We Wondered When This Would Happen: First Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Over Chicken Jerky

"Who in their right mind would feed something to an animal that has an FDA warning?" distraught owner of dead dog asks.

We've been writing about the potential deadly effects of chicken jerky made in China for years. Every time we do, we're deluged by readers who share their own heartbreaking tales of their own dogs who have either died or been made extremely ill from the jerky treats.

So the news from Chicago of the first class-action lawsuit against a couple of jerky-related companies isn't a big surprise. The only surprise is that it didn't happen sooner.

Chicago-area resident Dennis Adkins has filed the federal lawsuit against Netle Purina Petcare (makers of Waggin' Train chicken jerky) and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., where he bought the treats. He says his Pomeranian died of kidney failure shortly after he started feeding them to her. His other Pom, who did not get any of the treats, was perfectly fine.

Last fall the FDA cautioned consumers -- and not for the first time -- about feeding their dogs chicken jerky products (also sold as chicken tenders, strips, or nuggets) made for dogs. "In the last 12 months, FDA has seen an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China," the advisory stated. In 2007 the FDA put a cautionary warning on the products.

Adkins said he had no idea about this, and that he never would have thought of looking on the package for a warning. His suit claims that Nestle Purina was aware of more than 500 cases of dogs dying or becoming extremely ill after eating chicken jerky treats made in China.

"Who in their right mind would feed something to an animal that has an FDA warning?" Adkins said in a Chicago Tribune story. "I would not buy the product."

The federal lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for people who believe their dogs were harmed by the treats. It also calls for an end to the sale of the treats.

Nestle Purina is not going to take this sitting down. "We believe the claims made in the suit to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves. We can say that Waggin' Train products continue to be safe to feed as directed," a Nestle spokesman said.

The suit could expand to include other companies. Because the FDA has not yet found any reason for the illnesses, it may be a tough one to win. But who knows what will be found out during proceedings. It will be an interesting and important suit. I'll keep you posted.

Sources: Chicago Tribune, Bloomberg

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Pix We Love: Kids' Day at Dogster and Catster HQ

Once a year, Dogster's parent company, SAY Media, invites employees to bring in their children for a day of edutainment (that's education plus entertainment ... we know, we know, we'll never use it again!). Kids come in wondering what the heck their moms and dads do at this building on Townsend St. all day and leave wondering if they want to work in publishing or advertising when they grow up. Anyway, we made sure they left with some cute Dogster and Catster goodie bags, too.  

GiGi the office Boston hangs out with the kids.

Our Community Manager, Lori Malm, organized a cute session where she asked everybody to draw their favorite dog or cat. Then she put a small treat on top of each drawing and the office Boston Terrier, GiGi (of "Ask GiGi" fame!) walked around the table and chowed down at her pick.

The winner -- Taylor W. -- is pictured with Miss Gi above!

Here are some more photos from our day with our coworkers' kids:  

GiGi has her portrait drawn!

The goodie bags Community Manager Lori Malm put together.

We asked everybody to draw their favorite dogs.

We put a treat on each dog and cat drawing and let GiGi decide which she liked best.

Managing Editor Vicky Walker's drawing of her cat, Ambrose.

Goodie bags for all!

GiGi walks around looking for her favorite drawing.

The winner, Taylor!

We know they all want to come work at Dogster when they grow up!

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Cratewear Product Review

April 30, 2012 at 10:57 am

Crates get a bad rap sometimes. People call them “cages” and many dog owners don’t like using them. But that’s because they don’t understand dog behavior and the important role crates play in a dog’s life. Dogs love to climb into a small space where their back is protected from ambush, where they can see everything from a good vantage point, where they can sleep in a clean and comfortable nest, and where familiar surroundings create a space of their own. In the wild, this is usually a cave or den or burrow of some kind. In our modern world, it’s a crate. Dogs who are not fortunate enough to have their “own room” in a crate often create a safe space somewhere else, such as under a sofa, behind a chair or table, or under a bed. Pet owners who use dog crates often find their dogs sleeping in their crates voluntarily.

