DOG TEARS ACL, OUT FOR THE REST OF THE HIKING SEASON: Be careful when playing around with the family pet, as too much horseplay can result in a torn ACL. Not just for you, but also for the dog:

Ryan Malavolta of KUTV in Salt Lake City writes about his canine’s curious injury, one he thought only happened to million-dollar athletes.

His black lab/german shepherd mix Janna started limping during a weekend hike. When the pain continued for the pup, Malavolta took her for a visit to the vet. After x-rays were done, there were luckily no broken bones.

But the doctor did have some discouraging news: “It looks like she has torn the cruciate ligament in her knee. You know, the same thing the ballplayers do.”

We’re surprised that dogs even have knees, much less anterior cruciate ligaments.

So the dog’s been sidelined for a few weeks. And Malavolta now says he has a new sense of sympathy for NFL players who have to go through the ACL agony - probably except for Michael Vick.