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Pet food recall: Poison for profit?
By Christie Keith
July 13, 2007
From the latest edition of The Nation, written by David Goldstein, one of the first non-pet bloggers to pick up on the importance of the pet food recall to the human food supply:
In November 2006, America’s dogs and cats started dying painful, mysterious and sometimes gruesome deaths–canaries in the coal mine of a food safety system on the verge of collapse. Previously healthy pets would suddenly vomit blood and bile, produce bloody diarrhea and lose control of bladder and bowel. Some animals displayed unquenchable thirst, while others refused to eat or drink at all. Victims became lethargic and withdrawn, their limbs wobbly, eyes cloudy and stomachs painfully distended. Then the seizures set in.
The nationwide veterinary chain Banfield estimates that as many as 39,000 dogs and cats were sickened or killed in this manner between December 2006 and February 2007 alone. Yet nobody seemed to notice–not the Food and Drug Administration, not the Department of Agriculture, not the Centers for Disease Control, not even Menu Foods, the little-known pet food manufacturing giant that had been fielding calls from concerned customers for months. It was not until late February, when its own animals started dropping dead just days into its quarterly taste test, that Menu Foods realized our beloved family pets were being poisoned by their own food.
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The Barbi Twins were on Fox News Chanel this morning talking about the pet food poisonings, the recalls being voluntary, poison product still on store shelves, proposed Pet Food Safety Act, etc., AND that the story wasn’t getting the coverage it should by the main stream media. They gave web address for what they are doing:
The Kitty Liberation Front
http://www.thekittyliberationfront.org/
Comment by Aunt Granny — July 13, 2007 @ 7:11 am
ya know… Michael Moore needs to get into this discussion and make a movie… sort of an expose ala ‘The Jungle’ by Upton Sinclair… might turn some heads (and stomachs, too.)
Comment by lost for words — July 13, 2007 @ 7:30 am
I don’t know that Michael Moore getting involved would bring the kind of positive attention to this issue that it deserves. Too many people consider him untruthful.
I don’t know how much the Barbi twins bring to the cause either, although they are animal rights activists. At least they were talking about the pet food poisonings, which is better than endless photos and coverage of the “blonde train wrecks”: Anna Nichole Smith and Paris Hilton.
Comment by Aunt Granny — July 13, 2007 @ 7:43 am
i think that any exposure is good exposure, be it from moore or the barbi twins or whomever. if mass poisoning stays on the radar, people will engage in dialogues, ask questions and look for answers. those people will learn the truth about what really happened to our pets, what is continuing to happen, and what it means in terms of food safety, not only for our beloved pets, but for all of us.
Comment by explodinghed — July 13, 2007 @ 9:17 am
From my personal perspective, I feel a lot of the pet food companies are putting out inferior products that subvert the health of cats and dogs, such as protein from wheat, corn, and rice gluten instead of enough meat, fish, or pork.
I would be so happy to have Michael Moore take up this issue! He would know just how to expose a few of the really bad culprits. He has the courage that a lot of the television newsmen cannot or will not display, even if they know how.
Comment by Evelyn — July 13, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Great article by Mr. Goldstein. We need more like that. I wrote to Michael Moore asking him to get involved. Most people who disparage him have something to be gained from the problems he exposes - insurance companies, politicians, etc. I know his tactics aren’t appreciated by all but neither is anything else in life. By the way, who the heck are the Barbi twins?
Comment by Carol — July 13, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Don Earl has filed a lawsuit, the info is on his website- http://www.petfoodrecallfacts.com/legal.html
This is, I believe, the best way to handle things and many people are considering doing the same thing, class action suits that result in making lawyers rich and very little else are not going to work.
Don is very probably correct in his assessment that the class actions suits will be dismissed and that nothing useful will come of them.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 13, 2007 @ 9:41 am
My belief, right or wrong, is what saved my cats from being dead instead of sick from the recalled food was, as follows:
I gave them a variety of brands.
