Israeli pets to wear gas masks if Iraq attacks

Reuters | 12/24/02

[kattracks]

JERUSALEM, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Israel's cats and dogs can breathe easy; in the event of an Iraqi biological or chemical weapons attack on the Jewish state they will be protected by pet-friendly gas masks.

They will be available in a number of sizes to fit cats and dogs of all varieties from the tiniest Chihuahua to the largest St Bernard, the gas mask inventor, veterinarian Rafi Kishon, said on Tuesday.

The masks cost between $12 to $18 depending on the size. Owners will also be able to buy doses of atropine, an antidote for chemical weapons, antibiotics for anthrax and tranquillisers to calm anxious pets.

Kishon said the masks, made from a special fabric, were not intended for long-term use but rather to evacuate a pet to safety through an area contaminated by biological or chemical agents.

"There is no such thing as a rubber gas mask for dogs," Kishon said. "You would need 300 different types for each type of dog and anyway no dog would agree to wear it," Kishon said.

His masks cover the pet's entire face and contain enough air to last several minutes. The kits are being sold by veterinarians.

Israel's Home Front Command is distributing gas masks to all citizens in preparation for a possible non-conventional weapons attack by Iraq should the brewing conflict between Washington and Baghdad erupt into war.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein fired 31 conventional Scuds at the Jewish state during the 1991 Gulf War. But officials fear that he might resort to a chemical or biological weapons attack if he believes he is on the verge of being ousted.

Kishon said he came up with the idea for the gas mask kits during the first Gulf War when his dog suffered from hysteria during missile attacks.

"He took Saddam Hussein's pledge to eradicate 'the Jewish dogs from the world' personally," Kishon said.

© Reuters Limited

[DBtoo]

I am so sorry about your wife. My good friend in Houston lost her husband to esophageal cancer a few years ago. He was a heavy smoker, and started having problems swollowing. He died only 3 months after being diagnosed. It was a great shock to her and she was down about it for quite a while, and of course still thinks of him and misses him terribly. She did remarry, but still thinks of her first husband. She says he was the love of her life. That is a tough thing to go through. She loved Johnny with all her heart.

That is so nice of you to take in that dog! Poor little guy, I feel sorry for animals that are neglected that way. How lucky he is to have found a good home, and he is darling!

[Bella_Bru]

Is that a Newfie???? They are soooooo cute!

[dennisw]

That's not a dog. That's a money pit.

[NormsRevenge]

From the BBC

Tuesday, 24 December, 2002, 20:31 GMT

Israeli pets get ready for war

Factories are running non-stop to prepare for attack

An Israeli vet is producing gas masks for use in the event of attack from Iraq - for pets.

Dr Rafi Kishon's special emergency kits contain a pet gas mask - available to fit Chihuahuas through to St Bernards - antidotes to bio-chemical poisoning, and tranquilisers.

Iraq fired Scud missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War and Israelis fear it will try to do the same again if attacked by the United States and its allies.

[My dog] took Saddam Hussein's pledge to eradicate 'the Jewish dogs from the world' personally

Dr Rafi Kishon

The masks are made from a stretchy fabric which will provide short-term protection from bio-chemical hazards until an area of safety is reached.

"There is no such thing as a rubber gas mask for dogs," Dr Kishon said.

"You would need 300 different types for each type of dog and anyway no dog would agree to wear it."

Atropine - an antidote to chemical weapons - and anthrax antibiotics are also included in the pack.

Israeli citizens will all receive masks from the government to protect against non-conventional weapon attacks, and children are to take lessons in the use of gas masks.

The government is deciding whether to carry out an nationwide anti-smallpox vaccination programme.

Dr Kishon said he came up with the idea for the gas mask kits during the first Gulf War when his dog became hysterical during missile attacks.

"He took Saddam Hussein's pledge to eradicate 'the Jewish dogs from the world' personally," he said.

[knak]

All I can say is Awwww

[Mr. Mojo]

Tell me about it.

[Mr. Mojo]

Is that a Newfie????

Yep, and this is their favorite time of the year. ....running through snow in the day and sleeping by the fire at night.

[dennisw]

Heh heh heh..... Please be sure doggie gets a nice treat being that it's Christmas.

[Mr. Mojo]

A giant, meaty beef bone (about 7 pounds), and he's now in heaven.

[dennisw]

It's natural instinct at work. They want something to gnaw on. Not just easy to wolf down food. But then you already know this.

[Mr. Mojo]

To change the subject for a moment, I'd imagine that Sharon told the truth today about the Iraq/Syria WMD connection. And if Syria has them, you can bet that Hezbollah does as well. ...And those terroist sonsofcamelbitches are within earshot of Haifa and No. Israel, and their rockets would be much harder to intercept than if the were launched from Iraq....and they have a lot of them.

I guessed many months back that Saddam and Assad Jr. could very well have a deal to attack Israel with everything they had (as far as WMD is concerned) simultaneously, while Syria makes a grab for the Golan, and if successful, possibly lower Israel. I don't know if it's going to happen, but it doesn't seem that far-fetched anymore.

But if they do, the price they'll pay is total annihilation.

[dennisw]

Syria is your typical impoverished Muslim pest hole due to having no oil. Syria envies Iraq's oil and standard of living. With no oil wealth Syria must operate opportunistically. So they will do nothing major during the upcoming war unless the tide is turning against Israel. Hizbollah may launch barrages of Katushyas to get in their licks. Maybe even a few with jerry rigged chem. warheads? So a Northern front will be opened. It will be an irritant and nothing more.

If Syria/ Hizbullah gets and uses Iraqi mobile scud launchers then it will get more interesting. But then Damascus becomes a target.

[Mr. Mojo]

The question is, how easy is it to place WMD on Katushyas? And if they can be successfuly deployed in this manner (by Hezbollah from So. Lebanon), will Israel retaliate solely against the terrorists/guerillas in the Bekaa, or against Damascus as well? I suspect we'll find out the answers within 6 or 7 weeks.

[DugwayDuke]

That's a precious picture.

Actually, now that I think of it, the bag over the head might not be such a bad idea. In the Mastiff world, we refer to the slobber as "slingers" since a shake of the head can "sling" them great distances. Some mastiff home pages have articles on how to clean slingers off the ceiling.

[R. Scott]

“How lucky he is to have found a good home, and he is darling!”

He is a darling – and he knows it. He flirts shamelessly with every attractive woman (we seem to have the same taste in women) he meets every chance he gets. It’s like he’s trying to set me up so there will be a woman’s presence around here again.
He’s a real lady grabber – unfortunately he has no respect for wedding rings or age differences.

If you – or anyone – would like to learn about Sheryl’s cancer experience, click here

[DBtoo]

I tried to click on the link but it wouldn't work for me. Here's wishing you and Boogie a Merry Christmas!!

[R. Scott]

I’ll have to try the link again – it worked earlier. try again

[DBtoo]

You have Freepmail

[DBtoo]

Dr. Kishon is a saint in my book.