Keep pets from paper shredders
By Denise Flaim
It's never what you worry about.
To her horror, the machine latched onto his tongue, and began to grind.
"He was screaming, and he was fighting for his life," says Lutz, adding that in his panic, the 67-pound puppy did even more damage to his mutilated tongue. She immediately disconnected the shredder, and took Striker to a nearby emergency hospital.
"I was covered in blood from head to toe," Lutz remembers.
A story this horrific is hard-pressed to end well: Striker's injury was so severe - basically, most of his tongue was gone - that he was euthanized.
"I've been in emergency medicine for 10 years, and this is the first time I have seen or heard of this," says veterinarian Gal Vatash of the East End Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center in Riverhead, who treated Striker in December. "But I'm surprised it doesn't occur more often. Most of us have paper shredders at home, and dogs are always sticking their noses in all kinds of places."
Indeed, Striker is not alone. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recorded five dog mutilations involving shredders, and what is not known is how many cases go unreported.
In February of last year, a young boxer puppy named Cross from Socastee, S.C., caught his tongue on a home shredder, mangling an inch of it into what his owner, Sandra Clarke, called "hamburger meat."
In 2005, in South Spokane, Wash., a 7-month-old mix named Alice Lane licked a paper shredder, which in turn ground up all of her tongue. "I will never forget the sound it made when she pulled away," her owner, Adam Forney, told reporters. In her panic, the puppy bit off part of Forney's pinky. Like Striker, the dog had to be euthanized because of the extent of her injury.
Even dogs that are lucky enough to survive lead compromised lives, Lutz says. "They have to be on soft diets, and they have to learn how to swallow again." For an active dog like Striker, his favorite pastime - going on hikes through the woods - would have been an impossibility, she says, because there was too much damage to his tongue to allow him to pant.
Not surprisingly, Lutz no longer has a shredder. "Before this happened, I was the shredding queen," she says. "And while I know they're really important in our lives to help destroy documents and prevent identity theft, it's going to be a long time before I'm going to have one in the house again."
Some simple precautions can ensure that accidents such as Striker's do not happen. Among them:
-- Unplug shredders when not in use.
-- Store shredders out of reach of animals (and, of course, children, especially those under 5, who can also be victims of shredder accidents). Make sure that the shredder is located in a place that is "pounce proof": Acrobatic kitties that jump atop shredders can also do terrible damage to themselves.
-- To avoid attracting animals, never put food wrappers through shredders.
-- Do not leave shredders on the "automatic" setting.
-- When buying a shredder, look for one with a protective bar over the opening.
To ensure that Striker's death was not in vain, Lutz has embarked on an awareness campaign to alert owners to the perils of unattended paper shredders. She will e-mail fliers to anyone who requests her. (Contact strikerluv@ yahoo.com.)
Married for 32 years, Lutz says she and her husband have never been without a dog in their household. Soon, she thinks, it might be time to think about getting another.
"Life without a dog," she muses, "is just not a life, you know?"
WRITE TO Denise Flaim, c/o Newsday, 235 Pinelawn Rd., Melville, NY 11747-4250, or e-mail denise.flaim@newsday.com
Comments (60)
Gosh, another sad story. I need to stay away from the blog.
But it is a useful story. Everyone - please - email all those you know to spread the word about the dangers of shreaders and pets.
This is the thing nightmare are made of!!!
Hear is a crosspost:
I am trying to help someone locate a Corgi that was
taken from South Carolina to the Norfolk Virginia area and put up for adoption. This is a tragic story. The dog got spooked by fireworks on
December 27th and squeezed out of it's fence. The owner was not home at the time, but the
other people could not get the Corgi to come to them.
The owner later found out that someone 7 houses down, found the dog and gaveimmediately gave it to someone who is in the Norfolk area (military family)and they took it back to Virginia. These folks other dogs did not get along with the Corgi, so they took it to a local shelter and put it up foradoption. The local animal control people in South Carolina are tying to trace the dog.
If you live in the area and know of any animal
shelters or Corgi rescue organizations, please write me with the information. This dog would have
been put up for adoption the last of December or first part of January.
This is a 10 year old female Corgi that is aloving
family pet.
Thank You,
"Wanda Usher"
This happened a few years ago to a border collie I believe that was well known in agilitly. Karen, do you remember this? It was tragic and was my first lesson in unplugging the shredder.
