged into what was actually her own reflection in the window of the woman's house and crashed through the double glazing, police said on Friday. Passersby who saw the smashed glass called the police, who arrived to find the cow calmly chewing cud in the kitchen with just a few scratches to show for her mix-up.
There was glass all over the floor and the window was completely destroyed – but the woman who lived in the house was not at home at the time. Police officers rang a local vet to help them coax out the animal out, who had made herself at home on the kitchen floor. The initial plan was to tranquilise her and drag her out of the house.
But being sturdier than the vet had calculated, the injections only annoyed her and she galloped out of the door compos mentis into the neighbour's garden. It was there that the vet managed to sedate her and she keeled over, asleep, into some shrubbery. She is now back with her herd and has fully recovered from the ordeal, while repairs are being made to the house.
There's a photo gallery here.
MP gets maths wrong in numeracy debate
Labour education spokesman Kevin Brennan was ridiculed in the House of Commons when he failed to calculate a simple percentage during a row about education. The former economics teacher said three in 10 pupils got good GCSEs in 1997 but claimed that was 60 per cent.
It was an attempt to attack Education Secretary Michael Gove's ability at maths, but it backfired and prompted the cabinet minister to say percentages were not Labour's strong point. Following reports that the Government was considering ditching GCSEs in favour of a return to O-level style examinations, Mr Brennan said: ''Standards rose under Labour because we focused on literacy and numeracy.''
YouTube link.
The Oxford graduate and former head of economics at Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff added: ''It was we who inherited a weak system on maths and English from the Tories. Only three in 10 pupils, that's 60 per cent because I know the Secretary of State is not very good at maths, only three in 10 pupils got a good GCSE in 1997.''
Commons Speaker John Bercow was forced to intervene to appeal for calm as Tory MPs heckled the Labour frontbencher, who was standing in for Stephen Twigg, the shadow education secretary. Mr Brennan said: ''I was just testing their numeracy, it is of course 30.''
It was an attempt to attack Education Secretary Michael Gove's ability at maths, but it backfired and prompted the cabinet minister to say percentages were not Labour's strong point. Following reports that the Government was considering ditching GCSEs in favour of a return to O-level style examinations, Mr Brennan said: ''Standards rose under Labour because we focused on literacy and numeracy.''
YouTube link.
The Oxford graduate and former head of economics at Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff added: ''It was we who inherited a weak system on maths and English from the Tories. Only three in 10 pupils, that's 60 per cent because I know the Secretary of State is not very good at maths, only three in 10 pupils got a good GCSE in 1997.''
Commons Speaker John Bercow was forced to intervene to appeal for calm as Tory MPs heckled the Labour frontbencher, who was standing in for Stephen Twigg, the shadow education secretary. Mr Brennan said: ''I was just testing their numeracy, it is of course 30.''
Pensioners rescued after car plunges into ornamental pond outside hospital
Two elderly women had to be rescued by fire crews after the car they were driving plunged head first into a 6ft deep hospital pond. At around 12.20pm emergency crews were called to the scene at the BMI Bury Hospital in Bury St Edmunds where a light blue Toyota Corolla had driven across a rockery and got stuck in the water.
A fire engine, two Water Incident Vehicles, paramedics and police attended the scene after the hospital’s receptionists heard the loud bang and called emergency services. Fire crews used hydraulic gear to release the two casualties, thought to be in their 70s.
The two women, one who had an appointment at the hospital, were taken to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment but are believed to be unhurt. The hospital’s Executive Director, Peter Lord, said at the scene: “The incident involved two elderly ladies, one of them had an outpatients appointment. It is a really unusual and unfortunate accident, we are just delighted nobody was seriously hurt.
“When we saw it happen our reception called emergency services and our excellent nurses came out to give assistance. Fortunately it has been a happy outcome. The pond has been here since the hospital opened and nothing has every happened before. I cannot praise our team or the medical and emergency services more. It is quite an unusual event but fortunately, a happy ending. Now we’ve just got to get the car out.”
A fire engine, two Water Incident Vehicles, paramedics and police attended the scene after the hospital’s receptionists heard the loud bang and called emergency services. Fire crews used hydraulic gear to release the two casualties, thought to be in their 70s.
The two women, one who had an appointment at the hospital, were taken to West Suffolk Hospital for treatment but are believed to be unhurt. The hospital’s Executive Director, Peter Lord, said at the scene: “The incident involved two elderly ladies, one of them had an outpatients appointment. It is a really unusual and unfortunate accident, we are just delighted nobody was seriously hurt.
