deaths

[spaminator]

Close to 15,500 died waiting for health care in Canada in 2023-24
Author of the article:Jane Stevenson
Published Jan 15, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read

Close to 15,500 people died waiting for health care in Canada between April 1, 2023 until March 31, 2024, according to data compiled by SecondStreet.org via Freedom to Information Act requests across the country.


However, SecondStreet.org says the exact number of 15,474 is incomplete as Quebec, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador don’t track the problem and Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia only provided data on patients who died while waiting for surgeries – not diagnostic scans.

SecondStreet.org says if it extrapolates the unknown data, then an estimated 28,077 patients died last year on health care waiting lists covering everything from cancer treatment and heart operations to cataract surgery and MRI scans.

“Canadians pay really high taxes and yet our health care system is failing when compared to better-performing universal systems in Europe,” said Harrison Fleming, the legislative and policy director at SecondStreet.org.


“Thousands of Canadians across the country find themselves on waitlists – in some cases for several years – with too many tragically dying before ever getting treated, or even diagnosed.”



SecondStreet.org research also observed cases where patients died after waiting anywhere from less than a week for treatment to more than 14 years.

New data from Ontario Health suggests 378 patients died while waiting for cardiac surgery or a cardiac procedure.

“When a restaurant fails a health inspection, the government shares the news publicly and sometimes notices are posted in the establishment’s windows for everyone to see,” SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig said in a statement.


“But, when nearly 75,000 Canadians have died before getting the care they needed, governments don’t proactively disclose anything. Maybe it’s time for governments to hold themselves to the same standard they hold everyone else.”


Since April 2018, SecondStreet.org has identified 74,677 cases where Canadians died while waiting for care.

“This research was inspired by stories like Laura Hillier’s, the 18-year-old Ontario patient who died on a waiting list for cancer treatment,” added Craig in a statement.

“Governments need to do a better job tracking tragic stories like hers, notifying the public about waiting lists deaths and most importantly, initiating reform to save lives.”

Close to 15,500 died waiting for health care in Canada in 2023-24

Close to 15,500 people in Canada died waiting for health care between April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024, according to data by SecondStreet.org .

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Order to cull 400 B.C. ostriches may breach cruelty law: Lawyer
'It is really unfortunate and heartbreaking," says Rebeka Breder, who specializes in animal cruelty cases

Author of the articleavid Carrigg
Published Jan 15, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read

A Vancouver lawyer says the looming destruction of 400 ostriches on a remote B.C. farm could be deemed unlawful animal cruelty.


On Tuesday, Rebeka Breder weighed in on the controversy around a Canadian Food Inspection Agency order that Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood destroy its entire flock after an outbreak of avian flu. Some of the birds are over 30 years old and have lived on the farm their entire lives.

“It is really unfortunate and heartbreaking,” said Breder, who specializes in animal cruelty cases. “I don’t know how they can kill this many large birds humanely or without cruelty.”

Ostriches can grow to as large as 140 kilograms.

Breder said cruelty to animals is against the Criminal Code of Canada and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in B.C. Section 441 of the Criminal Code states an animal owner cannot wilfully “permit to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird.”


Katie Pasitney, whose mother Karen Espersen owns Universal Ostrich Farm, said the family did not know how it would meet the deadline to kill all the birds by Feb. 1.

She said they could not shoot them because it would cause mass panic. They did not have an enclosed space to gas them and it would difficult to round them up and slit their throats.

According to the CFIA, the farm’s plan to kill the birds must be approved by the agency and “adhere to expected standards,” which must be humane and in compliance with the applicable provincial animal welfare regulations and standards.

The CFIA said this was the first time it has ordered the destruction of ostriches due to the avian flu. So far in B.C. more than eight million chickens have been ordered to be killed due to outbreaks. Avian flu can spread to humans and has led to serious illness for a teenager in B.C. and the death of a person in the U.S.


“The depopulation may be carried out either by the owner, the CFIA, or by a third party,” the CFIA said.

The agency was unable to comment directly on the Universal Ostrich Farms case, but said it provided mental health supports for farmers who had to kill their flocks.

There are also programs to compensate farmers for their losses.

On Jan. 8, Dr. Lyle Oberg, a board member of the Alberta Health Service Board, wrote a letter to the CFIA stating, “I would urge you to not automatically move to complete culling as you would with other smaller birds.”

On Jan. 9, Steve Morissette, the B.C. NDP MLA for Kootenay-Monashee, wrote a letter to the CFIA stating his opposition to the cull order.

Pasitney said that the farm was working with a lawyer to try to get an extension on the Feb. 1 deadline and, beyond that, to try to challenge the order.

They’re making the case that the flightless birds – which are part of an ongoing international research project on COVID-19 antibodies – can instead be used to study the mechanics of the avian flu that infected the youngest members of their herd.

