Jalopnik: animals

Head Of Local SPCA Leaves Dog To Die In Hot Car

Wes Siler — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:30:00 EDT

The CEO of the Richmond, VA SPCA left her blind and deaf 16-year old dog locked in her car on a 91-degree day. Predictably, it died of kidney failure. She doesn't plan to resign. [AOL]

Match These 20 Animals To Cars Named After Them

The Auto Insider — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Auto manufacturers frequently use animals as inspiration for names. While many can identify the cars by sight, do you think you can do the opposite and name the cars by seeing a picture of the animal inspiring the name?

Try to be the first to match all twenty of these animals to the car that's named after them without checking out the answers. Only you'll know if you looked ahead and cheated. Good luck! (Hat Tip To David!)

[inspired by: HowStuffWorks]

Image Credit: Richard Day, National Geographic
Photo Credit: William Albert Allard, National Geographic
Image Credit: Rent Me Panama City Beach
Image Credit: Pete Oxford, Art.com
Image Credit: Chris Johns, National Geographic
Image Credit: Micheal St. George
Image Credit: Pavel Krasensky, Nature Photo
Image Credit: Anthony Childs, National Geographic
Image Credit: Captain Pat Green, Panama City Spear Fishing
Image Credit: btwood2, igougo
Image Credit: Travis Olson, canids
Image Credit: Carolina Bee Company
Image Credit: CLTV
Image Credit: LYNX
Image Credit: UWYO
Image Credit: A & M Shah, National Geographic
Image Credit: Mark Beeson
Image Credit: Absolute Divers
Image Credit: Daniel Pettersson, Wikipedia
Image Credit: Scott Bauer, Wikipedia

1. Nissan/Datsun Bluebird
2. Ford Bronco
3. AMC Marlin
4. Dodge Viper
5. Chevy Impala
6. Ford Pinto
7. Hudson Wasp
8. Shelby Cobra
9. Plymouth Barracuda
10. Chevrolet Bison Semi-Truck
11. Volkswagen Fox
12. Nissan/Datsun Honey Bee
13. Mercury Cougar
14. Jaguar
15. Cheetah kit car
16. Singer Gazelle
17. Plymouth Road Runner
18. Corvette Stingray
19. Studebaker Lark / Buick Skylark
20. Volkswagen Beetle

Buy Mitsubishi, Get Goat For Free

Wes Siler — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:00:00 EDT

Proving that "Flight of the Conchords" is completely accurate, Mitsubishi New Zealand is giving away free goats with every Triton truck. But what about goat flu? One of the best press releases ever below.

You really need to read all of this hilarious (and we think maybe sincere) press release to capture the full comedic value.

Mitsubishi offers free goat
22 May 2009
In a drive to help the rural community stave off the recession, Mitsubishi Motors is supporting primary productivity by offering a free goat with every new Triton sold before August.

"We firmly believe that New Zealand's recovery is in the hands of the rural sector and they're the people who are buying our utes," said MMNZ general manager of sales and marketing Peter Wilkins. "Goats, like our Tritons, are hardy, versatile units, which will integrate directly into existing farm operations".

"Goats improve farm productivity by providing an environmentally friendly defence against noxious weeds and they're a lot cheaper than toxic sprays".

"Goats also provide export commodities that can help improve our balance of payments. They grow a fine micron fleece, much like the renowned Merino, which can be used to produce high-quality garments. Goat's milk provides a nutritious alternative for the growing number of lactose intolerant people and while goat meat is seldom featured in Western restaurants, developing countries consume vast quantities," said Mr Wilkins.

"And, most importantly, there is no such thing as Goat Flu – so no threat to tourism. It's hard to see a downside," he added.

"At MMNZ, we are aware that three years of drought has severely depleted sheep and beef populations, so what better time to ‘float the goat'?" said Mr Wilkins. "We'll supply a free goat with every Triton sold before August and do our bit to loosen the grip of the recession".

"On the off chance that the purchaser already has enough goats or feels that goat herding is better left to those in drier climes, we'll supply a ‘no goat package' consisting of a five-year/100,000km extended warranty, five free WOF inspections, 5,000km road user charges, five years of roadside assistance and $500 of genuine or approved Triton accessories," Mr Wilkins said.

(Hat Tip to Nick!)

[Mitsibushi]

Scary Caterpillars Attack Honda Civic

Wes Siler — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:00:00 EDT

This Honda Civic has been completely entrapped by a pack of rare caterpillars along with the rest of the Dutch street it's been parked on. Holland's response? They'll turn into butterflies in four weeks anyways.

Hat Tip to Art! [via Banpei.net]

Austrian Uses VW Golf To Mooove Calves

Andrew Didorosi — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST

Shocked motorists have spotted an Austrian softie who uses his tiny VW to relocate his beloved calves wherever they might need to go.

DailyMail reports an unnamed Austrian farmer has been using a beloved Golf to transport some beloved calves. He even took steps to modify said hatchback to make it comfortable and accessible for their trips around the countryside.

