FactsOfIsrael.com: Gas masks for Israeli dogs

January 27, 2003

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Gas masks for Israeli dogs

The BBC (www.bbc.co.uk) reports that an Israeli vet has designed gas masks for dogs:

An Israeli dog - When Saddam Hussein pledged "To eradicate 'the Jewish Dogs' from the World' he took it personally

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. [...]

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.

In 1991, during the Gulf war, I lived in Israel and attended college. Saddam Hussein fired dozens of missiles at Israel, even though Israel never attacked Iraq. Israel never retaliated but the butcher from Baghdad continued to fire missiles every night, aiming at Israeli cities.

One of the stories I remember was about an elderly woman and her Chihuahua. One night, after another missile attack from Iraq, like all Israelis, this poor elderly lady put on her gas mask. The Iraqi Scud missile hit close to her home and the walls shook - she believed she was hit.

Her pet, a small Chihuahua, freaked out and started running around in circles. The elderly lady also panicked, took out her Atropine shot (an antidote for chemical weapons) and administered it to the undersized dog.

It took a few seconds for the Chihuahua to die... The dose was too strong for the poor little dog - it was made for a human. If the old lady had one of Dr. Kishon's gas masks, her pet would probably have survived.

To see Dr. Kishon's web page, click here (in Hebrew). I copy the full article below.

Update 2/15/03: I have received a few requests from American pet owners who are interested in purchasing kits to protect their pets. Dr. Kishon seems to only serve Israel, so I did some research and found the following site:

http://www.protectivesuits.com/pet_shield.html

Here are some sites that are not directly related to pets, but will help you protect yourself. These sites sell gas masks, potassium iodate, body suits, readiness kits and more:

http://www.healthywealthyandwise.net/shop/list.html?categ=2 http://www.bt.cdc.gov/ http://www.safetysquare.com/home.html http://areyouprepared.com/security_and_protection.html http://www.kio3.com/

Israeli pets get ready for war
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
middle_east/2604701.stm

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.

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.

Posted by David Melle

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Comments

Dear Sir:
I would like to order one of these gas masks for my dog.
How do I get in touch the Doctor to submit an order?
Please advise.
Thank you.
Amy

Posted by: Amy Maxwell at February 12, 2003 10:48 AM

You people are so funny! gas masks for dogs? huh! i wish u were half as concerned about the innocent children of iraq as u r concerned about dogs! the war will kill thousands and thousands of children and what do u care about? DOGS! dogs deserve to be protected but i think that preserving human life is much more important...

Posted by: Aliaa at March 6, 2003 05:01 AM

Hello,

Please tell me how I can purchase Dr Rafi Kishon's special emergency kit for my little Italian Greyhound.
How do I contact Dr Rafi Kishon?
I live in the United States.

Sincerely,
Christine

Posted by: Christine Palmer at March 13, 2003 05:20 PM

Christine,

Apparently Dr. Kishon can only ship masks to Israeli addresses.

After some research I found the following site:

http://www.protectivesuits.com/pet_shield.html

They have a product called “Pet Shield” and will ship to the US – their number is 1-800-957-8955.

Good luck,
David

Posted by: David Melle at March 13, 2003 07:19 PM

Thank you David,

I will check it out.
I am an artist and sometimes work with some
chemicals that could be harmful. This looks like a product that just might do the trick.

Cheers,
Christine

Posted by: Christine Palmer at March 17, 2003 09:13 PM

I am in Israel in Haifa, and I would like a gas mask for my dog... where can I get it and how much does it cost?
Thank you!!!

Posted by: Shirin Samimi-Moore at March 18, 2003 11:03 AM

I think it's great that Isreali dogs can be safe from the war & the terrorists.Dr.Kishon is a wonderful person and caring human being.But as an American,I was wondering can't one of our vets with all the technology of the 21 st century invent some sort of gas/face mask for our pets too.I did go to the Pet Sheild site and am going to look into buying it.But I would love to hear from vets on feedback on kits like Dr.Kishon provides to Isreali Pets.

Thank you,Keep our pets safe
Brandy P.

Posted by: Brandy Peyton at March 23, 2003 09:18 AM

Dear Sir;
I have a big golden retriever and a big great dane. I'm in Thailand. Do you ship to Thailand? I'm so concerned about my dogs. Just want to prepare and keep my dogs safe, please give me some advise.
Sincerely
sutida

Posted by: sutida at March 23, 2003 10:10 AM

I looked over most of the site,what caught my eye was gas mask for dogs.I have 6 chihuahua's myself and most likely will get one of these for my largest crate.I also live not far from the palo verde plant and wonder when something will happen to it.Love your site keep up the good work.....

Posted by: Rosie Coyote at April 16, 2003 12:13 PM