“When we saw it happen our reception called emergency services and our excellent nurses came out to give assistance. Fortunately it has been a happy outcome. The pond has been here since the hospital opened and nothing has every happened before. I cannot praise our team or the medical and emergency services more. It is quite an unusual event but fortunately, a happy ending. Now we’ve just got to get the car out.”
Baby seal 'rescued' from bathtub in family home
Seal rescuers from the Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary in Norfolk went to the most unusual of locations to pick up their latest casualty - a bathtub in a family home. The SOS came from an anxious Mark Allsop, 40, who had just returned to his Lincolnshire home from walking his dog on the shoreline at Holbeach with an extra passenger in the car. Mr Allsop had spotted the seal five days earlier in the same location, but the newborn pup was at that time healthy and lively. When he came across her the second time, however, she seemed weak and listless and not knowing what else to do, Mr Allsop slung her across his shoulder and drove the 40-minutes back to his home with her on his passenger seat.
“My wife Ilze was understandably astonished,” said the 40-year-old. “She was as concerned about the pup as I was though, but it took just a phone call to the Sea Life Sanctuary at Hunstanton and they were here within an-hour-and-a-half. In the meantime I’d offered it some tinned salmon, which it ignored, and put it in the bath and run some cold water for it, but it tried to crawl away from the water, so we just left it in the empty bath.” All Hunstanton’s rescued seals are named after Olympians this year, and the pup was christened Jessi-Jane, after swimmer Jessica Jane Applegate.
“She was in a very sorry condition and it was touch and go whether she would survive,” said Hollie Stallworthy, one of the animal care team members who went to retrieve Jessi-Jane. “Her trip to Spalding obviously hadn’t helped matters, but Mark acted with the best of intentions and without doubt the pup would have died had he not found her.” Jessi-Jane proved a fighter, and after a few days of intensive care and tube-feeding is now well on the road to recovery. “What anyone who comes across a pup should do, however, is first of all watch from a discreet distance for at least an hour,” said Ms Stallworthy.
“In most cases the mother will be out at sea feeding and will eventually return. If after that length of time there is no sign of an adult, they should contact either the RSPCA or the sanctuary.” She added that had Jessi-Jane not been so weak she could have given Mr Allsop a nasty bite. “I realised as soon as I looked at the sanctuary’s website that I shouldn’t have taken the pup home, but I’m delighted she’s recovering and will obviously know better next time,” Mr Allsop added. Jessi-Jane should be fit enough to move from the seal hospital into the outdoor convalescence pool in around six weeks time, and if all goes well could be ready to return to the wild in about three months.
“My wife Ilze was understandably astonished,” said the 40-year-old. “She was as concerned about the pup as I was though, but it took just a phone call to the Sea Life Sanctuary at Hunstanton and they were here within an-hour-and-a-half. In the meantime I’d offered it some tinned salmon, which it ignored, and put it in the bath and run some cold water for it, but it tried to crawl away from the water, so we just left it in the empty bath.” All Hunstanton’s rescued seals are named after Olympians this year, and the pup was christened Jessi-Jane, after swimmer Jessica Jane Applegate.
“She was in a very sorry condition and it was touch and go whether she would survive,” said Hollie Stallworthy, one of the animal care team members who went to retrieve Jessi-Jane. “Her trip to Spalding obviously hadn’t helped matters, but Mark acted with the best of intentions and without doubt the pup would have died had he not found her.” Jessi-Jane proved a fighter, and after a few days of intensive care and tube-feeding is now well on the road to recovery. “What anyone who comes across a pup should do, however, is first of all watch from a discreet distance for at least an hour,” said Ms Stallworthy.
“In most cases the mother will be out at sea feeding and will eventually return. If after that length of time there is no sign of an adult, they should contact either the RSPCA or the sanctuary.” She added that had Jessi-Jane not been so weak she could have given Mr Allsop a nasty bite. “I realised as soon as I looked at the sanctuary’s website that I shouldn’t have taken the pup home, but I’m delighted she’s recovering and will obviously know better next time,” Mr Allsop added. Jessi-Jane should be fit enough to move from the seal hospital into the outdoor convalescence pool in around six weeks time, and if all goes well could be ready to return to the wild in about three months.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Drowning leopard rescued from reservoir in India
An adult male leopard that had fallen into a reservoir in eastern India was rescued by forest rangers on Wednesday with the help of a net.