Quoting the original article, "The unidentified farmer, from Kufstein district in Tyrol, insisted he 'acted out of love for his animals' as they would have been 'too cold' in an open-air trailer." Animal rights activists are raging over the prospect that someone would transport livestock in anything other than a government-approved animal trailer.

To calm the foaming mouths of the fur-happy lunatics, he agreed to "only transport young animals in the car that did not weigh more than 80 kilos." Happy now, Pamela?

[DailyMail]

Truck Saves Alaskan From Man-Eating Polar Bear

Wes Siler — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

These pictures were captured during a deadly game of hide-and-seek between a hungry polar bear and an Alaskan man who stumbled into its path.

The bear — the only species known to actively hunt humans — stalked the man as he left his job as a surveyor in Barrow, the northernmost town in Alaska.

At first, he tried to hide behind the truck until, sensing his presence, the bear dived across the hood and pursued the man in circles around his locked Ford. Unable to unlock the doors quickly enough to evade his pursuer, the man gambled that the GM pickup parked a few feet over was unlocked. As he reached it the bear caught up and mauled the man, leaving over 100 deep claw marks in his back and head. Somehow, the man escaped, crawling through the unlocked door of the GM just in time.

As polar bears face food shortages and destruction of their habitats, they’re increasingly turning to humans — usually their trash — as a source of food. Polar Bears International claims only one human has been killed in the US by the creatures, which can grow up to 10 feet tall, in the last 30 years. [via the Daily Mail]

Photography credit: Roger Nilsson

Thanks for the tip, Jerry!

Driving While Petting Soon To Be Illegal

Travis Hudson — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:40:00 EDT

California Assemblyman Bill Maze is proposing a new law that would make driving with an animal in your lap illegal and punishable by a $35 fine. The law passed through the California Assembly this week and will be making its way to the Senate. It's a pretty obvious that those crazy old cougars that drive around with their miniature toy dogs in their laps pose a giant risk to other motorists so there's no reason not to go ahead with this law.

The law would make it legal to still drive with the dog in shotgun or the back, but just no sitting on the lap of the driver. If they read Jalopnik or drove Volvos, they'd know to buckle up their pets for ultimate safety. [Source/Photo: NBC 5i]

Ford Succeeds In Giving Us Nightmares With New Ka Spot

Travis Hudson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:40:00 EDT

We understand the Ford Ka is a roomy vehicle. Hell, it's even big enough for James Bond and many Bond girls, but the means this Spanish commercial goes to in order to express that notion is going to cause us to have some serious trouble sleeping tonight. The first one to identify what the hell those creatures are gets a cookie. [Neatorama]

Poorly Named Hotdog Monitors In-Car Temperature For The Pooch

Travis Hudson — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:45:00 EDT

We all know the SPCA, PETA and other groups get their knickers in a bunch over leaving animals in cars, and rightly so. Much to the delight of these organizations, Hotdog is a new gadget that will to take a step forward toward keeping pets in overheating cars. This device connects into your cars electrical system and will actively monitor the temperature inside of the car.

Once the temperature surpasses a pre-determined temperature, the system will automatically roll down the windows of the car giving fresh air to the pooch and give it the opportunity to escape your life. If you really need a device this, maybe pet and animal responsibility is not the top priority on your list and you should forfeit your dog-ownership rights. The Hotdog is available for $366. [Criminalistics via Giz]

Puphut Does Nothing To Increase Ferociousness Of Your Pooch

Travis Hudson — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:30:00 EST

All the credibility you gained driving that F-350 will be thrown out the window once the guys catch you rocking a Puphut in your big, beastly truck. Puphut is what it says it is: a hut, for your truck, so your dog can stay nice and protected when you are hauling him around town. Back off for a second, PETA, and listen. Dogs can take the weather and unless you drive around all day with your dog in the bed, I'm more than sure Old Yeller will be fine for the 10 minute trip to the hardware store.

You know who definitely doesn't need a Puphut? Uno, the beagle that won Best in Show this week at Westminster Kennel Club. That little guy is a champ and can tackle all of the elements. Now do you really want a beagle showing up your big, bad Lab? Puphut can be had for $230 and even comes in tacky camo! [Puphut via Ubergizmo]

Bear Steels Car, Bear Driving Car, How Can That Be?

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST

New Jersey police are claiming that a black bear is the prime suspect in a car theft in Vernon Township. Apparently, the bear was attracted to the sweets inside the car and accidentally released the emergency brake. The vehicle was found down the road, full of bear hair and broken glass. This thing should be expected if we continue to destroy crime-fighting alligators. I'll take the alligator over the bear any day. [LOL.CO.ZA]

400 Chickens Killed in Road Accident

Wes Siler — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:15:00 EDT

1,400 hundred chickens escaped captivity and 400 were killed in a tragic road accident in Scotland early this morning. The tractor-trailer carrying them jack-knifed on the A40 near Haggs, releasing the birds and causing chaos on area roads. It took Specialist Chicken Handlers 9-hours to clear the road of the fowl, which had been destined for an area abattoir. [Via BBC News]
Photo credit: E. E. Piphanie

