Fido's raw meat pet food may be loaded with harmful bacteria: study

October 16, 2019 by Marlowe Hood

Three-quarters of raw meat pet food samples purchased and tested in Switzerland exceeded recommended limits of bacteria known to cause gastrointestinal infections

Increasingly popular raw meat meals for dogs and cats may be full of multi-drug resistant bacteria, posing a serious risk to animals and humans, scientists reported Wednesday.

Three-quarters of samples purchased and tested in Switzerland exceeded recommended limits of bacteria known to cause gastrointestinal infections, and more than half had bugs impervious to drugs designed to kill them, they reported in Royal Society Open Science.

"It is really worrying that we found EBSL-producing bacteria in over 60 per cent of samples," said first author Magdalena Nuesch-Inderbinen, a researcher at the University of Zurich, referring to an enzyme that renders some antibiotics ineffective.

"They include several types of E. coli which can cause infections in humans and animals."

Sales of raw pet food—sometimes called "biologically appropriate raw food", or BARF—have soared in recent years, especially for dogs. Paleo-like diets are said to boost canine vitality and immunity, even if there is scant research to back up such claims.

Indeed, veterinary medical associations in the United States and Canada have raised concerns about raw meat pet food, with reports showing it to be a source of Salmonella and infectious yersiniosis in dogs.

And that, Nuesch-Inderbinen told AFP, is a problem for humans.

"Raw meat-based diets may be contaminated with bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, including those categorised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as critically important for human medicine," she wrote by email.

Pet lover beware
"There is growing evidence that these pathogens pose a risk of infectious disease to humans not only during handling of feed but also through the contamination of household surfaces and through close contact to the dogs and their faeces."

There are an estimated 140 million dogs and cats in the European Union, and at least as many in North America.

More generally, antibiotic resistance has become a major health crisis across the globe.

More generally, antibiotic resistance has become a major health crisis across the globe.
"The situation with multi-drug resistant bacteria has spiralled out of control in recent years," said co-author Roger Stephan, a professor at the University of Zurich's Institue for Food Safety and Hygiene.

The indiscriminate and sometimes inappropriate use of antibiotics has allowed surviving bugs to mutate into superbugs that outpace the development of new medicines.

Because of the overuse of antibiotics in livestock production, animals raised for consumption have become a major reservoir for antimicrobial resistance.

"Like conventional pet food, most raw meat-based diets are based on the by-products of animals slaughtered for human consumption," the study notes.

To find out exactly how contaminated raw pet foods really are, the researchers tested 51 samples from different suppliers in Switzerland, purchased in stores and on the Internet.

"We advise all dog and cat owners who want to feed their pets a 'BARF' diet to handle the food carefully and maintain strict hygiene standards," said Nuesch-Inderbinen.

"Pet owners should be aware of the risk that their pet may be carrying multi-drug resistant bacteria and can spread them."

More information: Raw meat-based diets for companion animals: a potential source of transmission of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae,
Royal Society Open Science, rsos.royalsocietypublishing.or … 0.1098/rsos.191170

Journal information: Royal Society Open Science

© 2019 AFP

Canberra set to recognise animals as 'sentient beings' that are able to feel and perceive in Australian first

By Elise Scott, Tahlia Roy and Niki Burnside

Pet owners who keep their dogs locked up and do not allow them to exercise for longer than one day could face a fine of up to $4,000 under sweeping changes that enshrine animal feelings into ACT law.

Key points:

• New laws include harsher fines for mistreatment
• Fines will apply for injuring an animal and not reporting it — including hitting a kangaroo
• Under the new laws people can legally break into cars to protect animals

Under the bill, confinement is judged on the dog's size, age and physical condition.

And anyone found confining a dog for longer than 24 hours would have to provide two hours of exercise or pay the fine.

But provisions do exist within the legislation for reasonable restraints, such as chicken coops, bird cages and cat containment areas.

Under the proposed laws the ACT would become the first jurisdiction in the country to recognise animals as "sentient beings" — the idea that animals are able to feel and perceive the world.

The concept recognises that "animals have intrinsic value and deserve to be treated with compassion" and "people have a duty to care for the physical and mental welfare of animals".

"The science tells us that animals are sentient," ACT City Services Minister Chris Steel said.

"I know with my dog he gets very excited when we're about to go on a run.

"I think most dog owners, most cat owners know their animals do feel emotion."

The animal welfare amendments, to be introduced into the ACT Legislative Assembly this week, would establish a suite of additional offences, including hitting or kicking an animal, abandonment, and confinement in a car that is likely to cause the animal injury, stress or death.