Dozens of workers at the Hansqua Tea Estate near Siliguri in the eastern state of West Bengal gathered around the reservoir to watch as the big cat, submerged neck-deep in water, tried to climb out of the reservoir tank.
The Forest Ranger and Game Warden, alerted by the estate manager, laid down a net to help the trapped predator escape.
YouTube link.
"When we came to work, we were told that there was a leopard here. Lots of people gathered to see it," said tea garden worker Mantu Baraik. "The police came first and the forest officials followed. They put up a net and helped the leopard escape." A loud cheer broke out when the leopard successfully gained foothold and clambered to safety.
There are more photos here.
Dozens of workers at the Hansqua Tea Estate near Siliguri in the eastern state of West Bengal gathered around the reservoir to watch as the big cat, submerged neck-deep in water, tried to climb out of the reservoir tank.
The Forest Ranger and Game Warden, alerted by the estate manager, laid down a net to help the trapped predator escape.
YouTube link.
"When we came to work, we were told that there was a leopard here. Lots of people gathered to see it," said tea garden worker Mantu Baraik. "The police came first and the forest officials followed. They put up a net and helped the leopard escape." A loud cheer broke out when the leopard successfully gained foothold and clambered to safety.
There are more photos here.
Police arrest man who likes to sunbathe naked while holding rubber penis
Police say a registered sex offender who acknowledged that he sunbathes naked while holding a sex toy was arrested on Monday and charged with exposure of sexual organs. The Ocala Police Department received a call about a man standing on a front porch naked while facing traffic on Southeast Lake Weir Avenue.
Officer Anthony Reghetti arrived at the residence, which is near Druid Hills Methodist Church, and saw Joseph Lamar Conn, 49, lying nude on a blanket on the south side of the house, according to an OPD report. Reghetti saw the man get up and wrap himself in the blanket while holding a rubber penis in his right hand.
Conn ran inside. Reghetti called for backup, and, while he was waiting for other officers to arrive, Conn came out wearing shorts. When asked why he had been naked, Conn told police he sunbathes that way while holding the sex toy, according to OPD. Conn added he did not think anyone could see him from the roadway.
Conn told the officer - and state records show - that he's a registered sex offender and was released from prison in March after serving a one-year sentence for violating sex offender rules. Conn was then arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.
Officer Anthony Reghetti arrived at the residence, which is near Druid Hills Methodist Church, and saw Joseph Lamar Conn, 49, lying nude on a blanket on the south side of the house, according to an OPD report. Reghetti saw the man get up and wrap himself in the blanket while holding a rubber penis in his right hand.
Conn ran inside. Reghetti called for backup, and, while he was waiting for other officers to arrive, Conn came out wearing shorts. When asked why he had been naked, Conn told police he sunbathes that way while holding the sex toy, according to OPD. Conn added he did not think anyone could see him from the roadway.
Conn told the officer - and state records show - that he's a registered sex offender and was released from prison in March after serving a one-year sentence for violating sex offender rules. Conn was then arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.
Woman says she drove car into golf bunker because 'GPS told her to turn left'
A Massachusetts woman told police she drove her car into a golf club’s sand trap at about 45 mph because her GPS “told her to turn left.” Several golfers were on the Whitinsville Golf Club in Northbridge, Mass., at the time, at about 5:45 p.m. Monday, but no one was injured. Police said they believe the 46-year-old woman was drunk.
Northbridge police officer Randy Lloyd wrote in his report to the court that the woman, identified as Patricia Maione of Northbridge, “stated that her GPS had told her to turn left. She stated that this left brought her into a ‘cornfield’ and once she was in the ‘cornfield,’ she kept driving trying to get of her ‘cornfield.’
Northbridge police found Maione's Buick in the sand trap with its rear wheels off the ground and its front end damaged. It had dropped eight to 10 feet from the top of the bunker, according to the police report. Maione was still in the car, police said.
When told that her car was in a golf sand trap, Lloyd wrote, “Ms. Maione stated that she did not even like golf.” Maione was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, drunken driving, negligent driving and driving with an open container of alcohol in the car.
Northbridge police officer Randy Lloyd wrote in his report to the court that the woman, identified as Patricia Maione of Northbridge, “stated that her GPS had told her to turn left. She stated that this left brought her into a ‘cornfield’ and once she was in the ‘cornfield,’ she kept driving trying to get of her ‘cornfield.’
Northbridge police found Maione's Buick in the sand trap with its rear wheels off the ground and its front end damaged. It had dropped eight to 10 feet from the top of the bunker, according to the police report. Maione was still in the car, police said.