I also gave them human food.
If the cats walked away from the cuts and gravy by menu fooods (not then recalled), I threw the food out. I was throwing out more food than they were eating! Never suspected Menu Foods because Menu did not appear on the label.
Gave the cats lots of water to dilute the foods
(which were on the recall list).
I do not have to throw away so much food now, because my cats know this food is better for them. Imagine how I feel when I send my cat for thryoid radiation treatment with food on the recall list. The attendant said he was drinking and urinating a lot, and that he lacked his usual shiny coat. I never suspected the food to have POISON inside!
Comment by Evelyn — July 13, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Nice job, David Goldstein! I’m glad you quoted the original Banfield numbers of possibly 39,000 pets sickened or dead even before the recalls began.
Personally, I don’t care who works toward exposing and investigating this issue. There is much to uncover, as we know, and any help we can get is welcome.
I realize the Barbi twins may not have the credibility factor as strongly as others may have, but at least they are doing something, and they must have a fan base or they wouldn’t have the celebrity status. Even if a blurb surfaces on E (Entertainment) channel, that channel has a following from all who like the celebrity gossip scene. Let them use their celebrity to help in any way they can.
I, too, wrote to Michael Moore a few days ago asking him to cover the story. He’s certainly adept at stirring up controversy and probably can get some people to talk — OR if they DON’T talk, that will be documented on film as well and is just as revealing! He has contacts and money to work with that we don’t have.
The PF companies, etc. are hoping that this entire issue will die off as people get more involved in summer vacations and outdoor activities. Let’s all make it a point to stick together during the summer and to keep writing to our representatives/legislators and the PF companies, etc.
Comment by petlover — July 13, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Yet another news report that pats the liars on the back and states the pet deaths at mere dozens.
Read it and weep, better yet, read it and comment and demand a correction.
http://tinyurl.com/2xgar3
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 13, 2007 @ 12:04 pm
So much of a fluff piece - everything is fine -the PR people are in control! Sounds like the US is single-handedly supporting China - we buy $5 to their $1. Nice to know we don’t have to pay premium prices for poison. If our government and corporations spent as much $$ and effort on inspection/regulation as they do on “Spin” our pets (and ourselves) wouldn’t be sick or dead. I was under the mistaken impression that Forbes could do better.
Comment by Carol — July 13, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
Besides being poisoned by food, we are also being poisoned by the ships from China polluting the air we breathe.
I heard a report today (I forget where I heard it) that the ships from China are polluting more air than previously thought when the goods are brought over here. I am going to buy local as much as I can.
Comment by Evelyn — July 13, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
E. Hamilton:
I have sent in a comment to Forbes Magazine that they trivialize the deaths by calling it dozens instead of thousands and added some more of my thoughts. Hope they post it.
Comment by Evelyn — July 13, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
This is yet more PROOF that the FDA is part of the cover up, if the FDA held a press conference to correct what they claim was a “misunderstanding” by the media of the death toll numbers this would not be an issue.
This is a DELIBERATE attempt to minimize the scope of the poisoning.
Have any of the pet food companies that “claim” they care done a damned thing about it?
The proof is in the action.
Spending money on marketing and lies instead of doing the right thing PROVES what they value and it AINT THE PETS!
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 13, 2007 @ 3:07 pm
The FDA is a corrupt branch of a corrupt administration that’s only interest is to kow tow to big business. The poilitical appointees running the FDA are only there to ensure that big business gets its bloated corporate welfare checks in the form of subsidies, watered down regulation and positive PR. When the political appointees leave the revolving door will take most of them to high $six$-figure salaries with the drug companies and other corporate interests that presently control our government. The FDA bosses have no shame and no conscience. They will lie about the poisonings forever, as will the PFI and their controllers. NOTHING will change at the FDA until there is a change at the White House.
Comment by MFEMFEM — July 13, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
I am already going to everyplace that uses the Associated Press and letting them know that a so called “news” agency that KNOWINGLY gives out false info is not acceptable.
