Petition to Require Pet Food Companies to be Held Accountable for Damages
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED:
Request that the U.S. Congress enact legislation to require pet food manufacturers and the companies that market those pet food brands to be held financially liable for any medical costs related to or contributing to the illness and/or death of a pet that can be reasonably attributed to the food consumed by the pet. And that all pet foods include the name of the manufacturer, not just the brand under which it is sold.
This petition is in response to the thousands of pet parents and owners who have suffered under the Menu Foods recall and their slow response that started on March 16th, 2007.
Sign after the jump.
Or read about all the latest news surrounding the recall.
In creating this petition, our motive is three-fold:
- First, we want to ease the pain and suffering of those who have lost their pets due to mistakes and negligence of pet food makers. The loss or illness of a pet can be emotionally devastating. On top of it, the financial burden of uninsured veterinary treatment can be a double-whammy, leading pet parents and their families to significant financial damage — often affecting other family members such as kids and the elderly. This legislation will create a venue for settling these cases fairly and out of court, eliminating the need for a lengthy court case, which companies rely on in order to reduce the likelihood of payout.
- Second, create a financial motive for pet food makers and marketers to set higher standards for pet food. We want to let them know that consumers are interested in higher-grade pet food. And that the longer a company waits in issuing warnings or recalls related to their product, the larger the potential financial damage. This new law would hold the manufacturers (often smaller, less financially sound organizations) and also the larger corporations that market the branded foods — who ultimately control what goes in them.
- Third, a clear public disclosure of who actually makes the food. Since the financial liability falls to the brand as well as the manufacturer, the name of the company that actually produced the food should be obvious to the consumer. How much clearer would this recall have been if the food was labeled “Made by Menu Foods”?
Once the final tally of the pet deaths is complete, the petition will be delivered to the head of the congressional committee that controls FDA funding (Dave Obey, D-WI, chairman of House Appropriations Committee).
IMPORTANT!
For your petition to be valid, we require:
- An accurate email address
- Your First and Last name (In the comment field)
- Your Zip code (In the comment field)
Your email will not appear below and will be kept securely by us. Your email will be used ONLY in the purposes of carrying out the petition. It will not be used for spam, sold or marketed to any other company. We hate spam as much as you do. Only your name, Zip code, and any comment you make will appear.
This petition is sponsored by itchmo.com. Please feel free to start your own email campaign to this page. The short link to use is http://www.itchmo.com/petition
May 15th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
22205
Rosy Baldwin
Our pets are our children and they deserve to eat decent, safe foods that won’t make them deathly ill from contamination! So do we as Americans. We have always been a self-reliant people. That has changed these past several years. We now produce very little here at home but must rely on other countries to send us food, cars, materials, clothing…you name it! Not good. Not good at all. This puts us at a huge disadvantage.
May 16th, 2007 at 7:04 am
10983 Casey Huber
Our dog of 6 years recently died from eating IAMS lamb and rice formula. He suffered from renal failure. His death was needless and preventable.
May 16th, 2007 at 10:20 am
93001
Helga Harris
May 16th, 2007 at 10:48 am
just found out the local healthfood store for pets ,who claimed that they are top with all recalls) is selling products on the recall list.
The Warf on Frontstreet in Ventura Ca.
May 16th, 2007 at 11:00 am
52003 JoAnn Lavenz
May 16th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
34734 Amy O’Shaughnessy
May 16th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
05037 Sandi Brown
May 16th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
12158
Lori J. Dorry
May 16th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
34472, Brenda Symonds
May 16th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
97470 vicki hood
May 16th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
WHAT THE HE– ARE WE IMPORTING WHEAT FROM CHINA FOR? YES, I KNOW IT IS WHEAT GLUTEN. R ICE IS ALL OVER SACRAMENTO VALLEY SO WHAT DO WE DO? WE EXPORT OUR GRAINS AND BUY FROM CHINA. THINK I’LL COOK FROM SCRATCH FOR MY 4 LEGGED FRIENDS. A LARGE POT OF FOOD TO NOT EVEN INCLUDE CHICKEN. JUST FOUND OUT THEY ARE RAISING CHICKENS WITH ARSENIC TO MAKE THEM GROW FAT FASTER. THEY ARE RAISED WITH SO MANY HORMONES–ANTIBIOTICS AND THE LIKE, THEY ARE OUR 4 POUND FRYERS AT 4 TO 7 WEEKS. GET THIS——–THEY EVEN SCRAPE UP THE POOP AND DEBRIS AND PUT IT IN CATTLE FOOD. CHECK IT OUT — WOULDN’T WANT THAT MEAT ON MY PLATE–OR MY ANIMALS DISH. EVER HEAR YOU CAN’T MESS WITH MOTHER NATURE? WITH THAT KIND OF FOOD IT’S NO WONDER WE GAIN WEIGHT SO EASILY. NO WONDER OUR KIDS ARE DEVELOPING BREASTS AT AGE 9. BOYS EVEN. GOT A REAL MAD ON FOR CHINA. THOSE BITS OF FUR, THE FUR COATS, COLLARS, STUFFED ANIMALS. TOYS AND CUTE THINGS FROM CHINA FUR PARTS ARE FROM BOILED CATS AND SLOWLY HUNG DOGS. CHECK IT OUT WITH ANY OF THE MAIN ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS. WITH AN ETHIC AND A DISDAIN FOR ANIMALS SUCH AS WHAT CHINA HAS WHY WOULD THEY CARE IF POISON ENDS UP IN OUR ANIMAL OR EVEN HUMAN FOOD.
May 16th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
88081 Romana Welch
May 17th, 2007 at 12:18 am
94564 Andrea Olandag
May 17th, 2007 at 5:51 am
We see how the petfood industry regulates itself. Please can we have an IMPARTIAL 3rd party oversight panel with enforcement powers!
May 17th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Time to hold China accountable for thier actions and to clean up our act as well. The FDA needs to investigate what is going on with the human food supply as well as the pet food industry.
The Chinese seem to have no regard for the welfare of animals or humans and we should boycott their products (very difficult to do in the US right now) until they have proven otherwise.
Where ingredients originate should be labeled on all food, both pet and human. Heck we have to put labels of origins on products such as lamps and furniture- it is more important when it effects our food. We need to wake up and take action.
May 17th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Time to hold China accountable for thier actions and to clean up our act as well. The FDA needs to investigate what is going on with the human food supply as well as the pet food industry.
The Chinese seem to have no regard for the welfare of animals or humans and we should boycott their products (very difficult to do in the US right now) until they have proven otherwise.
Where ingredients originate should be labeled on all food, both pet and human. Heck we have to put labels of origins on products such as lamps and furniture- it is more important when it effects our food. We need to wake up and take action.
cook20165
May 17th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
02115 Elise Evans
May 17th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
19076
Kathleen Hamilton
Our family suffered two devastating losses shortly after Christmas within (3) weeks of each other. I believe the recalled food and toxins they contained contributed to at least one if not both deaths. We are a grieving family and nothing eases the pain but the memory of the love we shared with our pets compels me to act and do whatever it takes to affect change.
May 17th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
Mochasmom
May 17th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
[…] for dogs). A few ways to help clean up the industry: The Petition for Pet Food Reform, another Petition to Hold the Pet Food Companies Accountable, and Peta’s Iams Cruelty site. You can also write to The Center for Veterinary Medicine and […]
May 18th, 2007 at 4:25 am
94508 Jinger Casad
May 18th, 2007 at 4:27 am
94598
Jinger Casad
May 18th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Barbara Haukenberry
93117-2041
I want our companion animal food to be safe again! I am afraid every time that I feed my dogs and cats because our country does not check for ingredient safety! Humans, as well as animals, become ill and even die because our government has not dealt with the problem of food safety by creating a single organization to oversee it. I want this kind of organization to be created as soon as possible!
May 18th, 2007 at 7:41 am
11364-3032 Mary Fata
May 18th, 2007 at 9:32 am
A non-toxic food supply, a most basic need, should be assured in any supposedly civilized country. The fact that we have not been protected by the U.S. government, is deplorable, unbelievably negligent, and criminal. Even if our large pet food manufacturers care more about their bottom line than the lives of our beloved companion animals, the government should provide safeguards to protect our families.
As consumers, we deserve to see all ingredients listed honestly on labels, we should see the country of origin of these ingredients, and the location of the processing plants. None of this should be considered proprietary information, a term used to cover up dirty little secrets regarding the filth being put in our pets’ food. Barbara Weimann 08753
May 18th, 2007 at 9:35 am
A non-toxic food supply, a most basic need, should be assured in any supposedly civilized country. The fact that we have not been protected by the U.S. government, is deplorable, unbelievably negligent, and criminal. Even if our large pet food manufacturers care more about their bottom line than the lives of our beloved companion animals, the government should provide safeguards to protect our families.
As consumers, we deserve to see all ingredients listed honestly on labels, we should see the country of origin of these ingredients, and the location of the processing plants. None of this should be considered proprietary information, a term used to cover up dirty little secrets regarding the filth being put in our pets’ food.