When told that her car was in a golf sand trap, Lloyd wrote, “Ms. Maione stated that she did not even like golf.” Maione was arrested and charged with driving with a suspended license, drunken driving, negligent driving and driving with an open container of alcohol in the car.
Woman hallucinating on skunk climbs electricity pylon thinking it was a bridge
This is the terrifying moment a young woman high on drugs tried to climb an electricity pylon after hallucinating that it was a bridge. The 21-year-old had spent four hours smoking super-strength skunk cannabis before attempting to scale the 40ft pylon.
Horrified locals raised the alarm after spotting the woman, from Zlin, Czech Republic, apparently trying to cross a river. The blonde woman was seen clinging to the cables of the electrical column wearing only a tiny pair of denim hotpants and a t-shirt.
Police spokesman Jan Macalikova said: "It was a nightmare because she was very much under the influence of drugs and wasn't making much sense. "She was convinced, though, that the pylon was a bridge across the Morava river."
Drugs counsellors and police eventually persuaded her to come down after two hours on the pylon. Ms Macalikova added: "She received treatment at hospital for her drugs consumption but was otherwise unhurt. She's lucky she didn't get a new high - high voltage.”
Horrified locals raised the alarm after spotting the woman, from Zlin, Czech Republic, apparently trying to cross a river. The blonde woman was seen clinging to the cables of the electrical column wearing only a tiny pair of denim hotpants and a t-shirt.
Police spokesman Jan Macalikova said: "It was a nightmare because she was very much under the influence of drugs and wasn't making much sense. "She was convinced, though, that the pylon was a bridge across the Morava river."
Drugs counsellors and police eventually persuaded her to come down after two hours on the pylon. Ms Macalikova added: "She received treatment at hospital for her drugs consumption but was otherwise unhurt. She's lucky she didn't get a new high - high voltage.”
Father dragged baby boy through traffic in crate attached to his moped with an old piece of rope
Police in China are hunting a motorcyclist who was spotted pulling his toddler son behind him - in a drinks crate.
The tot - clearly too young to ride pillion - stares out from the box trustingly as he is towed along the road by a piece of rope.
The scene was photographed by a passer-by in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
He said: "When I first saw this bike coming down the road I thought he had a dog or something in the box and I thought, 'How cruel'. But when it got closer I could see it was a boy, no older than two and I was horrified."
The tot - clearly too young to ride pillion - stares out from the box trustingly as he is towed along the road by a piece of rope.
The scene was photographed by a passer-by in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
He said: "When I first saw this bike coming down the road I thought he had a dog or something in the box and I thought, 'How cruel'. But when it got closer I could see it was a boy, no older than two and I was horrified."
Police seizing cannabis find 8ft alligator in the bath
Police who raided a neat suburban house to seize cannabis plants were shocked to find themselves staring into the jaws of a live eight-foot-long alligator in the bath. The potentially lethal reptile was found "wriggling and snapping" by officers, who went to the house after uncovering a cannabis factory at a nearby property. It is believe the alligator had been bought from a dealer before being taken home to the three bedroomed, semi-detached house in Runcorn, Cheshire. Officers also found a King Cobra three monocled cobras and a rattlesnake during searches of the reptile dealer's shop in neighbouring Warrington.
In the first raid on a house in Runcorn, police found a poisonous snake whilst uncovering a cannabis factory in an upstairs bedroom. Officers seized around 60 plants and equipment for heating and lighting the plants and a number of tanks housing snakes in the property. A number of dead venomous snakes were also found. Wildlife officers and specialist reptile handling staff were brought in to deal safely with the "extremely dangerous, indeed potentially lethal" live animals and they are now being cared for elsewhere. Cheshire Police said a 33-year-old man was arrested in Widnes on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, abstracting electricity and possessing dangerous wild animals. He was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Insp Dave Gordon said: ''This operation was initiated by information we received from members of the community, we were concerned for the safety of the public, so swift and decisive action was taken. The animals were seized as part of a joint operation involving local police, Halton Borough Council staff, wildlife officers and reptile experts. Some of the animals seized are extremely dangerous, indeed potentially lethal, they have been taken to a safe location where they will remain for the time being in the care of reptile specialists. Police said the raids took place on Friday after they found the snakes whilst uncovering the cannabis factory. A search of a business premises in Widnes, revealed some minor breaches of legislation under the Pet Animals Act that were dealt with by Halton Borough Council staff.