Why not give your dog the cozy little room he or she wants? And Cratewear is absolutely essential in creating a comfy den out of an ordinary crate. The original 3-piece set includes a mattress for the bottom of the crate, a bumper around the sides (like a baby bumper for a crib) and a cover for the top and 3 sides. The bumper stays on with Velcro strips that attach on the outside of the crate, so there’s no itchy part for the dog to lean up against. It comes off easily for cleaning, as do the cover and mattress. The cover does not tie, snap or fasten in any way, so you just lift it off on laundry day. It couldn’t be more simple.

Cratewear is the original crate cover set. Started in 1999, the company specializes in decorator crate sets to make your dog’s crate more comfortable and more stylish in your home. It comes in both cotton and plush fabrics, for both front-opening and side-opening crates.

I purchased two sets of Cratewear for my large dogs. They were both khaki because I like to be able to look inside the crate and see if the dog is in there. I had a black dog at the time, and I thought a dark color would make it hard to see if she was there.

The Cratewear fit the crates perfectly. We feed our dogs in their crates, so I need to wash the Cratewear often. After four years and many washings, it STILL fits the crates perfectly. The contrast white piping and light khaki color still look great and I have never had to iron it. Since our crates are in the dining room, I would iron it if needed, to make it look crisp and nice. But as long as I remove it promptly from the drier, I have never had to. Between washings, dog hair comes off easily with a lint brush or lint tape, at least on the cotton fabric. I haven’t tried the plush fabric (shown as pink set) but I would expect it to show the quality and durability that other products from this company exhibit.

The dogs loved the Cratewear from the start. They went right in. You’d think that after they’d gotten used to the same crates for years, they’d be hesitant once I’d tinkered with them by adding a bunch of stuff. But they didn’t. They couldn’t wait to get inside. They climbed in, turned around and lay down before I’d even got the bumper all the way on. There they sat as I put the cover on and they didn’t even get up when I pushed the crates back against the wall.  I didn’t see either one of them for hours. I leave the doors open on the dogs’ crates when they’re not eating. We often come home to find them in their crates, snoozing.

The Cratewear looks fantastic. If you’re still draping a bath towel or sheet over your dog’s crate, put that tired old thing into retirement and get some Cratewear now! It looks so much more tailored and polished. And there are lots of great colors and patterns to choose from. Whether you’ve got a diva dog who must have her Cheetah fabric or a laid-back dude who’s happy  in olive cotton, there’s a fabric for every home and every doggie personality.

When we adopted the 3 kids, there was a period of six months where we had a LOT of people coming to our home every week. Plus friends, neighbors and family. Nearly everyone who comes to our home for the first time comments on the dog crates. “That’s ingenious.” “That looks so cool.” “What a neat idea.”

I agree.

Sizes:  XS – XXL (you measure your crate from front to back to determine size)

Retail Price: $40 – $110

Manufacturer: Pet Dreams – www.petdreams.com

Be the first to like this post.Entry filed under: Dog Product Reviews, Free Tips & Ideas from Dog Owners. Tags: big dog bed, comfy dog bed, crate accessories, crate cover, designer crate, dog cage cover, dog crate.

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Heartbreaking Video: Loyal Labrador Braves Busy Los Angeles Roadway to Guard Dead Companion

A dog lies at her friend's side as the traffic whizzes by. If ever there was an image of the loyalty and love of a dog, this is it.

A vehicle on a busy Los Angeles area roadway struck a yellow Labrador retriever, who died on the street of head injuries. But the dog wasn't alone in the fading moments of life -- or after death. The golden's loyal canine companion was right there, steadfastly guarding her friend in the heavy morning commute. The black Lab stood and lay beside her fallen friend as traffic whizzed by, not wanting to leave to get to safer ground herself.

A passing Good Samaritan stopped, put up traffic cones around the heartbreaking scene, and called animal control. Officers took the heroic Labrador into their care, and named her Grace. She has no tags or microchip, and as of this morning, she is up for adoption. A worker at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center says Grace will go to "the first person who comes in and starts the paperwork on the animal."

At times Grace stood guard, at other times she lay beside her fallen friend. But she would not leave her companion's side.

