ohmidog!

The man who spearheaded a change in the leash law in Ogunquit, Maine, allowing dogs to be off-leash if they are under voice conrol, has gotten two more tickets — for letting his dogs off their leashes.

Voters approved a change in the town’s leash law, allowing dogs to be off their leash in certain public areas. But John Mixon, who circulated the petitions that led to the referendum, says not only has the town not implemented the new law, they are targeting him because of it.

Mixon has run with his dogs in Ogunquit for thirty years — without ever receiving a citation. He says he decided to change the law so he would no longer be breaking it. The new law passed by more than one hundred votes. But three days later he was ticketed for having a dog off leash. He has since been issued two more.

He wrote ohmidog! after receiving the second one: “I have been running with my dogs here for 25 years without ever being bothered. Then when you try to legally change the law this is what you get– TICKETS.”

Since then, TV station WCSH reports, he’s received a third. (Click the small play button at the bottom of the video to make it work.)

Mixon says the people have spoken and the town needs to listen.

“This isn’t just about a dog and a leash, this is about democracy. When we vote on an issue it should be implemented. The board of selectmen, the town manager, the police department and the animal control officer don’t seem to get that.”

The town says they have been working on procedures and protocols to allow dog owners to have their dogs off leash, but that it has taken time to create the authorization.

Although it’s winning all sorts of acclaim, “Companions to None,” a Texas documentary-maker’s unflinching look at the lives (and deaths) of Mexican street dogs, is being spurned by most networks, even Animal Planet.

The film — the first full-length documentary from Dallas-based director Bill Buchanan — was screened over the weekend at La Cineteca Nacional in Mexico City.

The documentary looks at the overpopulation of stray dogs in Mexico (they outnumber humans in some regions) and the macho culture that perpetuates it. One reason Mexicans are reluctant to sterilize their male dogs, Buchanan says, is their belief that it will make a dog “gay.”

Buchanan’s movie captures some harsh realities — from electrocution of dogs (the common method of euthanasia) to the often brutal treatment they face living on the streets.

Buchanan, according to a blog entry by the Los Angeles Times Mexico City correspondent, has faced problems finding a home for the film. Buchanan said American networks such as Animal Planet, Discovery and HBO passed on broadcasting it.

For more information about the documentary, visit its website.

Researchers at Colorado State University are studying the effectiveness of herbal supplements for dogs — sales of which are taking off, despite there not being much proof of whether they really work.

“Research has indicated that herbal supplements may be beneficial to humans, but that really doesn’t tell us anything about dogs,” said Narda Robinson, the leader of the research team. “There are a lot of people making money without any proof these products work.” Robinson said.

Not only may the products not work, she said, there is a risk they could cause gastric ulcers, kidney and liver damage, and diarrhea.

The Denver Post reported on the study Saturday, focusing on Edward a 4-year-old golden retriever who has had a bad hip since he was 6 months old. He’s one of 36 dogs participating in the trial, with half getting the herbal dose and the rest a placebo. Once a week for five weeks, Edward has visited the CSU vet teaching hospital for tests.

In search of some relief, Edward’s owner, Krystal Reagan, enrolled the retriever in the clinical trial at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences, where dogs are receiving a supplement that includes juniper, goldenrod, dandelion, meadow sweet, willow bark and cranberry.

The herbal combination being tested is marketed by RZN Nutraceuticals Inc., which is paying for the $72,000 study — but researchers say that won’t influence the results.

“We have complete scientific independence, and whatever the findings, we are going to publish them,” Robinson said.

While the results won’t be in for a while, Edward, who has always struggled to get into the car, jumped into the back seat. “Now that was a surprise,” his owner said.