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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-09-23, Page 3Local rabies clinic today and Saturday BY SCOTT HILGENDORFF Expositor Editor While incidents of rabies have dropped dramatically in Huron County, veterinarians stress the importance of annu- al rabies vaccinations for pets, especially after fewer people turned out for the rabies clinic last year. The Seaforth clinics will be held today (Wed.) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. "Last year we were down quite significantly," said Brian Nuhn of the Seaforth Veterinary Clinic. In 1994,. 439 pets were vac- cinated and those numbers rose to 531 in 1996. "That was our busiest year ever." said Nuhn. a veterinari- protects against a new strain an. of rabies found in raccoons. Priest charged with sex offences But last year, only 322 pets were brought in for vaccina- tion. "That's a bit of a concern," said Nuhn. The low cost clin- ics are promoted by the Huron County Health Unit and are held across the county annual- ly. "The clinics are designed to get the animals in that wouldn't normally receive any vaccinations at all," said Nuhn. Farmers round up their barn cats and other people bring their dogs and cats to the clin- ics. The vaccine protects against the arctic fox strain of rabies common to this area but also A Roman Catholic priest has been charged with 68 sex-related offences, includ- ing 34 counts of indecent assault and 34 counts of gross indecent, said to have taken place during the time he spent summers ,in the Kinkora area between 1959 and 1981. John Gerald Stock, 69, is a Kinkora native,•with relatives in the .Mitchell/Dublin area, and at present a priest with the Scarborough Foreign Mission. The charges follow a six- week investigation by Ontario Provincial Police into complaints that 16 males, ages nine to 15 -years - old, were assaulted. Stock was taken before a Justice of the Peace, released on an undertaking, and is scheduled to appear in Stratford Court Monday at 10:30 a.m. Lebeau trial adjournment.. CONTINUED From Page 1. bag also he tested. On Sept. 4, the hags were removed and ,were taken to the forensic centre, along with a sample of Atchison's tissue from Stratford General.Hospital. The trial began on Sept. 8 anal on Sept. 11, a prelimi- nary report from the. centre indicated that saliva was also found on the driver's air bag, along with make up. This, along with the blood previ- ously found,'was analyzed by thc centre and the saliva was found to he from a female and the blood from a male. On Sept. 15, Morris said that he learned from the cen- t*. en- tthat two samples were found on the passenger air bag, both male in gender, but not the same as the male sample on the driver's bag. To obtain a DNA sample from Lebeau so a comparison can he made to the saliva, Morris said that a DNA war- rant must he obtained. He added the testing at the centre would take another four to six weeks. DISPUTED Carey disputed thc request stating that this testing could have been done any time since the accident, and expressed concerns that a break in the trial might he prejudicialto his client. "It is not this further evi- dence, hat the inability. to challenge this evidence that would prejudice the accused," Judge Granger in ruled Monday. A Voir Dire was called in thc trial early last wcck to determine whether or not evi- dence of Lchcau's injuries and blood tests is admissible to the trial. Thc court heard .from lab technologists from Clinton Public Hospital and Victoria Hospital in London, emergency doctors from both hospitals who worked on Lebeau, forensic toxologists, and OPP officers. Thc court will hear closing arguments on the Voir Dire today and Granger said he will reserve his decision on the matter until a later date. PATHOLOGIST In other testimony last week, a pathologist who per- formed autopsies on three of the youths killed in thc crash testified Sept. 15 for the Crown. Dr. Phyllis Fischcr was called into Stratford General Hospital on the morning of Nov. 24 to perform the autop- sies of Neal Atchison, Pamela King, and Brian Hill, who all died on the scene of the accident. Extcmal exams and x-rays were performed on King and Hill early that afternoon. Thc cause of death for Hill was serious neck injurics and a massive injury to his thigh hone, Dr. Fischcr