August 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – About two weeks ago, two East County residents, Courtney Case and Victoria Haynes, rescued a female stray Chihuahua-Dachshund mix in Bakersfield. Now she is seeking donations to fund surgery for the rescued dog, which is needed to save her from a degenerative disease.

“She did not have a collar, her nails were painfully overgrown, and she had acquired a limp on her back hind leg,” said Case, an assistant manager at Partnerships with Industry in Santee. “After returning to East County, she had already found a permanent home with a loving family; they fell in love with her sweet and loving personality instantly. Her new family got her all cleaned up and named her Koa, but unfortunately her limp persisted. Koa was taken to the vet to get X-rays and she was diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome. This involves spontaneous degeneration of the head on the femur bone. Unfortunately, it was determined that she needs immediate surgery or her condition would worsen and cause her even more tremendous pain and no use of her back right leg.”

Toys expand 400 times in size, causing blockage in intestine if swallowed

December 18, 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada today announced a voluntary recall of Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H20 Orbs "Despicable Me" and Fabulous Flowers toys imported by Dunecraft, Inc.

About 94,700 of the toys have been sold in the U.S. at major retail stores, internet sites and other locations, as well as 600 sold in Canada.