Close to 1,000 Dogs Poisoned by Chinese Jerky Treats

Dog owners are on high alert as complaints continue to pour in about several brands of Chinese-manufactured jerky treats. According to MSNBC, the treats have already sickened close to 1,000 dogs, and these are only the reported cases from owners and vets.

The Food and Drug Administration has being logging these reports of illness since November 2011 and continues to send out warnings to dog owners about feeding their pets chicken jerky nuggets and strips. The affected products are believed to cause a range of health issues in canines, from vomiting and diarrhea to kidney failure and death.

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Responding to mounting reports, the FDA sent inspectors to China earlier this year to investigate the plants where the dogs treats are produced. So far, the inspections haven't yielded any incriminating evidence. Tests on the treats, starting back to 2007, also have yet to elicit any traces of toxins or other irritants that could be causing the symptoms seen in affected dogs.

Until more concrete findings can be produced the FDA, vets and the owners of the sick canines are urging pet owners to stay away from Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand treats produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo's Kitchen Home-Style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp.

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Reps for Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch have claimed that any illnesses seen in dogs who eat their products are unrelated to the consumption of the treats. Milo's Kitchen stands by the same claims, but paid one owner $100 as a "goodwill gesture" when she complained of her pet becoming sick due to the company's product.

Affected owners are outraged by the legal treatment the companies are getting, stating that the groups are being allowed to dodge accusations without liability. Most lawyers are staying away from cases that owners are attempting to bring against the companies because in a majority of states, pets are considered property, not people.

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In response, owners are banding together and signing a petition attempting to ban the treats from stores. The petition was started by Robin Pierre, who believes her pug Bella died as a result of eating Waggin' Train treats. FDA is encouraging the companies to recall their products, but cannot force a ban until hard evidence of the treats being toxic is discovered.

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