With file from Canadian Press

dcarrigg@postmedia.com

First H5 Bird Flu Death Reported in United States

A person with severe avian influenza A(H5N1) illness ("H5N1 bird flu") has passed away.

cdc.gov

'I don't know how they can kill this many': Order to cull 400 B.C. ostriches may breach cruelty law: lawyer

Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood has been ordered to cull its entire flock due to avian flu outbreak

torontosun.com

 

[harrylee]

And now, something important.......Bob Uecker died at age 90

 

[spaminator]

Police dog Brock 'greatly missed' by his family, Durham cops
Author of the articleostmedia News
Published Jan 19, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read

Police dog Brock.
Durham Regional Police announced "with great sadness" that K9 unit veteran Brock had died last week with family by his side. Photo by Durham Regional Police
Durham Regional Police are mourning the loss of one of their own.


The police force announced “with great sadness” that K9 unit veteran Brock, a 13-year-old shepherd with eight years of helping the public, had died last week with family by his side.



“PSD (police service dog) Brock was trained in general patrol and served the citizens of Durham Region for over eight years and was handled by Sgt. Jason Dickson,” Durham police said in a post on X.

“During his celebrated career, PSD Brock was responsible for locating hundreds of individuals, including wanted offenders and missing vulnerable people.”

Police also thanked Brock for his service and said he “will be greatly missed by Sgt. Jason Dickson, his family and the DRPS K9 Unit.”



Hundreds of social media users paid their respects to Brock on Instagram and Facebook.

“Rest easy, Brock … thank you for all your hard work,” one commenter posted with heart and prayer emojis on Instagram.

Another turned to Facebook to credit Brock for finding their son.

“RIP Officer Brock, thank you for your service,” the commenter posted, “as I believe it was your team that found our son. Condolences to your partner and family, as well as the DRPS.”

𝐃𝐑𝐏𝐒 𝐊𝟗 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓 on Instagram: "The Passing of Retired Police Service Dog Brock It is with great sadness that the DRPS' K9 Unit announces the passing of retired Police Service Dog (PSD) Brock. PSD Brock passed away at the age of 13 this past week with t

577 likes, 32 comments - drps_k9 on January 19, 2025: "The Passing of Retired Police Service Dog Brock It is with great sadness that the DRPS' K9 Unit announces the passing of retired Police Service Dog (PSD) Brock. PSD Brock passed away at the age of 13 this past week with this family by his...

instagram.com

Police dog Brock 'greatly missed' by his family, Durham cops

Durham Regional Police announced 'with great sadness' that K9 unit veteran Brock had died last week with family by his side.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Indiana man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot during traffic stop
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Published Jan 27, 2025 • 1 minute read

RENSSELAER, Ind. — An Indiana man was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop just days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump for a misdemeanour related to the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot.


Matthew Huttle, 42, of Hobart was killed Sunday by a Jasper County sheriff’s deputy, authorities said.

State police are investigating. They said the deputy tried to arrest Huttle when “an altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, which resulted in the officer firing his weapon and fatally wounding the suspect.

“The investigation also shows that during the traffic stop, the suspect was in possession of a firearm,” state police added.

No other details were released. Authorities didn’t say what might have prompted the traffic stop.

“Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased as any loss of life is traumatic to those that were close to Mr. Huttle,” Sheriff Patrick Williamson said.

Nick Barnes, an attorney who was representing Huttle in pending motor vehicle cases in Lake County, said he didn’t know the circumstances of the shooting.


“I plan to find out a lot more about it,” Barnes said.

In 2023, Huttle was sentenced to six months in custody after pleading guilty to entering a restricted building, the U.S. Capitol. He had traveled with his uncle to Washington to attend the Jan. 6, 2021, pro-Trump rally. Huttle was inside the Capitol for 16 minutes and recorded it on video.

“He is not a true believer in any political cause,” defence attorney Andrew Hemmer said in a court filing. “He instead went to the rally because he thought it would be a historic moment and he had nothing better to do after getting out of jail” for a driving offence.

Indiana man pardoned by Trump is fatally shot during traffic stop

An Indiana man was fatally shot by a deputy during a traffic stop just days after he was pardoned by President Donald Trump.

torontosun.com

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Obviously MURDERED by BIDEN!

Or maybe True Dope.

 

[spaminator]

Lawsuit blames deaths on 2023 train derailment in Ohio as JD Vance visits
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Josh Funk And Julie Carr Smyth
Published Feb 03, 2025 • 4 minute read

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — A lawsuit alleging for the first time that people died because of the disastrous 2023 East Palestine train derailment has been filed ahead of Monday’s second anniversary of the toxic crash near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border amid a flurry of new litigation.


On Monday, Vice President JD Vance is visiting the small community near the crash site that he used to represent as a senator, along with President Donald Trump’s newly confirmed head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin. It’s not yet clear how much pressure the Trump administration will put on the railroads to continue improving safety and whether they will push for the bill Vance co-authored in response to the derailment.

The new lawsuit announced Monday morning contains the first seven wrongful death claims filed against Norfolk Southern railroad _ including the death of a 1-week-old baby. It also alleges the railroad and its contractors botched the cleanup while officials at the EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on it and failed to adequately warn residents about the health risks. Many of the other parties in the lawsuit cite lingering, unexplained health problems along with concerns something more serious could develop.


“Our clients want truth. They want transparency,” attorney Kristina Baehr said about the roughly 750 people she represents. “They want to know what they were exposed to, which has been hidden from them. They want to know what happened and why it happened. And they want accountability.”

The lawsuit provides some examples of the lingering effects on families, but it doesn’t include details about the deaths.

