Dog Treats

By Fran Reisman

There is a growing uproar amongst AKC delegates and the dog fancy in general about a new AKC endorsement. It has been reported that the AKC has given their stamp of approval to dog treats containing ingredients from China that may be harmful to our animals.

I remember when just hearing “China” in any connection to dogs would cause a ruckus. Concerned breeders would never sell a dog to China. We all knew “They eat dogs in China.” Even today there are those who still feel that sending a dog to China is sending it to a horrible life and find it totally unacceptable. But things do change. Today it is commonplace to find imported dogs in Chinese cities and at dog shows there.

AKC judges are invited to officiate in China at shows run by one of the official Chinese Kennel Clubs. They travel to this country where they never would have dreamed of going not that long ago. They are entertained and treated like royalty. They can’t wait to be invited back. Their reports say that the dogs they see, both in the ring and on the street, look healthy and very well cared for.

Here at home in the U.S, ingredients from China used in the manufacture of animal treats may be the cause of dogs across the country getting sick. The FDA is still investigating, but I was brought up believing that where there’s smoke there’s fire. Don’t you think we should stop giving our dogs these treats which, by the way, carry the AKC logo until the investigation has concluded? Maybe the AKC should reconsider giving logo rights to the company that may be manufacturing food that may not pass FDA standards.

Doesn’t anyone remember the melamine problem of several years ago? It’s time to think about the dogs first!

Fran Reisman

Santa Barbara, CA

As the FDA investigation is not as yet final, there is no definitive proof as to where the problem has originated.

I have also just been informed that the AKC hires an independent company to find and investigate products for AKC’s sponsorship. I would think that after this they may have to reconsider this practice.

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Posted by admin on Oct 29 2012. Filed under Featured, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.