Technology

Stuttering in two-year-olds: eating until you stutter

Stuttering in two-year-olds is largely attributed to child development. Stuttering is a common occurrence among children 2 to 5 years of age and should last 5 to 6 months. About 60 percent of children who stutter suffer from simple fluency and will recover in due time. Those whose stuttering persists after a long period should undergo speech therapy to correct this problem.

There are numerous factors that contribute to childhood stuttering. The usual suspects are genes (if a parent stutters, the child is likely to stutter as well), gender (boys are more likely to stutter than girls), and stress (a sudden change in a child’s life , such as the birth of a new baby in the family can cause stuttering). Few people are aware that stuttering can also be triggered by the food they eat. Just as it can be induced by some medications, stuttering can be triggered by food ingredients. According to studies, chemicals found in some processed foods may be the reason(s) behind the development of childhood stuttering. These chemicals include:

nitrates

Commonly used as condoms, nitrates play a role in delaying the development of children. Since stuttering in two-year-olds is a manifestation of a developmental disorder, processed foods such as sausages, hams, and other deli meats should be avoided.

salicylates

Salicylates are found in plant foods and are used in the production of medicines, preservatives, and flavorings. Parents have reported incidents of stuttering in children that worsen after the consumption of certain fruits or vegetables and other foods that contain salicylates.

sulphites

Sulfites are used as preservatives in many processed foods. According to some parents, stuttering in two-year-olds worsened after consuming foods containing sulfites, such as hot dogs and bacon. When sulfites were removed from the diet, the stuttering ceased.

Benzoates in medications

Benzoates in medications such as those used for cough and asthma have been found to increase stuttering in two-year-olds and other young children. Parents also report that children become sluggish, withdrawn, and uncharacteristically quiet while taking these medications. Normal behavior and speech return after they stop taking the benzoate-containing medicines.

Although many parents report that their children’s stuttering was triggered or aggravated by certain foods or food chemicals such as dairy, wheat, nitrates, and salicylates, the current medical literature does not confirm this. The effects of such food components also vary with each individual. Consuming the chemicals mentioned above can lead to stuttering in two-year-olds and worsen a child’s behavior, as confirmed by some parents. Therefore, to avoid this, it is recommended to eliminate food or chemical triggers in food from the child’s diet.

Gaming

Stake Online Casino Review

Online Casino Review

Stake has been one of the most reputable online casinos around for quite some time, and it’s definitely earned its reputation as an industry leader. The casino accepts a wide variety of different cryptos and is provably fair, so there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to gambling here. The site also offers a decent loyalty scheme and some good welcome bonuses.

The casino is available in a variety of languages, and the website itself is easy to navigate. There’s a lot of information on offer, from an FAQ section to a full help centre. Stake also has a blog where players can find interesting articles and useful tips.

There’s a large selection of slots on offer at stake online casino, with titles from a number of big-name developers. The collection includes the likes of Betsoft, Big Time Gaming, Yggdrasil Gaming, Microgaming, Thunderkick, and more. All of the games are grouped together in their respective categories, so finding the right ones to play is really easy.

Stake Online Casino Review

Table games are also a major feature of this casino, with everything from Baccarat to Roulette and Blackjack all available. Those who prefer to bet on sports can take advantage of the full Stake Sportsbook, which is one of the best out there. The website also features a dedicated Live Casino, and there are regular races that players can participate in to win a variety of prizes.

Depositing and withdrawing are quick and easy at Stake, with most deposits appearing in a matter of minutes. Withdrawals can take a little longer, but that’s to be expected when you’re dealing with cryptocurrency. You’ll have to provide the standard bank account details and verification documents, but all of the transactions are encrypted, so your data is safe and sound.

Stake is fully licensed by Curacao and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, making it a legitimate casino that can be trusted. The site is also regularly audited to ensure all of its processes are working properly. In addition to these licensing arrangements, the site offers an excellent loyalty program and a secure website that uses SSL encryption to keep player data protected at all times.

