ohmidog!

First the New York Post reported that the city health department had called an end to the annual tradition of Westminster’s winner enjoying a lunch at Sardi’s.

Then the New York Times reported, the same day, that the celebratory meal for Westminster’s Best in Show would be allowed to continue.

Who’s a dog to believe?

After this year’s best in show winner, a Pekingese named Malachy, enjoyed a lunch of chicken and rice, served on a silver platter, word came down from the city health department Wednesday — which apparently had somehow not noticed the annual tradition, despite all the pomp and publicity accompanying it, during the previous 30 years.

Starting next year, the health department said, Sardi’s could no longer invite Westminster’s winner to a meal, except maybe to go. “We can’t be expected to just roll over for the champ. Our primary concern is making sure people and pets follow the doggone rules — ideally without whining or begging,” said city Health Department spokesman John Kelly.

His bad quips did little to appease those upset with the ruling.

Restaurant owner Max Klimavicius pointed out that his special guest was served in a private room on the second floor and said he was sorry to see the ritual end, according to the Post.

Then came word from the Times that the Health Department had discovered a loophole: It’s okay if the department’s commissioner signs a waiver.

(I suggest every New York dog owner request one, today.)

The department said a waiver would be granted to Westminster’s winners in coming years.

Two eastern Pennsylvania kennel operators shot and killed 80 of their dogs, rather than comply with orders to have their animals examined by veterinarians, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.

And because of a loophole in state law, neither will be punished for the mass extermination.

Elmer Zimmerman, of Kutztown, shot 70 dogs after a July 24 inspection; his brother Ammon Zimmerman, who operates a kennel next door, shot 10 dogs, officials of the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement said.

Wardens had ordered 39 dogs checked for flea and fly bites. They also issued citations for extreme heat, insufficient bedding and floors dogs’ feet could fall through.

Elmer Zimmerman told The Philadelphia Inquirer he feared the state was trying to close his kennel: “They were old, and we were hearing that they don’t want kennels anymore,” he said. “The best thing to do was get rid of them.”

Ammon Zimmerman told a reporter the decision to destroy the dogs was “none of your business.”

Pennsylvania law allows owners to put dogs down by shooting them.

A bill in the state legislature, backed by Gov. Ed Rendell, would allow only veterinarians to euthanize dogs in commercial kennels.

“It’s horrible, but it’s legal,” Jessie Smith, special deputy secretary of the dog-law bureau, said of the shootings. “That someone would shoot 70 dogs rather than spend money to do a vet check is extremely problematic.”

Both men surrendered their kennel licenses. Elmer Zimmerman pleaded guilty to four charges of violating the dog law, Smith said.