Advertisers on any outlet that uses AP will be informed that they are paying for defective goods.
This means that outlets that use AP with LOSE MONEY!
I do not much care if AP is just incompetent or bought off, either way they pay the price.
The AP can make a correction as big as the “mistake” or they can be added to the list.
Target rich environment-is that the phrase?
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 13, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
Anyone notice that Banfield , bought out and in the pocket BANFIELD, states that the deaths and sickness BEGAN in December?
Odd how liars this clumsy are getting the media attention and NO journalist notices the lies, or they pretend not to notice.
Kinda makes me think that the mainstream media is …sick of the lies and the spin too. Maybe somewhere there are news reporters who dream of a time when news really mattered, when it was TRUE. Or maybe journalists no longer matter and are no longer needed. Or maybe it is as fatal a sickness as the one that took our pets and the journalists can just fade away or do the “celebrity sighting” stuff, no need for schools to teach that, no skill and no ethics needed either.
So I guess that by lying and allowing themselves to be bought off, the media is killing themselves. Suicide. That is what it is, put your entire profession out of business by putting your hand out.
No loss, a new form of journalist will rise to fill the need for truth.
I think, I hope, that the truth will always matter, no matter WHO Paris Hilton screws.
I just wish it mattered who is screwing the entire population of the country that I love.
An unrequited love, very sad story.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 13, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
The PFI has underestimated the power of the interneet! It will get them in the end. Screwing around with facts and numbers will come back to bite them sooner or later. New posters are joining the pet web sites daily; and that doesen’t include those who read and don’t join.
The dirth of customers in the pet food isles at Petco, PetsMart and grocery stores is proof that the word is still spreading.
Comment by PM Hill — July 13, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Chinese food, anyone? Just kidding!
Petco and PetsMart use to be fun to shop in. No I go farther to get my cat food. I have healthier cats and less waste to deliver to the garbage heap.
Comment by Evelyn — July 14, 2007 @ 5:40 am
“After Silence, China Mounts Safety PR Offensive”
This headline on the bottom front page of today’s Washington Post tells how China is dealing with its poisoned food problems - hiring high priced lobbyists and public relations firms to convince Congress and the public there is no problem!
The Chinese are learning from the PFI. One firm according to the Post, public relations powerhouse Ogilvy and Edelman, is concentrating on sending positive messages to consumers. Basically, the “Made in China” label is good for us.
Let’s hope we and Congress don’t buy into these lies - let’s pray we don’t!
Comment by MFEMFEM — July 14, 2007 @ 6:53 am
Yep, nice to see something in a NON animal blog. I actually attempted to watch the news just the other day and was so disgusted turned it off…back to the web…
Comment by Diana Guerrero — July 14, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Went to Canadian Tire today.Just wanted some dinner plates to refurbish supply.
*Canadian* Tire,right?
All plate sets/individual plates from…can you guess?
China.
So , went to Canadian - owned Home Hardware,sure to find either Made in Canada or Made in USA there.
Nothing.
I spoke to several of the staff.Yes,Canadian owned,but well no,not much *Made in Canada* there,don’tcha know?
Oh but they DO make their paints/stains etc. in their own Canadian plant.Gee,great.
Checked out Hamilton Beach and West Bend counter top ovens.
Made in China.
I wonder if I can find a Canadian store which actually sells Canadian products?
Eyes are wide open now.About time.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — July 14, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Comment by Lorna — July 14, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
“Eyes are wide open now.About time.”
And you don’t need to guess where the jobs too.
Comment by MFEMFEM — July 14, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
The profits made from the poison can certainly be used to pay bills, whether the company WANTS to pay or not. Ever heard of this nifty deal?
http://civilforfeiture.com/federal.html
It can and SHOULD be used to seize the places that made, advertised or sold the poison.
THAT would get the matter moving toward resolution, slap a padlock on the places and every asset of the poisoners.