At least nine other lawsuits were filed over the past week by individuals and businesses that argue the railroad’s greed is to blame for the derailment and the $600 million class-action settlement doesn’t offer nearly enough compensation nor sanction the railroad enough to spur them to prevent future derailments. The dollar amount represents only a small fraction of the $12.1 billion in revenue the railroad generated in each of the past two years.


What happened two years ago?

Dozens of rail cars careened off the tracks on Feb. 3, 2023, after an overheating bearing failed. Several cars carrying hazardous materials ruptured and spilled their cargo that caught fire. But the disaster was made worse three days later when officials blew open five tank cars filled with vinyl chloride and burned that toxic plastic ingredient because they feared they would explode.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board determined the controversial vent and burn operation never needed to happen because there was evidence the railroad ignored that the tank cars were starting to cool off and wouldn’t have exploded. The state and local officials who decided to release and burn the vinyl chloride — generating a massive plume of thick, black smoke — have said they never heard anything suggesting the tank cars wouldn’t explode.


“The EPA had rules to follow and chose not to follow their own rules. The EPA was too busy trying to get the train back on track to protect the people,” Baehr said.

Officials haven’t responded Monday to questions about the new lawsuit and separate federal claims that were filed against the EPA and CDC. But in the past, the EPA has defended its role by saying they were only there to advise on the potential consequences of burning the vinyl chloride and measure the contamination.

Baehr said the EPA and CDC’s approach to the derailment followed a similar pattern she’s seen in other environmental disasters, including the Navy’s toxic spill of jet fuel that contaminated water in Hawaii. She said agencies tend to downplay potential health risks. Residents have expressed frustration with the data the EPA discloses and the refusal of the class-action attorneys to reveal what their own testing found.


How did the railroads respond?

A Norfolk Southern spokesperson declined to comment on the litigation. The railroad has agreed to a $600 million class-action settlement for people within 20 miles (32 kilometres) of the derailment and a separate settlement with the federal government in which Norfolk Southern pledged to pay for the cleanup, medical exams and drinking water monitoring. The railroad did not admit any wrongdoing in either settlement.

Norfolk Southern and other major railroads promised to improve safety after the crash by installing additional trackside detectors to spot mechanical problems before they cause a derailment. Federal officials say those steps haven’t improved safety meaningfully, and Vance’s bill that would have required additional changes never passed.


The rail unions on Monday again asked the railroads to join a federal program that would let workers anonymously report safety concerns and members of Congress made plans to renew their push for legislation.

What compensation has the town received?

Some nearby residents have started to receive personal injury payments as part of the class-action settlement, but nearly half of the settlement remains on hold while some appeal for higher compensation and more information about the contamination.

The main payments of up to $70,000 per household won’t go out until the appeal is settled.

Last week, Norfolk Southern agreed to a $22 million settlement for East Palestine that includes $13.5 million the railroad has already provided for upgrades to the water treatment plant and to replace police and fire equipment. The railroad is also paying $25 million to upgrade a park.

What about the other lawsuits?

The nine other new lawsuits included claims by a pipe manufacturer, dog kennels and a winery that the derailment harmed their businesses. One business alleged cleanup work created “smoke, debris and odors” and led to routine flooding. The dog breeder said toxic chemicals killed at least 116 puppies and three adult dogs.

Lawsuit blames deaths on 2023 train derailment in Ohio as JD Vance visits

On Monday, Vice President JD Vance is visiting the small community near the crash site that he used to represent as a senator.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Avian flu suspected in up to 15 bird deaths at New York City zoos
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Published Feb 08, 2025 • 1 minute read

NEW YORK — At least three and possibly up to 15 birds have died of avian flu at two New York City zoos, according to the organization that operates the facilities.


The Wildlife Conservation Society said three ducks at the Queens Zoo died after contracting the virus, and lab tests are pending on three ducks and nine wild birds that died at the Bronx Zoo after possible exposure.

“As a precaution, over the last two weeks, we have moved vulnerable bird species to protected areas in our parks,” officials said in a statement.

On Friday, state officials ordered bird markets in the metropolitan area to close for a week after seven cases of avian flu were detected during routine inspections in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Gov. Kathy Hochul said there was no immediate threat to public health and the temporary closures were done out of an abundance of caution.

Avian flu has hit farms nationwide, leading to the slaughter of millions of birds and driving up egg prices.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the virus poses low risk to the general public. The agency said there have been 67 confirmed cases of bird flu in humans in the U.S., none of them in New York.

Avian flu suspected in up to 15 bird deaths at New York City zoos

At least three and possibly up to 15 birds have died of avian flu at two New York City zoos.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Petition calls for rat poison ban in city after snowy owls found dead at park
Author of the articleostmedia News
Published Feb 12, 2025 • 2 minute read

Steven Shpak has started a petition calling for the ban of rat poison in Toronto.
A petition started by a Toronto wildlife photographer who recently found two dead snowy owls at Tommy Thompson Park has grown to more than 17,000 signatures in its call for rat poison to be banned in the city.


Steven Shpak launched the Change.org petition after finding the dead birds on a frozen pond on Dec. 27. He said he suspected their deaths may have been caused by rat poison.