Hmm, the adoption seems pretty quick. (The accident happened just a few days ago.) Who knows if their owners may be on vacation, or ill? And just giving Grace over to whoever fills out the paperwork first? She deserves better than this.

At least shelter workers say Grace would be best with someone who understands dogs, and can work with the one-year-old dog and show her compassion. Maybe they'll be pickier about a home than that shelter worker let on. From what I've been reading and seeing, they're showering her with lots of TLC.

If you're interested in adopting her, call the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center at (626) 962-3577. Her impound number is A4416170. The shelter opens at noon Pacific time today. 

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Quill – The Life of a Guide Dog

April 16, 2012 at 2:38 pm

There’s an exceptional movie coming out in May that all dog lovers are going to want to see. The documentary-like story centers around a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. You’ll follow Quill from the litter, his selection to become a guide, his life with a foster family until his first birthday, followed by highly specialized schooling in guiding the sightless. You’ll then go with him as he is then paired with a blind man named Watanabe Mitsuru who is at first reluctant to rely on Quill. But Quill’s great patience, gentleness and skill eventually wins him over and they become inseparable friends.

Critics are raving:

A warm-hearted, visually charming, and ultimately thought-provoking tribute to the ways, little and large, that these creatures improve our lives. —Georgia StraightOne of the smartest, most realistic dog films ever made. —ExclaimAudiences are unlikely to resist Quill in this simply rendered and indisputably sweet film. —EYE Magazine

Opens in Chicago and New York May 18. May open to a wider audience after that. Check the website at www.musicboxfilms.com/quill for additional release dates.

Entry filed under: In the News. Tags: film about seeing eye dog, movie about guide dog, quill guide dog movie.

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Reality TV Star Shanna Moakler Loses Her Chihuahua to a Hawk

Shanna Moakler

It wasn't Angry Birds that brought shock and horror into the life of reality-TV star, dog lover, and former Playboy Playmate of the Month Shanna Moakler last week. It was hungry birds.

The model and actress -- who hosts Bridalplasty and has appeared in Dancing with the Stars, Minute to Win It, Meet the Barkers, Entourage and Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants -- was outside her Calabasas, California, home with her two Chihuahuas when a hawk swooped down out of the sky and attacked the dogs, carrying one of them away, according to Hollyscoop.com.

As reported by the celebrity website, a horrified Moakler tweeted last Monday afternoon:

Shanna's first tweet after the tragedy.

Realizing that the predator had been not "a eagle" but a hawk, the grieving star tweeted on Wednesday: "Not gonna lie, feel like hunting hawks today … don’t feel bad about it either," according to CBS-Los Angeles.

"I live in a neighborhood where coyotes and hawks are prevalent. We took the dogs outside to go to the bathroom and they were attacked by a hawk. My one puppy may have lost an eye; we won't know for a couple weeks -- and the bird flew off with my other puppy. It was like out of a movie."

And Moakler should know how "like out of a movie" feels. Her film credits include Love Stinks, Poison Ivy: The New Seduction, and Big Momma's House 2. She has also been romantically involved with boxer Oscar de la Hoya, singer Billy Idol, actor Dennis Quaid and drummer Travis Barker.

"I'm devastated as I have lost two animals in the matter of a month from coyotes and hawks. I had even installed coyote fences," the star told Hollyscoop. 

Hawk in flight by Shutterstock.com.

"I just hope people with small dogs will start taking precautions with their pets outside and try to protect them from predators. I hope people just remember not to take things for granted as you never know when they can be gone, both people and fur babies." 

Tucked into the rugged southwestern San Fernando Valley about twenty miles north of downtown Los Angeles, chichi Calabasas has been home to a wide range of celebs including Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Howie Mandel, and the Kardashians.

But let them all be warned: Predators don't care whether the owners of their prey pack stadiums, have sex with Kevin Federline, or wear dresses made of steak.

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Ever See a Grown Man Cry? Tell Him He Has to Give Up a Beloved Dog to an Accused Animal Hoarder

A woman accused of hoarding hundreds of animals in deplorable conditions is demanding to get one of her favorite dogs back.

A Kentucky woman charged with 200 counts of animal cruelty for hoarding hundreds of animals in deplorable conditions is jockeying to get back a couple of her favorite dogs and horses.