Pretty much up to those who have suffered the losses, continue the endless debates about which poison is the least lethal and wait for “someone” to act or on get up on the backs of the elected officials and STAY THERE UNTIL THEY USE THE LAWS ALREADY IN PLACE TO GET THIS RESOLVED.
The Menu Foods poison factory certainly qualifies for immediate seizure and since the fed CAN and DOES do this to suit their own ends the ONLY reason they are NOT doing it now is that they think you are not smart enough to MAKE them DO THEIR JOBS- the ones you pay for them to do?
Either this law, like animal cruelty laws, applies to everyone or it applies to no one.
I certainly could not vote on a jury to convict anyone of a lot of things while these poisoners are getting a walk on what they did.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 14, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
E. Hamilton:
That is why it is so maddening that the FDA does not shut down places that have poison in their food.
They say they can only recommend that the company recalls food.
Is Menu Foods located in Canada?
Right now, no one in government seems to really care about people and pets, not enough to lead the charge and get the job done.
I believe that if poison is in the animal food, then it is in our food but it takes longer to kill us because we are bigger!
Comment by Evelyn — July 15, 2007 @ 7:20 am
This article by Goldstein explains why we have food safety issues, and it fully explains the magnitude of the pet poisoning.
http://www.thenation.com:80/doc/20070730/goldstein
Comment by Elaine — July 15, 2007 @ 9:33 am
The pet food companies made a CHOICE not to do the right thing. They have been here on this very blog everyday and CHOSEN to ignore your pleas for 4 FREAKING months.
The FDA has CHOSEN to lie and betray. On so many occasions and in so many ways that mere incompetence cannot explain nor excuse it. It was a CHOICE.
Your elected officials, who could sure as hell could make life nasty for you if they felt like it and slap the cuffs on if you killed thousands of animals and sold ANYTHING fraudulently, have CHOSEN to blow off your concerns.
Elections are coming up where we CHOOSE. Every official letter making the CHOICE to blow off your concerns as a constituent can be used by whoever is running against the jerk who is taking YOUR money to screw you over. Instead of taking those letters to where they can do some good you can CHOOSE to do nothing.
The media which has CHOSEN who Paris Hilton is screwing over who is screwing you over to spend time on is subject to the complaints you can CHOOSE to make, or you can CHOOSE to do nothing.
It is a CHOICE you make when you let YOUR money pay the PFI. You can certainly CHOOSE to make it unpleasant for any company that pays dues to the PFI, or not.
We all have CHOICES to make and there are millions of people in the world who wish they had our CHOICES to make, many many died to give us those CHOICES, I do not think they would do nothing with these hard won options.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 15, 2007 @ 9:40 am
Comment by Elaine — July 15, 2007 @ 9:33 am
“This article by Goldstein explains why we have food safety issues, and it fully explains the magnitude of the pet poisoning.”
http://www.thenation.com:80/doc/20070730/goldstein
Thanks for the heads up to this article, Elaine. I think it’s the best summary of the current state of affairs regarding the risks to our food supply and what author David Goldstein clearly says is the planned impotence of our regulatory “system.” The only thing missing here is that most commercial pet food manufacturers have created a hugely profitable industry selling agricultural garbage, slaughter house waste and worse — propped up with some supplements and calling it a healthy, balanced diet for our pets.
Comment by Maureen — July 15, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could actually put some of the monsters that poisoned and killed our pets out of business? We know we will never see any criminal action and little civil action taken agauinst them - they are too well protected, they have too many bought and paid for powerful friends in government. Our only real power is to NOT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS. It’s not that difficult, just don’t buy PFI endorsed poison and garbage. For the sake and memory of our dead, sickened, and suffering friends, DON”T BUY.
Comment by MFEMFEM — July 15, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Maureen,
While David Goldstein correctly reports the food safety issue, his last statement is wrong:
“How many more Americans must conservatism kill before our leaders embrace a more responsible ideology?”
