Dog Turns on Gas Stove with Nose, Sets Fire to Case of Soda Causing Explosion
Most everyone is familiar with the term “childproof.” Whether it’s a medicine bottle or a cover on a door handle, there are plenty of gadgets that can keep our kids safe from harm.
But what about “dog proof?” Our pets don’t have hands, so it would be quite impossible for them to open a medicine bottle, right?
True, but they do have teeth and love to chew. If Fido wants to get into the Tylenol, he’s certainly going to find a way.
The same goes for the knobs on a stove. As a parent, I prefer ones that have the knobs placed at the back, above the burners.
Of course, front knobs aren’t always avoidable, at which point I have removed the plastic part on more than one occasion.
It seems, if you’re a dog owner, you might need to consider doing this even if you don’t have a 3-year-old running around.
According to the American Kennel Club and Inside Edition, up to 1,000 fires are started by pets every year. “Not many pet owners realize that their pet can actually be the cause of a devastating fire,” AKC spokesperson, Lisa Peterson, says.
Peterson noted that “Simple preventative measures, such as flameless candles and stove knob covers, can mean the difference between life and death for your four-legged friends.”
If you don’t believe this, or you think your pet couldn’t possibly turn on the stove, wait until you see the security footage from a home in Michigan.
In the video, you can see a German Shepherd named Dahlia jumping up against the stove. Moments later, a gas burner ignites, indicating the naughty dog turned the knob with her nose.
The other dog in the house, Hendrix, wants nothing to do with Dahlia’s bad behavior. Both dogs back away, realizing that danger is near.
A box of soda cans sits on top of the stove, making matters worse. The flames catch on the cardboard and the soda cans begin to explode!
Matthew Ruffino, Dahlia’s owner, was shocked after he saw the footage. “I’ve never known of a dog being able to start a stove like that,” he told Inside Edition.
Inside Edition also reported that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and shared footage captured by other security cameras, proving that Dahlia’s act was no one-time fluke.
“Planning for unexpected emergencies like home fires and taking these precautions are an integral part of responsible pet ownership,” AKC’s Lisa Peterson says.
Are you a pet owner? Do you “dog proof” your home? If not, it may be time to start. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry, and to have a protected home rather than no home at all.
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