Pet oxygen masks given to fire protection district

NEW LENOX, Ill. (AP) - Firefighters in the Illinois village of New Lenox have some new equipment that may help them save the lives of pets suffering from smoke inhalation.

The (Joliet) Herald-News reports (http://bit.ly/1Du9PJE ) the New Lenox Fire Protection District has received a donation of seven pet oxygen mask kits. Benny, a Welsh terrier, helped demonstrate the new equipment Wednesday.

Each kit contains masks in three sizes. The equipment is designed to fit snugly on a pet.

The kits were donated by Invisible Fence Brand. The company has donated more than 11,500 masks to fire departments and first responders since 2010 in a national effort called "Project Breathe."

Christina Landwehr of Invisible Fence says the masks can be used on cats, dogs, gerbils and snakes.

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Information from: The Herald-News, http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews