San Francisco Animal Control Reeling From 'Paris Hilton Syndrome'
 |
| Joe Eskenazi |
| A nervous little guy peers out from his pen |
Deb Campbell glances around the room. There are six chihuahuas in this one chamber alone, and many more downstairs. San Francisco's Animal Care and Control -- that's whose linoleum floors these are -- is getting one or two chihuahuas tearfully delivered to its doors every day. There are enough teacup dogs tottering around the ACC offices to fit in the pockets of every member of the Board of Supervisors and then some.
"We call it the 'Paris Hilton Syndrome,'" says Campbell, the center's volunteer outreach coordinator, with a sigh. A bad economy has induced a spike in the number of creatures surrendered to ACC. Add that to chihuahuas becoming a trendy fashion accessory thanks to Hilton, Legally Blonde, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua and suddenly you've got sufficient toy dogs on hand to start your own miniature Iditarod team.
 |
| Joe Eskenazi |
But wait -- there's more! Large numbers of bunnies often flood the Animal Control office after Easter, but, oddly enough, a contingent of them arrived before the holiday this year (that's Fergie, a truly massive albino rabbit):
 |
| Joe Eskenazi |
 |
| Joe Eskenazi |
 |
| Joe Eskenazi |
23 comment(s) / Post a Comment
I just want to point out there are lots of reasons that small dogs can be superior to large ones, they take up less space, eat less, have smaller shits, live longer, and are less likely to maul a friendly neighbor.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 9 2009 @ 3:44PMPeople that are stupid enough to buy a dog for a fashion reason are too stupid to own one. Yes, that means if you have a purse dog, you are in fact a complete idiot!
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 9 2009 @ 10:37PM"I just want to point out there are lots of reasons that small dogs can be superior to large ones, they take up less space, eat less, have smaller shits, live longer, and are less likely to maul a friendly neighbor."
And they are good eats
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 9 2009 @ 11:07PMsmall dogs and the people who purchase then abandon them are retarded. They shit all too much, eat more than they deserve, live too long, and are fucking useless in general.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 9 2009 @ 11:17PMUnbelievably sad, at a local SPCA someone abandoned a several pure bred puppies that were traced back to being bought at a nearby pet store.
The economy is causing people to choose between keeping up their own personal lifestyles and their pets, some of whom have been abandoned because their owners were too stubborn and greedy enough to truly commit.
Posted On: Thursday, Apr. 9 2009 @ 11:21PM"are less likely to maul a friendly neighbor" - how is THAT superior to large dogs? I would want to have a chi-chi-hua-whatever (bless-me) that BURROWS into a neighbour, while still taking less space, eating less, having smaller shits and living longer.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 10 2009 @ 12:20AMOr, they can be used to save the lives of countless mice... just feed them to snakes.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 10 2009 @ 12:32AMGood dogs for small places, but not near violent children. (Gentle children love them.)
As to Mushmouths comment about them being less likely to maul a neighbor, it's probably more in line that the neighbor won't notice the attempted mauling unless barefoot. :)
But seriously, they can have an annoying 'bark', so if it doesn't bother you, or you find a relatively calm one, they make great pets.
One of my neighbors has a long haired breed, and I've only heard it bark twice, and it's very friendly to everyone, even my 4 year old daughter.
Wow, that is so sad!
RT
www.web-privacy.us.tc
Why are we paying a staff to lock up helpless animals and keep them caged? Wouldn't most of these animals do better in the wild, say...a national park or even on the streets of SF (the creators of the problem). This entire system of pissing huge amounts of money away on keeping every animal "safe" in a shelter (cage) is ridiculous.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 10 2009 @ 8:14AMThis is just ridiculous. We talk about this time and time again, and it keeps happening. Anyone who is unaware of how bad this is should walk into a dog shelter and see for themselves. Really.
Then walk into a pet store and try to determine if those pets are well looked after. Not always. People should do enough breed research and not rely on just looks. Celebrities who use / have pets as part of their careers and lives, should join in ask ppl to be more responsible.
If you don't want to put in the time to work on your pets habits, good and bad, don't get a pet.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 10 2009 @ 9:36AM"Wouldn't most of these animals do better in the wild, say...a national park or even on the streets of SF (the creators of the problem)."
If by "do better", you mean starve to death, be eaten by larger predators, or die of disease, then absolutely.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 10 2009 @ 10:15AMKB says:
People that are stupid enough to buy a dog for a fashion reason are too stupid to own one. Yes, that means if you have a purse dog, you are in fact a complete idiot!
Not everyone with a 'purse dog' is an idiot because not all of us bought them to be a 'purse dog.' Some of us bought them for their huge personality and would live on the streets before ever giving the dog up.
Posted On: Friday, Apr. 10 2009 @ 12:43PMThere is nothing wrong with small dogs. I own a Chihuahua but he is well cared for, and not carried around in a purse all day (or ever). Don't get mad at the dogs just because irresponsible idiots purchase them as an accessory. Please don't paint all small dog owners with the same brush. Some of us ARE responsible.
Posted On: Saturday, Apr. 11 2009 @ 3:44PMPeople who purchase toy dogs as a fashion accessories is really a stupid act. These dogs deserve the love and care of their owners because they truly love back in return unconditionally. They should not be even treated as humans, they want to be treated as dogs to enjoy their lives. Please read the book of Cesar Millan and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Posted On: Sunday, Apr. 12 2009 @ 6:55PMI can't BELIEVE how many ignorant ppl.
are posting in here about these innocent
animals. They don't ask to be born, all
they want is to love and be loved.
I just don't understand why, ppl. don't
think before buying or breeding animals!!
There is nothingChoose a Practical Shower Curtain to decorate your bath room wrong with small dogs. I own a Chihuahua but he is well cared for, and not carried around
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 1:09AMI have 4 of these rats and all are pretty good all 4 were found running the street. Fashion dog people are assholes !
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 12:57PMI'm really disgusted at how many people who posted here seem to really hate dogs. If you don't like dogs, absolutely don't get one!!! If you get a dog, rescue it from a shelter. STOP BREEDING. There are thousands of dogs (and cats, and kids, too) looking for loving homes. They make wonderful pets (or kids). I believe all the pets and kids in shelters throughout the country should be placed in permanent, loving homes before another child, dog or cat is produced.
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 3:33PMThe Paris Hilton Syndrome is so sad but so true! People just see stars with pets and get them but don't realize they have to take care of them. My sister has two chihuahua puppies that she rescued and I feel so bad for these dogs in the SF Animal Control. People don't understand how important it is to adopt animals from shelters and stop getting them from breeders. There are enough animals out there without a home that we don't need to keep bringing new ones in.
Posted On: Tuesday, Apr. 14 2009 @ 6:38PMOkay, I'm not impressed with chiuahuas, or small dogs in general, but I'm not a dog person anyway...
But! What in the hell is wrong with those of you suggesting they be killed? It's terrible this is happening.
I don't understand people who have the money to purchase a purebred pet in the first place, but a few years later don't have the money to feed it. Feed your pet first, then yourself.
Posted On: Monday, Apr. 27 2009 @ 4:07PM
foam order.com