In an update, Shpak said tests have since come back showing the owls had bird flu at the time of their deaths.

“There is still a possibility that they may have been poisoned also (due) to the fact that vomiting blood is not a symptom of bird flu,” he said, adding that the bloody vomit he saw is a common side-effect of poisoning from rodenticide, or rat poison, a regularly used pesticide to kill mice and rats.

Owls prey on rodents.

The photographer, who said he had previously spotted the same owls in the east-end park, reported the deaths to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Ministry of Natural Resources.



No official cause of death had been confirmed.

Rodenticide is legal in most of Ontario. It’s available at hardware stores and used by some private pest control companies in Toronto.

“Rat poison does not just affect wildlife; cats and dogs are also known to both play with and eat rodents. Our pets can easily become victims of these unnecessary poisons,” Shpak said. “By properly storing our garbage and using alternative methods of rat control, such as live traps, snap traps and newer birth control methods, we can manage the rodent population without harming the precious wildlife that makes Toronto so beautiful and unique.


“The loss of our wildlife is something we cannot stand by and accept. If we don’t protect our wildlife, they may vanish, becoming but a memory to look back upon in old photos.”

Shpak gave an example of a female great horned owl that was found dead in a tree in High Park in 2022. He said the cause of death was determined to be from rat poison and added that the owl’s mate now sits alone in High Park and can be heard calling out in the evening.

“(We) can’t stand by and allow more innocent animals to die from these harmful substances,” the photographer said, “when there are humane alternatives available for pest control.”

Sign the Petition

Ban Rodent Poison in Toronto to Protect Our Ecosystem

change.org

Petition calls for rat poison ban in city after snowy owls found dead at park

A petition was started by a Toronto wildlife photographer who recently found two dead snowy owls at Tommy Thompson Park.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Transportation board says helicopter passenger killed by moving rotor in Nunavut
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Published Feb 12, 2025 • 1 minute read

AKIMISKI ISLAND, NUNAVUT — The Transportation Safety Board is reminding those flying in a helicopter to be vigilant after a passenger was killed by a spinning tail rotor during goose hunting season in Nunavut.


The board says in a report that a pilot with Heli Explore Inc. was flying goose hunters back and forth from Attawapiskat Airport in Ontario to various camps on Akimiski Island in Nunavut in April of last year.

After the helicopter landed near a camp on the last trip of the day, the pilot remained in his seat in case of an emergency and a passenger began unloading gear with help from a snowmobile driver who met them there.

The report says all blades were still rotating when the snowmobile driver began screaming and gesturing for the man to stop moving toward the back of the helicopter.

The board says the man continued attempting to cross to the right side of the helicopter by ducking under its tail but was struck by the moving tail rotor.

A footnote in the report says that anyone who is riding a helicopter should be aware that a when tail rotor is spinning, it is difficult, if not impossible, to see.

Transportation board says helicopter passenger killed by moving rotor in Nunavut

The Transportation Safety Board is reminding those flying in a helicopter to be vigilant.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

Man whose wife was killed in hippo attack in Africa sues U.S. company that booked trip
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Dave Collins
Published Feb 13, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 4 minute read

A New Jersey man whose wife was killed in a horrific hippopotamus attack last year during a safari in Africa is suing the U.S. company that arranged the trip, alleging it failed to ensure their safety and did not adequately screen and supervise the tour guides.


Craig and Lisa Manders were on a guided walk in Zambia in June when a hippo charged out of the water, grabbed Lisa Manders by its mouth and crushed her head and body with its bite, according to the lawsuit filed against African Portfolio, a safari tour company based in Greenwich, Connecticut. The company denies the lawsuit’s allegations.

The lawsuit, filed Feb. 5 in Stamford, Connecticut, alleges that as a horrified Craig Manders watched the attack, the tour guides — including at least one armed with a rifle — walked away without helping the couple. Lisa Manders, 70, suffered catastrophic injuries and died shortly after, the lawsuit says.

“We’re doing this because this should never have happened,” said Paul Slager, an attorney who is representing Craig Manders with his law partner, Nicole Coates. “There are basic safety standards that businesses are expected to follow, and that includes people in the safari tour industry. And those were not followed, and the consequences here were absolutely devastating.”


Slager said the lawsuit seeks monetary damages that have not yet been determined, as well as accountability for Lisa Manders’ death and keeping others safe in the future. He said Craig Manders was not giving interviews.

The Manderses, of Cranford, New Jersey, were on a special anniversary trip and it was their first time in Africa, Slager said. Lisa Manders had worked in the financial industry for over 40 years and loved cooking, traveling and visiting New York City, where she was born in Queens in 1953, according to her obituary. The couple had three children and a granddaughter.

The company’s lawyer, Rodney Gould, said it was not negligent or reckless in connection with Lisa Manders’ death. He said African Portfolio only arranged the couple’s lodging and the owners of the lodging, Chiawa Safaris in Zambia, provided the tour guides.


“It’s a horrible tragedy when somebody goes on one of these trips and is injured or killed. It’s awful,” Gould said. “I think it’s important to understand what African Portfolio’s role in this is. It’s a tour operator. It arranges trips. It puts together the pieces.”

