Dogs can started a small fire in kitchen

[Mike Nelson]

Yesterday my dog started a small fire in my home.  As a landlord, I do not allow dogs, but since this is my house I deferred to other members of the family and got a Chocolate Labradoodle (seriously, that is what it is called).   At 7:00 pm,  my wife and I took our son to the hospital because he had a minor case of pneumonia.  As the others were staying overnight at the hospital, I returned home alone.  I arrived home to a strong smell of smoke, and found the right-rear burner of the gas range turned on, with two very charred chicken drumsticks sitting on a white ceramic plate.  Fortunately, there was nothing flammable for the fire to spread from the chicken to.  The dog, Bonnie, despite being small-medium-size, has developed a habit of reaching for food items on the counter, and despite lacking opposable thumbs, had apparently turned the gas knob.  I am normally obsessive about order in the kitchen, especially around the stove.  The chicken was both the bait or attraction for the dog and the fuel, complete with grease and all.  This has pointed out that I need to see all possible aspects of fire safety, including eliminating the incentive for the dog to turn on the gas range, and repeating the need to  keep the range top clear.  Beyond that it gave me another reason for prohibiting tenants to have dogs.