But during the search at a house in Runcorn, officers found the alligator, a snake and other reptiles. The alligator, classified as a dangerous and wild animal, was removed from the property by Halton Borough Council using its powers under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. At a business premises known as Leroy's Lizard lounge in Warrington, police officers and council staff located a large king cobra, three monocled cobras and a rattle snake. The dangerous animal offences will be dealt with by Halton Borough Council, prosecuting authority in relation to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. These animals were handed over voluntarily by the owners of the business to specialist officers.
In the first raid on a house in Runcorn, police found a poisonous snake whilst uncovering a cannabis factory in an upstairs bedroom. Officers seized around 60 plants and equipment for heating and lighting the plants and a number of tanks housing snakes in the property. A number of dead venomous snakes were also found. Wildlife officers and specialist reptile handling staff were brought in to deal safely with the "extremely dangerous, indeed potentially lethal" live animals and they are now being cared for elsewhere. Cheshire Police said a 33-year-old man was arrested in Widnes on suspicion of cultivating cannabis, abstracting electricity and possessing dangerous wild animals. He was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Insp Dave Gordon said: ''This operation was initiated by information we received from members of the community, we were concerned for the safety of the public, so swift and decisive action was taken. The animals were seized as part of a joint operation involving local police, Halton Borough Council staff, wildlife officers and reptile experts. Some of the animals seized are extremely dangerous, indeed potentially lethal, they have been taken to a safe location where they will remain for the time being in the care of reptile specialists. Police said the raids took place on Friday after they found the snakes whilst uncovering the cannabis factory. A search of a business premises in Widnes, revealed some minor breaches of legislation under the Pet Animals Act that were dealt with by Halton Borough Council staff.
But during the search at a house in Runcorn, officers found the alligator, a snake and other reptiles. The alligator, classified as a dangerous and wild animal, was removed from the property by Halton Borough Council using its powers under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. At a business premises known as Leroy's Lizard lounge in Warrington, police officers and council staff located a large king cobra, three monocled cobras and a rattle snake. The dangerous animal offences will be dealt with by Halton Borough Council, prosecuting authority in relation to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. These animals were handed over voluntarily by the owners of the business to specialist officers.
CCTV shows London bus passenger's violent wing mirror attack
The Metropolitan Police are appealing for information after a male passenger boarding a bus in Camden ripped off the wing mirror and smashed it against the driver's protective screen.
The man can be seen having an argument with the driver on the number 29 bus after he failed to give the correct fare.
YouTube link.
The passenger proceeds to punch the protective safety screen repeatedly.
He then gets off the bus, rips the wing mirror off and uses it to smash the driver's screen. Police are asking anyone who knows who he is to contact them.
The man can be seen having an argument with the driver on the number 29 bus after he failed to give the correct fare.
YouTube link.
The passenger proceeds to punch the protective safety screen repeatedly.
He then gets off the bus, rips the wing mirror off and uses it to smash the driver's screen. Police are asking anyone who knows who he is to contact them.
Upside down sheep stuck in the grass
This ram got itself into a pickle after lying down and getting its fleece stuck in the grass.
Luckily vigilant RSPCA inspector Mike Pugh was passing by and stopped to help pull the ram back upright. He initially thought the animal was dead as he made his way to the Bryn y Maen Animal Rescue Centre in Colwyn Bay
But after further investigation, he realised the sheep’s wool was tangled and managed to get it back on to its legs before it returned to its flock. Insp Pugh said: “What can happen is if they lie down and somehow topple or roll over onto their back, their thick, spongy fleece can get stuck or tangled with what's on the ground.
“As well as it being important that farmers check on their animals regularly, if you do spot a sheep in distress then please give the farmers and us a helping hand. Sheep are fairly meek animals and so use your judgement and if you think you’re competent enough at getting one back on its feet if it’s stuck upside down, have a go.”
Luckily vigilant RSPCA inspector Mike Pugh was passing by and stopped to help pull the ram back upright. He initially thought the animal was dead as he made his way to the Bryn y Maen Animal Rescue Centre in Colwyn Bay
But after further investigation, he realised the sheep’s wool was tangled and managed to get it back on to its legs before it returned to its flock. Insp Pugh said: “What can happen is if they lie down and somehow topple or roll over onto their back, their thick, spongy fleece can get stuck or tangled with what's on the ground.
“As well as it being important that farmers check on their animals regularly, if you do spot a sheep in distress then please give the farmers and us a helping hand. Sheep are fairly meek animals and so use your judgement and if you think you’re competent enough at getting one back on its feet if it’s stuck upside down, have a go.”
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