Runner pepper-sprays dog, then is bitten by owner
A woman out for a run in Oakland, California’s Anthony Chabot Regional Park tried to defend herself from an alleged dog attack by spraying the dog with pepper spray. As the runner was spraying the dog, the owner of the dog approached the runner and a physical altercation ensued. The dog’s owner then bit the runner and walked away. An alert issued by the East Bay Regional Park District Police called the bite wound a “significant injury” and released video of the dog and owner, asking the public for help. The suspect was later arrested and intends to fight the charges, claiming there was no actual attack and the runner overreacted, attacking her first when she tried to stop her from using pepper spray.
Public hearings held this month in NC to discuss changes to hunting, fishing rules
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission will hold two public hearings this month to discuss changes to law enforcement, wildlife management, inland fisheries, and game land rules for the 2019-2020 seasons. One of the biggest changes is the proposal to ban the importation of whole deer carcasses into the state to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, a fatal disease effecting deer that has been spreading east. Just last month a deer with chronic wasting disease was identified in Tennessee. Another proposed rule change would give enforcement officers more leeway to interact with hunters and share information about the cervid importation ban without issuing tickets. A third proposed change would add elk to the archery equipment definition. Though there is currently no elk hunting season in NC, adding elk is a housekeeping measure in case elk hunting is opened in the future. There are also proposed rule changes to trout water boundaries and for game lands.
Virginia Air Pollution Control Board approves controversial permit for Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station
After a delayed vote allowing more time to study the project, the Virginia Air Pollution Control Board voted 4-0 to approve the construction permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline compressor station in Buckingham County, VA. The proposed 54,000-horsepower compressor station will be located close to the homes of the descendants of freedmen in the community of Union Hill. From the beginning, community advocates have raised concern about environmental justice issues. The compressor station would run 24 hours a day and create loud noise comparable to a jet engine. Community advocates have also pointed out that similar facilities pollute the air with nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter and are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular ailments as well as cancer. The vote to approve the permit comes amidst controversy. After the board decided to delay its vote, Governor Northam removed two board members from their appointments. Community leaders say that the members were critical of the project and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. New appointees were not seated, and one board member removed himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest, leaving just 4 of the 7 members to vote.