Stake is a great option for anyone looking to make a deposit in any cryptocurrency, and there are many reasons why it’s worth checking out the site for yourself. The site has some nice features, including a provably fair Crash game inspired by the volatility of coins like Bitcoin. This is a fast-paced, exciting game that can be very rewarding if you guess when the multiplier will crash. The website is fully mobile-friendly, and the games load well on most devices.

Business

Atomstack A20 Pro Review – Is the Atomstack A20 Pro Any Good?

Atomstack A20 Pro Review

The atomstack a20 pro is the latest model from a company that specializes in laser engraving and cutting machines. This machine is designed to be an affordable and versatile tool that can be used by anyone, from students to home hobbyists. It’s compatible with most design formats and can be controlled using a smartphone through an app. In addition, it supports offline engraving, making it even more useful.

The new atomstack A20 Pro has been improved in many ways. It now features an upgraded motherboard chip and a built-in 256bit color scale. This means that it can create more detailed and precise work. In addition, it’s more stable than a zoom laser and doesn’t require focus adjustment before every engraving. Furthermore, it has precise scale lines on the X and Y axes for quick measurement, as well as a 400x400mm large-area engraving interval.

Another feature that makes the Atomstack A20 Pro stand out from other laser cutters is its ability to cut through a wide variety of materials. It can work on wood, plastic, acrylic, and leather, among others. It also has a powerful air assist accessory that ensures precise and accurate cuts and engravings. And because it’s an affordable and easy-to-use laser cutter, the atomstack a20 pro makes a great choice for DIYers and small businesses alike.

Atomstack A20 Pro Review – Is the Atomstack A20 Pro Any Good?

It’s important to note that the atomstack a20 is less powerful than the xTool D1 in terms of power. However, it’s still an excellent option for those looking for a powerful laser cutter. The atomicstack a20 pro has an impressive build area and can easily handle most projects. It can also work on a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and glass. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with an enclosure, so you’ll need to find a separate place to store it.

In addition to its high-quality performance, the atomstack a20 has a number of other noteworthy features that make it a great choice for DIYers and small business owners. It’s compatible with most popular file formats, has a built-in panel that supports offline working, and is very easy to use. It’s also compatible with most engraving software programs, so you can customize it to your liking.

With the help of the atomstack a20, you can get started with laser engraving and cutting right away. This machine is ideal for small businesses and hobbyists alike, and it can cut through a wide range of materials. The air-assist accessory ensures that your work is clean and precise, and the 20W laser power provides ample power to work on a variety of materials. The atomstack a20 Pro is available now from CAFAGO, where you can get the best price and free shipping from Germany. So don’t wait any longer – get yours today!

Business

Business Accounting Software

Accounting is a system of collecting, summarizing, analyzing and reporting, in monetary terms, information about an organization. The end product of business accounting software is financial statements consisting of the balance sheet, profit and loss account, and statement of changes in financial position. These statements are therefore the source of information from which conclusions about a company’s operations can be drawn. The analysis and interpretation of the financial statements would depend on the nature and type of information available.

When talking about business accounting software, the balance sheet is an important financial statement of a company. In fact, it is called a fundamental accounting report. Other terms to describe this financial statement are statement of financial position or statement of position. As the name suggests, the balance sheet provides information about the financial situation/position of a company at a certain point in time. It can be viewed as a snapshot of a company’s financial status. The financial position of the company is valid for a single day, the reference day. On a previous or following day, it is bound to be different.

The financial position of a company as revealed by the balance sheet refers to its resources and liabilities and the interest of its owners in the business. In operational terms, the balance sheet contains information regarding assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. It can be submitted in either of two forms: account form or report form. It usually comes in the form of an account. On the report form, a balance sheet is prepared step by step, listing assets at the top, followed by liabilities and owners’ equity. The content of the balance sheet, in whatever form it is presented, consists of the company’s assets and the means by which they have been financed, that is, the liabilities and the owners’ equity.

Digital Marketing

Inside the mind of a stock library image editor

If you submitted stock and your images were rejected, but you felt you were not given a satisfactory explanation or the reasons were unfair, then this article is for you.

