Tag: Chicago

1,122 Four-Legged White Sox Fans Break Guinness World Record

Baseball has officially gone to the dogs — in Chicago, at least. The number of four-legged fans in attendance at tonight’s White Sox game broke the Guinness World Record for the largest number of dogs at a sporting event.

The White Sox invited fans to bring dogs to their annual “Bark in the Park” game, hoping for at least 1,000 pooches to show up to break the record. They got even more than they hoped for: 1,122 dogs attended the game, the Chicago Tribune reports. All those furry fans woof-woof-woofed for the home team from the outfield seats at U.S. Cellular Field.

Our furry friends are having a ball at Bark at the Park. #SoxDogs

A photo posted by Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) on

The dogs served as good-luck charms as well: The Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 8-1.

“They were a little noisy but it’s kind of fun,” Sox outfielder Adam Eaton told the Tribune. “It brings a different atmosphere to the ballpark. I think that’s one of the beauties of The Cell, really nothing is off limits.”

Second baseman Tyler Saladino said the dogs were vocal throughout the game. “It was just funny hearing them yelling, like they didn’t know what was going on,” he told the Tribune. “They were just yelling back and forth at each other. That was a fun game though.” (Apparently in ballparks, “barking” becomes “yelling,” LOL.)

A Guinness World Record adjudicator also attended the game to verify the number of dogs attending. The team was awarded with a certificate.

Photo via Instagram

Chicago Police Save Life of Dog Shot in Domestic Dispute

While responding to a call regarding a domestic dispute late Wednesday afternoon, Chicago Police officers Steven Ommundson and Eugene Shields came across Sophie, a 6-year-old Shepherd/Lab mix.

Sophie had just been shot in the head, apparently by a man who also shot another man and then turned the gun on himself. The men died, but Sophie was still alive.

“It was kind of emotional because I grew up with dogs and just seeing a dog in that state, I mean, it’s a lot to take in,” Ommundson told WLS.

“I kept thinking to myself, how could someone do this to man’s best friend? You know, the dog didn’t do anything to anybody. It just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The officers carried Sophie to their patrol car and rushed her to BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Skokie, Ill.

“She was extremely disoriented and distressed when she was brought in,” Dr. Lauren Nazarian, a veterinarian with the hospital, told the Chicago Tribune. “We didn’t know at that point whether it hit her brain or what her outcome would be.”

Both Dr. Nazarian and Dr. David Wilson, a veterinary surgeon, credit the quick actions of officers Ommundson and Shields for saving Sophie’s life. She arrived at the hospital less than 15 minutes after she had been shot.

The day after she received emergency treatment, Sophie was able to stand on her own and even walk with a little assistance.

“Under the circumstances, she is doing quite well,” Dr. Wilson said today in a news release. “We’re mostly concerned about the trauma she sustained to her nervous system. We’ll know more about the extent of her injuries in the coming days. But I’m really impressed with her resiliency.”

Sophie suffered damage to her skull and jaw. Fragments from the bullet are lodged in her neck and shoulders.

Dr. Nazarian told the Tribune it could have been a lot worse had the bullet hit Sophie’s brain.

Sophie is expected to need about another week of care at BluePearl, and then she will be available for adoption. The hospital has already been getting calls from potential pet parents.

The medical expenses for Sophie’s treatment could reach more than $10,000. The non-profit Frankie’s Friends has launched an online fundraiser to help pay her bill. As of late Friday afternoon, more than $5,000 has been raised. All funds raised above the goal will go toward other pets in need.

“Sophie has a long road to recovery,” Dr. Wilson said, “but so far, she’s off to a great start.”

Photos via BluePearl Veterinary Partners

Epidemic Dog Flu Spreads to Texas and Georgia

Updated dog flu news

The epidemic canine flu virus that has sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area, as well as dogs in Wisconsin and Indiana, has now reportedly spread to Texas and Georgia.

The flu has also claimed its sixth victim. Johnny Suede, a 3-year-old Chihuahua, died earlier this month at the P.A.W.S. animal shelter in Tinley Park, Ill., about 30 miles from Chicago.

“We gave him IV fluids, antibiotics, nebulizer treatments, you name it,” Cindy Staros, a shelter volunteer, told WLS. “He just couldn’t pull through.”

Most of the dogs at P.A.W.S. have been infected with the virus. Since they can be contagious for up to 21 days, the shelter is temporarily closed.

This dog flu was originally thought to be H3N8, a strain that first appeared in the U.S. in 2004 at a Greyhound racing track in Florida, sickening dozens of the dogs, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Since then, H3N8 has been reported in 30 states.

But in April, scientists confirmed the current epidemic is actually the strain H3N2. There have been outbreaks of H3N2 in China and South Korea since 2006, but it had never before been identified in the U.S. It is believed to have been brought here by a dog from Asia.

Most at risk for becoming infected are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems. After sickening an estimated 1,300 dogs in the Midwest, the flu outbreak is now moving south.

The first case of H3N2 in Texas was reported May 13. The affected dog and his family had recently moved to the Houston area from Chicago, according to NBC DFW.

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine alerted veterinarians Friday that a dog in Athens, Ga., has been confirmed to have the flu, although it has not yet been determined whether it’s H3N2 or H3N8. The dog had recently been in contact with others at a boarding facility in Atlanta, FOX 5 reports.

Click here for tips on preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo via Twitter

Scientists Confirm Chicago Dog Flu Is New Strain from Asia

Updated dog flu news

The near-epidemic canine flu that has sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Chicago area — and resulted in the death of five dogs — is not H3N8, as originally thought.

On Sunday, laboratory scientists at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin confirmed the flu strain is actually H3N2.

“The H3N2 was brought here almost for certain by a dog from Asia, or that had visited Asia and came over here while they were infective, which is a very short window,” Dr. David Gonsky, of West Loop Veterinary Care in Chicago, told MyFoxChicago.com.

H3N2 has never before been identified in North America. There have been outbreaks of this canine flu in China and South Korea since 2006.

According to a press release from Cornell University, the symptoms of both H3N8 and H3N2 include high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy. The symptoms may be more severe for the H3N2 virus. For both viruses, some infected dogs may not show any symptoms. Most at risk are puppies, older dogs and dogs with weakened immune systems.

The flu has started spreading beyond Chicago. A dog in Madison, Wisc., was diagnosed with it last week. Cases have also been reported in Indiana and Ohio, according to the Wausau Daily Herald.

Here are tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: Laura

Near-Epidemic Dog Flu Spreads from Chicago to Wisconsin

Updated dog flu news

APRIL 14, 2015 UPDATE: Laboratory scientists have confirmed that the flu affecting dogs in Chicago is not H3N8. It is H3N2, a strain from Asia that has previously not been seen in the United States.

Five dogs in the Chicago area have died since January from H3N8, a type of respiratory flu that is highly contagious to other dogs, but not to humans. Thousands of cases have been diagnosed in the last few months, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Yesterday, a dog in Madison, Wisc. — about 150 miles north of Chicago — was diagnosed with H3N8.

“Canine influenza has been confirmed in a patient in the Madison area,” stated the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in an advisory.

Dr. Jerry Klein, supervising veterinarian for the Chicago Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center, described the spread of the dog flu as near-epidemic. “In my 35 years, this is the worst outbreak,” he told WLNS.

The first outbreak of canine influenza occurred back in 2004, when Greyhounds at a racing track in Florida became ill, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Since then, the flu has been reported in 30 states.

The current outbreak is expected to last for a few more weeks.

Here are tips for preventing your dog from getting the H3N2 virus.

Photo credit: Dylan Tweney

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