But at least one of those dogs won't be given up without a huge fight by her foster family.

Here's a photo of the mobile home where Terri Smith is accused of having kept hundreds of animals, both inside and outside. Apparently some of them were in as bad a condition as the mobile home.

This is the mobile home of Teri Smith, who was accused of keeping more than 200 animals in deplorable conditions both inside and outside.

Luckily most of the animals found good foster homes when they were taken away a few months ago. And the beautiful spaniel in the photo below went to a fantastic home. Steve and Jodie Judy and their family fell in love with her, named her Moto (after their favorite sport of motocross), and took her everywhere with them.

"I love her as much as I love my own kids," Steve Judy said in a report on WDRB-TV.

Moto's foster family deeply loves her. They'll do whatever it takes to keep her from going back to a woman charged with more than 200 counts of animal cruelty. (Image: WDRB-TV)

When the family heard that Smith, who pleaded guilty to one charge (you read right -- one out of more than 200), wanted a couple of dogs and horses back, they prayed Moto would not be one of them. But they got the dreaded phone call while shopping, and Jodie burst out crying in the store.

Steve Judy, as you can see in this photo, has a hard time talking about this without breaking down himself.

Steve Judy says Moto is like one of his own kids.

"She cannot go back to that lifestyle," he says. And he tells his dog while petting her with clear adoration. "It's okay, I promise, Daddy ain't going to let you go nowhere."

Smith is scheduled to be sentenced in court today for her one count of cruelty. The Judys will be right there to fight any official requests from Smith. If all goes well, they could adopt Moto once the case is settled. If things go badly ... let's not go there just yet. It's too sad to think about.

Check out this video, which was shot while Steve and Jodie and their three sons and two dogs were in the RV they travel in for motocross competitions. And if you happen to live near Henry County, Kentucky, and feel like heading to a courthouse today, the family could probably use a little moral support.

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It's time to get your National Park on and enjoy the great outdoors with your dog!

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Guest Post

I was asked to write a guest post on the Rug Doctor Blog for National Pet Month – May.  Head on over to their blog and check it out… LINKY

I feel like I’m moving up in the world

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Viral Video We Love: Double-Dutch Dog Blows Your Mind

A single jump rope isn't enough for this incredibly coordinated and energetic rescue dog.

How many tricks or commands does your dog know? I'm proud that Jake can sit, lie down (usually), stay, come, and react to "Out of the garbage!!!" pretty quickly. He doesn't really know tricks, because we taught him the shake-paws business, and he almost blinded people by offering his paw constantly in all the wrong situations. (For instance, you'd be lying on the couch, almost asleep, then a paw with stout nails comes scraping across your face. It basically meant "I want, please!" and he wanted all kinds of things -- always food-related -- and had no compunctions about showing it.) Untraining him was far more of a trick, but he eventually cooled off on the paw business.

When I saw the video below, however, Jake's repertoire suddenly seemed very minuscule. Check out this amazing dog who seems to absolutely love doing double-Dutch jump rope. (Some YouTube viewers have complained about the music. Just turn it down if you don't like it, because the doggy is great without it, too.)

I always like to know how dogs learn things like this, since my dog's "tricks" can fit into the palm of his scratch paw. Fortunately, the dog's owner, Samantha Valle, who travels around North America with Stunt Dog Productions, tells about the trick and the dog on her YouTube page:

"The dog is Geronimo and she's a two-year-old cattledog mix. I pulled her out of a pound in Missouri while I was performing there two summers ago. She was three months old. Mo's specialty is tricks. She loves to train tricks, but also has a knack for agility and frisbee. I have seven dogs total, all mixes of herding dogs, which are my favorite.

"This trick took five straight weeks until it was perfect for me to call complete. I practiced it every single day, several hours a day. Now, there are a lot of hours in a day, folks, and I like frequent breaks, although Mo wonders why we are stopping and not jumping all day long. ;) Mo will work all day, she loves to EAT!!

"This is the first time I've trained this specific trick, so it was all trial and error. There were no specific steps I really took that made a huge difference. All I can really remember doing is trying a bunch of different things, rewarding her small successes until the trick was complete.

