Israeli pets get ready for war

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Tuesday, 24 December, 2002, 20:31 GMT

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.

-- Anonymous, December 24, 2002


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