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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Community WEDNESDAY APRIL 11, 2001 Special needs adoption UDAF advises livestock owners to bill toGeneral become law disease against guard at State Veterinarian foot-and-mou- Mark Attorney ShurtlefTis pleased to announce a new law allowing a $1,000 tax credit to families who adopt special needs children. The bill had an unlikely beginning with a conversation between Shurtleff and Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendys Old Fashioned Hamburgers Restaurant chain. Both men have a strong interest in adoptions. Thomas is an adopted child himself and founded the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; Shurtleffhas three adopted children. After they talked, Shurtleff approached Senator Carlene Walker to sponsor a bill to help parents handle the financial stress of adopting disabled children. Adoption is a wonderful th ex- perience, said Shurtleff. This is a great way to help more families become involved. Under the new law, parents will be eligible for a refundable credit of $1,000 against taxes if they adopt a child between the age of five and 18 with a physical, emotional, or mental disability; or belong to a sibling group placed together for adoption. Not only does it meet the needs for these special children, said Senator Walker, It also makes good fiscal sense for the state. Shurtleff, Senator Walker and adoptive parents and children will be on hand as Governor Michael Levitt signs the bill into law. Another Lucky Winner at Dr. livestock for least one week days. The disease also affects Disinfect your wildlife such as deer and elk, return. after your boots and wash your clothes be- and feral swine. Michael R. Marshall requested today that Utah livestock owners take particular care to inspect their herds and guard against the introduction of Disease (FMD). This follows the March 13, advisory 2001 announcement by Foot-and-Mou- th the-US- A that the United States banned imports of swine and ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats and cervidae) and many animal products from the European Union because of a FMD out- break there. Disease does not infect people, yet it is one of the most economically-damagin- g Foot-and-Mou- th livestock disease in the world, said Dr. Marshall. An outbreak can cost billions of dollars to fight, and thousands of animals can be lost. We cannot afford to be complacent, Marshall added. Utah and the rest of the na- tion have been free of Disease (FMD) since Foot-and-Mou- th 1929. Livestock owners are advised to regularly inspect their herds for any symptoms of disease, and take precautions to protect herds from possible contamination. That means limiting vehicle traffic and visitor access to your animals and property, thorough cleaning and disinfection of clothing, footwear and equipment, and keeping new animals isolated for two weeks prior to adding them to the existing herd. If youve traveled internationally, dont risk carrying disease to your herd. Stay away from People who have worked around fore working with your livestock.' or been near infected animals or on an affected premise, or who Most importantly, livestock owners should report any symptoms of the disease in their animals immediately to their local, state or federal veterinarian, Marshall added. Though there have been 26 outbreaks around the world since 1997, the most recent outbreaks in Great Britain (encompassing England, Wales and Scotland) and France are of particular concern because of the extensive movement of people and products between the United States and these European Union Countries. FMD, which has not been seen in the U.S. since it was eradicated in 1929, is caused by a highly infectious virus that can cause death or debility. Symptoms include blisters (vesicles) smuggle illegal meat products through customs, can inadvertently carry and spread the virus. The virus can also be spread by equipment, cars, clothing, shoes, food items, or even by surviving for a short time in the human respiratory system. We are particularly concerned about the innocent traveler who may unwittingly bring the virus in after travelling abroad. To stop the spread of FMD, infected or exposed animals must be destroyed, then burned or buried. Premises and equipment must also be disinfected to prevent the spread of the disease. FMD is currently affecting four of the worlds seven continents: Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, leaving North America, Australia and Antarctica free of the disease. For more information of FMD visit: and sores (erosions) in and around the mouth, muzzle, teats and feet of animals with cloven or split hooves. Cattle, pigs, sheep and goats are highly susceptible, and can exhibit clinical disease signs after an incubation period of only three to five Help Utahs wildlife non-gam- e tax checkoff through The current tax season is Utah nongame wildlife fund, on line 27 of the Utah State tax form, e will help provide the money essary to continue the preserva- tion of Utahs nongame wildlife, said Dana Dolsen, planner for the Division of Wildlife Resources. wind- - ing down and so is the chance for Utahns to help the states non- wildlife by checking the contribution box on their Utah State tax form this year. Taxpayers contributing to the nec-gam- All donations go directly to Utahs nongame wildlife programs. Most of the species that benefit from these funds are listed by federal or state agencies as threatened or endangered. Other wildlife that benefit may include species the Division of Wildlife Resources has identified as sensitive, or With only a few exceptions (such as jackrabbits and carp) nongame species are not sought by hunters and anglers. Some of Utahs nongame wildlife that have benefitted from the contributions include the peregrine falcon, desert tortoise, d and ferret. Donations to the UtahNongame Wildlife Fund are used to study nongame populations, to protect and restore nongame habitats, to develop recovery programs and to provide information to the public on the progress and condition of nongame wildlife. For more information go to the Division of Wildlife Reat-ris- k. wmx ADUJUhfj i Mums i i black-foote- f I $ i J I 4 n OlDi sources Internet web site mm o iiiiftlt' t win (www.nr.state.ut.usdwr dwr.htm) and visit the Help Assure Wildlifes Future sub-- , r , section under the Assuring Wildlife s Future menu bar ,v |