"This trick is so amazing because of all the things going on at once. Think about it: She has to find that 'sweet spot' in the rope where she can jump in, wait for the perfect time to jump in, watch the board on the floor and the ropes at the same time so she knows where and when to jump in, then she must time the jump perfectly, land, and immediately find the rhythm of the ropes and jump. She's just not running and gunning it. She waits for the right time (which through hours of practice, she has figured out) and jumps in. The stick is there to keep her in the middle of the ropes. As i found out by teaching my other dogs to jump with just one rope, they all want to jump right on top of you or into you really closely.

"My vision for this trick is exactly how you see it now: A dog that runs and jumps into two ropes while staying in the middle as if she were jumping like a human. I'm happy with the end result. Mo is happy to jump, and I hope you all are happy to view her video and watch her having a good time."

Hey readers, we needed something like this today after yesterday's two downer news stories. At least I did.

Hope this helps you jump into your Tuesday with a smile on your snout!

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On the Road with Dog-Food Truckers

Hauling dog food across the country is big business, and accidents happen. We dig into the hazardous life of dog-food truckers.

A couple of weeks ago, someone alerted me to a news story of a big-rig crash in the Los Angeles area. The truck had been carrying 19,000 pounds of dog food, and at least some of it ended up on a major freeway, making L.A. traffic even more of a challenge than usual.

The idea of 19,000 pounds of dog food -– about 43,000 two-cup bowls, if that helps you picture it –- on the freeway conjured quite an image. (There are no photos, but I imagine most of it probably stayed in bags.) But oddly, there was no mention of injuries. I figured even if no one else was hurt, the driver of the overturned truck must have been banged up pretty bad.

I needed more info to fill in the story, so I Googled “truck crash dog food” and didn’t even bother to include “Los Angeles.” Really, how many truck crashes involving dog food could there be?

Turns out quite a few, such as a messy 18-wheeler overturn in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that closed all but one lane of busy I-35 in both directions. It looked like this.

(Image: NBCDFW.com)

(Image: NBCDFW.com)

Miraculously, nobody sustained serious injuries. Sadly that was not the case in Gainesville, Georgia, when a car slammed into a dog-food-filled semi outside a Purina plant. The crash ripped loose the truck’s fuel tank and the car and the truck burst into flames. Two people were killed, though the truck driver does not appear to have been one of them.

In Ohio, the driver of a semi filled with dog food lost control of the rig and it crashed into a concrete barrier. Both of the truck’s fuel tanks were punctured, and 200 gallons of diesel fuel poured onto Interstate 90. The driver was injured, but not fatally.

Earlier this month, a tractor-trailer filled with dog food drifted off Highway 70 in Maryland, crashed through guardrails, and rolled 60 feet down an embankment. The dog food ended up all over the highway, as did 200 gallons of fuel (again; I guess that’s the magic number when two full truck tanks are punctured). The driver and his son were seriously injured.

I could go on, but you get the picture.

It got me thinking about how I’ve taken for granted all the bags of dog food that fill the shelves of pet supply stores and grocery stores. Don’t they just appear there? I mean, who ever thinks of how the stuff gets there?

I guess you could say that about many products. But dogs are my news beat, and yes, I admit that my dog, Jake, eats kibble –- good kibble, but kibble nonetheless -- as part of his diet. (I’m ready for the inevitable finger wagging, but before you bring it on, know that Jake does get a bit of other nutritious home-cooked food as well.) 

So when reading report after report about these accidents, it really struck me that people put their lives at risk to get dog food to the stores where I and so many others buy it. (Of course, drivers do the same thing for the meat and rice and other ingredients a lot of people use for homemade dog chow, unless they buy hyperlocally.)

Truck driving is a notoriously tough profession. “The conditions are brutal, the hours are long. I wouldn’t wish it on a dog,” Henry Jasny, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, told me.

Heavy loads, like trucks filled with tons of dog food, can make for more hazardous driving. Add to that the long hauls, with typical 70-to-80-hour workweeks, and driver fatigue is almost inevitable, Jasny says. Depending on what figures you look at, between 8 and 30 percent of truck crashes involve fatigue.

