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GREENFIELD — Hundreds of canines and their handlers will compete at the Franklin County Fairgrounds on April 26 through April 28, vying for top honors in the United States Dog Agility Association’s (USDAA) New England Regional Championship.Organized...

By DIANE BRONCACCIO

Zeal, a soulful-eyed chocolate lab, may well be “man’s best friend” to 15-year-old Rain Sanborn. But if all goes well, Zeal will also be a great comfort to the boy who suffered through years of trauma and anxiety brought on by a near-fatal ski...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — The Police Department’s newest officer is joining the academy this week.Swoop, a 1-year-old black Labrador, has been in Officer Kyle Johnson’s care for four weeks and is now beginning narcotics training at the Hampden County Jail and House of...

By DOMENIC POLI

TURNERS FALLS — The state Department of Agricultural Resources recently announced it has cared for at least 20,000 animals through its spay/neuter voucher program since 2012, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter estimates...

PELHAM — State biologists took the governor for a visit to a black bear den in Pelham last week as part of ongoing research.Each winter, biologists from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) visit the dens of female black...

By EMILEE KLEIN

WENDELL — Dog trainers, behaviorists and even an psychic animal communicator could not prevent Melissa Bekisz’s two dogs from fighting.The New York resident inherited her ex-partner’s 4-year-old Australian shepherd, Marjoram, after he moved out....

By CHRIS LARABEE

GREENFIELD — A long-standing tradition of dog grooming continues on the French King Highway, but this time with a youthful twist, as Puppy Parlor’s owner plants her business roots.Alyse Tower opened up the city’s newest grooming salon in October and...

By DOMENIC POLI

With their training complete in advance of this month’s deadline, local EMTs and paramedics now have the skills to provide medical treatment and transport of police K-9s injured in the line of duty under a new state law.Nero’s Law, which has been...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — On his first day at Shutesbury Town Hall, a week before officially being sworn in as the Police Department’s first K-9 officer, Charlie provided a calming distraction for a stressed and flustered resident who had come to the town...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — Voters at Thursday’s Special Town Meeting opted to table a proposed bylaw regarding loose animals until more people have had an opportunity to contribute input.Residents who gathered at Town Hall voted overwhelmingly to take no action on a...

By MADDIE FABIAN

As coyotes become more active during their mating season, spanning January through March, pet owners are urged to stay vigilant.The eastern coyote — which resembles a medium-size dog, but has pointed ears and denser fur — can be found in almost every...

By BELLA LEVAVI

CHARLEMONT — The Hawlemont, Agriculture and You (HAY) program has welcomed a rare breed of cow to their barn, giving students a lesson on biodiversity this school year.The school welcomed the 6-month-old, yet-to-be-named Kerry heifer last week. She is...

By EMILEE KLEIN

Less than 48 hours after a no-kill rabbit shelter slipped under its capacity, the organization welcomed four new additions looking for homes.“We never stay below capacity (55 rabbits) for more than a day or two,” said Jordana Starr, who co-founded...

By DOMENIC POLI

ORANGE — One of the Police Department’s most popular officers recently retired from the force following a career that spanned roughly six decades … in dog years.K-9 Orka fulfilled her final shift on Dec. 29 after 7½ years on the job, having joined the...

By BELLA LEVAVI

MONTAGUE — The Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a special permit for the construction of a veterinary building and parking area at 2 Fosters Road, allowing Windy Hollow Veterinary Clinic to expand its services.Windy Hollow Veterinary Clinic, which...