In the last five days, I’ve heard from three pet owners who have suffered through the deaths of seven pets believed to be directly related to Chinese imported jerky treats and U.S. pet foods. It is believed, three dogs died from jerky treats, four dogs died from dog food.
Pet Owner #1 that contacted me lost three healthy dogs within six weeks. One ten year old dog, one four year old dog, one 17 months. She has a $19,000.00 vet bill. She has reported the deaths to her FDA Complaint Coordinator – which was very kind and understanding. She has reported the deaths to the pet food company – which hung up on her. The pet food company asked “What is the lot number from the bag?” Pet Owner #1 explained the bag was thrown away because she stores her pet food in air tight containers, the pet food company representative said “No food, no claim” – and hung up.
Pet Owner #2 lost three healthy dogs within three months. She is grieving and feels horrible guilt of giving her dogs Chinese imported jerky treats. She shared she checks everything and is so careful – even purchases foods/treats from a small independent pet store to prevent purchases of imports. The store didn’t tell her these treats were made in China.
Pet Owner #3 lost a four month old puppy within three weeks of buying a leading pet food brand. Necropsy results show Vitamin D3 toxicity; the FDA is hesitant on testing the food, the State Department of Agriculture says they are hoping the FDA will test because they don’t have the money. And that leading pet food brand forgot to pick up the food from the veterinarian for testing.
Last night, I listened to a Blog Talk Radio Show (Health & Harmony Radio Network) with guest Arthur Evangelista Ph.D. – former FDA investigator. He shared numerous personal experience stories of – shall I say – FDA ulterior motives. Such as why the FDA does investigate or take action on some things and why they seem to ignore others. I called in at about three fourths way into the show and asked Dr. Evangelista about the Chinese jerky treat issue. Specifically if he would make a guess as to why there have been hundreds (if not thousands) of deaths related to these imported jerky treats and no recall. He said…
(paraphrasing)…
The FDA doesn’t make this information public because if consumers knew they would rebel against the manufacturer (China); especially considering the political climate we have with China now, they wouldn’t want that. The FDA – rather than taking the consideration of the animal’s health first (or human health) – they think politics first.
He made it clear that this is not the FDA Representatives in the field, this was FDA Administration. And I completely agree with this. I’ve spoken with numerous FDA field reps and they have been very helpful, plus I’ve heard the same from many pet owners. Dr. Evangelista told me we need to go after “the head of the snake”. Meaning FDA administration is who plays politics with our lives and the lives of our pets – they are who need to hear our complaints and our outrage.
Seven dead pets in five days. And I only hear of a tiny portion of what is really happening. If we really knew what was going on…well, let’s guesstimate. Let’s assume TruthaboutPetFood.com reaches 1% (it’s more like 0.50%) of pet owners in the U.S. – 1% of U.S. pets…7 deaths in 5 days. This means at 100%…there could have been 700 pet deaths in just the last 5 days due to pet foods or pet treats. If we knew what was really going on…
During the 2007 pet food recall, the FDA reported minimal numbers of sick or dead pets due to melamine poisoning. To the contrary, pet blogs were reporting thousands of sick or dead pets. Right now, just with the Chinese imported jerky treats, the FDA is reporting very low numbers of pets sickened or killed. We have to assume the numbers are far higher than what we are being told.
Have you taken a look at ConsumerAffairs.com lately? The pet food/treat complaints registered with the site? Type in the search box a name of a popular pet food brand or treat, then click on Consumer Complaints; you’ll be shocked. Hundreds of pet deaths and illnesses just within the two weeks of February 2012.
Why aren’t there recalls of these foods and treats?
Just as Dr. Evangelista stated…politics. Imagine the consumer outrage if we learned back in 2007 that (as many estimates have shown) upwards of 300,000 pets became sickened and/or died. Imagine the consumer outrage if we knew right now as my guesstimate showed, that during the last five days 700 pets really did die because of pet foods and treats. Imagine the outcome if we knew the real truth. Large multi-national corporations would experience severe profit loss (people would stop buying their products). Profit loss would trickle down into their human food products as well. Consumer trust of government agencies would be at an all time low. Politics.
Our pets are being killed because of politics. How do we fight politics?
We deserve to know what we are buying. We deserve to know of each and every complaint filed with FDA about each and every pet food, pet treat, pet product (human foods and drugs as well). How can consumers make educated shopping decisions without being informed of what is actually going on?
Now, how do we get that? I’d really like your input. We can’t sit back and complain about it or fuss that the FDA isn’t doing their job. We know they aren’t – FDA Administration is not even close to protecting our pets and our families (though many FDA field representatives try). We need a plan of action. Suggestions?
If you’d like to listen to Dr. Arthur Evangelista’s interview last evening on Blog Talk Radio…
A warning – the audio is poor during the last ten minutes or so.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author, Buyer Beware
Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
PetsumerReport.com
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