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<p>As part of an ambitious effort to identify genes that cause disease in dogs and humans, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle analyzed DNA collected from 414 dogs representing 85 breeds, including some of the most popular. The findings have sent reverberations though the ranks of dog fanciers, who primp and preen their beloved companions for shows and take great pride in their pedigrees.</p>

LANCASTER - A veterinarian testified at a preliminary hearing Thursday about the condition of the 236 wild Chihuahuas taken from an Acton home last year. Emma Harter, 73, is facing two counts of cruelty to animals, one count of battery of a peace officer, one count of creating a public nuisance and four counts of keeping unsanitary kennels. The hearing is to continue today at the North District Lancaster Courthouse. After the hearing, a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to hold Harter for trial on the charges. Harter kept the dogs inside her house, in the 32000...

The 150-plus Chihuahuas who once lived in deplorable conditions inside an Acton home will now have a chance at a normal life. Judge Lisa Chung ruled Friday that the Chihuahuas confiscated from 73-year-old Emma Harter's Acton home will be allowed to leave the custody of Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control and go to Chihuahua Rescue, which will in turn farm them out to foster homes across the country. "It's always been my dream that we can rescue these Chihuahuas," said Chihuahua Rescue President Kimi Peck. Harter's husband approached Peck to take the Chihuahuas only days after the dogs...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The case of 174 feral Chihuahuas on death row in a Los Angeles animal shelter has pitted animal rescue groups against each other in a debate over whether the purse-sized dogs are too vicious to adopt. The plight of the tiny dogs has prompted a war of words between rival Chihuahua rescue groups, a candlelight vigil, and an outpouring of offers of new homes and money. Some experts have also warned that the adorable lap dogs, made wild by years of inbreeding and roaming in packs in the home of their elderly owner, were closer to...