National Nov 8, 2021
Wasao the 'ugly-cute' Akita dog immortalized in stone in Aomori
The big white furry canine served as a local ambassador and tourism stationmaster, eventually becoming an online and television sensation.
National Oct 31, 2021
The therapy pet services can be so popular that sometimes shelters don't have enough animals and volunteers to meet the demand.
World May 24, 2021
Virus-sniffing dogs could shorten test lines at airports, U.K. study finds
Two dogs could accurately scan 300 plane passengers in about half an hour, according to scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
World / Science & Health May 21, 2021
The latest coronavirus comes from dogs
by Emily Anthes
Scientists have discovered a new canine coronavirus in a child who was hospitalized with pneumonia in Malaysia in 2018. If the virus is confirmed to be a human pathogen, it would be the eighth coronavirus, and the first canine coronavirus, known to cause disease ...
World / Science & Health May 20, 2021
Dogs sniffing COVID-19 from sweat fare nearly as well as PCR tests
The results mean that virus-sniffing dogs could be more widely deployed in airports, train stations or wherever crowds amass to screen people.
National Apr 24, 2021
Pandemic causing changes in pet dogs' behavior, survey shows
A recent study by dog information website Inunavi found that a total of 56% of owners say their pets' behavior has changed from before the pandemic.
Life Jan 19, 2021
Animal rights groups warn the surge could see pets abandoned once lives return to normal after the virus is defeated.
National Jan 12, 2021
Aichi city aims to give ‘dropout’ service dogs a second life
The city of Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, is utilizing Japan's furusato nōzei hometown donation system to support a second life for dogs that fail to become service animals. There is currently no public support for such dogs, according to the Japan Service Dog Association. "There are ...
National Nov 4, 2020
Japanese health officials find 164 dogs crammed into tiny house
Japanese health officials have found 164 emaciated dogs crammed into a tiny house in one of the country's worst cases of animal hoarding, an animal rights activist said Wednesday. The parasite-infested animals were found in a 30 square-meter (323 sq. foot) house in the city ...
National Oct 27, 2020
Runaway police dog found after search on Hyogo's Mount Nagusa
A police dog that ran away during an operation to locate a missing woman on mountain in Hyogo Prefecture was found Tuesday after an extensive search. The 2-year-old German shepherd, nicknamed Kureba-go, was discovered at around 9:40 a.m. nearly two days after escaping on Mount ...
National / Crime & Legal Oct 7, 2020
Dog trained to support child victims makes rare court appearance
At present, there are four courthouse dogs in Japan and it is believed the case is the first in which a dog has appeared in court.
National Sep 24, 2020
Akita paper launches English site to spread word on beloved dogs
The site is dedicated to the popular breed and run by the Akita Sakigake Shimpo.