pet connection

Canine e-mail lists and bulletin boards have been rumbling for a few days now about a potential problem with Beneful, a dog food from Purina. This story seems to be what kicked it all into high gear:

Both dog owners had kept their food under normal conditions inside their pantries and said the expiration date on both bags was not until November 2007.

After hearing both their dogs had died after eating the food, Rambeck decided it was more than just coincidence and researching to see if other dogs had died under similar circumstances.

While searching the Internet, Rambeck came across [...] a Web site featuring canine products and found she and Barley aren’t alone.

[...]

Keith Schopp, spokesperson for Nestle-Purina Pet Care, makers of Beneful, told The Item arrangements have been made for Rambeck to send a sample of the dog food to Purina for inspection and testing.

[...] Purina acknowledged the postings made on the Web site and encouraged all concerned consumers to contact them directly by phone at (888) BENEFUL (236-3385) and that a meeting was being held to discuss the issue.

Wal-Mart representatives were unable to be reached for comment Monday and Wednesday.

In addition to sending samples to Purina for testing, Rambeck had her local veterinarian, Dr. Mickey Moore, send samples of the food to Texas A&M University for testing.

However, until testing is completed, Moore said it will be very difficult to ascertain the exact cause of death.

“There is only speculation right now,” Moore said. “It is a hard situation until more facts are known.

“Most of these name-brand companies are very careful about their quality control. They tend to be very careful and diligent when it comes to presenting a quality product.

Sure we’ll be hearing more on this in the days to come.  Nothing on the Beneful site yet, nor on Purina’s.