Dogs

It seems so very British that an ugly row has broken out between those who say they love dogs and those who say they love dogs more. But just such a royal catfight has ensnared the country's most prestigious dog show, Crufts, which opens today here in Birmingham, a four-day extravaganza of four-legged bliss that has drawn millions of viewers to the British Broadcasting Corp. since 1966. But not this year.

The wise-cracking Chihuahua who earned millions for Taco Bell Corp. -- and some criticism from Latinos as an ethnic stereotype -- has a new slogan: "?Yo quiero mi dinero!" -- I want my money! A federal appeals court Friday ruled that Taco Bell is solely liable for $42 million in breach-of-contract awards to two Michigan men who created the diminutive mascot that starred in the Irvine fast-food giant's hit $500-million advertising campaign in the 1990s.

A Northern California biotech company announced Wednesday that it would clone dogs for the five highest bidders in a series of online auctions. Some ethicists condemned the offer, fearing it could lead to human clones. Opening bids start at $100,000 for the service being offered by Mill Valley-based BioArts International. The cloning process is to be performed by South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-suk, who scandalized the international scientific community in 2005 when his breakthrough human cloning research involving embryonic stem cells was found to have been faked.

Three mastiff breed dogs ranging from 95 to 125 pounds escaped from a Laguna Hills yard and mauled a 61-year-old woman Thursday, authorities said. The woman was taking an afternoon walk in the 25900 block of Terra Bella Avenue when the dogs attacked her, said Lt. Hal Brotheim of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Two male neighbors tried to get the dogs off the woman by hitting them with shovels, Brotheim said. The woman was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. "She was in pretty bad shape," Brotheim said.

The identity of the first puppy -- the one that the Washington press corps has been yelping about for months, the one President Obama has seemed to delight in dropping hints about -- leaked out Saturday. The little guy is a six-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. Malia and Sasha named it Bo. Bo's a handsome little guy.

In the latest sign that the NFL is trying to give Michael Vick another chance, fans can order on NFLShop.com a Philadelphia Eagles dog jersey with Vick's name written on the back. A New York Daily News reporter successfully purchased the "custom pet jersey," making it clear that Vick isn't on the league's list of words and names shoppers cannot use for customized jerseys. Fans may be worried about the message, but they shouldn't worry about their pets' safety. NFLShop.com says the dog jersey is made of "breathable polyester micromesh fabric and has a stylish and comfort-fitted V-neck cut."

Long Beach is going to the dogs. And as they knock on doors around there and in nearby Cerritos, Seal Beach and Signal Hill in an usual hunt for canine scofflaws, about the only excuse authorities haven't heard yet is that Fido ate the license notice. Animal control workers are going house-to-house in search of unlicensed dogs in what is turning into an unusual census of the area's dog population.

A Texas mayor who admitted stealing her neighbor's Shih Tzu was indicted Friday on felony charges -- a serious turn in a canine custody drama that has become the butt of jokes in the Lone Star State. Grace Saenz-Lopez, the mayor of Alice, was indicted on charges of concealing and falsifying evidence by a Jim Wells County grand jury. Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The mayor filed a report with police Jan.

The first phone call came a couple of years ago. A man was on the line, recalled Ellen Lavinthal, president of the rescue group Animal Alliance, and he said, "I have a litter of kittens. I need to get rid of them." She picked up the kittens and dropped off a voucher that would allow the owner to get the mother spayed at a low cost. Six months later, the man called back. "He said, 'I've got another litter. Are you going to come get them?' " Lavinthal did. And she dropped off another voucher.

The Los Angeles City Council voted 10 to 1 Friday to approve mandatory sterilization of most dogs and cats at the age of 4 months or older, and city officials pledged low-key enforcement driven by complaints. The ordinance must get a second reading in a week, but it is expected to pass. The measure, initiated by Councilman Richard Alarcon, offers exemptions for animals of licensed breeders, show animals and service animals.