I work as an art director and photo editor for an archival library and can give you direct access to the thinking behind why we reject images and what we look for in photographer submissions.

Yes, there are the usual things that we look for and that any other article will tell you, composition, good models, good lighting, etc. etc but these are so general that they don’t really address the nitty-gritty of what makes or breaks a photo.

We see thousands of images, so for us a well-crafted photo will stand out and is ultimately what we want to see. We sell images for all price levels, from microstock to high end ready rights, so obviously we have different criteria, but aside from the market the image was intended for, there are many similarities in what will make us want to take a photo. in all fields.

travel photos – Many amateur photographers upload images that could be interpreted as a little “fast”. Take your camera on vacation as we always need good travel photos, but be careful not to get carried away. What might look good in your photo album might not be suitable for commercial sales. We can only take pictures posted by models, so be careful not to involve passersby in the shot and focus on getting some strong scenery or landmarks that sum up the location. For example, if you’re in Paris, take some iconic Parisian photos but do it in a way that doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen before. Experiment with different angles and times of the day, get up early and enjoy the beautiful sunrise sunlight shining on the Eiffel Tower. There will be fewer tourists and you will be able to enjoy the city to yourself. Another thing, I see beautiful panoramic shots of beaches and lakes, but there is something in the foreground that is away from the main image. Watch out for branches, poles, trees, etc., which can look heavy or distracting in close-up and get in the way of a great shot. Finally, remember to take notes on the location each photo was taken so you can add it as a caption when you upload your image. This information is vital if you want your image to be as sellable as possible, as travel companies often need to illustrate a particular location and this is where the information will come in handy when the customer is searching.

studio shots – It seems that many microstock photographers are more comfortable shooting against a white background. I always encourage photographers to challenge themselves and try something new. Even if it’s just a nice gray or beige background, try to mix it up. Stock libraries are saturated with blank microstock images, so try to stand out from the crowd. Shooting outdoors is always a good option, especially in summer, with good light in the early morning or early evening.

If you’re shooting still life, I can’t stress enough the importance of good, clean accessories. First of all, start with a solid concept. If you don’t know what your image is trying to say, then it won’t sell very well. Write down the concepts you want to convey and think about which customer could buy the image. If you’re not sure about the concepts, check out some images in an archive library and see what keywords they’ve used. This will give you an idea of ​​concepts and themes. Since all the focus is on the prop, it must be in top condition and the lighting must work well. Avoid strong shadows and keep angles simple. Experiment with crops, but if the best angle is right, stick with that. Try to imagine a client using your image in a magazine or as an advertisement and how would it work, is it worth leaving space for text?

If you are photographing food, I would say this is one of the most difficult subjects to photograph and would advise looking at images on food/recipe websites to get an idea of ​​the standard to which you should aim. Many food photographers use a food stylist to make food look appealing, but you may not have this luxury. Stick to using raw foods and ingredients that are generally easier to make right. If you use fruits or vegetables, make sure they are unmarked and of the highest quality. If you shoot fruit that isn’t ripe, or worse, overripe, most of the time it will be rejected. Lastly, if you add accessories like tableware or table decorations, make sure they don’t detract from the setting of the meal. Style is the key, get it right and you’ll have a winner.

Lifestyle – I believe that taking a great lifestyle photo is a specialized skill and a great achievement. Many photographers who haven’t ventured into stock may scoff, but the reality is that a good salable stock image demands not only talent but also good pre-production and planning skills. Models must be chosen carefully. If you are using friends or family as models, this can be great for certain “natural” looking images, but if you want to photograph a woman who works from home, it may be beneficial to use an experienced model who will look great up close. Look for good skin, pretty hair (no bright colors), and soft hands and nails. Models must be aspirational, they are the key to making your business image and earning money. Remember that you are selling a lifestyle with your image, make the viewer want to buy.

