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Animal Update: Escalator Safety For Dogs

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— I asked Dr. Jennifer Scarlett of the San Francisco SPCA about the inherent dangers that escalators present to dogs and what owners can do to prevent severe injuries.

She said veterinarians had asked her to address the issue because of an increase in small dogs coming in with traumatic injuries to their toes. If you've ever gotten a shoe or heel caught in an escalator, you can empathize on some level.

What happens is when stair becomes flat or vice versa, we'll see their little toes getting caught in there causing de-gloving injuries and breaks to their toes. If you have a small dog the easiest thing to do to avoid this is to pick them up.

Animal Update: Escalator Safety For Dogs

Large dogs are not immune. You may want to outfit them with a bootie to avoid injury. Of course the stairs might be the best option in this instance, plus it's good exercise for you and your pet.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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