He added, “My client didn’t conduct the safari. It arranged it. It booked all the components.”

Gould also said the company was not negligent in vetting Chiawa, because it has an excellent reputation. He said African Portfolio will either ask a judge to dismiss the lawsuit or request that the matter go to arbitration, which was a condition of an agreement the Manderses signed for the trip.

African Portfolio said in a statement that Chiawa arranged the walking safari and guests were accompanied by an experienced and highly trained guide, a ranger and an armed National Park scout. It said Chiawa told authorities that safety measures were implemented before the attack and “repeated warnings” were issued to guests to return to the safety of the vehicle “during the incident.”


African Portfolio did not immediately return an email asking whether the guests were warned before the attack. It did not directly address the lawsuit.

The company also said its founder flew to Zambia immediately after the attack and joined Chiawa’s owner in ensuring that “everything possible was being done to support the family and all those involved. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family, and everyone else involved in this tragic incident.”

The lawsuit, which does not mention Chiawa, says African safaris are “inherently dangerous activities” because of the unpredictability and sometime aggressive nature of wild animals, and they require careful planning and execution to be completed safely. It says African Portfolio vetted and oversaw the tour guides and vouched that they were competent, qualified and trained to keep people safe.


The suit alleges that African Portfolio “encouraged and/or permitted” the Manderses to be exposed to an “avoidable and highly dangerous encounter with a dangerous hippopotamus in the Zambian wilderness.” It also accuses the company of failing to provide safe conditions during the wilderness walk and failing to ensure that the tour guides were adequately selected, screened, supervised and trained to provide a safe experience.

African Portfolio also failed to take adequate steps to protect the Manderses before and during the attack, the suit alleges.

Hippos are the world’s second-largest land mammals after elephants, measuring about 11 feet (3.5 meters) long and about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall, according to International Fund for Animal Welfare. The average male hippo weighs about 7,000 pounds (3,200 kilograms).


Hippos are known to be territorial and aggressive at times. A year before Lisa Manders died, seven people were killed in the southern African nation of Malawi when a hippo charged into a canoe and capsized it on a river. Estimates of how many people are killed by hippos each year vary, with lower figures beginning at around 500.

Lisa Manders suffered “significant premorbid fear and emotional pain, suffering and mental anguish” before her death, the suit says. Craig Manders suffered severe and debilitating emotional and psychological injuries that have made it difficult for him to cope with daily routines, it says.

The lawsuit is seeking damages on allegations of negligence and recklessness.

“He’s suing both for the loss of his wife and the impact that has on him and his life,” Slager said. “And he also has a claim for having witnessed what happened to her, having seen the attack, which is unthinkable. It’s unimaginable.”

Man whose wife was killed in hippo attack in Africa sues U.S. company that booked trip

A man whose wife was killed in a horrific hippo attack last year during a safari in Africa is suing the U.S. company that arranged the trip

torontosun.com

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Fact: Hippos kill more people per year than crocodiles. They're very large, unbelievably strong, and tend to be bad-tempered.

 

[petros]

Fact: Hippos kill more people per year than crocodiles. They're very large, unbelievably strong, and tend to be bad-tempered.

Fact. Moose comes in second place.

 

[Twin_Moose]

Fact. Moose comes in second place.

Sorry

 

[spaminator]

'Hudson and Rex' dog Diesel vom Burgimwald dead at 8: 'A true star'
'I don't have words that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel,' says the dog's trainer and owner, Sherri Davis


Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Published Feb 17, 2025 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read

Diesel vom Burgimwald
Diesel vom Burgimwald, also known as Rex, who starred on 'Hudson & Rex,' has died at the age of 8. Photo by Stan Behal /Toronto Sun
Diesel vom Burgimwald, the German Shepherd star of Citytv’s Hudson & Rex, has died at the age of 8.


Christina Jennings, Chairman and President of Shaftesbury, which produces the police procedural, confirmed the news on Instagram calling Diesel “a true star with an undeniable sense of majesty.”

In her post, Jennings said that Diesel’s nephews have taken over the role of the police K9 who solves crimes with detective Charlie Hudson (played by Halifax actor John Reardon) in St. John’s, N.L.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Diesel’s owner and handler, Sherri Davis, said that Diesel’s death came unexpectedly after he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer last summer while he was in the midst of shooting on the seventh season of Hudson & Rex, now airing on Citytv. After undergoing emergency surgery, Diesel died four-and-a-half weeks later.


“I shared Rex/Diesel with the world, but he shared a part of my soul. He was my partner,” Davis said. “He was with me 24-7 for seven years. He never left my side. I never went anywhere without that dog. So … it’s heartbreaking.”

Diesel’s nephews, Dillon and Dante, have taken over for him, with two of his other nephews, Is-He and Iko, performing some of Rex’s stunt work.

But Davis called Diesel “the face of the show.”

In her own message posted to teamrexk9 account, Davis said that Diesel’s memory will “live on in our hearts, memories, and on the screen.”

“Diesel appreciated all the love from the fans, and was always happy to go to the meet and greets and engage with YOU, the fans that made my boy a legend never to be forgotten,” Davis wrote. “I don’t have words that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel.”


In her interview with PEOPLE after the news broke, Davis recounted how she first met Diesel back in 2017.

