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Conspiracy, Volunteers, Kapsa, And Cat Food, Oh My!
Posted by: jn at 5:22PM MT on June 26, 2009
If you're going to dig a hole, make sure you dig it deep enough in which to shovel all of your #### into it.
http://www.montanasnews.tv/articles.php?mode=view&id=14898 I won't ask my readers to suffer through the video (all 44:20 minutes of it), instead, I'll just point out that they're getting personal. At least for a Gazette reporter, the manager of the dog case operations at the Metra, and the tireless volunteers. Kirk D., if you're reading, don't worry, I'm keeping my sanity in check :) In the first segment, (at 2:23 minutes into the video), Donald Cyphers and Linda Kapsa accuse the Billings Gazette, namely, reporter Greg Tuttle, and his camera person of "not printing fair, true, accurate statements" of what resulted in Kapsa's June 17 interview with the Gazette . Kapsa now denies she is back in business, and explains that one of two of her dogs "was already bred"; the other "was locked up and ripped up a latch on a door and got out and got bred, and she has 4 puppies". She said, "I could have bred 6 other dogs, but I didn't".  In the second segment (at 11:33 minutes into the video), Cyphers interviews one of the original volunteers working with the dogs, Jenny Dolan, who apparently is a disgruntled volunteer, she alleges: Catherine Schaeffer bought tons of cans of Fancy Feast Cat food to "deworm" the dogs, and the supply suddenly disappeared one day. Dolan also alleges "Schaeffer told the volunteers to keep silent anything said between workers and volunteers at the Metra since the public didn't need to know about the operations". About two months after the operations started, Schaeffer obtained a shelter relief fund for dog food which enables them to get the food for free, the shelter fund is sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition (the dog food is Science Diet). Cyphers goes on to say the county is ripping off the taxpayers with their claims of the costs for food. Dolan further alleges: "No one knows where all the donated money is going, since the volunteers are paying out of their own pockets for some things" that are needed.  (Then, there's an assumption of conspiracy because Schaeffer suddenly bought a new truck, and Dolan wonders where she got the money to pay for it). Cyphers holds up pictures of donated items that he alleges the county and Schaeffer threw away (the donated items appear to be tarps used for shade for the dogs, that Dolan donated). She claims Schaeffer and her right-hand person, Georgia Peters, threw the items out as trash. Dolan claims "dogs are being refused medical treatment". (Cyphers alleges veterinarian Dr. Rob Bruner is rarely ever at the Metra to inspect or care for the dogs). Dolan alleges a bar-b-que was held for the volunteers but Dolan didn't attend because Schaeffer had "kicked her out". Cypers then claims approx 45 volunteers have been fired, "over asking questions or noticing things that weren't right". Two volunteers wrote or called the county commissioners, but they "did not want to listen, they didn't want anything to do with it". Cyphers and Dolan claim that Deputy County Attorney Ingrid Rosenquist "has been at the Metra on several occasions and has also told volunteers to be quiet, therefore she is hiding things that are going on at the Metra". Cyphers claims "some of the volunteers have been physically threatened as well as verbally threatened" (but not before his usual spiel about Rosenquist being a fanatical animal rights activist, which he calls FARK, but couldn't explain the acronym). Dolan alleges that Schaeffer's right-hand person, Georgia Peters, physically assaulted her after Dolan requested a sheriff's deputy accompany her to the Metra so she could recover the tarps thrown away by Schaeffer, but when asked to explain, it is clear Georgia Peters in no way, physically assaulted Dolan. Cyphers then claims that "volunteers are scared to go to the Metra in fear of being physically assaulted or abused by Schaeffer or Peters". Dolan also claims "that sawdust, straw and hay is moldy and not replaced, that pipes have been frozen and that dogs go without water". Cyphers claims "there is a hostile environment, people are in fear of being beaten up apparently by Catherine Schaeffer". Dolan says she talked to the sheriff's department, asked for a meeting to explain her side of things, met with two of the deputies for two hours, but Mike Schieno only "offered her a deal" in which, "he would let her take care of two dogs (as opposed to the ten she was previously working with), and work in an environment where she wouldn't have to deal with Schaeffer or Peters" although Dolan never says she will take the deal. Cyphers then portrays that "the MNA has done undercover operations down there on multiple different scales" and that Dolan's statements "can be validated as MNA's reporters have seen for themselves".
Posted by: jn at 11:34AM MT on June 19, 2009
 Kansas City -- The owners of a pet-food company implicated in the 2007 recall that is estimated to have killed about 4,000 pets pleaded guilty to some of the charges leveled against them. Sally Qing Miller and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, of Las Vegas, were indicted, along with their company, Chemnutra Inc., in 2008 for their alleged role in the 2007 pet food recall. Chemnutra buys food and food components from China, then imports and distributes those foods in the United States, according Matt J. Whitworth, acting U.S. attorney for the western district of Missouri. The Millers imported more than 13 shipments, totaling 800 metric tons, of wheat gluten tainted with melamine between November 2006 and February 2007, Whitmore says. The tainted wheat gluten was then used to make various brands of pet food -- 150 brands of which were later recalled, but not before an estimated 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs died from eating the tainted food. The Millers and their company each pleaded guilty to one count of selling adulterated food and one count of selling misbranded food. They Millers are subject to up to two years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine of up to $200,000 and restitution, according to Whitmore. Chemnutra as a company is subject to a $400,000 fine and restitution. China was also implicated in melamine-tainted baby formula that killed six infants and made thousands of babies sick with kidney stones. The former company chairwoman was jailed for life and fined $3.6 million for her role in the scandal. In 2007, Menu Foods recalled 60 million containers of cat and dog food after animals died of kidney failure. The FDA alone had received more than 8,000 complaints. Sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled. U.S. attorney's news release The Associated Press has more about the case
Posted by: jn at 2:58PM MT on June 13, 2009
To promote her “Nutrish” line of packaged dog food, Food Network's Rachael Ray published a recipe intended for human consumption in a popular dog lover’s magazine (Modern Dog Magazine, Winter 2008/2009 Edition). The recipe, “Isaboo’s Butternut Squash Mac and Chedder” was inspired, states Ray, by her pit bull Isaboo’s love of squash. But readers were confused and believed the recipe, which included an ingredient that could potentially kill dogs, was intended for dogs.
