Menu foods, which is a large corporation that owns numerous brands of pet food has voluntarily recalled more pet food.  They had concerns the food was exposed to contaminated food.  We will investigate this and report information as it becomes available.  In the meantime, please go to

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/PressReleaseUS05022007.htm 

The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA), H.R. 503/S. 311, has now been reintroduced by the 110th Congress! The bill would prohibit the transport, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse to be slaughtered for human consumption.  Our opinion: We think this bill should be passed because horses slaughted by US slaughter houses are often exposed to inhumane treatment during shipment and while being slaughtered.  Also, unscupuluous horse traders have posed as horse lovers, purchased family pets inexpensively and sold them to slaughter house trades for profit.  After this bill passes, congress will need to do more will be done to protect horses.  For example, we need to provide a safe and inexpensive way for people to terminate the life of their horse and bury it. (Many people who could not afford to keep their horse, could not sell it, or had a horse that was sick would send their horse to slaughter.  In some instances, it seemed like the most humane option.  Now these people may be left with no options.)  Additionally, another federal law will need to be passed so that horses are not shipped to Canda or Mexico where horse slaughter is legal.  Our advice:  if you ever need to sell your horse, do a serious background check on the person you are selling or giving your horse to.  For more info see www.aspca.org

 

The Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act, S. 394/H.R. 661, would prohibit USDA inspectors at slaughterhouses from approving meat from “downed” (unable to stand or walk) cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules and other equines. The bills would also require immediate humane euthanasia for any downed animal.   Our opinion: This is a good bill but it treats the symptom, not the cause.  Animals are “downed” because shipping conditions are harsh and inhumane.  We’d like to see limits on shipping distances to slaughterhouses, more protection, less overcrowding and requirements to regulate temperatures during shipment.  We’d also like to see more individuals make vegetarian food choices.  For more info www.aspca.org