People in the U.S. have more pooches than ever, which means dog-food sales are huge. In 2011, a record 7.8 million metric tons (a metric ton is about 2,200 pounds) of the stuff was sold here, according to the market research firm Euromonitor. (Thank you to Kurt Gallagher, a director at the Pet Food Institute, for digging up that figure for me.) If I calculated correctly, that’s more than 17 billion pounds of dog food.

Sales show no sign of slowing. So in the years to come, there will be more trucks out there carrying more dog food, and there’s a high likelihood that some of them will be involved in accidents.

Jake is due for a replenishment of his salmon-and-yam kibble this week. And this time, when I walk though the shelves and pallets of dog food, I’ll be thinking of the men and women who brave the roads so that our dogs can eat. I know that's not why they're doing it, but they're doing it nonetheless.

Here's a virtual paw shake to these unsung road warriors whose work keeps our dogs' tummies full and happy. Please be careful out there.

Shutterstock images: Dog food "bone," semitruck

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Do Tennis Balls Wear Down Dogs’ Teeth?

May 3, 2012 at 6:34 am

I recently heard a warning about not allowing dogs to chew tennis balls because the “fuzz” will sand down or wear down a dog’s teeth. I’ve done some probing and asked around, and it appears to be true. Puppies in particular are vulnerable to having their teeth worn down if they chew tennis balls. The synthetic fibers in tennis balls can act as sandpaper, wearing down dogs’ teeth in the back, where owners are unlikely to see the damage. But, a dog has to really chew a lot to start wearing down his or her teeth. It would have to be pretty obsessive.

Tennis balls can also cause bowel obstructions if your dog chews them apart. Signs of bowel obstruction are vomiting, especially after eating, diarrhea, and weakness.

Another tennis ball danger for dogs over 80 pounds is choke. Large dogs with large throats can sometimes aspirate the ball, getting it lodged in their throat. A tennis ball is 2.5? wide, so if you have a large or giant breed dog, get a ball that’s bigger than that, or play fetch with another type of toy.

If your dog just fetches and carries a tennis ball around, it’s probably not going to harm him or her, but if there’s focused chewing (like my Lab did), it’s best to find other things to satisfy your dog’s natural desire to chew.

Here are some inexpensive alternatives:

A tennis ball inside an athletic knee sock, tied in a knot at the top of the tennis ball. This gives the dog the same size and chewiness of a tennis ball, without the fibers.A raw bone. Bones are a natural part of a dog’s diet, and as long as they are not cooked, they are safe and even desirable to feed. Our Irish Setter eats a chicken wing or two at every meal and has never had a problem. Make friends with a local butcher and get some natural bones your dog will love. Many dogs want to make “progress” on what they’re chewing, which is why they bite pieces off or shred toys. Bones will satisfy both their need to chew and their need to chew “through” something.A marrow bone. Once the dog chews through the marrow in the middle, you can fill it with peanut butter, spray cheese, or anything you like. it provides a chew that will keep your dog busy. And its dishwasher safe.A racquetball. It has the same feel and similar size, but without the fuzz.

Whatever you decide, be sure your dog has something to chew on. Dog have a natural desire to chew, which should be satisfied with approved toys or treats supplied by you. Otherwise, you could come home to find your kitchen cabinets chewed, or you could start to notice aggressive, frustrated behavior from your dog.

Entry filed under: In the News, Free Tips & Ideas from Dog Owners. Tags: bad for dogs, grind down, sandpaper, teeth, tennis ball, wear.

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Earth Day, a day to take action to help the environment and your dog!

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Diamond Pet Foods Detects Salmonella, Expands Recall

No cases of canine illness have been reported -- yet -- but Diamond Pet Foods expanded a voluntary recall last week to include one production run and four production codes of Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul Adult Light formula dry dog food. According to a company press release dated April 26, "One bag of the product has tested positive for Salmonella, and the recall of the four production codes is being conducted as a precautionary measure."

Packaging for the recalled food.

The recall includes:

 Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food, 35-lb. bags, production codes CLF0102B31XCW (best-by date: 27/1/13); CLF0102B31XCW (best-by date: 28/1/13); and CLF0102B32XWR (best-by date: 28/1/13).

