Congrats to Officials Who Rescued Birds from Alleged Cock-Fighting Operation

By state

Congratulations to local law enforcement officials, the Humane Society of the United States and the Washington County Animal Response Team for their roles i

Officers raided a home in West Pike Run Township near Daisytown last week and seized more than 100 roosters that they suspect were being groomed in the region for fights in surrounding states where lighter penalties draw more illegal activity.

HSUS officials said the operation was fairly large and the birds were loaded onto a trailer and removed from the area.

It’s hard to believe that, with casino gaming now legal and popular in Pennsylvania, some people still resort to old, barbaric types of gambling and entertainment.

Animal fighting is a felony in Pennsylvania, but there are no prohibitions on possessing the equipment used for animal fighting.

House Bill 2515 would prohibit anyone from possessing equipment or implements if they are used for animal fighting. This would put an end to major distribution rings of animal-fighting paraphernalia.

HSUS offers a reward of up $5,000 for the arrest and conviction of those involved in cockfighting. Information can be phoned in to: 1-877-TIP-HSUS.

For more information on HSUS efforts on cockfighting, click here.

Oil and Gas Safety Course Offered

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with RJR Safety Inc. to offer an eight-hour safety course for workers in the oil and gas industry.

Wayne Vanderhoof, of RJR Safety Inc., will lead the course, called AWARE, which was developed by West Virginia University along with oil and gas industry safety professionals through OSHA's Susan Harwood Training Grant.

The training is a basic safety orientation to the hazards in the local oil and gas industry covering site preparation, drilling and production, along with applicable OSHA standards. Workers must receive additional training on hazards specific to their jobs.

The course will be held Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Courtyard by Marriott, Meadowlands.

Grants Available for Energy Saving Businesses 

Small-business owners in Pennsylvania working to prevent pollution and save money can apply for a Small Business Advantage Grant through the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Businesses can apply for 50 percent matching funds of up to $9,500 to adopt or acquire energy-efficient or pollution-prevention equipment or procedures.

Applicants must be a for-profit corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer full-time employees.

The grant-supported project must be in a Pennsylvania facility owned by the applicant and must save the business at least 25 percent, plus $750 annually in energy or pollution-related expenses.

For more information, click here.