Business – Again, style is key here. Remember that you don’t always have to put your models in full costumes. Smart casual is also a good seller and more popular right now with buyers. The emphasis is on well-fitting outfits that are well-pressed, look up-to-date, and appropriate for the setting you’re using for your location. Working from home is a great topic to cover, but remember if you’re using your own home to make sure it’s in top shape and all unnecessary parts are sorted and replaced with carefully chosen accessories. If you’re shooting in a studio, be careful that the image doesn’t look too basic, especially if you’ve chosen a white background. Studio shots are good for conveying concepts, but they still need to be well underpinned and look as natural as possible. Keep in mind the three concepts you want to convey eg teamwork, bonding, communication and make sure each shot is relevant and clearly conveys what you are trying to convey.

I have mentioned a couple of times the importance of keywords, concepts and themes. In my next article, I’ll go into more detail and explain how you can use them effectively to give your images the best selling opportunity.

For now though, happy shooting! Remember that all photographers started somewhere and there is plenty of time to grow and develop all the skills you need to become a great photographer.

Relationship

Trekking – Travel to Find Yourself

ICE (information, communication and entertainment) Age brings good times, fostering global socialization, defying time differences. As a result, individuality, honesty, a non-judgmental approach, expression and exploration are the beautiful conclusions. We are growing fearlessly, the right way. Say hello to the ‘global’ ‘YOLO’ generation who believe in You Only Live Once! Challenge and not age is the identifier here. Quite rightly, adventure activities are ‘the’ main friend, philosopher and guide of these adventure enthusiasts. By helping us get closer to nature and, in turn, to life, adventure activities instill the values ​​of adjustment and coexistence. Trekking is the starting point of this autoconclave on a physical, mental and emotional level. Fitness is a beautiful side effect of this.

What is a walk?

A hike is a combination of walking and walking across terrain with varied ascents and descents punctuating it. From day trips to multi-day trips, trek patches are remote or rural areas, inaccessible via transportation. Going unreachable is exactly the force of attraction for hikers.

Why is the ‘YOLO’ Generation taking risks?

The excitement of seeing the challenging but untouched and beautiful lands, ‘enjoying’ the glories of the day and the fears of the night, ‘discovering’ your abilities, appreciating human connection and help, learning the magnitude and magnanimity of the Mother Nature, graduating its thresholds and endorsing ‘you only live once’, trekking is inherently addictive. Taking calculated physical risks opens your mental limits and balances you emotionally. Fitness is a beautiful side effect here. Clarity as a person helps you deal with life on all levels, both personal and professional. You understand the higher the risk, the better the returns. That’s why we see excellence redefined in relationships, humanity, art, science, and commerce!

Who can walk?

Depending on the physical characteristics of the terrain and the weather, a hike has three levels: easy, moderate, difficult. Opt for a degree based on your experience and ability to cope. Children up to 12 years of age or those who are physically weaker should ideally start with easy walks. Those who are fit and get out first can start right from the moderate level. Your adventure professional is the best guide here as it is all about your overall health. Going wrong here is not worth the risk.

Who should you walk with?

Well, obviously friends or the people you can hang out with without strings attached. Scheduling the trip, complying with the schedule, acclimatizing, boosting morale (very important, because at one point you feel like giving up) and preparing for unforeseen situations such as injuries, adverse weather, are some of the essential elements of trekking. With a high-grade prep investment involved, it’s surely best to pack it with an adventure pro. Just focus on inventing yourself. Open. You are about to change forever. Just have the ‘courage’ to let yourself go and find out how amazing you are!

Health Fitness

Kahlua Oat Chip Cookies Recipe

We have summarized the basic information for this recipe below. I think you will find it quite easy to do which means even a novice can pull it off. All ingredients are readily available in most US and international grocery or bakery stores.

Serving Size: 4 dozen cookies

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Calories per serving: 135

Grams of fat per serving: 4

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Kahlua Coffee Liqueur

3/4 cup softened butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 1/4 cups all-purpose white baking flour

1 teaspoon liquid vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups caramel chips

3 cups uncooked rolled oats

1/2 teaspoon table salt

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground cinnamon

2 whole eggs

Instructions for preparation:

1. First you will need to preheat your oven to 375°F or 190°C.

2. In a large bowl, mix together the white granulated sugar, softened butter, and light brown sugar. Stirring can be done manually or with an electric mixer.