Thank you for this story. I immediately went into the office and unplugged the shredder.
That's why I never had one. My friend offered me one a few years ago and I said I would worry if the birds landed on it, especially my fooless birds and they said oh no; it won't hurt them. I thought yeah; okay and kindly refused the odder. Glad I did. This has my whole body cringing reading it.:(
This is such a sad story but I'll always make sure any shredder that I ever own is unplugged from now on. I'll be diligent on that one after reading about what those puppies went through.
Oh yes and thank you Denise. I emailed Ellen for a flyer and will put it on my web site.
After this post I think we deserve some more puppy photos.........
Horrible story......I always keep my shredder unplugged......Lordy, that was bad, makes me shudder.
Wow! What a sad story of poor pets (kitten, cats, puppies, dogs OR Birds) I can't imagine how horrible these beloved pets met the fate.
I have a golden myself, her name is Sadie she's 1 year old. Thank God that the shredder is upstairs in the office (very messy office, my mom have in) Sadie is not allowed to go upstairs at all.
And my cat 4 year old baby boy, Cloudy usually doesn't go in except to catch the damn annoying lady bugs!! He won't go near the shredder because like I said the office was SO CROWD with all the boxes, papers, anything mom has on her big desk.
At least Cloudy doesn't know the shredder is still there! YIKES!! Thanks for the important reminder!
Never heard that until today!!
Rosebud is too short to reach the opening but I shut it off anyway and will make sure my husband does the same!
What idiot leaves a shredder plugged in? That's no different from leaving a chainsaw running in the middle of your living room.
This is a horrible story.... so horribly sad for that puppy, I can't even imagine. Why, oh why, do the manufacturers not put an on/off switch????? It would be so simple, like every other appliance, you turn on the switch, shred the paper, turn off the switch without having to plug and unplug.
THANK YOU Denise for posting this. I was never aware this could happen. My shredder is now unplugged and will only be turned on when I am shredding something and Harry is out of the room.
I read the article in the Newsday yesterday on the way into work.. How sad for that little puppie
We have one but the honeymooners are not allowed inthe room & it's unplugged.. All that kinda stuff makes me nervous anyway...
Sometimes you have to think ahead of what a pet will do ..
This is a very sad story and we now know of another thing to keep out of the pets reach . I'm so sorry for your loss Ellen.
Since we are on that subject lets not forget the GRAPES or RAISINS . I posted this after I heard of both stories . One dog passed from consuming a thing of raisins while the owners weren't home, and another dog at a bunch of grapes and he also passed. Just a friendly reminder...
Keeping the faith...
My stomach has clenched up into a ball of knots reading this. But as hard as it is to read, I appreciate the caveat. What an awful, awful story. My heart goes out to Ellen.
Sure, I am the idiot who leaves a shreeder plugged in. I think there is a big difference between a chain saw running in the middle of your living room and a shreeder on auto. I guess you have to be an idiot to leave lamps plugged in too. A puppy or kitten can chew those and get electrocuted (something that happened to a cat, while I was waiting in my vets office). I guess you unplugged everything in your house and plug them in before you use them? Am I correct?
I am sure Ellen is in pain enough with out having you make her feel worse!
There is no reason to be so melodramatic, we get the idea and will take measures that something like this does not happen to us.
We have always kept our shredder in the off position, but I can see if they lick it the pups might get it to the on position. Tonight it is uplugged and will only be used when needed.
Ellen has my prayers and sympathy for something that would really be considered a household accident.
Keeping the faith for VIVI and all here in Texas - It is her turn to be found.
while Kittens & puppies do go after everything in the house. You do try & take their mind away from just going after that wire or glass vase.. Gee the honeymooners have broken 3 glass vases. Some web site say to put tin foil in area's that they are unwanted. These guys laugh at that & mind you rolled up tin foil in a ball is their favorite toy.
They all run around my living room playing hockey with the tin foil.
I am crying for the poor puppy who is at the rainbow bridge, and for the horror that his owner had to go through. I am passing the story on though, so other people will not think it is an "Urban Legend". I have always kept my shredder unplugged, because frankly, they terrify ME. Thank you for your bravery in re-living, and sharing your story, so that another puppy may live.
