STORM2K

14 Search Dogs From Ground Zero Have Died Since 9/11
Eight Dogs Died From Cancer

POSTED: 7:31 am EDT August 23, 2004

NEW YORK -- Fourteen search and rescue dogs who dug through the rubble of the World Trade Center have since died.

Eight of the dogs died from cancer.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said they don't believe there is a connection between the deaths and the chemicals the dogs were exposed to.

But the New York Daily News said some dog owners blame the mix of chemicals their dogs were exposed to during the hunt for survivors and remains after the attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

And the lead author of the study said the surviving dogs will need to be monitored for the rest of their lives. Dr. Cynthia Otto said if they begin to have health problems, there is a good chance that people who worked to clear the site could have problems as well.

I feel for the owners of these dogs.. they provided such a public service in their time of need

I'm speechless.

That's very sad. These heroic dogs performed the bravest of jobs, often without the dog boots. When I heard NYC needed hundreds of dog booties back then, I shook my head. But on air a fireman illustrated how the metal and sheeting tore their gloves, imagine a dog's bare paw. Then I understood completely, feeling ashamed I didn't understand the need for
'booties'. And we all know dogs love licking their paws. That's why you have to watch ordinary pets/dogs carefully in winter - wash their paws off after winter walks to get rid of rock salt, don't let them drink anything off pavement (antifreeze), etc. I can only imagine what chemicals these rescue dogs encountered back then.

Mary

Hopefully all of them didn't die from anything they contacted during their search and rescue missions. It does make you wonder.

I hope they all knew how much they were appreciated.