All pet food manufacturers should be held financially liable for any expenses incurred due to pet illnesses or deaths as a result of their contaminated food, as well as for pain and suffering. Companion animals are beloved members of a family. Barbara Weimann 08753
May 18th, 2007 at 9:37 am
A non-toxic food supply, a most basic need, should be assured in any supposedly civilized country. The fact that we have not been protected by the U.S. government, is deplorable, unbelievably negligent, and criminal. Even if our large pet food manufacturers care more about their bottom line than the lives of our beloved companion animals, the government should provide safeguards to protect our families.
As consumers, we deserve to see all ingredients listed honestly on labels, we should see the country of origin of these ingredients, and the location of the processing plants. None of this should be considered proprietary information, a term used to cover up dirty little secrets regarding the filth being put in our pets’ food.
All pet food manufacturers should be held financially liable for any expenses incurred due to pet illnesses or deaths as a result of their contaminated food, as well as for pain and suffering. Companion animals are beloved members of a family. Barbara Weimann 08753
May 18th, 2007 at 9:42 am
75067
Melissa Burns
May 18th, 2007 at 9:47 am
victoria norman 76048
May 18th, 2007 at 10:17 am
23009 Joyce Brooks
May 18th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Our beloved pets deserve healthy, nutritious, non-toxic REAL food! Please put safeguards into place so that something like the Menu Foods Recall never happens again. Our pets depend on us for their safety and well-being. They give us so much and ask for so little in return.
Tiffany Stanley - 60613
May 18th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Angela Ulin 93001
May 18th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Angela Ulin 93001
May 18th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
UH DUH!
May 18th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
87508
Suzanne Fuqua
May 18th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
01844
Debra Parent
May 18th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Debra Parent
01844
May 18th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
07922 Tamara Zanko
The fact that the food we buy for our pets (members of our families) is unsafe has deeply concerned me….as a loving mom to my sweet beagle and as an American. It is just not acceptable. It’s got to stop and the people that let this happen need to be held accountable and punished accordingly.
May 18th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
90242
Rhonda Ashton
May 18th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
76109
Nancy Taylor
May 18th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
75098 Heather Screws
May 18th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Vivian Petrack 16441 My little kitten is in acute renal failure due to ingesting contaminated kitten food (which was recalled AFTER he already ate half the bag… and the damage was done). Knowing we’re going through a nightmare caused by greedy companies cutting costs in every way possible makes me literally sick to my stomach. No beloved pet should have to go through what my little Finney is enduring, and no pet owner should have to live with the heartbreak I’m experiencing.
May 18th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Lou Kammerer
97006
May 18th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Vivian Petrack 16441 My little kitten is in acute renal failure due to ingesting contaminated kitten food (which was recalled AFTER he already ate half the bag… and the damage was done). Knowing we’re going through a nightmare caused by greedy companies cutting costs in every way possible makes me literally sick to my stomach. No beloved pet should have to go through what my little Finney is enduring, and no pet owner should have to live with the heartbreak I’m experiencing.
May 18th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
97006
May 18th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
97006
Lou Kammerer
May 19th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Elizabeth Crooks
34685
WHO is the head of the FDA? Per usual, probably another Micheal Brown. This is a DISGRACE AND STILL NO ACCOUNTABILITY, just like with the current murderers in the White House from hell.
WHY has this continued to get worse and worse? This is not the same country I grew up in and I DEMAND justice for these pets and their companions who did nothing but try and feed them and take care of them and then PAID to have them poisoned thru NO fault of their own.
This has got to STOP. NOW.
what is going on?
May 19th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Glenna Walker
75154
May 19th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
P. Habowski
45323
May 19th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
02151
Hoyt
There are many elderly who now have sick pets due to
bad pet food and cannot afford vet visit, plus have exhausted
search for any animal organization that will help. The toll
on our own health as we watch our beloved pets suffer, is
a horror show. The vets who refuse to make some sort of
payment deal, just to get sick animal diagnoised, are greedy
inhuman people, and should be ashamed of themselves.
I wouldn’t even call them vets, for they have no mercy on
sick animals. It is not our fault that our pets are ill, and the
companies that made the bad pet food should be made to
pay for vet visits, before our pets die at home.
It is sad that there is no help for these pets. Now I know that
contributions to area pet organizations for pets of the poorer
population, are a scam, and I advise people who want to
contribute to help these pets see a vet, to call vet office’s
directly for the name or names of someone who needs to
get their pet seen. Obviously, the money does not dribble
down from these organizations. Sadly, i walk around with
my pet in my arms, cry, pray over him, and work gently to
get a little food and liquid into him.
Gerry Hoyt, Revere, MA.