This is the first I ever heard of this......I haven't used mine in years. This article may save many other amimals. I haven't used table lamps in my house for 15 years because of the night my Whippet Mix and Golden were roughhousing with toys as usual, and I just happened to be in the living room. All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw black smoke spiraling up from the lamp shade.
Just in time to intervene. Nusta had flung one of those heavy rubber kong-type toys, it hit the lamp shade and shifted it just enough for the fabric to touch the light bulb . I was sick at the thought of what could have happened.
She also chewed an electric cord when she was 5 months old. Again, I was nearby taking a nap, and her screams woke me, she couldn't get away from the cord and I pulled it from the wall. Took her to the vet and I had to watch her because she had a small amount of fluid in her lungs. I had learned from ambulance corps work that in case of severe electric shock , a person or animal should be examined even if there seems to be no injury because there's a 24 hour danger period in which you can have complications like arrhytmia or congestive heart failure, etc.
( Nusta lived to be 18. )
Gail, I remember that and I am pretty sure that one survived with bad injuires. I think I remember seeing his picture. That said, I couldn't read this article and didn't. I know enough from reading the comments.
I am so upset about what Striker had to go through along with his owner, very heart breaking. I was never aware of this danger and will pass this info along. Which bings me to this....
With all the saddness we read about here between stolen dogs and abused helpless animals, We really need more inspiring stories, I have sensed this by other bloggers just reading thier post about needing to walk away at times. We all seem down in the dumps just waiting for good news on the Vivi front, Maybe it would be nice if Denise could spot light more of the locals and the happy stories along with pictures of the animals that have been rescued. Maybe even show some old pictures of Vivi and some of her accomplishments. WE are due for a good heartwarming story here don't you think?
I wonder if the owners of Vivi's siblings or even her litter read the blog. It would be nice to see pictures or even read their stories of what their little whippets are like that are related to Vivi, Just a thought.
Father,continue Your watch over Vivi,Max,Hopey,Axel,Bowdee,Ticket,Saffie,Zoey,Vern, PA bullie girl, the show babies, Butttons,Biggie,Sniffles,Holly, African Grey, Faithful (the little girl's seizure dog),Shimi, Yorkie, Black Afghan, Buddy, Rags, Precious, Whippet Annie, so that not even "one paw slips". Show them to the volunteer of Your choice so that they may return to their earthly families. Surprise us by sending Vivi home to a volunteer (Kathy from Bayside,Rosa,Tina,Gail T,Bonnie,Diane T.,Diane K-M,Darlene,Debbie,Monica,Lois T.,Nancy M,Barbara Jean,Linda S. and her husband Mike, or Renee? Margot or Irene?)
Many of us also have animals which need Your healing touch. Great Physician we lift to you for your healing Homer, Mercy,Spit, Dante, Terrie's dog Cubby, G's kitty,Debbie's Fluffy, Ruby's Mr. Peabody, Briar and Sabrina Skittles, Barney, Tara, Joey,Meeko,Skeeter,Andi,Sparky,Scout,Dodge, Auggie,Billy,Ezme,Clarus,Star,Doogie, CJ,Felice, Max, Little McGee, Murphy, Mylie, Barbaro, Gunner, Linus, Kiva, Ellie,(restore all that had to be taken), Morgan, Little Andi, Nicki, Dude, Tucker, Brandy, Lexie, Isabella, Twin Kittens, Bowen, and Heather.Enfold all of us in Your healing embrace.
We thank you for healing Maureen, and Zipper!! Thank Your for the improvement in Gail's Dude.Thank You for Isabella's improving health!Thank You for McGee's weight gain.
We are frail Father and many of us need Your healing so that we can serve the purpose for which You have created us.
We lift up the following people in need of Your healing:Madison,"J"., Kathleen,Joe V.,Terrie,Amanda, Rosa C. Kathleen's Mom Mary, Renee, Pam,Millicent, Jacque, JL, Lance, Chris,and Abby.
God of Power, stand behind Tammie and Doogie, Duke and Denise, and Otis' followers,and now Boston, as they have stood behind these animals, until justice is done.Thank you for Ruby, and all the bloggers who bring these animals to our attention.Thank you so much for helping us find a good home for Homer (with Nancy) Kristy,Tashia,and Pablo,all 11 doxies and the Halloween bunch !Thank You, Ginger the Persian found a home!!!Thanks for Duke's and Bobbie's new homes. Take gentle care with Anne who has Alzheimers, and was the doxie's former mom.
