Default Mono Sans Mono Serif Sans Serif Comic Fancy Small CapsDefault X-Small Small Medium Large X-Large XX-LargeDefault Outline Dark Outline Light Outline Dark Bold Outline Light Bold Shadow Dark Shadow Light Shadow Dark Bold Shadow Light BoldDefault Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%Default Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced Thursday charges connected to one of the most “despicable and disgusting things” he’s seen.

By WIS News 10 Staff

Published: Dec. 19, 2024 at 2:24 PM PST|Updated: 17 hours ago

NORWAY, S.C. (WIS) – Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced Thursday charges connected to one of the most “despicable and disgusting things” he’s seen in his law enforcement career.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, deputies were called Wednesday around 10 a.m. to a residence in Norway.

The news release said a woman at the residence was burning 28-year-old Desmond Brown’s clothing during what the sheriff’s office described as a domestic dispute.

Deputies said Brown then threw a puppy into the fire while the animal was still alive.

Brown denied the accusations of animal cruelty, but the sheriff’s office said investigators were “sent a video of the event which had been uploaded to social media.”

Deputies searched the property and found two stolen vehicles. They also found that the puppy was dead, a news release said.

Brown was charged with two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, one count of receiving stolen goods, ill treatment of animals and second-degree domestic violence.

If convicted on the animal cruelty charge alone, he could get jail time. His bond was denied, according to the sheriff’s office.

By Tyria Goines and Gray News staff

Published: Dec. 19, 2024 at 5:54 PM EST

(Gray News) – Public health officials are investigating two possible cases of bird flu in cats that consumed recalled raw milk.

According to a news release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the two indoor-living cats consumed a raw milk product linked to a recall of raw milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC.

After consumption, the cats reportedly showed symptoms of lack of appetite, fever and neurologic signs. The infected cats died after severe worsening of their illness and subsequently tested positive for Influenza A – a rare result in cats, officials say.

There have been no human cases of bird flu associated with exposure to these cats yet identified.

While a confirmatory test is pending in these two cases, a nationwide H5 bird flu outbreak has seen other cats infected with the virus after consuming infected raw milk.

Health officials say cats may be exposed to H5 bird flu by consuming infected birds or other animals, being in environments contaminated with the virus, and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows.

Health officials encourage residents to avoid consuming raw milk and to not feed it to their pets, including frozen raw milk products.

Symptoms of H5 bird flu infection in humans include eye redness or discharge, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, trouble breathing and fever.

Anyone who has consumed these specific recalled raw milk products and is experiencing symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider or local health department.

Karl Schneider

Indianapolis Star

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The Indiana Natural Resources Commission opened its second public comment period for the upcoming bobcat trapping season, which is set to begin next year.

The season, which has been welcomed by some and condemned by others, would allow Hoosiers to trap in 40 southern counties. Each trapper would be allowed one bobcat per season and the rule would limit the statewide season quota to 250 bobcats total.

State legislators this year passed the legislation mandating DNR establish bobcat trapping rules by July 2025.

The open comment period is the second of two, with the first ending with a public hearing in Butlerville in November.

During the November meeting, opponents argued that bobcats are crucial for ecosystem balance and current population data is not sufficient to support opening a season. Supporters at the meeting said the season is needed to protect livestock from being killed by bobcats.

Previous coverage:Trapping plan for Indiana bobcats, once listed as endangered, moving forward for 2025

Bobcats, once nearly gone from the state, have been recovering since first placed on Indiana’s endangered species list in 1969. The state removed them from the list in 2005 after reported roadkill and other mortalities increased in the early 2000s, according to a former furbearer biologist for DNR.

Indiana has about 4,000 Hoosiers holding trapping licenses, and state officials estimate half of them would apply for a bobcat permit.

How to participate

The public comment period is open through Jan. 16 when a public meeting will be held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds from 5:30-8 p.m. Hoosiers can attend the meeting in person or online.

The public meeting will be in the fairgrounds’ Scott Hall at 250 Fairgrounds Street in Franklin. The live webcast will be streaming at in.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket.

Comments can be made online at in.gov/nrc/rules/rulemaking-docket and by clicking on “Submit Comments Here” in the Rulemaking Docket for the Proposed Bobcat Amendments.

Handwritten comments can be sent to: Natural Resources Commission – Division of Hearings, Indiana Government Center North, 100 North Senate Ave. – Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

by: Trinity Velazquez

Posted: Dec 18, 2024 / 12:14 PM EST

Updated: Dec 18, 2024 / 12:24 PM EST

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BATON ROUGE, La. (WVLA) — A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., health officials said Wednesday.

The Louisiana Department of Health first reported the case of bird flu, H5N1, on Friday, saying a resident from the southwestern portion of the state had been hospitalized after exposure to sick and dead birds suspected of having the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Wednesday that this is the first severe illness among humans.

Previous illnesses in the U.S. had been mild and the vast majority had been among farmworkers exposed to sick poultry or dairy cows.

“While the current public health risk for the general public is low, people who work with birds, poultry or cows, or have recreational exposure to them, are at higher risk,” Louisiana health officials said.

H5N1 is a virus that causes severe respiratory illness in birds. Outbreaks in wild birds and poultry have been reported since 2022 in the U.S. This year, more than 60 bird flu infections have been reported, more than half of them in California. In two — an adult in Missouri and a child in California — health officials have not determined how they caught it.

No human-to-human transmission has occurred in the U.S.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family from H5N1 is to avoid sources of exposure. That means avoiding direct contact with wild birds and other animals infected with or suspected to be infected with bird flu viruses,” LDH said.

To reduce your risk of becoming ill, health officials recommend staying away from sick or dead birds or animals, and avoiding raw or unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals. All poultry, eggs, and animal products should be cooked thoroughly.

If you develop respiratory issues or eye irritation within 10 days of being around potentially ill birds or animals, you should inform your doctor.

Health officials said dead or sick birds or animals can be reported to the USDA toll-free at 1-866-536-7593.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.