THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Lara Peterson’s black kitten Ozzie comforted her during a violent relationship. When Ozzie was just five months old Peterson returned home from work to find his lifeless body lying on a trash bag. She believes he was killed by the man who abused her.

“What kind of message to send to somebody, to kill their cat? I mean, that’s terrifying,” said Peterson, who left her abuser six months later. She recounted her story to Minnesota legislators this week to support a bill that would extend domestic violence protections to pets.

The proposal seeks to make Minnesota the 14th state to include pets in court orders designed to protect a person from harm or harassment. Considerations can include temporary custody of children, no-contact orders and counseling or treatment requirements. (more…)

(Arkansas Democrat-Gazette file photo)

LOS ANGELES TIMES

LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of genetic mutations accumulated over thousands of years have transformed the red jungle fowl of South Asia into the domesticated chickens that are a fixture on farms — and dining tables — worldwide, according to a scientific analysis of poultry DNA published this week in the journal Nature.

Swedish and American scientists identified roughly 7.5 million genetic variations between domesticated chickens and the jungle fowl, their primary wild ancestor. Then the scientists zeroed in on a few dozen differences that seemed particularly important based on their frequent prevalence in eight distinct populations of birds raised for meat or eggs.

One of the key genetic changes was in the DNA that carries the code for the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK, Kenya — Tracking the wounded elephant to its death bed was easy for the ranger. Hit by a poison arrow, the huge mammal could only drag its hind leg, creating a wide gash across the bush.

Poachers’ footprints were all around the kill, but the hunters did not have time to remove the valuable ivory tusks before Mohamed Kamanya’s team of armed rangers arrived. Instead, the emotional task fell to the rangers, who cut off the tusks so they could not be sold.

Beginning this weekend, the international community will debate proposals from Tanzania and Zambia to allow a one-time sale of ivory to clear out stockpiles. Kenyan officials are warning that if sales are approved in neighboring countries, elephant poaching will soar. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — A 12-year-old circus zebra that caused a stir when he escaped and ran through downtown Atlanta last month has been euthanized.

A statement posted on Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey’s Web site says veterinarians were unable to repair the animal’s hooves, which were damaged when he sprinted through the city.

The zebra named Lima led his trainers and police on a 40-minute chase Feb. 19. Police eventually helped capture the animal on an interstate. (more…)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut legislative committee has sent a bill to the Senate floor that would allow police officers to seek workers’ compensation coverage for stress after using deadly force on animals.

The bill, which passed the Public Safety and Security Committee on Thursday, stems from a highly publicized incident last year when a 200-pound pet chimpanzee went on a rampage in Stamford and mauled its owner’s friend.

Officer Frank Chiafari (chee-uh-FAHR’-ee), who shot the animal, told state lawmakers how he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder because of the harrowing experience but his claim for workers’ compensation coverage was denied. (more…)