ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide. Founded in 1992, ANIMAL PEOPLE has no alignment or affiliation with any other entity.

 

This site built and maintained by: GREANVILLE ASSOCIATES and CRESCENT COMMUNICATIONS • Rev. 12.1.05 Copyright ANIMAL PEOPLE, INC. 1992--2005

 

 

 

 

 
   
 
powered by FreeFind

ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

MONTH: SEPTEMBER 2006

Rocket attack victim stayed behind for his dog

HAIFA--Among the Israeli dead from the August 2006 Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel was Dave Lalchuk, 52, originally from Boston, who reportedly emigrated to Israel in the early 1980s. Lalchuk and his Israeli wife Esti joined Kibbutz Sa'ar near Nahariya in the western Galilee region, raised two daughters, now adults living elsewhere, reported Jack Khoury of Haaretz.

"Despite rocket hits in the area, Lalchuk continued working in the citrus groves and caring for the animals he loved, including his beloved dog, Blackie," Khoury wrote.

When a rocket blew Lalchuk off his bicycle at the door to his home on August 2, "The ambulance crew and kibbutz members who rushed to the scene found the dog lying by the body in a state of great distress. Kibbutz members tried to remove the dog from the scene, but Blackie insisted on remaining beside his friend. Even once the body was removed, the dog refused to budge from the spot for a long time," Khoury recounted.

"Many Israelis who raise livestock refused to leave," wrote Orly Halpern of U.S. News & World Report.

"We have 150 calves," Geula Feldinger of Sde Yaakov told Halpern. "One of our neighbors has a dairy farm and another has a chicken coop. No one is leaving. If we do, our animals will die."

"In south Lebanon, farmers don't have much choice," Halpern added. "The Israeli military has called for them to leave in order not to be injured."

Others who stayed behind to look after animals included Kibbutz Gesher Haziv pound keepers Motti and Ziona Sudai.
"We couldn't leave because of the dogs," Sudai told Ashkenazi of Haaretz. "We must stay with the dogs and calm them down. In the last few days rockets have been raining on us and we don't have a shelter nearby," Sudai continued. "We asked the regional council for a mobile security room but they laughed at us.

"Some people kicked their dog out as soon as the first rocket landed and went to Tel Aviv," Sudai added. "But many others brought their dogs here and are inquiring about their health."