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

[snippy_about_it]

Rafi Kishon, may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you.

[DBtoo]

I'm so glad to see this. I love my pets and would want to do the same under similar circumstances. I'm glad to hear they have them for tiny chihuahuas! My two babies are chihuahuas.

[Prodigal Son]

I would think a dog or cat would just spend most of their time trying to paw the thing off.

[R. Scott]

I know that if it were to happen here, I’d have to have one for The Boogie. I promised my late wife that I would care for him after she died, and anyone that knew her would be very hesitant about breaking that promise.
Of course, to be effective the gear would have to be similar to that designed for infants. The entire animal would have to be inside a box similar to an airtight carrier, with filtered vents.

[Cynderbean]

You would think a sealed cage or carrier with an oxygen hook-up would be more practical than a mask. Just a thought.

[DBtoo]

Oh cute!! That is precious! Is that a Pomeranian?

I take it it hasn't been long that you are the sole master of this dog. God Bless You.

[DBtoo]

I've actually wondered if Israelis have gas masks for pets. So they do!

One of my chihuahuas is a long hair chihuahua, and she is the same color as a Pom. Some people have asked me if she is one, and I tell them no, she's a long hair chihauhua. Many people think they are all short-coated. My other one is a short-coated one.

[DugwayDuke]

One wonders at the size required for a giant breed dog. I know the article stated that they would fit a St Bernard, but I'm looking at my 200 pound mastiff wondering just how large this "mask" would have to be. And good luck getting my dane to stand still while I put a bag over his head.

[R. Scott]

Yep – it’s a Pomeranian.
I once swore that if we had a dog, it would have to be after we moved to a house with a fenced in yard – and it would be a real dog, not an imitation little thing. A man’s dog like a Rot or a Doberman or a Staffordshire Terrier. At least a German Shepherd. But – no little imitation dogs.
One of Sheryl’s (my late wife) girl friends dropped by one morning to take her bar hopping.
I didn’t think about it but few bars are open at 8 AM.
They came back around 3 PM with this scraggy pathetic looking little thing.
I asked if Anita had picked up another dog. “No”
I steeled myself to stand firm. I poured a stiff glass of Jack Daniel’s and grabbed a Budweiser. I said “NO” about a dozen times.
Finally the Jack was gone and I had to go back into the apartment.
Anita, Sheryl and the little dog were all standing side by side. Anita had very large breasts, and was wearing a low cut peasant blouse just for the occasion. She had tears falling to them. I looked at Sheryl and she had tears dropping. I looked down at the dog and I swear to all the gods – he was crying real tears. They were running down his furry cheeks.
I don’t know what it is about women’s tears but they tend to make my resolve melt, and seeing that little dog crying real tears, looking like the saddest little dog in the world while setting up in a perfect begging pose just broke me.
I said one word – “OK”.
The dog immediately quit crying and leaped to the back of the couch, looked around to check out the place and decided it would do – then he looked straight at me and stuck out his tongue, as if to say “I got over!”
The women had rescued him from a woman who was very neglectful. His fur was matted and claws overgrown to the point where they had curled back into his paws. He hadn’t been groomed in months.

He’s a pretty good dog and we get along fine now.
As for Sheryl, she died as a result of esophageal cancer on 4 March 2000.

[Sungirl]

It's nice to see people caring about the welfare of their pets....thanks for posting.

[R. Scott]

When I first met Sheryl she had a longhaired dachshund. She quickly tired of people not believing that some dachshunds actually have long hair. She started calling it a “short legged Irish setter”, and people believed it.

[R. Scott]

I think your best bet would be to have a gas-tight room. The last I read many Israeli’s have them.
I would never try to put a mask on a Mastiff. I’m used to having two arms.

[R. Scott]

I think your best bet would be to have a gas-tight room. The last I read many Israeli’s have them.
I would never try to put a mask on a Mastiff. I’m used to having two arms.

[Mr. Mojo]

My 170 lb Newfoundland just might be mellow enough to allow me to put a mask on him, but the device would be completely slobbered up in about 5 minutes.

[Mr. Mojo]

[c-b 1]

And good luck getting my dane to stand still while I put a bag over his head.

It is all in what they are used to, my lab will let me put anything over his head, and stand there without trying to take it off as long as I keep petting him.

[Jorge]

LOL! Look at that face. Like a baby seal.
I wish I was half that cute.

[Willie Green]

Sheesh, the Israelis have been making a stink with Finland over gas masks,
and it's just to protect Fido and Puff?
What about the hamsters and gerbils?

Finland Denies Gas Masks to Israelis -- tantamount to attempted murder

[DBtoo]

short legged Irish setter

How funny!! I like dachshunds although I have never had one. The ones I've met though are very comical dogs!