testified. King's cause of death was multiple injuries to vertebrae, chest and internal organs. Both an external and inter- nal exam was performed on Atchison, because Fischer testified there were no "exter- nal signs to explain death." The cause of death was found to he serious head injuries. "There was no evidence of major lower extremity injuries," said Dr. Fischer of her examination of all three. CROSS EXAMINATION During cross examination from Carey, he questioned why no x-rays were per- formed on Atchison, when both King and Hill's x-rays were directed by the coroner. "I saw no-t'easort- to do x- - rays," she said. "I didn't think it would assist in find- ing the cause of death." She later explained that only after an internal examination of Atchison was the cause of death found. Dr. Fischer testified that on all three bodies, the lower extremities were "thoroughly examined" by touch. Asked by Carey if some lower extremity fractures could have gone undetected, she said "it's always possible that something could be missed." Shc added though that signif- icant fractures are very noticeable, especially in the legs, feet, and arms. Shessaid that upon examination, such fractures will show consider- able swelling and bruising, and will be somewhat mobile through touch examination. Though no x-rays were performed on Athchison, -Dr. Fischer testified that she didn't think it was possible to miss a lower extremity injury on him. "X-rays would have con- tributed in that regard, but one does not x-ray without reason." she said. Warrants were also given by the coroner directing Dr. Fischer to take blood and urine samples from Atchison, King and Hill for alcohol testing. Carey asked her why blood was only taken from Atchison. "It's very difficult to obtain blood and urine without opening the body," said Dr. Fischcr, adding that this was likely the reason why nothing was taken from Hill and King since only external examina- tions were performed on them. Atchison's blood sample was sent to thc Centre of Forensic Science for testing but was refused because he was listed as a passenger and Dr. Fischer testified that they only do testings on the driver in motor vehicle accidents. Shc added, though, that Atchison's blood was later called on again when uncer- tainty arose as to who was thc driver of the car. STALLED AT BORDER Dan Dewitt, district veteri- narian for the Canada Food Inspection Agency said so far, that strain has not come in to Canada but raccoons carrying the disease have reached the United States border. "It's right at the Niagara Falls border and it's moving eastward along the St. Lawrence River but it hasn't hopped the border yet," said Dewitt. "If it docs, we've got a huge raccoon population in this area and we've got a huge problem," said Nuhn. Rabies is spread through saliva when, for example, one animal bites another. In the case of skunks, it can also be passed on to new horn skunks but Dewitt said that's the only animal where that can happen. "A rabid animal, if it bites a non -vaccinated animal, chances are that animal will develop rabies," said Nuhn. Dewitt said one of the rea- sons incidents of rabies have declined is by fox baiting pro- grams. Packets containing a food substance foxes will eat are dropped from planes in wooded areas. The packets contain the vaccine and helps McMaster Siemon t INSURANCE M BROKERS INC. •AUTO •HOr.1E •FARt;t •TRAVEL •COt;1t:1ERCIAL •LIFE INSURANCE BROKERS: Bill Siemon Vicki Siemon Dan Proctor Ken Hutchison 68 Ontario Rd. 348-9150 Mitchell 1-800-561-0183 CALL NOW - You still have time to call to register for this Saturday's Course - Sept -26i 98 - Dominion Driver Training is offering a 4 Saturday Classroom , Call 527-1891 control the spread of rabies in the fox community. In 1993, there were 86 cases of rabies in Huron County. In 1997, there were three cases after a gradual decline throughout the 90s. Of the three cases in 1997, two were bats and one was a skunk. This year, there have been three cases so far: two in cat- tle and one skunk. Dewitt said that doesn't mean there haven't been more cases that went unreported but the numbers are still down. "Because rabies is a disease that's not treatable and only preventable, it's still important that we vaccinate for rabies," said Dewitt, adding once symptoms of rabies appear, it's too late. CORRECTION In the story