> (NaturalNews) Just when you think you've seen it all and nothing would
> be too shocking to learn or read about the pet food industry, you
> stumble across something that causes your jaw to drop. I stumbled across
> something that proves once again - you can't be too careful about the
> food and treats you give to your pet.

> First a little background information. Back in 2002, the FDA
> released a report of their 2-year study/testing finding pentobarbital (the
> drug used to euthanize animals) in pet food. Their findings were that many
> brands of pet foods - purchased right off of store shelves --
> contained the euthanizing drug pentobarbital. With that finding, the FDA
> began an 8-week test to see if levels of pentobarbital in pet food could
> be
> harmful to pets. The FDA testing showed that the amounts of
> pentobarbital in pet food would not harm pets (even though their study
> only tested dogs). You should know that the FDA ran their testing on 42
> twelve week-old Beagles - and again the testing was only for 8 weeks.

> Pentobarbital was found in many pet foods yet was determined by the FDA
> not to be harmful to pets. And one more time - the testing to determine
> this only lasted 8 weeks even though our pets might be eating this
> euthanizing drug in pet food their entire life.

> So, to the point of this article -- I just stumbled upon a U.S. Fish and
> Wildlife report that stated pentobarbital is considered an environmental
> hazard "responsible for the deaths of over 140 Bald and Golden Eagles in
> recent years -- as well as numerous other wildlife and dogs." Other
> wildlife named in the report were California Condors, Vultures, Hawks,
> Wood Storks, Gulls, Crows, Ravens, Bears, Lynxes, Foxes, Bobcats, and
> Cougars.

> This report stated the reason the wildlife was exposed to pentobarbital
> is from access to euthanized carcasses of farm animals and small animals
> in land fills. "Poisonings due to accidental feeding of tainted meat to
> captive animals have also been reported."

> In big bold letters the report stated "Poisoning of eagles or other wild
> birds, even if accidental, violates Federal law!" This report also
> stated that Veterinarians and livestock owners have been recently fined
> for 'involuntary killing' of eagles. "Veterinarians must inform clients
> that a pentobarbital euthanized carcass is poisonous and requires proper
> disposal. The client needs to know that the carcass can poison and kill
> scavenging animals, including federally protected species, other
> wildlife, or even pet dogs."

> Even though the FDA determined through their eight week test that
> pentobarbital in pet food was Not harmful to our pets, the U.S. Fish and
> Wildlife Agency is saying that pentobarbital euthanized carcasses are
> killing wildlife, including endangered species. Do we have a conflict
> between Federal Agencies?

> As I wondered about the 'conflict' between the FDA and the U.S. Fish and
> Wildlife Agency, I continued to dig a little further, and that's when I
> found the
> jaw dropper document. I wondered if the FDA had any information
> regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife report - and low and behold, I
> found something...
> Dated July 21, 2003 (a little over a year after the FDA's report that
> pentobarbital found in pet food was determined to be safe for our pets
> to consume) - the FDA posted a change in the labeling requirements
> for pentobarbital and a change in the definitions. The following are the
> quoted changes... "Special considerations. Product labeling shall bear
> the following warning statements: ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD: This product is
> toxic to wildlife. Birds and mammals feeding on treated animals may be
> killed. Euthanized animals must be properly disposed of by deep burial,
> incineration, or other method in compliance with state and local laws,
> to prevent consumption of carcass material by scavenging wildlife." And
> "Limitations. Do not use in animals intended for food."

> So this is what we have: Euthanized animals are being rendered and the
> end ingredients become ingredients used in pet food. The FDA determined
> that the pet food/treat ingredient most likely to contain pentobarbital
> is Animal Fat. Pets are consuming pentobarbital as you read this right
> now.
> Pentobarbital euthanized animal carcasses are killing wildlife. The
> FDA's own rules for the drug specify its limitations 'not for use in
> animals intended for food.' Yet it's still there. Granted, and geez I
> hate to give them this, the amount of pentobarbital in pet food -
> since it is found in only some pet food and pet treat ingredients (but
> some very commonly used ingredients) - is not at the same levels as would
> be consumed by wildlife in a euthanized carcass. But come on folks (FDA,
> CVM, and AAFCO) - can you not add two and two and come up with four?

> Personally, I think the FDA should again test pet food for pentobarbital
> and any dog food, cat food, dog treat, or cat treat (and any other
> animal feed for that matter) that contains even the slightest bit of the
> drug - the manufacturer should be heavily fined. With respect to our
> national treasures - the Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles: "The laws
> provide for substantial fines and prison sentences in criminal cases.
> For example, the maximum fine for violating the Eagle Act is $100,000.00
> for a person or $200,000.00 for an organization and one year in prison."
> Under Federal Law 'intent' in not required for conviction - criminal
> convictions require the violation be 'knowingly' committed. With respect
> to our pets, we've got a 'knowingly' committed act. The guilty pet food
> manufacturers knowingly purchase ingredients that contain pentobarbital.
> Yet no one fines them for breaking the law.

> One year (2002) the FDA determines pentobarbital in pet food is
> perfectly safe for our pets to consume, and the very next year (2003)
> they determine pentobarbital an environmental hazard responsible for
> killing over 140 eagles. No further study or regulation change within the
> FDA has occurred since the 2003 label change. Did they forget about our
> pets? I think so.

> Eagles are a national treasure - no grey area there. Our pets are a
> treasure as well. They enhance our lives. They are family. To allow
> pentobarbital euthanized animals to be cooked and placed into pet food
> is criminal and should be stopped immediately.

> One more quote from the FDA document dated July 21, 2003, "This rule
> does not meet the definition of "rule" in 5 U.S.C. 804(3)(A) because it
> is a rule of "particular applicability. " Therefore, it is not subject
> to the congressional review requirements in 5 U.S.C. 801-808." I'm just
> guessing that the above quote means 'let's keep this quiet. After all,
> if people find out about this, we might have to go back and change what
> we said about pet food.' Just a guess. Wishing you and your pets the best.