Nurse's Pet named Bentley removed from her home by Hazmat team and put in quarantine

Daily Mail ^ | 14 October 2014 | Ashley Collman

[CorporateStepsister]

Three days after being rescued from an Ebola-contaminated apartment in Dallas, Texas, Nina Pham's dog Bentley is being monitored for the virus at a former Naval air field where animal services representatives say he is 'doing great'.

On Tuesday, the city announced they have no plans to euthanize the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as Spanish officials did last week to a Madrid nurse's dog when she contracted the virus - sparking outrage from animal rights activists and dog-lovers on social media.

Instead, Bentley is receiving top-notch care at Hensley Field Services Center where he is checked on twice daily by about two people, including a veterinarian, who feed him and make sure he remains healthy. Owner Nina Pham meanwhile, is being treated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, and was reported in good condition on Tuesday after receiving a blood transfusion from Ebola-survivor Dr Kent Brantly.

[CorporateStepsister]

I'm glad.

[Parley Baer]

I believe the lady in Spain who had Ebola the authorities put here dog down. So good to see they are giving this dog a chance.

[CorporateStepsister]

I agree; they should keep the little guy alive if to keep the nurse’s morale up and of course, study how the disease affects animals like household pets.

[lee martell]

Where is that picture of Bentley giving his Master a wet nose kiss? America Loves Bentley, and I hope we learn that Dog’s don’t necessarily get it, although they may be carriers until a good lathery bath removes any human hair or traces of sweat or oil from his fur.

[dayglored]

> So good to see they are giving this dog a chance.

I suspect it's just that they learned from the Spanish experience, that people would freak out entirely if a second dog was put down for no good reason.

It might be hard for folks on the internet to relate to 4000 African humans dying a horrible, gruesome, and immensely painful death, but they can relate to a dog being euthanized. Just sayin'...

[TWhiteBear]

This is a realistic response to a new situation for people and governments.
If you were in Spain and felt a little feverish,like you would if getting a flu, would you check in to a hospital and have the government kill your dog while you were checked out for an indeterminate time? I suggest that many people would delay contact with health professionals until major symptoms developed and their chances of survival greatly reduced, in addition to spreading more Ebola around.
But there may be a limit to what kinds of pets can be taken care of and for how long.
If the government/CDC would tell the truth and be transparent rather than secretive and conspiratorial, the risks of Ebola could be significantly reduced.
TWB

[BureaucratusMaximus]

It might be hard for folks on the internet to relate to 4000 African humans dying a horrible, gruesome, and immensely painful death, but they can relate to a dog being euthanized. Just sayin'... "

That is so a$$ backwards its beyond scary.

[ican'tbelieveit]

He looks terrified - strange things picking him up and taking him away:

[SpaceBar]

I know someone who has two of this breed, and they are the sweetest, gentlest dogs.

[DJ MacWoW]

I believe the difference is that 4000 is too immense. They don’t “have a face”. It’s just a staggering number where as one little dog is more “personal”.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Magnitude and innocence.

I can relate to one. But thousands? Why do we allow the American government continue to bankrupt our childrens’ futures? I can understand my paycheck, but I cannot relate to trillions.

And innocence. The dog is not in control of what is happening to it.

Watched quite a few videos over the weekend of reporting from Liberia. Sad. But a good portion of the population there is not pulling themselves out of the conditions where this virus is thriving. And lying/bribing to keep family members who have died from the virus from being cremated. It is a huge mess.

[ctdonath2]

I have two of this breed, and they are the sweetest, gentlest dogs.

[jacquej]

yes, he does look terrified - the clue is the white showing, for it is called “whale eye” by those of us who read dog signals.

He needs more companionship than being put in a cage and fed. He needs a good human to comfort him, play, cuddle, and reassure him, giving him human companionship.

I do not live any where close, but would volunteer if I were in Texas. Nothing would make me happier than to care for this poor little guy who misses his forever mom and familiar environment.

I am old enough to be called “home” if I got sick from this little guy, and would be happy doing one last good deed for one of His creatures.

That said, if this little guy were to get Ebola (which doesn’t seem to happen), I would never keep him alive and in extreme pain/suffering. We are called to “husband” and care for animals, and not to prolong their lives when these are full of misery.

[Brandonmark]

There is also a possibility that her boyfriend may also be hospitalized:

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1018543-nina-pham-boyfriend-ebola-nurse-boyfriend-admitted-to-hospital-with-ebola-like-symptoms/

[ican'tbelieveit]

They have him in a room lined with tarps/plastic in a crate. He was eating in the video, though.

[Atomic Vomit]

I love dogs and that is no doubt a sweet and lovely little dog. I have a dog and he is very well-treated and my entire family loves him very much.

If I knew he was a carrier of ebola I would put him down immediately myself.
I would also shoot any dog that came within 50 yards of my house.
Sentimentality about animals is well and good in easy times.
An ebola epidemic isn’t easy times.

Mrs. AV

[Wage Slave]

I think it would be interesting to give him another doggie companion to see if he passes ebola to another dog.

[Kit cat]

You will be VERY HAPPY to know that Bently’s home environment has been recreated and he has been given the same food and new toys were
purchased the same as the old toys Bentley enjoyed at home!!!! Bently is
NOT in a cage he is in a space the same size as his apartment was!!!!!
The people caring for him are doing a GREAT job Nina will be very happy
I sincerely hope Bently remains healthy along with his mom!!!!!

[jacquej]

What hurts is that dogs are not solitary animals, and need companionship, unlike cats, who do not mind a solitary life.

This little guy will become depressed without his owner, his “pack leader”, and his routine. He will not do well in a room lined with tarps/plastic, and confined to a crate, any more than you would.

I hope that some vets who understand dogs are caring for him, and will try to compensate for his fear and shock at the loss of his routine and familiar environmental routines.

[Jedidah]

Yep.

Increasingly, animals are being treated like humans. Or better.

I want the nurse’s dog to be OK. It’s sad when any animal has to be euthanized.

It would be sadder should this dog become a carrier of the virus and infect another human.

This happens. Ebola passes from animal to human. That’s why the Spanish dog was euthanized. Here’s hoping the little dog tests negative after the quarantine period is over and that, if he doesn’t, the public has enough sense to know that he has to go.