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food, 6-lb. bags, production code CLF0102B3XALW (best-by date: 28/1/13)

The recalled food was produced by Diamond Pet Foods and then distributed in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Retailers in those states might then have distributed the product to other states. 

The press release, which is now being circulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, advises consumers who have purchased Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food with this specific production/lot code and best-before date to discard the product. 

This recall is an expansion of an April 6 voluntary recall involving the following Diamond products: 

 Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice, 6lb, DLR0101D3XALW Best Before 04 Jan 2013  

 Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice, 20lb, DLR0101C31XAG Best Before 03 Jan 2013  

 Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice, 40lb, DLR0101C31XMF Best Before 03 Jan 2013  

 Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice, 40lb, DLR0101C31XAG Best Before 03 Jan 2013

 Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice, 40lb, DLR0101D32XMS Best Before 04 Jan 2013

In its press release, Diamond Pet Foods apologizes "for any potential issues this may have caused pet owners and their dogs."

Dog croquettes by Shutterstock.com

Animals infected with salmonella might have decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. If left untreated, they might become lethargic and develop diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals as well as humans, according to the press release:

"Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer."

Pet owners with concerns can contact Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402.

See our previous coverage of Diamond Pet Foods' recalls here.

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Let's Talk: Should the Government Order All Dogs to Have Microchips?

A law making microchips mandatory for all dogs is expected to pass handily within the next few days in Britain. If it does, all dogs would be microchipped as puppies in an effort to track owners of dangerous dogs.

Some are applauding the measure, but many are condemning it as ill-planned and ineffective. They doubt that people who breed backyard fighters will be arriving at the vet's with armloads of puppies to microchip.

“If we’re not careful, we’re going to make things more difficult for legitimate dog owners, and not solve the real problem of dangerous dogs,” said Neil Parish, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on animal welfare.

Others have complained that it's just too much government. Some owners who would never dream of not having these rice-size identification pellets injected under their own dog's neck skin are balking at the compulsory nature of the law.

"It feels a bit Orwellian," says Benjamin Chase, whose dogs are both microchipped. "Doing it because you want to is one thing. Being told by the government to do it is quite another."

Of course, microchips are essential tools in helping reunite lost dogs with their owners. If the lawmakers' reason for mandating microchips had been to help people find their lost dogs and keep down the number of strays at shelters, that may have been easier to stomach.

"I might not mind it were for the welfare of the pets," says Chase, "but forcing all owners to comply in order to track down a small percentage of dangerous dogs reminds me of school, when the whole class would be punished because of one kid."

What do you think? Is mandatory microchipping a good idea, regardless of the reason for the law? Is it long overdue, or does it get under your skin -- literally! -- as too much government interference? If it's mandatory, should owners bear the cost, or should government kick in? Is it really that much different from mandatory rabies vaccines? Let's talk!

Sources: The Guardian, The Daily Mail, BBC, original interview

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Does your dog love water from the garden hose? Be careful, there may be dangers lurking there.

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Canine Hero of the Day: Police Dog Thwarts Would-Be Bomber

How a police dog helped SWAT team members descend upon a bomber in Kansas after a three-hour standoff.

If you're going to threaten to blow stuff up, be forewarned: That dog over there, who is trained to thwart any and all such threats, can't understand a word you say.

A police dog bravely ended a three-hour standoff Tuesday night after a man barricaded himself in a Wichita, Kansas gas station claiming that his backpack was full of explosives, which he intended to ignite.

The suspect entered a Shell station at around 10 p.m. Tuesday and confronted employee Sazzad Kahandaker. As seen on a KWCH News video, Kahandaker described this encounter:

"I ask him, 'How can I help you?' He said, 'Lock the door.' He has a backpack and he opens that," indicating that it contained explosives.

A police dog and a SWAT team prepare to enter the convenience store. Photo courtesy KWCH

As reported by KFDI News, the suspect held Kahandaker and some customers captive for half an hour. When the suspect finally let them leave, Kahandaker covertly pressed the secret alarm button, alerting police. 