Welcome all those who make the journey to Paradise, tonight, and comfort their families. Let their animal companions gree them at the gates of heaven.
Give blessings to all who have done Your work. Reward our faithful animal companions who have gone ahead. Let all who are homeless know Your love, and ours, too.
Send your angels and saints to work with Vivi's angels. These NYC volunteers, and their leaders;Tina,Rosa,and Bonnie, serve as Your compassionate presence on earth. Don't let them become discouraged. Let them know that prayer wise "we've got their back"!
Let our faith grow as a result of this experience! Restore as we sleep, Heavenly Father, as we turn over the night watch to you! YOU ARE IN CHARGE! AMEN!
Candles? http://www.gratefulness.org
Folks, in the future, I'm not sure that I can post on threads such as this. I DO appreciate Denise passing along warnings about dangers to animals that we don't think about. I just can't stand to read about such graphic specific pain--even though it was certainly accidental. Call me too weak hearted if you will--- but it's impossible for me to read about something, I can do nothing about. I joined this search, and story because it allowed me to work toward a positive outcome to a story. I could do something other than read about tragedy. I
would like to ask everyone to pray for all those who have lost a loved an animal or person who suffered in such a tragic, and senseless way.
Maybe we could post a few of BJ's rescued puppy pictures and read about their story???
AMEN SHARON! Perfectly said!!
Karen,
Yes I do believe he did survive but his agility days were over. I couldn't read the whole thing either as I already knew about the hazards of the shredder.
SHARON AND ROSA:
Ditto a thousand times over! Maybe I've become a total emotional wimp, but I am totally on overload with sadness here. The picture of this pup and the tragic story (which I could NOT even read) has me just about over the edge. I just can't bear to pass the picture and I close my eyes as my computer passes it. Sorry, but I just had to say it. Please, can we not do this again. At least put it in a link so we can decide IF we want to see something like this.
Thanks.
I couldn't read the article either. I have a feeling of dread every time I check the blog of late... I sure agree with those that feel it's time for an uplifting story.
I would love to see the Month of Feb, dedicated to Vivi on this blog, and all of the animals she has helped bring to safety, All in her Honor!! What do you think?
Rosa, VIVA LA VIVI!
I have to agree with all of you. This story is heartbreaking and difficult to read, but we have to also remember that Denise's blog is not just our personal Vivi blog. It was in existence before the loss of our dear Vivi as a pet sharing and information blog. Denise's job and Newsday's expectations of her are as a journalist.
It hurts me deeply also, but if this article informs "just one person" of the danger and saves "just one animal," then Denise's job as a journalist has been accomplished. Just look at the posts of people who have learned to unplug their shredders because of this article on the blog.
Remember also, not only are our animals in danger of this - it is a danger to children as well. Many of us have grandchildren to watch as well (and visiting children in our homes). Personally, I do not have a shredder, and do not want one for this very reason.
Rosa, I think that would be nice to have some of those stories in the mix ... to feature some of the animals that were rescued because of Vivi, would really help lift some spirits I think.
GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY--I agreed with you all on this sad tale!! WE DO NEED SOME HAPPY ONES, NOT THE SAD ONES! It seemed like everytime we go to the blog and here we go again, another sad news!??
We need some uplift spiritual feelings like some funny memories or just talking about the Vivi saga and ESPECIALLY BOBO AND JOSE! Where have they been hiding???? :-)
We don't need any more depressing news to tell!!
Enough already please???
Good news follow up cross post:
The Corgi has been located in Virginia Beach. The
owner is now in the process of getting the dog back. Thanks for all the emails that I received.
Remember...Microchip your dogs!!!!!
Wanda Usher
COULD WE PLEASE POST ON "PINGING"? Great news about corgi!
I heard this story on the radio, as well. For years, I had a floor model shredder in my home office that I had set on automatic when plugged in. Never again -- this could well have happened to one of my standard poodles. Now that shredder is gone, and I use a smaller model that sits on the kitchen counter, and is only turned on when in use.
So glad to hear about the corgi!
I work for Fellowes (Maker of paper shredders) and I couldn't help but posting a comment.
