S. aureus can survive on dogs,[11] cats,[12] and horses,[13] and can cause bumblefoot in chickens.[14] Some believe health-care workers' dogs should be considered a significant source of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus, especially in times of outbreak.[11] S. aureus is one of the causal agents of mastitis in dairy cows. Its large polysaccharide capsule protects the organism from recognition by the cow's immune defenses.