Weird News Roundup for 10/19/2009- Animal Edition

Before we begin- A Brief Word About the Heene Family from the Desk of Mandi:

Now that the whole "Balloon Boy" thing is finally being called a hoax, I feel like I should say a little something about it. The Heene family... wow... what can be said that already hasn't been? I really hope they enjoy their 15 minutes of fame at the expense of little Falcon. Really. What family puts their quest for a reality show before their children? Okay, so Jon and Kate come to mind. But back to the Heene family. Why would anyone make a whole nation hope that their child is not in that balloon floating over Colorado just for it to come out as a big publicity stunt for a reality show? Then to be snuck out of their own house because they couldn't handle the press- please! Irony isn't dead. I can only hope that the Heene parents go to jail, get fined for the taxpayer money spent, and have to pay off the wheat crops that were destroyed by the balloon. I hope that the Heene kids go somewhere where their best interests are in consideration. Oh, but like I said, irony isn't dead. I have a feeling that when this is all over, the Heene family will be given their reality show. Probably on TLC, replacing Jon and Kate as parents of the year.

Now, on to weird news about some cute animals.

Albino Moose Calf Spotted in Delta Junction, Alaska
In Delta Junction, a town 100 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska, a white moose calf has been spotted. Residents and Wildlife officials are saying that the sighting of the albino moose is rare, even though years ago the area has seen albino bison. No one has been able to get a picture of the albino moose yet and when the snow comes it will be harder to find. The moose calf is safe from hunters since it is illegal to shoot a calf.

Black Bear Skips the Honey, Goes for the Beer
In Wisconsin, a black bear wandered into a local grocery store and made his way to the beer cooler. The black bear climbed onto one of the shelves of the beer cooler and hung out for about an hour. Although it was no immediate threat, the store was evacuated so the wildlife officials could tranquilize the animal and take it out of the store. Apparently, the bear did not drink any of the alcohol. See the surveillance video here: http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/64650747.html

Massachusetts Town Use Goats to Clear a Meadow
A Boston area suburb is using goats to cut grass instead of the traditional landscapers. The goats can eat all the grass and brush they want for free, and at no cost to the city. The goats are able to clear a half an acre every few days. If a success, the town plans to make more land available to the animals.

Man Found Guilty in Fish Attack
Apparently animal cruelty laws extend to fish. Donald Earl Fite III plead guilty to animal abuse and domestic abuse after impaling his ex-girlfriend's fish during a fight. He is sentenced to two years probation, a psychological evaluation, and community service. (I'm just not sure about how to impale a fish...)

Sources:
http://www.newsminer.com/news/2009/oct/16/albino-moose-keeps-delta-residents-lookout/

http://news.yahoo.com/odd

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/64650747.html

http://weirdnews.about.com/