“I asked the breeder, ‘What’s with that dog down there?’ And he said, ‘Oh, Dodo, that dog was returned. He’s no good!'” Davis recalled. “But there was something special about Diesel. I ended up taking him home that day.”


When producers were looking for a canine companion to act opposite Reardon, they visited the training centre run by Davis, who has worked in the film industry for over 30 years with animal credits in TV shows like Murdoch Mysteries, Flashpoint, American Gods and the Oscar-winning film Room.

“The producers for Hudson & Rex came out to my facility for a camera test with my dogs. One of the producers looked at Diesel immediately and said, ‘There’s Rex. Get to work!’ They did a little demo reel, and he never left my side since that day. We were together 24-7,” Davis told PEOPLE.


Davis called Diesel one of the “sweetest and kindest” dogs she’s ever worked with.

“Diesel amassed a global fan base, and people have fallen in love with him on and off screen. He visited children in the hospital, FaceTimed elderly fans as a final wish, and touched the lives of everyone on set,” Davis said.

The pup came from the same bloodline as the original Rex from the Austrian series Inspector Rex on which Hudson & Rex is based.

“Diesel is related, 15 generations apart from the original Rex overseas,” Davis told Postmedia in 2019. His bond with Reardon was instant after the two took their first car ride together.

“He was in the car singing to Diesel. Apparently, I think, it was Yellow Brick Road or something. That’s what I was told. And I think that really helped. And then it just went from there,” she said.

Davis said that his nephews, Dillon and Dante, are trying “to continue working and living up to the legacy of Diesel.”

“Fans are watching the new episodes roll out in Canada and are commenting on socials that they are noticing a difference from Diesel’s work,” Davis told PEOPLE. “These are big furry boots to fill, and his nephews are trying their hardest to bring to life more adventures with Rex!”

Hudson & Rex airs Thursdays on Citytv

mdaniell@postmedia.com

Hudson & Rex - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule

In the seventh season, Detective Charlie Hudson and his remarkable German Shepherd partner, Rex, place more trust than ever in their team and one another as they face unprecedented challenges. With Rex by their side, Superintendent Joe Donovan, Dr. Sarah Truong, and tech specialist Jesse Mills...

citytv.com

TEAM REX on Instagram: "I don’t have word’s that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel. I appreciate all the kind words and hope you’ll understand I am seeing the comments but I just need some time to heal. I will not be responding to i

10K likes, 1,097 comments - teamrexk9 on February 12, 2025: "I don’t have word’s that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel. I appreciate all the kind words and hope you’ll understand I am seeing the comments but I just need some time to heal. I will not be responding to individual...

instagram.com

Hudson & Rex Trainer Confirms Show's Beloved Dog Star Has 'Passed Away,' New Canines Have Taken Over Role (Exclusive)

Sherri Davis the executive producer and lead dog trainer for "Hudson & Rex" confirms to PEOPLE that Diesel the German shepherd start of the show, and her pet, has died

people.com

'Hudson and Rex' dog Diesel vom Burgimwald dead at 8: 'A true star'

Diesel vom Burgimwald, the German shepherd star of Citytv's Hudson and Rex, has died at the age of 8.

torontosun.com

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

My wife loved that show.

 

[spaminator]

'Hudson and Rex' dog Diesel vom Burgimwald dead at 8: 'A true star'
'I don't have words that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel,' says the dog's trainer and owner, Sherri Davis


Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Published Feb 17, 2025 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read

Diesel vom Burgimwald
Diesel vom Burgimwald, also known as Rex, who starred on 'Hudson & Rex,' has died at the age of 8. Photo by Stan Behal /Toronto Sun
Diesel vom Burgimwald, the German Shepherd star of Citytv’s Hudson & Rex, has died at the age of 8.


Christina Jennings, Chairman and President of Shaftesbury, which produces the police procedural, confirmed the news on Instagram calling Diesel “a true star with an undeniable sense of majesty.”

In her post, Jennings said that Diesel’s nephews have taken over the role of the police K9 who solves crimes with detective Charlie Hudson (played by Halifax actor John Reardon) in St. John’s, N.L.

In an interview with PEOPLE, Diesel’s owner and handler, Sherri Davis, said that Diesel’s death came unexpectedly after he was diagnosed with late-stage cancer last summer while he was in the midst of shooting on the seventh season of Hudson & Rex, now airing on Citytv. After undergoing emergency surgery, Diesel died four-and-a-half weeks later.


“I shared Rex/Diesel with the world, but he shared a part of my soul. He was my partner,” Davis said. “He was with me 24-7 for seven years. He never left my side. I never went anywhere without that dog. So … it’s heartbreaking.”

Diesel’s nephews, Dillon and Dante, have taken over for him, with two of his other nephews, Is-He and Iko, performing some of Rex’s stunt work.

But Davis called Diesel “the face of the show.”

In her own message posted to teamrexk9 account, Davis said that Diesel’s memory will “live on in our hearts, memories, and on the screen.”

“Diesel appreciated all the love from the fans, and was always happy to go to the meet and greets and engage with YOU, the fans that made my boy a legend never to be forgotten,” Davis wrote. “I don’t have words that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel.”