Posted by: jn at 2:46PM MT on June 13, 2009
Here's a March 2008 video on the Evanger's pet food website, presented by Food Network's tv cooking personality, Rachael Ray. Ironically, Rachael Ray should be the LAST person pet owners should listen to. Ever. I'll tell you why in my next article.
You have to watch the video to appreciate the irony. I mean, the numerous ironies. First, we have Rachael Ray touring Evanger's "fabulous, high standards" manufacturing plant, guiding us through Evanger's conveyor-belt manufacturing process for their "all-natural" canned pet foods. Next we hear how "all natural" ingredients are picked exclusively by the owners, to ensure your pet is getting the very very best meat, fruit and vegetables from local markets. And we hear Ray remind us that NONE of the Evanger's products were affected by the 2007 pet food recalls. Returning to the plant, the camera zooms in on a digital analyzer that "periodic testing confirms that each pet food recipe conforms to industry standards and government regulations." And then a few statements about cat nutrition. The video oddly cuts off at this point. But, the FDA is not so impressed. The problem actually dates back to April 2008. After inspections conducted in March and April this year, yesterday the FDA suspended a Temporary Emergency Permit, claiming Evanger's "deviated from the prescribed process, equipment, product shipment, and recordkeeping requirements in the production of the company's thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products. The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as humans." The FDA notes "Botulism is a powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can be fatal. The disease has been documented in dogs and cats. Signs of botulism in animals are progressive muscle paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and progressive weakness to the body. Death is usually due to paralysis of the heart or the muscles used in breathing." Read the FDA's action here. You can also read Evanger's response to the FDA, where they conveniently shift blame onto their "process expert", and ignore the FDA's concerns entirely: "In August of 2008, while updating required process information to the FDA our "process authority" (processing expert) inadvertently deleted pertinent filings. Evanger's has been working with the FDA to resolve this issue quickly. This situation does not call into question the safety of any Evanger's products." Bottom line: the terms "organic", "wholesome", "all-natural", "human grade" and other nonsensical terms (and often misleading claims) in the world of "natural" pet foods, does not always mean safe, nor does it mean you are in fact, getting a "high quality" product. Evanger's is not the only pet food company to come under the FDA's inspection and enforcement action, or the public's scrutiny, and it certainly won't be the last. Least of all, should pet owners be taking advice from tv personalities and celebrities on pet foods.
Posted by: jn at 2:52PM MT on May 21, 2009
Nutro Products Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Dry Cat Food Products
Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food. This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats. Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further. Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian. Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have more questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST ---------- (UPDATE May 22) You'd think after all the major pet food recalls, Nutro could keep their original recall notice url's intact. Today they've changed them. The following url's are correct: Nutro's Website Recall Notice: http://www.nutroproducts.com/press-recall/press-recall.htmlList of Nutro Cat Food products affected: http://www.nutroproducts.com/press-recall/affected-Products.html FDA Recall Press Release: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/nutro05_09.html
Posted by: jn at 4:02PM MT on April 24, 2009
UPDATE: (April 24, 2009) The FDA/CVM responded to my request to validate whether or not Nutro pet products were under an FDA/CVM investigation, with a simple "Nutro Products, Inc. is not under investigation by the FDA". But there was no name or credential or department accompanying the message. I've requested further validation either by a staff's name, credential or website notice. Interesting that during the course of events, the FDA couldn't bother to post a notice on their website stating as such, this could have saved a lot of confusion amid pet owners. UPDATE: (April 28, 2009) The FDA finally placed a notice on their website, claiming they are not investigating Nutro. Meanwhile, Consumer Affairs insists the FDA confirmed to them the investigation, and the question still remains, why did the FDA deny an FOIA request regarding Nutro's pet foods? Mind you, I don't put a lot of stock into much of what Consumer Affairs reports, but any time there is mention of terms like "investigation, pet food, and the FDA", does warrant raising an eyebrow. -------------------------- April 22, 2009NUTRO Products Inc. denies it's under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — even though an official of that agency told ConsumerAffairs.com on Monday that the pet food maker is the focus of a probe. An FDA official who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed that ongoing investigation is the reason the FDA’s Division of Freedom of Information denied a ConsumerAffairs.com request for a list of complaints and lab results the agency has collected about NUTRO pet food. The FDA did not elaborate on the focus of its investigation, saying only that it could be criminal or civil in nature. Continue reading .... |
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