Officers arrived and made contact with the suspect from outside the station's shop. "He advised that he had some C-4 and was gonna blow everybody up," said Wichita Police Captain Jeff Easter on the KWCH video.

C-4 is a type of plastic explosive used extensively during the Vietnam war and by al-Qaeda terrorists in the 1996 bombing of the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen. This stuff can cause serious damage. When the suspect refused to surrender or budge, Wichita police set up a 1,000-foot perimeter around the station, evacuated 15 nearby homes, and stopped traffic in the area. At that point, the suspect cut off all communication.

SWAT team members surrounded the station, accompanied by human and robot members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal bomb squad. But what finally ended the standoff at about 1:30 a.m.?

A SWAT officer escorts the suspect from the station. Photo courtesy KWCH.

Four legs, sleek fur, steely eyes, expert training, a keen mind, and extremely strong jaws.

"We deployed one of our dogs inside of the building," Easter explained. The video shows heavily uniformed cops ushering an alert German shepherd dog into the station. 

Once inside, the dog backed the suspect into a corner, at which point "SWAT was able to go in and apprehend him," Easter said. "He has a few injuries from the dog, but no major injuries."

Nearby roads remained closed throughout the wee hours as the bomb squad investigated the suspect's backpack. No explosives were found in it. The suspect's motives remain a mystery, Easter said.

What isn't a mystery is that age-old fact: Canines can outrun us. They can outbite us. Aren't you glad bad guys know this?

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Dog Vomit Containing Rat Bait Poisons Vet Staff in Three States

Dog barf is already bad news. What could be worse? Bad news about dog barf.

Veterinary hospital staff in three states have fallen sick after inhaling the fumes from dogs that have eaten a common rodent poison, according to the US Centers for Disease Control's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Gopher; photo by Chuck Abbe. Zinc phosphide is an inorganic chemical compound commonly added to pellets meant to kill gophers and moles. On contact with stomach acid and water -- that is, once swallowed -- zinc phosphide produces the highly toxic gas phosphine. After ingesting rodent bait containing zinc phosphide, dogs usually vomit, releasing phosphine into the air, which can poison humans. There is no known antidote.

The CDC reports phosphine poisonings at four veterinary hospitals: two in Michigan, one in Iowa, and one in Washington state. Each of these hospitals had treated a dog that had ingested rodent bait. Eight hospital workers have been poisoned thus far. According to the CDC, all experienced "transient symptoms" related to phosphine inhalation -- including chest tightness, shortness of breath, headache, and nausea.

In one of these cases, "a female Dachshund, weight unknown, was playing outdoors when she vomited behind some bushes and collapsed. Her owners rushed the limp dog to a Washington veterinary hospital. She was unresponsive and had diarrhea, a weak pulse, pinpoint pupils, and a temperature of 107F," reads the CDC's report. "Subsequently, the semicomatose dog vomited onto paper towels. ... A female veterinary technician, aged 34 years, who sniffed the dog's vomitus on the paper towels to determine whether it smelled like food immediately developed abdominal pain and nausea. ... Suspecting [zinc phosphide] toxicity, the veterinarian ... retrieved the vomitus about 20 minutes after it was put in the trash, placed it in a plastic bag, sealed it, froze it, and sent it to the Washington State Department of Health.

Dachshund by Shutterstock.com

The State Department of Labor and Industries' Industrial Hygiene laboratory analyzed the barf and discovered phosphorus and zinc in it.

In one of the Michigan cases, a 70-pound dog was brought into a veterinary hospital after consuming rodent pellets. "Vomiting was induced in the examination room using hydrogen peroxide, and two hospital workers were poisoned." Each of them experienced multiple symptoms. "The state poison control center advised both victims to ventilate the room and move to fresh air. No other medical care was received. Both recovered completely.

"Four other exposed staff members experienced only one symptom each. ... All six workers had been exposed by entering the examination room or a nearby area. Decontamination was conducted by disposing of the vomitus in an outdoor trash container and ventilating the room. All symptoms abated as soon as fresh air was circulated in the examination room and other areas of the veterinary hospital," reads the CDC's report.  

All four dogs involved in these poisoning cases recovered fully, according to the report. All's well that ends well, but the less barf the better.

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