pet connection

An executive of the slaughterhouse nailed in an HSUS investigation — the videos of cruelty to “downer” cows shocked the nation and prompted the biggest beef recall ever — defends what happened. The cows, he said, did not go into the food supply (well, the human food supply, anyway). From the AP:

[Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. President Steve] Mendell contended that the cows shown unable to walk in the Humane Society of the United States video were not being sent to slaughter in violation of federal rules barring most “downer” cows from the food supply because they carry a higher risk of infection.

He said that the cows shown in the video being shocked and pushed with a forklift wouldn’t have been able to make it up the chute to where the slaughter process begins. Instead they appear to be among the 10 to 15 cows that were euthanized at the slaughterhouse each day because they were non-ambulatory, he said.

Here’s the rest. Also interesting, HSUS top dog Wayne Pacelle’s response to industry critics of the investigation.

Update: The LA. Times reported that after being shown more of the HSUS video, Mendell admitted to Congress that the downed cows were indeed forced into the slaughter chutes and so into the human food chain:

But after a congressional committee showed a second video, produced by the same undercover U.S. Humane Society employee whose original video propelled a federal investigation of Westland/Hallmark, Mendell acknowledged that at least two “downer” cows — cows too sick to walk into the slaughterhouse on their own power and more vulnerable to carrying diseases — had in fact entered the food supply.

“Obviously my system broke down,” he said.

Seems to be a lot of that going around lately, doesn’t there?

Related statement:

U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced a bipartisan amendment to the 2009 Budget that would create a reserve fund to allow for legislation that enhances the protection and safety of the nation’s food supply.

These funds would allow for Congressional legislation that, among other purposes, would:

• Expand both the FDA and USDA food inspection field forces
• Develop risk-based approaches to the inspection of the food supply
• Develop the necessary infrastructure – including information technology systems – to ensure a coordinated approach to enhancing the protection and safety of the food supply
• Improve scientific capacity by establishing science-based training programs and investing in improved surveillance and testing technologies
• Enhance FDA’s recall authority
• Expand foodborne illness awareness and education programs

Details should be showing up soon on the Senators’ respective Web sites. And not a minute too soon for (ahem) beefing up consumer and animal protection.

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As noted in comments, the town of Randolph, Iowa, apparently is looking back to the animal control practices of, oh, 150 years ago, when cities like New York paid kids to deliver strays, even if they had to yank pets out of the arms of other children to collect the bounty. The town is paying $5 per cat brought in. If not claimed, the cats will be killed. From the AP, again:

Town officials approved the bounty after receiving numerous complaints, ranging from a cat attacking a small dog to a dozen cats showing up at the bowl when a resident tried to feed his own cat.

[...]

Under the new policy, stray cats without collars will be taken to a veterinarian in the nearby town of Sidney — Randolph has no vet clinic — where they’ll be kept “for a time for people to claim them,” the mayor said.

If no one does, they’ll be euthanized and buried.

John Snyder of the Humane Society of the United States said he doesn’t have a problem with euthanizing a stray cat, but said the money spent on the bounty and the vet expenses would be better spent hiring someone who knows what he or she is doing.

Here’s the rest. By the way, here’s the HSUS policy on managing feral cat colonies through trap, neuter and release. The organization is generally in favor of such programs, but …

While The HSUS strongly recommends that each community works toward the goal of non-lethal management, we realize that euthanasia may be considered as an interim solution where TNR cannot be implemented.

Perhaps since it doesn’t seem to be an endangered wildlife situation here, the HSUS could step in and show what can be done to solve this problem humanely. What an opportunity! Alley Cat Allies would be glad to help, I’m sure. Mr. Pacelle? Hello?

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I’m glad to see the American Veterinary Medical Association , the ASPCA and the HSUS take a stand in response to the widely shared viral video of a Marine seemingly throwing a puppy off a cliff for sport. As the AVMA notes:

[S]oldiers do not only serve their country as defenders—they also serve as role models. In this age of 24/7/365 Internet news coverage and viral video spread, ethical and legal transgressions are readily and rapidly publicized. When a respected role model is involved in such a transgression, the effects can be far-reaching.

No, I have not seen the video, even though I’ve been sent a few dozen links to it. No, thank you.

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The No-Kill Advocacy Center is reporting victory in its lawsuit against Los Angeles County’s animal control agency. Here’s the media release, and here’s our earlier post.

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Over on Ark Animals, long-time animal trainer Diana L. Guerrero writes about clicker training from a historical perspective, and expresses some frustration over the public’s apparent lack of interest in training techniques that don’t require pain:

[O]ne of my neighbors saw how the use of the head control device made managing my other neighbor’s dog a breeze–and gleefully presented the idea to his wife.

She scowled and resisted. During a social evening he wanted me to present the case for using it on his dog to her–and I declined. Instead, I put up a video for them to watch on my local blog.

It always amazes me that some people will argue with a professional when they have asked for a professional opinion. I am SO over that which is why I declined to comment during my down time. I could she her resistance in her scowl…

Funny thing is, these people are highly educated, well traveled, and love their dog. So why would she show resistance over a device that doesn’t work for them and inflicts pain on their pet?

Here’s the rest.

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Itchmo caught this one, about the FDA on Friday shutting down a plant that makes store-brand canned food for people and pets. The FDA says:

The firm requested an emergency permit and FDA issued an emergency permit after a review of a firm’s documented corrective actions and processing procedures. In September 2007, FDA issued a permit that allowed the firm to ship products that were processed using the firm’s machinery (the vertical still retorts) not associated with the recalled product. None of these retorts was believed to be linked to the previous C. botulinum contamination.

During a recent inspection of these processing lines FDA found that the vertical still retorts were not being operated in a manner as required, raising the possibility that some cans processed in these retorts could be under-processed. On March 7, 2008 FDA sent a letter to the company suspending the temporary emergency permit.

No products have been identified as contaminated. FDA has asked the firm to verify the safety of all products produced since the emergency permit was issued.

To close the loop … if you were thinking of trading beef for chili beans without meat, you might want to check that recall list against whatever’s in your cupboard.