We recently launched an entire line of shredders to address the issue of children and pets in the home. The technology is called Safe Sense and it is a patented technology that turns off the shredder if hands (or pets) get too close to the paper entry throat.
Right now our competitors aren't offering anything like this on the market, and although I know my opinion will be biased, I honestly can't imagine having kids/pets in the home without at least considering the highest level of safety available on the market
For those of you interested in shredder safety, you might want to visit our website at www.fellowes.com for more information.
Fellowes,
I checked the shredder out, great idea, but I wonder how many people can/would afford to buy at @ $400?
A cheaper product would be good...My humble opinion.
(0:
You'll buy all kinds of junk for your pets like clothes and a million toys, but you won't invest in something to keep them safe? That shows an excellent sense of priorities.
Talk to the PAW sure, the ears aint listening..
You big jerk, how can you be so crass?
How can you be so cheap?
I take it that Sure has one of these shredders in her home?
I take it Sure, that you have nothing plugged in around your house & there are no wires anywhere around either..
How funny....
what you have no light either in your house? animals get in to everything, just like babies
So give it a rest.
Hey Linda! Long time no hear. How are you doing?
Hi Kathy!
I am fine. How are you doing? I am trying to stay warm, But I still think of that poor little girl out there all alone..
Happy New Year Kathy..
How were your holidays?
Viv had 515 candles lit a few minutes ago! I'm hoping she'll feel our love and be rescued!
Viv had 515 candles lit a few minutes ago! I'm hoping she'll feel our love and be rescued!
AMEN RUBY!
Sharon - I agree with you! (Thank goodness I found someone who shares my sort of feelings.) I read the story while at work and bawled. I come to the blog for positive reinforcement, for there is so much sadness in the world. Not that we can shun it out completely, but the blog is my escape - to know that there are people out there like me who love animals that much and that there is good in the world.
I tried to put a positive twist on Striker - for that was the fate God gave him ---- for I bet Striker just saved more pets.
God bless the innocent.
Responding to Ruby:
Fellowes,
I checked the shredder out, great idea, but I wonder how many people can/would afford to buy at @ $400?
A cheaper product would be good...My humble opinion.
(0:
------
There are quite a few different models that do offer Safe Sense Technology at various price ranges. As with any shredder, the more overall performance - generally the higher cost of the shredder. Our smallest home use shredder is the PS-57Cs. It is a light use shredder and the suggested MSRP is $104.95. As with any list price, it is generally available for less in the retail market.
For example, that same unit retails at Office Max for just $59.98.
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&prodBlockOID=1611503111&expansionOID=-536879758
Suggested price on a manufacturer's website can be a bit misleading. Retailers will routinely slash the suggested price to compete for your business.
Fellowes Employee, thank you - that makes it worth a trip to look into this further!!
Fellowes:
Thanks for the information on the paper shredder, thats my kind of price and I'm sure, other people's too. My shredder has to be plugged in to work. It's about had it so I'll will check with Office Max.
Thanks again. (0:
I was so heartbroken when I read the story. That poor animal. My heart goes out for the families who's pets went through this. After I read this story I immediately went over to my shredder and unplugged it. No one really ever thinks that something like this can happen.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is over cautious. The first week I have my lil shredder, my older cat tried to use it as a step to get up to a box for napping. It was knocked over, and she fell on it... luckily, she fell on the shred containment part and not the shredder part as that portion went flying and turned itself on with the bottom part up! The noise scared Catty away. I threw the damn thing out that very second. No way was that staying in my house! The stories of these pups has made me ill with sadness for them and for their humans. I understand all too well the immense sorrow of having to make final decisions. Even when your head knows there is no other choice, the heart still holds on. I hope the people who make shredders will soon put warnings on them as little human fingers can get into them as easily as little paws.
I can't believe there are other people this has happend to. Three weeks ago our 3 year old dog had her tongue completely torn out after being caught in a paper shredder. It was the most traumatic event I have ever endured. If it had not been for the actions of my veterinarian, our dog would have bled to death. Three weeks later, our Ellie is home and doing quite well. She has gradually learned how to eat again. Has anyone ever sued the companies of the shredders and received compensation for injuries to a pet? I have such a high vet bill, I would like for the maker of the shredder to reimburse me.