3. Stir whole eggs, liquid vanilla extract, and Kahlua coffee liqueur into your cookie dough.

4. Using a separate mixing bowl, mix together the white baking flour, baking soda, fresh ground cinnamon, and table salt.

5. Gradually add sifted ingredients to shortbread cookie dough.

6. Stir raw rolled oats and caramel sprinkles into batter.

7. Drop large dollops of the delicious cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Don’t forget to let the kids try some raw cookie dough.

8. Bake each batch of cookies for approximately 10 minutes or until cookies are golden brown.

9. Let cookies cool in wire wrap before serving.

If you’re interested in trying variations on this same recipe, simply swap out the Kahlua Coffee Liqueur with Baileys Irish Cream, Amarula Cream Liqueur, Carolans Irish Cream, Saint Brendan’s, or any flavored liqueur of your choice. I should also mention that the recipe is very flexible, so feel free to play around with the liquor depending on how strong you want that particular flavor note to be. As for the caramel chips, they can be substituted for white or milk chocolate chips.

We hope you enjoyed this great recipe.

Legal Law

What is a personal injury case? a brief review

It is very difficult for most lawyers to explain in simple language the intricacies of the cases and the law. The reason for this is that there is nothing simple or easy about the law. Most of us lawyers spent 3-4 years in law school learning law and earned a Juris Doctor degree. After law school, we had to pass a comprehensive bar exam, as well as a moral character exam, to be licensed to practice law. It doesn’t stop there; then we have to complete Mandatory Continuing Legal Education and continually keep up to date on new changes in the law to stay on top of our game, this is why it is so important to hire a competent lawyer if you have a case. Do not try to practice law on your own. This will be the subject of a future article.

I will try to give a brief description of what a personal injury case typically consists of, in plain language. I could write a book on the subject. Maybe one day I will. However, the purpose of this article is to give a brief synopsis of what a personal injury case is.

A personal injury case is known in law as a tort. A personal injury case for someone who is not a lawyer may seem like a simple proposition; however nothing in the law is simple.

Obviously, a personal injury case must involve someone or an injured entity. A personal injury case could involve physical, emotional, reputational, privacy, business, and other injuries. So the term personal injury is itself a bit misleading.

There are three main types of personal injury cases; (1) Intentional personal injury cases caused by the intentional acts of others or entities; (2) Personal injury caused by the negligence of others or entities; and (3) Strict Liability Personal Injury Cases caused by products that have a manufacturing defect or a design defect.

The basic principle of a personal injury case is that a person or entity must have done something, to a person or entity, that causes harm to a person or entity, and for which the other person is legally responsible.

The basic elements of a personal injury case are: (1) Liability (a person or entity is legally responsible for causing harm to a person or entity); (2) a person or entity suffered harm as a result of the damage; and (3) There is no legal excuse for the person or entity causing the damage. In the coming months, I will try to write detailed articles on each element of a personal injury case, but that is not the purpose of this article.

There can be two or more parties to a personal injury case depending on how many people or entities are involved. The injured person or entity is called the Plaintiff. The person or entity that is being sued for the damage is called the Defendant.

Many times, a defendant or the defendants may have insurance that will pay for the damage they caused.

If you feel you have been harmed by an intentional act of a person or entity, by someone else’s negligence, or by a product defect, don’t waste time, call an attorney to find out if you have a viable case and to obtain legal representation. . There is a saying: “Only a fool has himself as a client.” This will be the subject of another article.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., Copyright 2006

Shopping Product Reviews

Digital transformation is about people, not technology

According to an article published in The Economist, “the infusion of data-enabled services into more and more aspects of life” will be the most obvious consequence of the long-lasting Covid-19 pandemic. Digital transformation is expected to become more important for companies in the future, very soon.

