More Than 100 Poisonous Spiders Discovered

AMAGASAKI, Hyogo--Authorities on Thursday exterminated more than 100 poisonous redback spiders spotted near the Inagawa river the day before, police said. According to the police, a local man spotted a swarm of spiders at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture and reported it to police. Police officers rushed to the scene and found more than 100 spiders inside a drainage pipe in a river wall about five meters high located along a walkway.

Pet Shops Banned from Displaying Cats, Dogs after 8 p.m.

An Environment Ministry ordinance took effect Friday banning pet shop operators from displaying cats and dogs after 8 p.m. to relieve the animals of stress, following criticism by animal rights' groups of outlets that stay open until late at night. According to the new ministry order based on the animal welfare and management act, cats and dogs can be shown to customers at pet shops between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. As a provisional measure effective for two years, the ministry allows "cat cafes," where customers can pet cats, to operate until 10 p.m. if the animals are more than 1 year old and can move freely around the premises.

Police dogs busy with PR not crime

TOTTORI — Two toy poodles have been tied up doing promotional events instead of crime-fighting duties since they became police dogs in Tottori Prefecture in January. The female poodles — Karin, who turns 2 on Sunday, and Fuga, also 2, — passed the police canine exam in November and have been making TV appearances ever since. They debuted in mid-January at a Tottori Prefectural Police event to publicize 110, the emergency telephone number, and took part in an event in February at a junior high school in the town of Chizu to explain the work of dog trainers. At the Chizu event, Karin trained with other police dogs as trainer Makoto Miyamoto told students what his job is like. Karin walked beside Miyamoto and obeying his command, "Wait." A Labrador retriever also demonstrated its sniffing skills at the event. Miyamoto said it takes three to four years for a police dog to master scent tracking. "It's best for them to get on-site work experience" to master the skills, he said. Poodles, which are used as hunting dogs, carry out orders and learn quickly, according to the Japan Kennel Club.