Our hearts go out to the 23 dogs that are sick and the four that have died from the canine influenza virus that hit the Larimer shelter of the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania.

Dog owners have to be wondering what kind of threat this flu poses to the dogs we own and love. It is a relatively new disease. It is highly contagious and there is no inoculation against it.

The bottom line seems to be that we all should be very careful, but no one should panic.

The Web site of the American Veterinarian Medical Association says the first outbreak was in 2004 at a greyhound racetrack in Florida. The disease apparently started in horses. The equine influenza virus mutated to the canine influenza virus.

People cannot "catch" canine influenza, and neither can cats, horses, rabbits or any animal.

About 5 percent to 8 percent of dogs that get the virus will die from it. About 80 percent of dogs that get it will have a mild version. They will be sick for 10 to 30 days with symptoms that resemble kennel cough. They will probably have a nasal discharge and loss of appetite.

About 20 percent of dog flu victims will get the more serious version, which includes high fever and pneumonia.

The inoculation for canine bordetella, the respiratory disease also known as kennel cough, will not protect dogs from canine influenza. Antibiotics that treat kennel cough will not help victims of dog flu.

The veterinary Web site says dogs are at risk of contracting the flu at sites where groups of dogs congregate, including shelters, kennels, dog parks, pet shops, dog shows and other events.

Good sanitation practices can slow the spread of the disease. Sick dogs should be isolated and bleach will kill the virus.

For further information go to www.avma.org. At the Animal Rescue League, workers are wearing protective gowns and washing their hands before and after handling any dog. They are disinfecting kennel areas and items such as leashes, which are passed from dog to dog.

A testing lab at Cornell University confirmed Friday that canine influenza had hit the East End shelter. No dogs have become ill since then. The flu, it is hoped, will run its course in two to three weeks, said Dr. Donna Hughes, medical director at the league.

"Fortunately, this is a slow period for us," said Daniel Musher, development director at the shelter. There are currently about 40 dogs in the shelter, which often houses 80 dogs.

Several of the sick dogs have moved into foster homes, where they are expected to recover. More foster homes are needed, but only people with no dogs in their homes can foster or adopt dogs from the Animal Rescue League at this time.

The battered brown puppy that won hearts at Christmas when it appeared in news reports also caught the eye of a state legislator.

"This innocent puppy was beaten with a wooden bat, thrown against a trailer and suffered life-threatening injuries," said state Rep. Chris Sainato, D-Lawrence and Beaver counties. "This type of brutal behavior deserves stricter fines and sentences."

Mr. Sainato is lining up co-sponsors for a bill that would increase fines and impose longer jail sentences.

The puppy, Colby, has been living in a Peters foster home since Dec. 24. Though his puppy teeth were knocked out, his permanent teeth are growing in. He recently underwent surgery to remove scar tissue from neck injuries.

Franklin Sebetich Jr., 29, of Bentleyville, has been charged with one count of animal cruelty.