It isn’t Conservatism (or Liberalism) that has to do with Killing the Pets! It has nothing to do with political ideology, but has to do with greed and influencing politicians from both sides of the political spectrum!
Comment by Elaine — July 15, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Menu Foods has a plant in Mississauga,Ontario,Evelyn.On the western edge of Toronto.
Lorna
Comment by Lorna — July 15, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Comment by Elaine — July 15, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Agree as you said that “Conservatism (or liberalism)(is not)killing the pets.” But in my opinion we are seeing the extreme results of politicians who have allowed themselves to be corrupted by business interests, and who wrapped themselves around the popular mantra “that big government is bad.” And too many citizens bought it.
I’m old enough to remember moderate members of both parties, or responsible conservatives and liberals, both in national and state offices. We used to think of them — and they used to think of themselves — as public servants. And we need to elect public servants once again. (I’ve worked on campaign finance reform issues for many years, for ballot measures that voters rejected after hearing disinformation commercials, but that’s another sad subject that has contributed to where we find ourselves today, I blieve.)
I believe that we on this site have learned to rethink what governance we need and will demand. Seems to me that to date, it’s corporate interests 10, consumers 0. We have a lot of ground to regain. I will listen to any candidate of either party who is speaking for us. To me that means examining the quality of candidates first, not the party, and it may involve voting a lot of people out of office next year.
Comment by Maureen — July 15, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Comment by Maureen — July 15, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
You make several excellent points Maureen. The whole liberal-conservative, us-them nonsense has been used as one of many wedge issues to divide people and shift their focus from what is really going on. The corporate interests 10, consumers 0 is exactly the score that big business wants to keep. They have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to subvert the individual’s interests and we have let them. Now our dear pets are dead, dying, or sick. We must stop allowing ourselves to be pawns, used only as a source of profit for an amoral, greed-dominated system, corrupt system.
Comment by MFEMFEM — July 15, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
My question is, if these so called taste tests were run quarterly, what happened to the one that would have caught the problem three months earlier?
Menu’s biggest customer, according to Menu’s financial filings, chopped orders for poisoned pet food by a whopping 56% beginning in the fourth quarter last year. But hey, that’s just one of those odd coincidences… like the one where the CFO dumped all his stock two weeks before the recall was announced.
Comment by Don Earl — July 16, 2007 @ 12:51 am
The Associated Press report that oh so conveniently for the PFI states the death toll as “dozens” is ALL OVER the media this morning.
Maybe the mighty FDA should be investigating what is killing the brain cells of reporters?!
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 16, 2007 @ 7:28 am
Does anyone know if the following is true (I was told this by the owner of a local wholistic pet food store): that “made in USA” doesn’t necessarily mean that; it should read “made in U.S.A.” (with the periods). Without the periods means the manufacturer could be circumventing real country of origin. I agree that Michael Moore should make a film about the pet food industry. He would bring a lot of publicity to the issue. He is mainstream now.
Comment by perkysmom — July 16, 2007 @ 7:57 am
To Perkysmom:
Thanks for the tip “made in U.S.A.” A new way to fool us is being thought up almost every minute—it seems to me.
Comment by Evelyn — July 16, 2007 @ 9:29 am
Been a Democrat all my life, but lately am rethinking that stand.
The Democrats are not helping, in a big way, to ensure food safety for humans/animals. Also, the Democrats seem in favor of being nice to the Republicans by not upsetting them until the Republicans want to end the Iraq war.
If a Democratic candidate comes along and really wants to help with the food safety issue, that person will get my vote. That is more important than the abortion issue, the immigration issue, the civil rights issue, and any other issue I can think of. If we and our pets get sick or die—how can we effectively fight over other issues. MAKE FOOD SAFE, I SAY.
Comment by Evelyn — July 16, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Evelyn,
I think we are ALL rethinking our political party affiliations! I registered as an Independent quite a few yrs back, then found I could only vote in the primary on Judges, etc. so had to choose one of the 2 major parties to have a say!