In her interview with PEOPLE after the news broke, Davis recounted how she first met Diesel back in 2017.

“I asked the breeder, ‘What’s with that dog down there?’ And he said, ‘Oh, Dodo, that dog was returned. He’s no good!'” Davis recalled. “But there was something special about Diesel. I ended up taking him home that day.”


When producers were looking for a canine companion to act opposite Reardon, they visited the training centre run by Davis, who has worked in the film industry for over 30 years with animal credits in TV shows like Murdoch Mysteries, Flashpoint, American Gods and the Oscar-winning film Room.

“The producers for Hudson & Rex came out to my facility for a camera test with my dogs. One of the producers looked at Diesel immediately and said, ‘There’s Rex. Get to work!’ They did a little demo reel, and he never left my side since that day. We were together 24-7,” Davis told PEOPLE.


Davis called Diesel one of the “sweetest and kindest” dogs she’s ever worked with.

“Diesel amassed a global fan base, and people have fallen in love with him on and off screen. He visited children in the hospital, FaceTimed elderly fans as a final wish, and touched the lives of everyone on set,” Davis said.

The pup came from the same bloodline as the original Rex from the Austrian series Inspector Rex on which Hudson & Rex is based.

“Diesel is related, 15 generations apart from the original Rex overseas,” Davis told Postmedia in 2019. His bond with Reardon was instant after the two took their first car ride together.

“He was in the car singing to Diesel. Apparently, I think, it was Yellow Brick Road or something. That’s what I was told. And I think that really helped. And then it just went from there,” she said.

Davis said that his nephews, Dillon and Dante, are trying “to continue working and living up to the legacy of Diesel.”

“Fans are watching the new episodes roll out in Canada and are commenting on socials that they are noticing a difference from Diesel’s work,” Davis told PEOPLE. “These are big furry boots to fill, and his nephews are trying their hardest to bring to life more adventures with Rex!”

Hudson & Rex airs Thursdays on Citytv

mdaniell@postmedia.com
View attachment 27593

Hudson & Rex - Citytv | Watch Full TV Episodes Online & See TV Schedule

In the seventh season, Detective Charlie Hudson and his remarkable German Shepherd partner, Rex, place more trust than ever in their team and one another as they face unprecedented challenges. With Rex by their side, Superintendent Joe Donovan, Dr. Sarah Truong, and tech specialist Jesse Mills...

citytv.com

TEAM REX on Instagram: "I don’t have word’s that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel. I appreciate all the kind words and hope you’ll understand I am seeing the comments but I just need some time to heal. I will not be responding to i

10K likes, 1,097 comments - teamrexk9 on February 12, 2025: "I don’t have word’s that could describe the emptiness and heartbreak I feel. I appreciate all the kind words and hope you’ll understand I am seeing the comments but I just need some time to heal. I will not be responding to individual...

instagram.com

Hudson & Rex Trainer Confirms Show's Beloved Dog Star Has 'Passed Away,' New Canines Have Taken Over Role (Exclusive)

Sherri Davis the executive producer and lead dog trainer for "Hudson & Rex" confirms to PEOPLE that Diesel the German shepherd start of the show, and her pet, has died

people.com

'Hudson and Rex' dog Diesel vom Burgimwald dead at 8: 'A true star'

Diesel vom Burgimwald, the German shepherd star of Citytv's Hudson and Rex, has died at the age of 8.

torontosun.com

too bad it couldnt have been vin diesel.

 

[spaminator]

My wife loved that show.

hopefully she can pet diesel.

 

[spaminator]

Experts give up hope for 157 false killer whales stranded on Australian beach
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Rod McGuirk
Published Feb 18, 2025 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 2 minute read

A handout photo from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows dolphins stranded on a beach near Arthur River on the west coast of Tasmania. A pod of 157 dolphins was found stranded on a remote beach in Australia's southern island of Tasmania, environment officials said as veterinarians raced to the scene. They appeared to be members of a large dolphin species known as false killer whales, Tasmania's environment department said, named for the orca-like shape of their skull.
A handout photo from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows dolphins stranded on a beach near Arthur River on the west coast of Tasmania. A pod of 157 dolphins was found stranded on a remote beach in Australia's southern island of Tasmania, environment officials said as veterinarians raced to the scene. They appeared to be members of a large dolphin species known as false killer whales, Tasmania's environment department said, named for the orca-like shape of their skull. Photo by HANDOUT/Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania /AFP via Getty Images
MELBOURNE, Australia — Marine experts have given up hope of rescuing more than 150 false killer whales that stranded on a remote beach on Australia’s island state of Tasmania, officials said on Wednesday.


Experts including veterinarians were at the scene near the Arthur River on Tasmania’s northwestern coast where 157 whales were discovered on an exposed surf beach on Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said.

Unfavourable ocean and weather conditions, which prevented the whales from being rescued on Wednesday, were forecast to persist for days, incident controller Shelley Graham said.

“We have been out in the water this morning and have relocated and attempted to refloat two whales but didn’t have success as the ocean conditions weren’t allowing the animals to get past the break. The animals are continuously restranding,” Graham said in a statement.

Marine biologist Kris Carlyon said the survivors would be euthanized.


