This is a news release from the Humane Society of Utah.

The Humane Society of Utah is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the blowgun attacks on a family cat as well a duck in the town of Salem, Utah on Friday, March 18.

Salem police say each animal was shot with 4 inch darts from a blowgun. The fatal attack on the cat occurred on the owners? property while the assault on the duck took place at a nearby public pond.

Utah's animal cruelty/torture law carries a maximum fine of $5,000 and those convicted of such crimes can face sentences of up to 5 years in prison.

Anyone with information regarding the shootings should contact Sgt. Brad Bishop with the Salem police department at 801-423-2313 or Humane Society of Utah Animal Cruelty Investigator John Fox at 801-261-2919

THE FOLLOWING WAS PROVIDED BY THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Utah's Winter Inversions Take Toll On People with Asthma

 

(Salt Lake City, UT) - In an effort to understand Utah's infamous temperature inversions and how they impact people with asthma, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and its partners analyzed changes in pollution levels during winter inversions (2006-2008) and correlations with asthma-related visits to emergency departments (EDs) in Salt Lake County.

 

Major findings of the analysis by the UDOH Asthma and Environmental Epidemiology Programs, the National Weather Service, and other partners included:

  No association was found between PM2.5 pollutants and ED visits for asthma, including up to three days after exposure.

  PM2.5 pollutant levels are generally higher during inversions, but tend to exceed EPA standards primarily during inversions lasting 3-4 days or longer.

  People with asthma are 42% more likely to go to an ED during the 5th-7th days of a continuous inversion compared to days with no inversion.

 

The Humane Society of Utah experienced a one day record for adoptions during the 50th Anniversary Celebration and Adopt-A-Thon this past Saturday, August 28.  A total of 117 animals found new homes during the day long celebration, far exceeding the goal of 50 adoptions on HSU’s 50th Anniversary.

“This will be remembered as one of the greatest days in the 50 year history of the Humane Society of Utah,” according to Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt who also revealed plans aimed at possibly expanding and remodeling the current shelter to create a better environment for cats.

 “Much of the credit for this successful event, “ continues Baierschmidt, “goes to the the dedicated people on our adoption, outreach and volunteer staffs...not to mention everyone who came to the Humane Society and went home with a new pet.”

Even with the record number of adoptions this past Saturday, Baierschmidt is mindful of all the animals still waiting for their forever h