District of Columbia Animal Watch

These were among cases handled by the Washington Humane Society. The society operates its shelter at 7319 Georgia Ave. NW and the District's at 1201 New York Ave. NE. For information or assistance, 24 hours a day, call 202-723-5730 or visit http://www.washhumane.org.

Fishhooks Are for Fish

M ST. NW, 100 block, May 12. Two D.C. police officers on foot patrol noticed a man walking a young pit bull that had a swollen lip. A Humane Society officer responded to the call and found that the puppy had a fishhook caught in its lip. The officer issued a notice to the owner to have the dog seen by a veterinarian immediately, and two hours later, a veterinarian removed the hook.

Checking on a Box Turtle

NORTH CAPITOL ST. NE, 2900 block, May 19. A Humane Society officer assisting FBI agents in a search warrant observed a box turtle loose in the home. Although the reptile appeared to be in good health, the officers discussed proper care of box turtles with the owner.

Abandoned Pit Bull Rescued

XENIA ST. SE, 800 block, May 14. Investigating a call, a Humane Society officer found a pit bull tied on a short chain without water or shelter in the back of a vacant house. The area immediately surrounding the dog was filthy. The officer left a notice for the owner to contact the society. The officer returned the next day after not hearing from the owner and found the conditions unchanged. The dog was removed from the property to protect its safety.

Ducklings Short of the Stadium

East Capitol St. SE, 2400 block. May 13. Visitors at RFK Stadium called animal control about a group of ducklings trapped in a sewer drain. Officers removed the ducklings and captured the mother duck, which was waiting nearby. The family was released in a nearby creek.

Deer Trapped at Pump Station

O ST. SE, 100 block, May 13. Employees at a wastewater pumping facility called animal control about a deer that had entered through an open gate and had become trapped. The deer was trying to jump a high fence and was at risk of injuring itself. Animal control officers tranquilized the deer and relocated it to a safer area.

Stray Pit Bull Is Treated

NEW YORK AVE. NE, 1200 block. A 7-month-old pit bull terrier mix was found asleep in the yard of a residence. It was suffering from several puncture wounds and lacerations around its neck. An animal control officer picked it up, and it was treated by a veterinarian and made available for adoption.

The following were among cases handled by the Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Oglethorpe St. NW. For information, call 202-726-2556 or visit http://www.warl.org.

Cat Injured in Fight

GALLATIN ST. NW, 200 block, May 20. A woman took her 3-year-old cat to the league's medical center because it had been injured in a catfight outdoors. The cat was suffering from an eye injury, a fever and bite wounds on its front legs, shoulders and face. Veterinarians treated the wounds and sent the cat home with cream for the eye injury. The woman was advised to keep her cat indoors.

Pit Bulls Get Free Clinic

OGLETHORPE ST. NW, 1-100 block, May 19. The league's medical center spayed and neutered eight pit bulls and pit bull mixes during a free clinic. The league has offered several of these clinics to help control the pit bull population. About 85 percent of calls the league receives are from owners who want to surrender a pit bull. Only one in 600 pit bulls in shelters nationwide is adopted. The next pit bull spay, neuter and vaccination clinic will be June 23.

Seminar Prepares Dog Owners

A certified Washington Animal Rescue League trainer will discuss house training, home-alone training, socialization, basic obedience and enrichment for a newly adopted dog from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the league, 71 Oglethorpe St. NW. Information is available from 202-726-2556, Ext. 236, or training@warl.org.

-- Compiled by RIA MANGLAPUS