Greenies Lawsuit Settled
On September 17th, the lawsuit against Kansas City-based Greenies manufacturer S&M Nutec came to a close. Alan Sash, the attorney representing ten pet owners from eight states, commented that settlement details are private. The company, acquired last year by candy conglomerate Mars Inc., first introduced the green goodies in 1998 as teeth-cleaning and breath-freshening treats for pets. Reports of deaths due to choking and intestinal blockages allegedly caused by Greenies started showing up in 2005.
S&M Nutec insists Greenies are safe when used as directed and strongly encourages buying the right-sized treat for your pet and supervising to ensure proper chewing, as with any treat. The company released a new formula last year with instructions and warnings more visible on the package.
Bill to Protects Pets Passes
California Senate Bill 353, which would include pets in restraining orders in domestic abuse cases, has passed both the House and the Senate. Studies have long shown that violence against animals often accompanies violence against human family members when there is an abuser in the household. If Governor Schwarzenegger signs the bill into law, California will join 14 other states and the District of Columbia in this important protection for companion animals.
Red Flag on Chicken Treats
An FDA investigation is in progress in response to reports of dogs becoming ill after eating snacks sold as chicken tenders, jerky, strips, or treats. While no specific contaminants have been identified, seventy occurrences of gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea and vomiting have allegedly been associated with the treats. Banfield, the Pet Hospital, a large chain of veterinary clinics, has been the primary source of information linking chicken jerky treats to a significant number of incidents.
Earlier this year, the industrial chemical melamine was detected in many pet food products, triggering the largest-ever recall of such products. Most dogs who ingested melamine-tainted food recovered, but some died.
Pet owners who feed their dogs chicken treats should seek immediate medical if they notice decreased appetite or activity, increased thirst or urination, and vomiting or diarrhea.
Vick Notes Auctioned to Benefit Animals
Discarded notes discovered on the podium at the end of Michael Vick’s August 27 apology for his participation in dog fighting became a hot item on E-Bay. The notes, believed to be Vick’s, contain six bulleted topics and the final statement “dogs have suffered.” Vick’s attorneys maintain that he did not write the notes personally, but declined to comment on who authored them.
The auction closed on September 14 with Carol Leifer, writer and co-producer of CBS comedy “Rules of Engagement,” lobbing a winning bid of $10,200 after learning that all proceeds would be donated directly to the Humane Society of the United States.
Inspiration to auction off the notes came from a Missouri woman who successfully sold a collection of Michael Vick football cards that her dogs had chewed on. Proceeds from that sale, $7400, were donated to the woman’s local humane societies.
Owner of Vicious Dogs Sentenced
When dogs go bad, irresponsible people are much to blame. This fact was once again confirmed by the California courts when a Petaluma man whose Rottweilers had been involved in two previous attacks on children was sentenced to jail time after a third. The unfortunate dogs were euthanized after charging a seven-year-old boy and inflicting deep bite wounds on his legs when his father tried to lift him to safety. The father was also bitten numerous times by the unaltered male and female Rottweilers.
Kieran Thomas Burns, 51, pleaded guilty and received 9 months in jail and three years’ probation in connection with the attack.
The frail boy was understandably traumatized by the experience. To help him recover, his parents have taken him to visit friendly dogs in animal shelters and are considering adding a small dog to the family.
Vick’s Dogs Safe
A motion filed on October 2nd in U.S. District Court in Virginia states that 48 of the 49 dogs seized from Michael Vick’s property passed behavioral testing and will not be euthanized. The ASPCA, partnered with Bay Area-based BADRAP (Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible about Pit Bulls) conducted tests to determine the dogs’ potential for rehabilitation.
Dogs who showed no signs of aggression will be placed in foster care for observation and eventual adoption. Those who exhibited fear will go to supervised sanctuary for additional socialization. According to the ASPCA, dogs requiring sanctuary may not be candidates for adoption but will be placed somewhere to live out their lives humanely.
Law-enforcement training is another category the dogs may be considered for.
Only one of the dogs will be euthanized, based on a history of biting people.
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