Do you like this story?
EPA slaps Hunte with fine for insecticide violations
By Gina Spadafori
December 23, 2009
Seems the folks at the EPA are looking out for animals. Not only did the agency come down on Hunte Kennel Systems and Animal Care, Inc. like a ton ‘o bricks, but someone at the agency took the time to make sure we saw the media release:
A southwest Missouri pet supply dealer has agreed to pay a $56,632 civil penalty to the United States to settle allegations that it violated the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) by repackaging, relabeling and selling an insecticide meant for use on cattle and hogs as a flea and tick treatment for dogs.
Hunte Kennel Systems and Animal Care, Inc., of Goodman, Mo., will pay the civil penalty under terms of an administrative consent agreement filed today by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan.
The allegations stem from findings made by the Missouri Department of Agriculture during October 2006 inspections of the company’s facilities in Goodman and Buffalo, Mo. The inspections found that the company had bottled the pesticide Prolate/Lintox-HD into different packaging and sold it as another pesticide, Paramite.
During the inspections, the company was ordered to immediately stop selling the repackaged pesticide.
Prolate/Lintox-HD is formulated for use in the control of flies, lice, mange and ticks on cattle, and for the control of lice and mange on swine. Paramite is no longer manufactured as a flea and tick treatment for dogs.
Here’s the release. Nice work, folks! I do realize that one factory farmed production unit is about the same as another to the manufacturer, but maybe the folks at Hunte can get flash cards to learn the difference between hogs and dogs. Not that they much care, I’m guessing.
Oh, if you’ve a strong stomach, read the About page on Hunte’s Web site:
When my wife Gina and I founded The Hunte Corporation, we pledged to help professional breeders, pet retailers, veterinarians, and other members of our industry provide the highest quality puppies available.
Sucks how that little fine is going to cut into Andrew Hunte’s efforts to help those “professional breeders,” doesn’t it?
Family pets from family homes.
Share & Enjoy
|
Facebook
|
Twitter
|
Google Buzz
|
Digg
|
|
Technorati
|
StumbleUpon
|
Delicious
|
Email
|
Home
A quick search of teh Googles shows this product as still listed, but shown as “Discontinued” on many pet product sites. Sites where it still appears to be available for sale include:
Amazon
AbsolutelyPets
Revival Animal Health
Medi-Vet
And reading the warnings listed for the product on one site is particularly chilling. Granted, the page is describing the product as sold for livestock, but it’s the same active ingredient - Phosmet (CAS #732-11-6) at 11.75%. From http://www.drugs.com/vet/vet-k.....ubber.html :
“Hazards To Humans And Domestic Animals - Danger
Corrosive. Causes irreversible eye damage. May be fatal if swallowed. Harmful if absorbed through skin. Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Avoid breathing spray mist. When applying, mixing, or loading, applicators must wear protective eyewear (goggles, face shield, or safety glasses), long-sleeved shirt, long pants, shoes and socks, and chemical-resistant gloves. Remove contaminated clothing and wash clothing before reuse.”
And we’re supposed to be smearing this crap all over ANY animal in order to control the creepie-crawlies????
Comment by The OTHER Pat — December 23, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Wow, the EPA actually sent you something? They refuse to answered my emails…gonna have to call but it has not been high on my priority list.
Yeah, I am sure they are helping in some situations but…
Comment by Ark Lady — December 23, 2009 @ 10:49 am
Thanks for your article Gina. The link to the “release” doesn’t seem to be working. Could you please post again or email to me? Thank you.
Comment by SS — December 23, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
The link works now. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — December 23, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
The Hunte website makes my skin crawl.
Comment by Pai — December 23, 2009 @ 2:35 pm
Heck - HUNTE makes my skin crawl!
Comment by The OTHER Pat — December 23, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
Someone on another board I posted to raised the obvious question: Where’s the recall?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — December 23, 2009 @ 4:11 pm
Do we need to start writing Amazon and those other yahoos to stop selling this poisen??
Comment by Pam Davis — December 24, 2009 @ 11:28 pm