I now schmoosh the 2 major parties under one label. Republecrats! There is basically no difference, they are all under the influence of Big Business!
We need to vote for the person, not the party cuz it makes absolutely no difference! We were s’posed to see a major change when Democrats got the majority, a promise of ethical govt? Where is it?!
Comment by Elaine — July 16, 2007 @ 9:54 am
Our state, too, only allows you to vote down party lines in primary elections. You don’t have to register, but you can only use a red or a blue ballot and get disqualified if you try both. How AMERICAN is that?
My wife and I flip a coin, one takes the red we favor and the other the blue, between the two of us we get one vote… At least we both get to vote on independent candidates…
It seems to me that a few dozen founding members of our government would be turning in their graves if they knew…
No matter what, though, campaign promises are the most fleeting of all…
Comment by steve a — July 16, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Comment by Elaine — July 16, 2007 @ 9:54 am
“We were s’posed to see a major change when Democrats got the majority, a promise of ethical govt? Where is it?!”
In 2006, the Dems elected 49 senators, so did the Republicans. Two other senators choose to caucus with the Dems.(1 independent, 1 “joe lieberman for joe lieberman party) One Dem has been very ill and out of commission for months. Dems need some 60 votes on EVERY bill to avoid presidential vetoes.
Suggest that the best way to get better representation is to work in our districts and states (and locally too, of course) to get responsive candidates of quality in 2008. And let presidential candidates know what issues are important to you.
I worked for Sen. Reid during his first successful senate campaign in NV in the ’80s (but not since, nor any other politician) and accompanied him and Ms. Reid to many community events. The BIGGEST issue I heard people approach him about was changing the laws so they could ride their off road vehicles on any public land. Democracy isn’t perfect and isn’t always pretty. I suspect the snail mail box is still the most important vehicle (or phone calls if something is urgent). And obviously working through your own representatives is crucial. People here write that they get p***** when they don’t hear back right away from a politician in another state when they e-mail them. Their staffs aren’t that big.
That said, I’m as frustrated as anyone I read on this blog. Someone wrote that Clinton has a policy on food safety and I saw that Edwards released his last week. I haven’t heard that any Republican candidate has issued one, but then they are the party in power in congress for the past 13 years, so who do you hold responsible for the state of the FDA and USDA, etc. today?
I’ll bet that a tightly organized group like PETA generates more letters and calls for their issues than everyone else on this extremely important, but generalized food safety issue for pets and humans. There are a zillion issues that people organize around very efficiently — and they all demand the ear of their elected officials.
IMO, there’s plenty of politicians in line to rant about before becoming nuclear about Sen. Durbin, who helped generate some national publicity for our issue and is taking one step that could bring more resources toward inspecting food and drug exports.
Comment by Maureen — July 16, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Maureen,
If Senator Durbin had done JUST ONE THING, taken 15 minutes from his busy life-which we pay for him to have by the by- to make sure that the “16 official” deaths story is exposed for the lie it is, that would be fine.
That ONE thing.
Nobody, not a Senator, not the Queen of England, no one, gets more than 24 hours in a day.
And very few of us have staff to help, health care paid for by others and provided for life, most of us have far less of a pension coming in than HE gets for life, even if he loses his job he will be better off than the people who helped when he asked. And forgot to thank.
Is a little service too much to ask from him?
I think not.
A Senator who thinks he is BETTER than those who PAY FOR HIS PERKS is…looking for a new job.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 16, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
And the politicians to rant about are plenty, I grant you. But none of them came here asking for help, which was given right quick and wholeheartedly, and then blew off the thanks.
ANY politician who is not outraged at the actions, inactions and cover ups displayed in this horrible mess is certainly fair game, so that means all of them I guess.
And the idea to give more money and power to the FDA is just stupid.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 16, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
I believe Dick Durbin (Sen-D-IL) was one of the few, if not the only, member of Congress who has been very outspoken about the pet food poisoning and recall; has proposed and tried to get legislation passed to affect real change; and repeatedly cited this web site, petfood tracker, and possibly other sites.