that ran last week on Seaforth Council defeating a motion to support Heritage Canada's Street Smarts program, Coun. Mike Hodgins did not abstain, but voted no, making the final vote three to one against; The Huron Expositor regrets the error. St. Columban Soccer HOME GAME W.O.S.L. MEN'S FIRST DIVISION St. Columban vS. Latinos SAT. SEPT. 26TH •- 5:00 PM — Both games at SL Columban Soccer Field Ad Sponsored By: McConnell Stewart & Devereaux p JR. DRVILOPMIIR HOCKEY CURD North Middlesex at CENTENAIRES Friday, Sept. 25 8:30 p.m. Visit the BLUE LINE CLUB UPSTAIRS Christopher Leadership Courses •Personal Development •Practical Skills •Develop Self Confidence •Speaking Effectively For more information or to Register Call Joanne Melady 345-2152 Starts: Wednesday Sept.. 30th at 7:00 p.m. Northside Seaforth United Church 11 weekly sessions for 5125.00 Seniors or Students $115.00 Over 2,500 Graduates each year. Brian E. Wightman Certified General Accountant 64 Main St., Seaforth (519) 527-1331 Brian Wightman • Accounting & Bookkeeping • Personal & Corporate Tax • Farm, Business & Individual • Tax Planning ('Ill for a free consultation at I1of lice. our home or (business. 527-1331 • COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION INET INVOLVED! Men have a responsibility to stop male violence against women A MI .r b.- 9. Wade klup Loyd THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEPTEMBER 23, 1998-3 PIANO TUNING • REPAIRS • REBUILDING • KEYS RECOVERED • DAf,IPP CHASERS • REGULATING • BENCHES BRUCE PULSIFER 348-9223 min McLaughlin Chev-Olds Ltd. 13 Main St. Seaforth. 527-1140 'Service 'Selection 'Savings *Satisfaction 'Leasing •Complete BODY SHOP Service . ,N,,s,_, .,..... • ., (.\.\,.:\. DRIVE THRU 1139 NOW SOWING - BR ,., . ST BAKED DONUTS DAILY -_ BUFFET 5 - 8 p.m. -CAN -EAT HOT Friday & Sunday! Kids 12 & Under are 1/2 Price ALL -YOU Every Thursday, All you can eat THURSDAY BUFFET • BBQ Chickherds en • Mac & Cheese • Various Vegetables • Dessert & Beverage All you can eat FRIDAY BUFFET • • Hawaiian i Ps Meatballs • Rotini • Mixed Vegetables • Dessert & Beverage SUNDAY BRUNCH All you can eat 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. $799 • Seniors $5.99 rxisunderut .lp All you can eat SUNDAY ' BUFFET t Beef • Lassaag, • A le • Various Vegetables • Dessert Sr Beverage BUFFET & BRUNCH $7 99 SENIORS $5.99 WEDNESDAY IS SENIORS' DAY - 20% DISCOUNT 1998-1999 ICE SCHEDULING MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23, 8:30 PM Seaforth District Community Centres All regular user groups must have a representative at the meeting. Any group or person wanting to book a time, 'special event or tournament during the ice season should also attend the meeting. SHOP EARLY FOR 1000 PAGES OF SAVINGS! $10 off orders $100 or more*! Quot. 691 16 12011 $20 off orders $200 or more*! Quote 094 16 12612 $50 off orders $100 off orders $1000 or more*! $500 or more*! ouot. 094 16 12613 Quote 694 16 12611 SAVE 10% ON ALL TOYS! HUGE TOY SECTION - STATE BONUS # 94 16 12615 Hurry!...these Special Offers end October 41h, 1998 PETE'S PAPER CLIP 19 MAIN STREET, SEAFORTH - 527-1220 'Before two. Limit en. Bonus Otter Number per order; cannot be combined with .ny other Bonn. Oa., Numb..-. S.1. .tart, S.pt rnbr 141h. 199! leg 8„ 1-800-267-3277. sh°Pci":2 SEARS Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 Sunday Sept. 27 Service of Moming Prayer at 9:30 AM th Cavan (Winthrop) 9:30 a m. 8 NORTHSIDE (Goderich St. Seaforth) 11:00 a.m. UNITED CH RCHES Minister: Rev. Ja a Kuepler 527-26 10 00 a m. Fellowship Hour at Nonhslde Sunday School during services Nursery Provided First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Seatorth 11:15 AM Church School during Worship October 4 World Communion et Northside 11 a.m. Minister: Rev. Nicholas Vandermey Seaforth Community Church Rev. Hauser 527-2253 Sun. 11 a.m. worship at 146 Jarvis St. S. "WORDS OF HOPE" 24 Hr. Recorded Message Call 527-1499 Bethel Bible Church Meeting at Seaforth High 9:45 a.m. SundaySchool 7:00 p.m. 11:00 Worship Evening Bible Study Small Group meetings.Weeky An Associated Gospel Church St. James Catholic Church Victoria St., Seaforth Saturday - 5:15 pm St. James Parish, Seaforth Saturday - 7:15 pm St. Joseph's Parish, Clinton Sunday - 9:00 am St. Michael's Parish. Blyth Sunday - 11:00 am St. James Pariah, Seaforth Father Dino Salvador