Earlier this month, ABC 7 in Washington D.C. broke a shocking story. After several reports of dog food contaminated with the euthanasia drug, Pentobarbital, the station partnered with Ellipse Analytics to discover the truth.
In the wake of their findings, one devastated dog owner believes she finally knows what caused the death of her beloved Schnauzer, Baby late last year.
Rossie Judd of Fenton, Missouri was confused when 10-year-old Baby’s health began to decline this past October. She sought veterinary attention and was told that her dog may have been poisoned. Baby never recovered and passed away in December.
Judd contacted the J.M. Smucker Company which manufactures and distributes Gravy Train, the food Baby had eaten prior to becoming ill. They responded with a letter of apology for her loss and a coupon for more dog food.
“I was appalled by it,” Judd told ABC 13. “I was so appalled.”
As Judd mourned Baby’s loss, Ellipse Analytics, a lab that specializes in testing food for contaminants, was busy examining the contents of 62 samples of wet dog food from more than two-dozen brands.
ABC 7 revealed the horrific findings after months of tests and re-tests. Out of 15 cans of Gravy Train analayzed, 9 of them tested positive for the euthanasia drug, Pentobarbital. Gravy Train is made by Big Heart Pet Foods and owned by Smucker’s.
The FDA stepped in to investigate and a massive effort was initiated to remove food and treats distributed by Big Heart Brands from store shelves. Major manufacturers including Walmart have pulled stock of Smucker’s items including Meow Mix, Milk Bone, Kibbles’n Bits, 9 Lives, Natural Balance, Pup-Peroni, Gravy Train, Nature’s Recipe, Canine Carry Outs, Milo’s Kitchen, Alley Cat, Jerky Treats, Meaty Bone, Pounce and Snausages.
Unfortunately, the discovery came too late to save poor Baby and spare Judd the agony she feels for having played a role – albeit an unwitting one – in the dog’s death.
“I lost a friend,” Judd sobbed. “I lost a friend, and I’ll never forgive myself that I was a part of the cause of it.”
Gravy Train released a statement that reads in part:
“Please know our internal investigation into this situation is ongoing. We take this very seriously and are extremely disappointed that pentobarbital was introduced to our supply chain. We have narrowed the focus of our investigation to a single supplier and a single, minor ingredient, used at one manufacturing facility. We will take the appropriate steps to ensure this does not occur again.”
The full statement can be viewed here. Follow these links to find out more about the foods involved in the euthanasia drug recall and the FDA’s investigation.
H/T & Featured Screenshot via ABC13