While there no doubt are problems on both sides of the aisle, I would have to argue that Republican control of all three branches of our government for the past six years has nearly destroyed this country as the current Republican-neoCON administration and the Republicans in Congress (with the help of a few Democrats—shame on them) have shown that they worship at the altars of greed, big corporations, and money … while they openly trample on the Constitution, the foundations of our society such as habeas corpus, the military, our legal system, American citizens, etc., and make no bones about being perfectly okay with spying on everyone within this country (citizens and noncitizens alike) without a warrant or cause (which is illegal and unconstitutional).
Is poisoning everyone and everything in this country the only way to gather enough momentum across the citizenry to change things?
I hold the U.S. media largely culpable for not providing us with the facts—they, too, have their noses way up you-know-where. Some 90 percent of the media in this country is owned by five major corporations—do you think they’re going to allow some anchor to criticize them?
Comment by sandy — July 16, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
July 16, 2007
Robert C. Wheeler
Chairman and CEO
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Dear Mr. Wheeler,
After having received my rejection letter from Hill’s today relative to my miniscule request for reimbursement of the costs associated with the loss of my cat, please be assured that as an informed consumer, I will never purchase another Hill’s product. I believe that Hill’s selectively and strategically voluntarily recalled a fraction of its affected products knowing that at some point claims could and would be restricted to a limited recall list of its choosing. I think we would both agree that the magnitude of this calamity will never be quite known such that its impact will always be inherently obscured by the voluntary nature of corporate policy and diversion.
From a corporate standpoint I certainly applaud such a move. From a corporate credibility and integrity standpoint I can only hope that Hill’s “pound foolish,” mentality will eventually erode both consumer and investor confidence in Colgate Palmolive. I will certainly do my part in every way possible to educate would be existing and potential customers of Hill’s products as to the manner in which your company chose to dispense with, what I am sure is, tens of thousands of long time, loyal customers.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Donald A. Mauch
296 Main Street
Norwell, MA 02061
Comment by Don — July 16, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Don—No words of sympathy could ever rise to the loss of your beloved cat, or the thousands others lost to this national nightmare and disgrace. That your letter is so composed is testimony to your integrity. Thank you.
Comment by Sandy — July 16, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
Thank you for your kind thoughts Sandy.
Comment by Don — July 16, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Don, that charming display of corporate greed , proof that the vet bill are STILL not being paid, proof that pain and insult is STILL being heaped on pet parents should be posted, with your info “redacted”, perhaps on a pet blog site. itchmo might do it. It is helpful in explaining the extent of the cruelty the pet food companies feel secure in inflicting on those who paid good money for a bad product, to have these rejection letters to show people and accessible on the net.
You have my sympathy.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 16, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
Thank you E. Hamilton.
Comment by Don — July 16, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Maureen,
Senator Tim Johnson is an advocate for the family farms and ranches, and his inability to serve is a loss. I hear that he may be well enough to serve this fall.
I sure didn’t intend my remarks to be defending the Republican administration, I am non partisan, I vote for the man, not the party, and Tim Johnson would get my vote!
Comment by Elaine — July 16, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Hey Elaine, It’s okay to be partisan!! Of course, I have my own leanings and opinions that are pretty clear from my posts :-) Sandy
Comment by Sandy — July 16, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
I am so sick of hearing of these “16 reported animal deaths” when we know there have been THOUSANDS of animals killed because of tainted food. There are a couple of things me must continue to do: Put continuous pressure on our lawmakers to DEMAND a complete overhaul of FDA and pet food industry; communicate directly with CEOs of the various pet food companies and tell them that we will stop buying their products, and we will tell other people not to buy their products. MONEY talks. Get them in their profit margins where it will hurt.
Comment by perkysmom — July 17, 2007 @ 8:36 am