Police Warn Dog Owners About ‘Tennis Ball Bombs’ (Photo)
Police in Washington have issued a warning to dog owners to avoid picking up tennis balls found on the ground, for a surprising reason.
Police in Kent, Washington, have warned dog owners to avoid picking up any tennis balls found laying around, as there have been reports of “tennis ball bombs” found, according to CBS News.
Police say people have been putting the explosive material from fireworks inside objects, such as tennis balls and pipes, adding a wick, and setting them off.
“Some of them are very effective and dangerous, and some of them don’t work, but you don’t know,” said Jarod Kasner of the Kent Police Department. “People light them, leave them thinking it’s a dud, but who knows what’s happening on the inside. Then a dog comes and picks it up…”
Kasher added, “If it doesn’t go ‘boom’ some people just walk away from it. Unfortunately, dogs pick up everything up in their mouths and bring it to you. It could be smoldering on the inside and when you move it around that’s when it goes off.”
While the warning comes from police in Washington, people all over the country should be cautious, as the homemade bombs could be found anywhere. Pet owners should be especially vigilant around the Fourth of July.
In 2000, a dog in Portland, Oregon, had a tennis ball bomb explode in its mouth, according to AWM. The dog’s injuries were so severe it had to be euthanized.
Police encourage anyone who finds a stray tennis ball or other household item that appears to be burned or has a wick or tape attached to avoid touching the object and instead alert police or fire officials about the item.