A 2019 survey of CEOs, directors, and some senior executives found that their top concern was risk related to digital transformation. However, 70% of their initiatives towards this motion failed to meet their goals. Of the whopping $1.3 trillion spent on the new efforts in 2019, unfortunately, $900 billion was wasted.

Because?

Fundamentally, digital transformation teams fail, despite the potential for growth and efficiency gains, as people lack the mindset for change. With faulty organizational practices, it is extremely difficult to completely transform. Also, digitizing would magnify the flaws, just to make them appear larger.

What is Digital Transformation?

When you bring a new system into an organization, it’s obvious that you get a little hyperactive with implementation plans, specification, and counting.

Digital change is one of the most critical processes today, ensuring organizations are relevant and profitable in this competitive marketplace.

The process involves integrating innovative technologies and services into existing business practices and streamlining operations. The idea is to improve and add more value to the final product. This involves adding new tools and applications, storing data, recording information, and many new techniques.

That is, of course, the digital aspect of things. But if you stop to think, we’re talking about “transformation,” which means introducing innovative ways of working with your existing team.

Hard, right!

Anyone would be willing to buy a new set of digital suites with the latest tools, but who would run it? The key here is to ensure that the talent, or people, on board and the culture of the company are prepared to adapt. A successful transformation is change management, and only people can make it happen.

Involve your team

Any change is difficult. If you want to make major changes to your organization, you need to make sure everyone is with you, not just your leadership team. Yes, you can’t let the team make important decisions for the organization, but involving your team in a process can yield better results.

A McKinsey study showed that while 84% of CEOs are engaged in major transformational changes, only 45% of frontline employees agree. Obviously, connecting the dots is a major obstacle to implementing a successful strategy.

There are many ways to achieve this:

• Receive feedback from the team on the changes you implemented

• Keep your team on top of the implementation strategy

• Incentivize the team with internal marketing to convince the most reluctant team member of the new technology.

The transformation to the digital landscape can potentially be beneficial for an organization, but only if all team members agree and accept the change. Make sure you have a positive digital transformation team that understands why adopting new technologies and their benefits is important.

Invest and train your team

Digitization would have obstacles. Some of the team members may not be as tech-savvy as others. However, you cannot leave them behind. To get them to that level requires a lot of training to help them adapt to the latest technologies and tools.

Remember, people also have different ways of learning and the speeds may differ. For example, some team members can grasp the concept in a demo session, while others may need several days of training to get familiar with the new technology.

Experiment with various training materials, such as online courses and hands-on learning, and give them the flexibility to choose how they want to learn.

It can take some time to learn how to use new technology for best results, especially for team members who aren’t naturally tech-savvy. Investing in training is a surefire way to take advantage of this transformation.

The digital transformation framework does not change everything

The digital transformation framework is not about changing everything at once.

When you start to transform the business, letting go is easy. However, it is essential to know the technologies to adopt. You can consider the one that employees would find easiest to implement and be selective in choosing the best way.

All that shines is not better. When you plan to transform your business processes digitally, it is only to simplify the work process and make it easier for your team members. So don’t complicate it. If you have any questions about the changes, please check with your frontline staff.

For example, if you want to adopt a new platform for online communication, but can’t decide between Zoom, Teams, and Slack, ask your staff and get their input.

Expand your vision

Don’t be myopic when it comes to a big transformation. Digital transformation services aim to simplify and improve life. A successful transformation strategy is to introduce new changes to the business to make it more efficient and reduce the workload on employees.

If executed correctly, such a digital revolution can lead to better work practices, increase customer value, and reduce the workload for the team. If your digital move doesn’t tick all the boxes, something is wrong.

Bring the change from above

The concept of rebasing is intuitive. However, in reality, change is more likely to occur if it is driven directly from above. Again, that does not indicate a hierarchical or autocratic structure or a culture that breeds fear. It simply involves leadership, both transformational and transactional.

