Help Protect Dogs like Apollo in New York

Citizens are being urged to sign an online petition to demand stricter animal abuse laws in New York after a three-year-old canine was found tied up outside in Utica in -20 degree weather. (Source: care2.com).

Apollo, a pit bull, spawned the legislative action. The dog was found barely alive, frost bitten, malnourished, and unvaccinated.

"These horrible crimes should not go unpunished," says the petition site. "Apollo's sad story is the catalyst behind this petition and an eye-opener on the drastic need for change."

According to Christina Curri, who is sponsoring the petition, the other half of this sad story that has raised so much awareness "into the gutless animal cruelty laws in New York is that Apollo was also unlicensed and showed several signs of coming from an abusive home."

To sign the petition to help Apollo and all animals in New York, visit http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/apollos-law/.

The signature goal is 10,000.

"In case it is difficult to understand what -20 degrees really does to your body, just think about what it's like when you are outside in ten degrees above zero and how numb you begin to feel," the petition states. "Now please try to imagine if this were a child or any suffering human being who was supposed to be under the care of someone, was not given the necessary staples in life to survive and was left out in below zero temperatures and almost died."

In unrelated pet news, the Third Annual Operation Kindness Hope Gala takes place April 17 from 7-10 p.m. at Sambuca 360 in Plano, TX featuring an evening of a four-course plated dinner, top shelf cocktails, champagne and diamonds fundraiser, raffle, and dancing. The event has sold out the last two years.

The no-kill animal shelter located at 3201 Earhart Drive in Carrollton benefits from the event.

For more information, contact Julie Goff, Events Manager at 972-428-3822.

To make reservations, access http://www.operationkindness.org/events/hope_gala/ .

In other animal news, you can help save migratory birds by signing an online petition http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/871/927/414/?z00m=19939965.

Each spring millions of birds migrate to the U.S. There is one key program that helps provide the safe wintering grounds these birds need to survive. (Source: Care2.com).

By going to the link to the above petition and signing, Congress could reauthorize Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act with increased funding.