Making Cars Look Like Animals Could Reduce Accidents

Wes Siler — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 13:14:15 EDT

A study conducted by Yale and the University of California has found that the human brain is more attuned to detecting animal than mechanical motion. The results could point the way for safer cars being made in the image of wildlife. In tests, subjects were over three times as likely to recognize motion in animals than in cars. Quoted in The Telegraph, Professor Leda Cosmides of the University of California said, "It may seem fanciful, but it is possible that painting cars to look more like animals might increase attentional monitoring of them." The Telegraph Photo credit: Sister72

Deer Deterrent Tested

Wes Siler — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:15:00 EDT

A roadside device capable of scaring deer away from the road when vehicles approach is being tested in New Jersey. Capable of detecting headlights long before the animals become dazzled, it emits a loud noise and flashes a blue strobe light when cars come within 150 yards. 38 have been installed on a stretch of road near Fort Dix notorious for accidents involving deer. Its inventors, JAFA Technologies, say the devices will cost about $150 each. [Via NJ.com]
Photo credit: Eric Chan

Bathurst Kangaroo!

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:45:00 EDT

In Australia, there are many wonderous things — utes, sheilas, The Great Barrier Reef, Paul Hogan and road trains — not to mention a rather abundant diversity of marsupials. Some of these marsupials are kangaroos. Sometimes, kangaroos end up where they're not supposed to be, such as on the track at Bathurst during a motor racing competition.

Bird and Car Enter, Car Leaves

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:15:00 EDT

Somewhere along that great ribbon of asphalt and concrete that links The City to the Big Apple, there is a pond. More specifically, that pond is in Utah. And in that Utahn pond, gulls congregate. Their flight path to said pond takes them across Interstate Eighty. And when the dumb bird misjudges the speed of oncoming traffic, well, they tend to wind up even more kaput than a Chevy Vega attempting Le Mans. Also of note: when the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources comes across large, hazardous roadkill, they drag it out into the desert for scavenger snacktime.

Gulls vs. Cars: Birds aren't winning [Salt Lake Tribune]

Randy Crow Attacks UK Cars

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:45:00 EDT

We had a pal in college who liked to wear a black trenchcoat, a Gecko T-shirt and a ring on a lanyard around his neck with a silver ring hanging from it. After a year or so of knowing him, we actually looked at said ring and noticed it had "The Crow" engraved in it. Needless to say, he wasn't exactly beating the ladies off with a stick, except for that one exceedingly odd girl who spoke Klingon. Regardless, he is a smart, sharp dude who now occasionally appears on television. And he dresses better these days. In the UK, however, one particular crow hasn't smartened up. He's horny and territorrial, and when he sees his reflection in the roof of an automobile, he has a tendency to attack it as if it were a romantic rival. Either that, or he's just a really, really big fan of Black Flag's Damaged album and doesn't have a mirror handy. – Davey G. Johnson

Love-crazed crow attacking cars at city business [Peterborough Today, UK]

You Can See Her Stripes But You Know She's Clean: Tiger Attacks Cars

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:30:00 EST

A belligerent she-tiger, apparently angry that a motorist took the life of one of her cubs, has gone about attacking motor vehicles in eastern Russia. The big cat is one of about 450 tigers remaining in the Maritime and the Khabarovsk regions, and has been seen on the side of the road with a dead cub in her jaws, lashing out at cars. Russian officials figure that although their attempts to scare the tiger away have failed, the animal will go away in a few days. In the meantime, if you're in the area, beware of the eyes of the cat in the black and blue. Something is coming for you. Look out! – Davey G. Johnson

Vengeful tiger attacks cars after cub kill [Internal]

Give the Puppy Some: Canine Drives, Crashes

Davey G. Johnson — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:29:00 EDT

This dog-obsessiveness has to stop. Look, we've been a dog owner, and some dogs are really, really amazing creatures. However, that does not mean that they are mentally or physically equipped to operate a motor vehicle on public roads. This, however, did not stop a Mongolian woman known only as Ms. Li from attempting to teach her canine to drive, resulting in some measure of a fender-bender. This anthromorphization of pets has gotta stop before somebody gets killed. After all, dog is a dog. A duck is a duck. But a cat is a person. [Thanks to prplhaze for the tip.]

Woman Crashes When Teaching Dog to Drive [Newsday]

Redneck Yellowjackets Practice Urban Renewal In '55 Chevy

Davey G. Johnson — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:15:00 EDT

Much like dogs love trucks, yellowjackets apparently love cars. We discovered this the hard way a few years back when a mean-spirited stinging insect jabbed us in the back while we were leaving a stoplight, causing us nearly to put our old Legend into a hedge. Nevertheless, we're once again quite stoked that we don't live in Alabama, as superhives have developed throughout the southern part of the state, including one that entirely consumed the interior of a 1955 Chevrolet (could this be some sort of UAW metaphor?). Scientists say it has to do with the unseasonably mild winter the state had last year, but whatever the cause, we've just totally got the jibblies right now. Eep. [Thanks to Michael for the tip.]

Giant Nests Perplex Scientists [Montgomery Advertiser]

Related:
Stefan Eriksson Finds Lawyer in Alabama [Internal]