Judge OKs $24M for cats, dogs sickened by pet food

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — A federal judge, on Tuesday, October 14,2008, approved a $24 million settlement for owners of dogs and cats who were sickened or died after eating pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman clears the way for U.S. pet owners with claims to start receiving checks next year. A Canadian judge has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 3 to determine whether the settlement can also apply in that nation.

Under the deal, pet owners have until Nov. 24 to file claims.
To date more than 10,000 owners have filed claims.

XYLITOL GUM SWEETENER LETHAL TO ANIMALS

Animals have nearly died when ingesting this toxic chemical found in many varieties of sugarless chewing gum. It drops the blood sugar level to dangerous levels. Once again our FDA approved a dangerous chemical to be used in human food disregarding it's toxicity in animals. Check out the web site below for more detailed information and read every ingredient label when you purchase any food products!

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp

Promeris up date

Fort Dodge,the manufactures and distributor promised to supply me with their effacy reports on this product. To date that has not happpened. This speaks volumes about their credibility and service to the public not to mention the pets involved. Since my first notice (see article below) I have observed several of our cats with a spot at the application site of Promeris. The area looks as if it were burned by a cigarette(we don't smoke). Due to the high number of on-going complaints regarding this product I would avoid it at all costs. Use natural products, your pet will stay healthy longer.

CAUTION PROMERIS FLEA & TICK PRODCUT CAN BE HARMFUL

Recently I experimented and applied this new flea and tick product to 3 dogs and 5 cats.Within 8 hours Dixie our 70 pound collie became sickened and lethargic. After three days I had a complete blood analysis and physical completed by the vet. Nothing was abnormal and I can only assume this product was the culprit. She has never been sick in her 8 years with me.

Poppy, weighing 10 pounds had a different reaction with swelling at the application site. The third dog showed no side effects.

All 5 cats are normal with no apparent reactions.

This topical liquid is represented as something other than an insecticide. It smells toxic exactly like a garden insecticide. The side effects I have seen and read about tell me this is not a good product.

I phoned Ft. Dodge, the manufacturer. They were most helpful and are sending me the complete study of this product which was tested on more than 400 dogs.

My only comment is why use this product producing known side effects when natural products are available with only beneficial effects. Diatomaceous earth works on both fleas and ticks and has no restrictions. Animals can safely ingest it with no harmful effects,contrary to these drugs and insecticides.

Horse Slaughter ends in the U.S., Now What

The horse slaughter facilities located in Illinois and Texas have announced they will relocate to Mexico. In 2006, according to the USDA, 100,800 American horses were slaughtered in three foreign-owned slaughter houses in Texas and Illinois and another 30,000 were sent to Mexico or Canada. In 2007, 45,000 horses were slaughtered in the U. S. In 2008 these animals face a far worse and longer ride to their death. The cruel- inhumane captive bolt used by U.S. slaughter houses will seem pale compared to what waits them south of the border.

The wild mustangs are being systematically eliminated due to a lack of range land, yet the horse industry continues to produce more and more UN-wanted animals.
Isn't it time this industry stop these practices of greed and irresponsible breeding?

I think it improper to ask others to make changes without doing so myself.
The pretty filly pictured above is our last foal we will produce at our thoroughbred farm in Kentucky. We have suspended all future breeding and open our farm to any and all UN-wanted horses we have produced during the past.

It seems time to begin giving back rather than always asking for more.

FDA Reacts to Pet Food Poisoning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Two Chinese businesses and a U.S. company were indicted Wednesday in the tainted pet food incidents that killed dozens of animals last year and raised worries about products made in China.

Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co., Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products, Arts and Crafts I/E Co., and Las Vegas-based Chemnutra Inc. were charged in two separate but related indictments. The U.S. attorney's office in Kansas City said the tainted food led to the death and serious illness of pets in the U.S. last year.

One of the indictments charges Xuzhou Anying Biologic, located in China's Jiangsu Province, and Suzhou Textiles, in Suzhou, China, with 13 counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce and 13 counts of introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce.

ChemNutra and company owners Sally Quing Miller, 31, a Chinese national, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 55, were charged with 13 counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, 13 counts of introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

DIAMOND PET FOOD SETTLES LAW SUIT

If You Purchased Recalled Diamond Pet Food Products in 2005, You May Be Entitled to Payment from a Legal Settlement

This company has a long and storied past of producing poor quality pet food. Finally the truth emerges as a settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit regarding recalled Diamond Pet Food products. A settlement fund, worth up to $3.1
million, will be established and pay consumers who purchased recalled
Diamond Pet Food products, and compensate dog owners whose dogs were
injured as a result of eating recalled Diamond Pet Food products.

People who reside in the following states and purchased recalled
Diamond Brand or Country Value Brand Pet Food products in 2005, and did not
return the food for a refund are included in this settlement: Alabama,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
1-800-960-6651, http://www.RecalledPetFoodSettlement.com