Animal Roundup

The dead whale in Half Moon Bay still hasn't exploded. Breathe easy, folks, the threat of that has now apparently passed. There's now a turf war over whether the Harbor District (who takes the sea) or San Mateo Parks and Rec (who takes the land) is responsible for getting the rotting carcass off the beach. Meanwhile, a shark research foundation has gotten permission to cut off some of the whale's blubber to use as shark bait.

Dude, you're bumming if your dog bites a politician's dog. Burlingame city counselman Paul Prendiville is trying to get a lab-pit mix off his block after it attacked his shih-tzu. The shih-tzu's eye was pulled out of its socket, but has since been resewn back in. The owner has agreed to pay the vet bill and neuter the dog, but Prendiville wants the dog off the block entirely. Prendiville told the press, "I'm grateful that my dog is Catholic and he survived." (...?) Well, we're glad the shih-tzu survived too, no matter what form its Lord takes!

....and okay, this isn't really animal-related but hey, the witness's name is Dog! Close enough! A dump truck carrying 20 tons of dirt lost control and ran into an "adult video arcade" on Sixth and Mission in San Francisco at about 9 a.m. this morning, narrowly missing three patrons (getting an early start on the day there, guys!). Store clerk Jersey Dog said one patron was pinned against the wall but he and the other two patrons were otherwise okay. Interestingly, about a year and a half ago, the adult bookstore across the street was also hit by a runaway vehicle (a 14 Mission bus).

Picture of dead whale by Judith Calson of the SJ Merc News