Tag: safety tips

A Very Scary Reason Why You Shouldn’t Take Your Dog on an Escalator

A small dog riding an escalator with his owner at Los Angeles International Airport last week could have lost a paw if not for the quick actions of a good Samaritan and police officers nearby.

The dog’s paw got caught in the grate at the top of the escalator. A passerby who witnessed what happened quickly pressed the emergency shut-off button to stop the escalator. LAX police officers were able to unscrew the grate’s teeth and free the dog’s paw. Fortunately, the dog did not appear to be seriously injured.

The entire scary incident was captured by security camera and posted on TMZ.

A year ago, the exact same thing happened to another small dog riding the escalator at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. That dog was also safely freed, but bit his owners in the process.

Lesson learned: It’s not a good idea to let dogs, especially small ones, ride on escalators. Unless you can can carry your dog, always take the stairs or elevator instead.

“Many pet owners do not understand the danger escalators and moving walkways pose to pets, who do not know that they need to lift their feet at the top to avoid being trapped by the ‘combs,’” MSPCA-Angell warned in 2012, after a Pomeranian mix named Mace lost two toes after getting his paw stuck on an escalator in a Boston subway station.

Each year, MSPCA-Angell veterinarians perform surgery on an average of two to three dogs whose paws were mangled after they were stuck in escalator combs.

“This is a very serious issue; most of us don’t think twice when stepping onto an escalator, but it’s crucial for all of us to understand that dogs have no sense of the danger awaiting them at the top,” stated Dr. Ashley Davis, one of the veterinarians who treated Mace. “If anything positive can come from Mace’s ordeal, it’s the awareness that his story will generate.”

If you can’t carry your dog and must ride an escalator, bring booties for him to wear, suggested Jeannine Berger, DVM. “Just make sure they fit snugly, without superfluous material that can catch in the moving escalator parts,” she warned.

Photo credit: quinntheislander

Selfie Campaign Raises Awareness of Dogs Lost on Fourth of July

The busiest day for animal shelters in the U.S. is July 5. You can probably guess why — pets frightened by Fourth of July fireworks bolt from their homes, ending up in shelters. Many aren’t that lucky, and are struck and killed by cars as they frantically try to run away from the noise.

To help raise awareness of the fact that 10 million pets get lost annually, and to raise money for the American Humane Association (AHA), the #Lost4Dogs social media campaign has been launched by Whistle Labs Inc., which makes the GPS Pet Tracker for dogs.

“Pets are members of the family, so experiencing only a few moments of loss is traumatic,” Ben Jacobs, the company’s co-founder and CEO, told the Associated Press.

Here’s how #Lost4Dogs works: Pet parents take a selfie with their dog while wearing a sign saying, “If found, return to [dog’s name].” The dog also wears a sign that says, “I am [dog’s name].” Like this:

The photo is then posted on social media with the #Lost4Dogs hashtag, and the challenge for four other pet parents to participate and/or make a $4 donation to the AHA.

Dos and Don’ts for Keeping Your Dog Safe on the Fourth of July

If your dog freaks out at the sound of fireworks, here are some important safety tips from the AHA and Humane Society of the United States to ensure your pup has a safe and sane Fourth of July.

Do:

  • Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag, and is microchipped.
  • Bring your dog inside the house on July 4.
  • Play loud music, or turn up the volume on the TV or radio.
  • Create a “safe area” in a bathroom or other quiet, escape-proof spot, filled with blankets and your dog’s favorite toys.
  • Thundershirts are effective for relieving some dogs’ anxiety.
  • If possible, have someone stay with your dog if you’re leaving to go to a party or fireworks display.

Don’t:

  • Coddle your dog by saying something like, “It’s okay” or “Poor baby!” Just act naturally and go about your business as usual.
  • Take your dog to fireworks displays.
  • Drug your dog unless your veterinarian recommends it. Acepromazine, which is often prescribed for noise phobias, can actually make things worse, according to Dr. Marty Becker.

Photos: Whistle.com

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