08-22-2007, 11:40 AM
Kate Collins is not the only pet owner that claims a dog died from eating Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips bought from a Wal-Mart.
Sherri Shelton, an Indiana pet owner, had to put her 7-year-old dog down after she ate Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips last month. (Shelton actually contacted Itchmo about the article and her situation.)
Shelton’s dog, Sheba, started acting strangely after a visit to the veterinarian in early July. Just a few days after seeing the veterinarian, this soft-coated wheaten terrier became violently ill.
Shelton said that Sheba’s blood work was completely normal and fine when she had her last check-up at the veterinarian.
On July 24, Shelton took her dog to an animal clinic. She was told that Sheba had kidney problems, and they gave her antibiotics and an IV. Three days later, Sheba suffered toxic renal failure, and Shelton had to make the hard decision to put her beloved dog to sleep.
Wanting to find out why her dog suddenly died, Shelton immediately thought of the two bags of Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips. This former health inspector had been feeding both Sheba, and Sheba’s puppy, two-year-old Kali, these dog treats bought at Wal-Mart.
Shelton began researching on the Internet, called Wal-Mart, and spoke to a representative at Bestro’s parent company in China. She started to believe that there was something wrong with Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips.
She also gave a sample of these dog treats to the Office of Indiana State Chemist for testing. Bob Geiger, a feed administrator with the office, said the tests were being conducted on Shelton’s sample and samples from the manufacturer.
Geiger said the investigation is ongoing and the Office of Indiana State Chemist is working closely with the Food and Drug Administration.
As of yet, there has not been a formal recall of this dog treat. Wal-Mart has pulled the products from all stores and put an electronic block on the product, so it cannot be scanned during checkout according to several reports.
Shelton has said a third party representing Bestros contacted her after Sheba’s death. The company said they would offer to settle with her for $700. The amount was based on Sheba’s life expectancy and medical expenses. The company has offered to compensate Shelton up to $2,000 for medical expenses.
Kali, Shelton’s other dog, is experiencing health problems as well. Shelton has not accepted the settlement pending Kali’s health. She wants to wait to figure out everything at once. Shelton added that her intent was not to take legal action against the company.
Shelton wants to raise public awareness about the potential risk of this product before other pets become ill from consuming it.
UPDATE: I spoke to Sherri Shelton this afternoon (August 20) about the Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips situation.
When she spoke to Wal-Mart, there has been no answer from the company of why they have not done an official recall of the product. In fact, Shelton said that when a newspaper editor called Wal-Mart’s corporate office, the representative said the company didn’t know anything about the situation involving Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips.
Today a FDA official took the remaining Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips from Shelton to perform testing on it.
Shelton said that when she spoke to the third party representing Bestros, they admitted that there was a problem with the product. They are trying to figure out how the product became contaminated, in what lot, and where it was shipped to.
She has spoken to other pet owners, including Kate Collins, that believe that Bestros Chicken Jerky Strips caused their dog’s death or illness. Shelton has spoken to other affected dog owners in Connecticut, Chicago, Illinois, and in Southern Indiana. She added that all of their stories seem to coincide.
Shelton simply wants other pet owners to know about this and wants Wal-Mart to officially recall their product.
http://hyperspacecafe.com/editpost.php?pid=14574
Sherri Shelton, an Indiana pet owner, had to put her 7-year-old dog down after she ate Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips last month. (Shelton actually contacted Itchmo about the article and her situation.)
Shelton’s dog, Sheba, started acting strangely after a visit to the veterinarian in early July. Just a few days after seeing the veterinarian, this soft-coated wheaten terrier became violently ill.
Shelton said that Sheba’s blood work was completely normal and fine when she had her last check-up at the veterinarian.
On July 24, Shelton took her dog to an animal clinic. She was told that Sheba had kidney problems, and they gave her antibiotics and an IV. Three days later, Sheba suffered toxic renal failure, and Shelton had to make the hard decision to put her beloved dog to sleep.
Wanting to find out why her dog suddenly died, Shelton immediately thought of the two bags of Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips. This former health inspector had been feeding both Sheba, and Sheba’s puppy, two-year-old Kali, these dog treats bought at Wal-Mart.
Shelton began researching on the Internet, called Wal-Mart, and spoke to a representative at Bestro’s parent company in China. She started to believe that there was something wrong with Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips.
She also gave a sample of these dog treats to the Office of Indiana State Chemist for testing. Bob Geiger, a feed administrator with the office, said the tests were being conducted on Shelton’s sample and samples from the manufacturer.
Geiger said the investigation is ongoing and the Office of Indiana State Chemist is working closely with the Food and Drug Administration.
As of yet, there has not been a formal recall of this dog treat. Wal-Mart has pulled the products from all stores and put an electronic block on the product, so it cannot be scanned during checkout according to several reports.
Shelton has said a third party representing Bestros contacted her after Sheba’s death. The company said they would offer to settle with her for $700. The amount was based on Sheba’s life expectancy and medical expenses. The company has offered to compensate Shelton up to $2,000 for medical expenses.
Kali, Shelton’s other dog, is experiencing health problems as well. Shelton has not accepted the settlement pending Kali’s health. She wants to wait to figure out everything at once. Shelton added that her intent was not to take legal action against the company.
Shelton wants to raise public awareness about the potential risk of this product before other pets become ill from consuming it.
UPDATE: I spoke to Sherri Shelton this afternoon (August 20) about the Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips situation.
When she spoke to Wal-Mart, there has been no answer from the company of why they have not done an official recall of the product. In fact, Shelton said that when a newspaper editor called Wal-Mart’s corporate office, the representative said the company didn’t know anything about the situation involving Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips.
Today a FDA official took the remaining Bestro Chicken Jerky Strips from Shelton to perform testing on it.
Shelton said that when she spoke to the third party representing Bestros, they admitted that there was a problem with the product. They are trying to figure out how the product became contaminated, in what lot, and where it was shipped to.
She has spoken to other pet owners, including Kate Collins, that believe that Bestros Chicken Jerky Strips caused their dog’s death or illness. Shelton has spoken to other affected dog owners in Connecticut, Chicago, Illinois, and in Southern Indiana. She added that all of their stories seem to coincide.
Shelton simply wants other pet owners to know about this and wants Wal-Mart to officially recall their product.
http://hyperspacecafe.com/editpost.php?pid=14574