2 articles. 1. Racing returns at Santa Anita. The historic Santa Anita racetrack reopened Friday for racing amid concerns for horse safety and the future of the track and the industry. There were no deaths in eight races Friday, which had been closed for racing since March 5.
2. Back in the saddle: racing resumes without incident after 26-day closure.
A 150-pound bear, about half the size of the adult bear seen earlier in the week, was caught in the northeast corner of Wilderness Park as it rummaged through a trash dumpster. It was tranquilized and released deep in the Angeles National Forest.
A 300-pound bear was seen rummaging through a trash can in Wilderness Park, and authorities feel it may be the same bear that was captured in the same place 10 months ago, then released 50 miles away in Angeles National Forest near Pyramid Lake.
Abandoned pet turtles, specifically red-eared slider turtles that are native to Louisiana, are turning up at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia (shown in photograph), Huntington Library, and local golf courses. It is illegal to buy turtles less than 4 inches long and to dump them. They threaten to push out the state's only native turtles species in urban and natural waters here.
About 20 demonstrators organized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protested the perceived mistreatment of race horses in front of Santa Anita Park during the Breeders' Cup. Pictured is Natalie Stauffer of San Francisco.
After a two-year suspension, the Arcadia City Council will reinstate a coyote trapping program, after residents complained that the animals are attacking pets and showing aggressive behavior. The city has contracted with Animal Pest Management of Chino, California, to trap coyotes and euthanize them.
An attorney for the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society has asked the Arcadia City Council to amend the municipal code so as to allow establishment of an animal shelter in Chicago Park.
Animal rights advocate Barbara Casey, who oversaw working conditions on the canceled HBO series "Luck" has sued HBO and the American Humane Association, claiming horses on the show were grossly mistreated. She says she was wrongfully fired after complaining about inhumane conditions on the show.
Arcadia, along with several other communities in the San Gabriel Valley, face termination of animal control services now rendered by the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society. This agency will discontinue services as of June 30, 1978.
Arcadia City balks at surge in animal control bill. New contract with Pasadena Humane Society would raise costs fivefold, from $90,000 to $525,000 annually. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 4, September 12, 2019.
The Arcadia City Council agreed to continue its contract with Los Angeles County for animal control. In addition, Arcadia will remain in the 9 city consortium which does business with the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society.
Arcadia City Council has approved a new contract with the Pasadena Humane Society (PHS) to provide animal services to Arcadia. The contract is for $69,838, a 3% increase over the current year's agreement. The city has contracted with PHS since 1994. PHS handles dog licensing, answers calls for service and offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Other items were approved, including a contract with Engineered Plumbing Inc. for water mains and valves, the purchase of Mobile Data Terminals for the Arcadia Fire Department from Nida Companies, and massage therapist permits.
Arcadia has re-instated a coyote-trapping program which catches then euthanizes coyotes. The issue is being debated locally as some people want to co-exist with the animals and some feel the killing of the coyotes is inhumane, but others are terrified of coyote attacks on their pets and, possibly, their children.
Arcadia park goes to the dogs. The 46th annual Bassett Hound Picnic was held at the Arcadia County Park. Picnic featured contests for the saddest face, longest ears, most spots, humorous costume, and crazy hat.