“The longer these animals are out stranded, the longer they are suffering. All alternative options have been unsuccessful,” Carlyon said.

The department said there were 136 survivors on Wednesday morning but that assessment was revised down to 90 within a few hours.

The inaccessibility of the beach, ocean conditions and challenges to getting specialist equipment to the remote area complicated the response.

The young whales weighed as little as 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), while the adults weighed 3 metric tons (3.3 U.S. tons). Despite their name, false killer whales are one of the largest members of the dolphin family.

Department liaison officer Brendon Clark said the stranding was the first by false killer whales in Tasmania in since 1974. That was a pod of more than 160 whales that landed on a beach near Stanley on the northwest coast. Strandings in Tasmania are usually pilot whales.


Clark declined to speculate on why the latest pod might have stranded. Carcasses of dead whales would be examined for clues, he said.

A helicopter reconnaissance on Tuesday afternoon determined that there were no other whales within 10 kilometres (6 miles) of the stranded pod, he said.

Some could have been stranded for as long as 48 hours by early Wednesday.

Arthur River resident Jocelyn Flint said her son had discovered the stranded whales around midnight while fishing for shark.

She said she had gone to the scene in the dark hours of the morning and returned after dawn but the whales were too big to be refloated.

“The water was surging right up and they were thrashing. They’re just dying, they’ve sunk down in the sand,” Flint said Wednesday morning. “I think it’s too late.

“There are little babies. Up one end, there’s a lot of big ones. It’s sad,” she added.

In 2022, 230 pilot whales stranded further south on the west coast at Macquarie Harbour.

The largest mass stranding in Australian history occurred in the same harbour in 2020 when 470 long-finned pilot whales became stuck on sandbars. Most of the beached whales died on both occasions.

The reasons for the beachings are unclear. Reasons could include disorientation caused by loud noises, illness, old age, injury, fleeing predators and severe weather.

Experts give up hope for 157 false killer whales stranded on Australian beach

Marine experts have given up hope of rescuing more than 150 false killer whales that stranded on a remote beach in Australia.

torontosun.com

 

[spaminator]

White man who pleaded guilty to shooting Black teen who rang wrong doorbell dies
Author of the article:Associated Press
Associated Press
Heather Hollingsworth
Published Feb 19, 2025 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read

MISSION, Kan. — An 86-year-old Missouri man has died just days after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honor student who rang the white man’s doorbell by mistake, prosecutors announced Wednesday.


Andrew Lester of Kansas City was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then-16-year-old, who survived and is now a freshman at Texas A&M. Before his trial was scheduled to begin, he pleaded guilty Friday to a lesser charge of second-degree assault, which carries up to seven years behind bars. He was scheduled to be sentenced on March 7.

Cher Congour, a spokeswoman for the Clay County prosecutor’s office, said Lester’s attorney informed them of his death.

“We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time,” the prosecutor’s office said in a news release. “While the legal proceedings have now concluded, we acknowledge that Mr. Lester did take responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case.”


The news release offered no cause of death. Kansas City police said they weren’t conducting a death investigation. And Sarah Boyd, a spokeswoman for the Clay County sheriff’s office, said she had no information on Lester’s cause of death since he wasn’t in custody, but noted that he was in “poor health” at last week’s plea hearing.

Yarl’s family said in a written statement Wednesday that what happened was one of the reasons they had pushed for a speedy trial.

“Now, another Black child harmed by prejudice will never see the man who shot him face the full weight of the justice system. While Lester finally admitted guilt, it came at the very last moment_after two years of stalling. That delay leaves our family reeling,” the statement said.


The case shocked the country and renewed national debate about gun policies and race in the U.S.

Yarl showed up on Lester’s doorstep on the night of April 13, 2023, after he mixed up the streets where he was supposed to pick up his twin siblings.

Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, had argued that Lester was acting in self-defence and that he was terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed. Authorities say Lester shot Yarl twice: first in the head, then in the arm.

Yarl testified at a hearing that he rang the bell and then waited for someone to answer for what seemed “longer than normal.” As the inner door opened, Yarl said, he reached out to grab the storm door, assuming he was at his brothers’ friends’ parents.


He said Lester shot him in the head and uttered, “Don’t come here ever again.” Although the bullet didn’t penetrate Yarl’s brain, the impact knocked him to the ground. Yarl said Lester then shot him in the arm. The teen was taken to the hospital and released three days later.

His family said the shooting took a big emotional toll and they had filed a lawsuit against the retired aircraft mechanic.

Salmon said last year that Lester’s physical and mental condition had deteriorated. He said Lester had heart issues, a broken hip and had been hospitalized. Lester also lost 50 pounds (23 kilograms), which Salmon blamed on the stress of intense media coverage and death threats he subsequently received.

During Friday’s hearing, Lester was hunched over as he was wheeled into the courtroom, his hands folded. Asked whether he was in poor health, Lester responded yes.

The judge had previously ordered a mental evaluation of Lester but allowed for the trial to proceed after its completion. The results of that evaluation were not released publicly.

Lester’s grandson, Daniel Ludwig, didn’t immediately return a text message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

White man who pleaded guilty to shooting Black teen who rang wrong doorbell dies

An 86-year-old Missouri man has died just days after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl.

torontosun.com