Mark Werner said he didn't hear the sound, but his dog, an Australian Shepherd mix named Jack, did.

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For his book, Dean spent more than a year on the circuit with a champion Australian shepherd named Jack, following him to more than 30 competitions, including Westminster in 2010 and 2011.

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He added that the illegality of whaling in Australian waters did not excuse Sea Shepherd's activities.

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Sea Shepherd argues that the US court has no jurisdiction over foreign-flagged vessels sailing in Australian waters with an international crew.

BBC: US court brands whale activists Sea Shepherd 'pirates'