When it comes to digital change, the main implication is that no major change or even organizational upgrade is possible unless you select and develop top leaders to start with. It’s abundantly clear that leadership, both good and bad, flows down to affect all aspects of an organization. The most important factor that determines the effectiveness of an organization’s transformation is the CEO or top leader of an organization. Of course, the industry, culture, context, heritage, people, and actual technology matter, as do other resources.

However, these things are too similar among competitors, while the values, mindset, integrity, and competence of most senior leaders stand out as the main differentiating factor. It goes without saying that in an organization you can imitate everything, but not talent. So invest in top talent for the biggest impact, which is exactly where you’ll get the most value.

final thoughts

Technology is all about doing much more with minimal resources, yet the arrangement is effective only when technology is combined with the best human skills. Like the technological disruption leading to automation and eliminating obsolete jobs, it has created more jobs. Precisely for this reason, innovation is also called ‘creative destruction’. Any creative facet of innovation depends on people. So leveraging human adaptability to upskill and reskill the workforce can augment technology and humans simultaneously. Simply put: a brilliant innovation would be irrelevant if we don’t have enough skilled labor to implement it, and the most inspiring human minds would be less useful if they aren’t connected to technology. The core stake is: When leaders want to invest in new technology, they should consider investing in people who make the technology useful.

Sports

Ear Cropping Laws in the State of Pennsylvania

In January 2009, the Pennsylvania House passed a law on what supporters of the law call cruelty to animals. This law was a knee-jerk reaction to the murder of 80 dogs by Ammon and Elmer Zimmerman, breeders in Berks County, Pennsylvania. At that time it was perfectly legal to kill your dog in Pennsylvania. Instead of addressing this issue, the House focused on the “cruelty problem.”

This alleged cruelty comes from docking the tails and dew claws and cropping the ears of Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, and any other dog that is recognized for these characteristics. These particular breed characteristics are what the American Kennel Club considers to be breed standard characteristics. In other words, when a Doberman is shown, the dog is expected to meet the required standards, including pricked ears, a docked tail, and no dew claws.

You can certainly show a Doberman or other breed that is not clipped and amputated, but the dog will not make a very successful show champion. Winning dog shows is breeders’ way of demonstrating the value of their livestock and maintaining the integrity of the breed. Champion dogs guarantee the care and quality of the lines of the breed. Until the American Kennel Club adjusts its standards, this new law will cause a lot of grievances in the ring.

The basis of the law states that any dog ​​owner must be able to prove that the ear cropping and the removal of tails and dew claws were performed by a veterinarian. Therefore, if you are walking down the street and a humane society officer or animal cruelty officer sees your Doberman or Boxer with cropped ears and a docked tail, you may be given a summary offense, unless have a certificate stating that a veterinarian did the work. If the farm/dock was done before this law went into effect, you must show a certificate from your county treasurer stating so. In Pennsylvania, you have to pay $1.00 for this certificate.

There are several problems with this new law. It is not clear how he will handle himself if he has a cut or amputated dog that he got from a rescue or shelter. There is likely to be no document available indicating when the procedure was performed or whether it was performed by a veterinarian. The law states that you will not be fined if dew tails and claws are done within 5 days of birth. If an animal cruelty officer or a humane society officer sees the puppy before it heals, that is considered evidence of a violation of the law. If the breeder is going to do dewtails and dewclaws, records should be kept. The law does not specify what type of registration or what is necessary to be exempt from being charged with a summary offense.

Instead of addressing the real issues, politicians looking for headlines and photos decided to go after innocent hobbyist breeders and non-commercial breeders. This is twisted politics at its finest. Unless it’s a large breeding operation that makes a lot of money, there’s no way you can continue to breed your dogs. This means that smaller, more personal and less competitive breeders can no longer produce litters of these determined breeds. Good, reputable breeders don’t randomly decide which dog they want to breed. They get into breeding Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, German Pinschers, and other clipped or amputated breeds because they truly love that specific dog and all that that breed stands for.

Many states are passing similar laws regarding this issue. Eventually this will eliminate smaller breeders or hobbyists entirely. This is really sad.