To the Collins family, the 180kg lion that paces in its 28m2 cage is ``Kitty,'' their cute pet. But to other people in this small town in the US state of Kentucky, Kitty is a frightening menace. Neighbors are asking the government to make the Collins family move him.
``I think it needs to be in a different environment,'' said Pauline Hall, who lives three houses away from the Collins family. ``Everybody here keeps their guns loaded.''
Barry Collins bought Kitty three years ago when the lion was a 2.3kg cub. The Collinses said all their pet purchases were a way to save the animals from harm or abuse. ``If I can save (an animal) I will,'' said Melissa Collins.
PHOTO: AP
The Collinses said they were surprised when neighbors asked the government to make them get rid of Kitty. They said they'd heard a handful of complaints since they brought the lion home, but nothing serious.
``He's not bothering (anybody),'' Barry Collins said.
When asked whether Kitty is inherently dangerous, he said any pet can be unpredictable and that he doesn't think the lion would hurt his children, ages one, three and five.
However, not everyone agrees. ``I'm sure it is a big pet to the owners,'' said Keith Bartley, a lawyer for the government, ``but the one time something goes wrong with a cat that size, someone's going to be really hurt or dead.''
If the government makes him get rid of his lion, Bartley said he's working with a local veterinarian to find a zoo or animal sanctuary that the lion could be moved to.
``If they love that lion, I don't believe they'd want it to live its entire life in a dog cage on a concrete pad,'' Bartley said. (AP)
對柯林斯家族來說,在二十八平方公尺大小的籠子裡漫步的一百八十公斤獅子是牠們可愛的寵物「凱弟」。不過對美國肯塔基州這個小鎮的其他居民來說,凱弟是可怕的威脅。鄰居要求政府讓柯林斯家族遷走凱弟。
「我想牠必須換個環境,」住在距柯林斯家族三棟屋子之遙的寶琳.荷爾說:「這裡所有人都已把槍上膛。」
貝瑞.柯林斯在三年前買下重 2.3公斤、還是幼獅的凱弟。柯林斯家族表示,他們購買寵物是拯救這些動物免於受傷或受虐的方式。瑪莉莎.柯林斯說:「我能救(動物)就救。」
柯林斯家族指出,他們很訝異鄰居竟然請政府要他們將凱弟移走。他們說自從把獅子帶回家後聽過零星抱怨,但都不嚴重。
貝瑞.柯林斯說:「牠沒有礙到(任何人)。」
被問及凱弟是否天性危險時,他說任何寵物都無法預測,他不認為這頭獅子會傷害他一歲、三歲和五歲大的小孩。
然而,並非所有人都同意。「我確信牠對飼主來說是龐然大物,」公聘的律師凱斯.巴特萊說:「不過這樣大的獅子只要有一次不對勁,就會有人真的受傷或死亡。」
巴特萊表示,假如政府說服柯林斯放棄獅子,他會與當地獸醫一起找家可讓獅子容身的動物園或動物保護區。
巴特萊說:「如果他們愛那頭獅子,我不相信他們會希望牠一輩子住在水泥地上的狗籠裡。」 (美聯社/翻譯:賴美君)
A: Also, police seized seven pornographic videos featuring minors that entertainer Mickey Huang purchased in his hard disc. B: That’s just outrageous! A: His ex-girlfriend entertainer Little S and some others are calling for a legal amendment to increase the penalty. B: The buyers and sellers should both be punished heavily. A: But the porn sellers’ Web sites are mostly overseas, so they are hard to catch. A: 此外警方也在黃子佼的硬碟裡,查到7部他買的未成年色情片。 B: 真是令人火大! A: 他的前女友小S等人,還呼籲修法,加重相關的罰則。 B: 購買者和販賣者雙方都該重罰。 A: 不過色情網站大多設在海外要抓也不容易吧。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
A: Entertainer Mickey Huang’s #MeToo scandal has kept snowballing. B: Didn’t Huang just escape prosecution on several sexual misconduct charges due to a lack of evidence? A: He has now been accused of raping a woman identified as "Miss K." B: It’s like one trouble follows another! A: His decent “persona” in the showbiz has totally collapsed. A: 藝人黃子佼的#MeToo事件真是沒完沒了。 B: 他的性騷擾案不是因為證據不足獲得不起訴? A: 但他又被某位「K小姐」指控性侵。 B: 天啊,真是一波未平,一波又起! A: 他在娛樂圈的優質「人設」都崩壞啦。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
Jumping rope has long been considered an excellent form of exercise. It not only burns calories but also improves cardiovascular health and __1__ core muscles. Anyone who has used a traditional jump rope, though, knows that it requires a certain level of skill and coordination. However, with the development of the cordless jump rope, this is __2__ the case. The cordless jump rope is an innovation in the fitness industry that has gained popularity in recent years. As its name suggests, it doesn’t have a cord connecting the two handles. Instead, each handle features a short cord with a
Let’s explore another delicacy primarily known to Tainan locals: floating milkfish in thick soup. Despite its peculiar name, this dish is another Tainan specialty that showcases the popularity of milkfish, which is made into fish paste and served in thick soup. Unlike the version with tutuo fish, which also adds other ingredients to its thick soup, the floating milkfish version primarily features the “floating fish” itself in its thick soup, ensuring that the fish paste remains the star of the dish. 讓我們來探索另一道台南人熟悉的美食:浮水魚羹。這道菜名奇特的美食,再再展現了台南虱目魚料理的多樣。浮水魚羹是用虱目魚漿做成的羹品,雖然和𩵚魠魚羹一樣是羹湯,但不像𩵚魠魚羹會在湯中加入其他食材,而是讓虱目魚漿成為這道料理的主角。 peculiar (adj.) 獨特的;古怪的 The belly of a milkfish is considered the most