Thu May 3: Goodbye to George; Passion for parrots; Herbie Hancock

Published: 7:41PM Thursday May 03, 2007

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Goodbye to George
Over the past few weeks there have been a number of pitbull attacks on humans, one killing a Rotorua woman. But a pitbull attack on a little dog called George has broken the heart of his owner Alan Gay and Alan's neighbours - children who treated the dog as their own and as a loyal companion. While the children were out walking with George a few days ago two pitbulls came out and tried to attack them. George leapt to their rescue and paid with his life. Laurna White spoke to the children about that horrific day, and to the terrier's owner about his painful loss. Then Mark Sainsbury spoke to vet Elena Bryant, an advocate for pitbulls, and Les Dalton, the national spokesperson for Animal Control Officers.

Passion for Parrots
Murray Powell has lived on the same property for 42 years. Almost 100 metres away is a neighbour who has lived there for about a quarter of that time. Murray owns many exotic birds - colourful parrots who squawk a lot. His neighbour has complained to the Waikato District Council about the noise time and time again and they have been obliged to act. That is despite the fact that 400 others in the area support Murray and his birds and say they aren't a problem. Now it looks like Murray might have to say goodbye to the birds if he can't convince the Environment Court that the noise they make isn't a problem. Michael Holland meets a man whose life is his birds.

Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock is one of jazz music's pioneers and a gentleman. He's the protege of the legendary Miles Davis and now he's trying to pass a little of what he learned on to a generation of pop stars whose parents were in short pants when he first made his name at the piano. Garth Bray met up with jazz legend in Sydney.

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