Few health woes found for 9/11 rescue dogs

Few health woes foundfor 9/11 rescue dogs
PHILADELPHIA -- Search-and-rescue dogs deployed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks suffered cuts and scrapes but no serious short-term effects from exposure to the disaster sites, according to research by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
In a three-year study published today in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Penn veterinarians found that dogs exposed to asbestos and other hazards from the New York and Washington, D.C., attacks did not suffer higher rates of cancer than dogs trained to find live victims or cadavers elsewhere.
"We don't have any evidence that we can associate [cancer] with their work at 9/11, but it's still early," said lead researcher Cynthia Otto, who teaches critical care at Penn's veterinary school.
Researchers tracked 97 dogs and their handlers deployed to the World Trade Center site, the Pentagon and the Fresh Kills Landfill site on Staten Island, where debris was further searched for human remains. These dogs were compared with a control group of search-and-rescue dogs not sent to these sites.
Hospital worker accusedof molesting new moms
WESTMINSTER, Calif. -- A hospital worker has pleaded innocent to molesting women in the maternity ward shortly after they gave birth.
Dante Arnaud, 37, is accused of fondling seven women at the Garden Grove Hospital and Medical Center. He entered his plea Tuesday.
Authorities said Arnaud, who is a lab technician, went into the women's rooms pretending to take blood samples and conducted breast and vaginal examinations.
Police allege the episodes happened two days last week and one patient complained to hospital employees, who called police.
Arnaud was arrested Friday at his home and was charged with sexual battery and sexual penetration with an object. He was being held on $1 million bail.
Anthem sing-along
MEXICO CITY -- Mexicans are setting aside their differences today, declaring a break from political bickering and fears of crime to celebrate 150 years of their national anthem by launching a worldwide rendition.
The international call to song comes as the country kicks off its annual Independence Day celebrations, and tries to mend social and political divisions that have prompted even the president himself to call for unity.
"Mexico's destiny depends today on unity, of the joining of wills to triumph in these battles and create a complete, just and inclusive country," Vicente Fox said Tuesday during a ceremony at the National Palace.
A campaign, sponsored by a nonprofit media council and endorsed by the government, has called on Mexicans -- no matter where they are -- to stop what they are doing and sing the national anthem's famous first words: "Mexicans, at the cry of battle prepare your swords and bridle; and let the earth tremble at its center at the roar of the cannon."
Fox hunters protest
LONDON -- Facing a ban on their age-old sport, enthusiasts of fox hunting rallied outside the House of Commons today in a show of defiance to lawmakers determined to outlaw the pursuit.
Several hundred protesters gathered on the grassy Parliament Square, blowing hunting horns and waving placards reading "Fight Prejudice, Fight the Ban."
"You cannot discriminate against people in this way, treat them as playthings and not expect a backlash," said Tim Bonner of the pro-hunting Countryside Alliance.
But the government appears determined. It has allowed just one day to rush the Hunting Bill through the House of Commons, and says it won't allow the House of Lords to block the legislation as it has done in the past.
Hair-raising crime
HARRISBURG -- A man has been fined and sentenced to probation for a hair-raising stunt that left a man bald.
Paul J. Goudy, 25, of Lemoyne, pleaded guilty Monday to snatching the hairpiece off the head of another man at a restaurant as part of a dare.
He was sentenced to 23 months' probation, fined $500 and ordered to write a letter of apology.
The victim, Edward Floyd, was sitting in the Fisaga restaurant in Harrisburg on Jan. 1 when Goudy ripped the hairpiece off his head, taking with it a gold chain that hung from his neck, according to court documents.
"Don't these guys have anything better to do than to rob and humiliate someone for absolutely no reason in the world? It's just outrageous," said Floyd, 60, of Harrisburg. "I'm a nice guy. I don't bother anybody."
Goudy said another man, Matthew G. Flinchbaugh, 26, of Wormleysburg, had offered him $100 to do it as a dare. Flinchbaugh is scheduled to be arraigned next month on charges of soliciting Goudy to steal the hairpiece.
Associated Press