A person would be allowed to legally break into a car to protect an animal from serious injury or death if they acted honestly and there were no other reasonable options like calling the police.

Having an animal in a moving vehicle without proper restraint would also be punishable by up to one year in prison or a $16,000 fine or both.

New protections for guide dogs, assistance animals

The new laws would also create specific offences for failing to provide appropriate food, shelter, water, hygienic living, grooming and medical treatment to an animal.

For example, an owner could be prosecuted if their pet suffered an eye infection due to hair growing into its eyes, was impaired due to unclipped nails or had irritated skin due to fleas.

The bill also doubles penalties for cruelty to an animal to up to two years' imprisonment or a $32,000 fine or both and increases punishments for aggravated cruelty to three years behind bars or a fine of $48,000 or both.

Fines would also apply for injuring animals and not reporting it — such as a car hitting an animal, including kangaroos.

What to do when you see a dog in a hot car

Is breaking into a car the best option to rescue a dog on a hot day?

For the first time in the ACT, guide dogs and other assistance animals would also need to be accredited and listed on a register.

It would become an offence to prevent a person with an assistance animal entering a public place, remove an assistance animal or impose a charge for the animal — with a fine of up to $8,000 for an individual or $40,500 for a business.

And anyone caught pretending that an animal was an assistance animal would face a fine of up to $3,200.

Animal sentience could have broader implications

The ACT adheres to the national code of practice in culling animals, including in kangaroo culling, which is supported by the RSPCA.

Veterinarian Dr David Rizkalla, from the Gables Veterinary Group, said the recognition of sentience was a good place to start enforcing animal rights.

"It's more about protecting animals from people who can harm them, than giving animals better opportunities," he said.

But he said it was important to clearly define which animals were recognised as sentient.

"It could get in the way of the economy," he said.

"I think it has to be quite clear if you introduce that sort of thing to large animals, like cows.

"Farmers spend money on the animal if it gets them more money, it's a profit thing, it's not sentimental value, it's an economic value."

animal-welfare, animals, human-interest, law-crime-and-justice, states-and-territories, Canberra-2600, act

Dogs, Poop Bags and Their Environmental Impact

How To Reduce Your Carbon "Pawprint" and Help The Planet

by Pilar Bueno

There has been a huge awakening about the damage plastic pollution is doing to our planet and particularly to our oceans were 8 millions tons of plastic end up every year, joining the 100 million already swimming in its depth slowing and painfully killing our wildlife. David Attenborough and the Blue Planet II series has woken up hundreds of thousands of people to the urgent need to change and encouraged them to sign up to the Plastic Action campaign.

So, as more of us have started cutting back on single-use plastics and continue looking at ways to reduce our overall waste to landfill, the question of dealing with your dog's faeces comes to mind. 

As a responsible dog owner and dog sitter, I wouldn’t dream of not collecting dog poop from the street or public spaces and it does bug me when I see irresponsible people allowing their dogs to soil the streets. It is a matter of sanitary cleanliness and common courtesy. But what about when you are in the great outdoors?

Those of you that know us, are aware that John and I spend a lot of our free time outdoors photographing the wildlife and walking our extended family of dogs we look after. There is nothing like being in nature to disconnect from the daily stresses, recharge batteries and relax.

More and more recently our joy of being outdoors is being tainted by the continuous sightings of bagged up dog poop littering the undergrowth, bushes and hanging from tree branches as some kind of sick and smelly Christmas ornament. 

I guess people have been encouraged into bagging up their dog faeces, and whilst I commend their diligence, surely common sense would dictate that, if you have picked it up, you should dispose of it correctly in a bin.  And in the absence of a bin in your local woodlands, park of your favourite trail, please let nature take its course. Dog poop is organic matter and whether you like to think about it or not, all kinds of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, moulds, as well as beetles and pretty butterflies, to name a few, feed on this "doggy goodness". 

Lunchtime for the Comma - Polygonum Butterfly and friends 

The problem starts when you wrap it in toxic plastics and leave it around. The faeces will not end up breaking down, feeding other creatures and eventually enriching the soil. Instead, we end up with more petroleum-derived plastics clogging up our planet taking several hundred years to decompose. 

A supermarket shopping bag buried in the undergrowth FULL of Dog Poop Bags

So here is a 'crazy' thought: Pick up a stick (plenty of those in nature), flick the offending turd out of the path and into the bushes, kick a bit of soil over any remaining waste and let the rest of us enjoy a beautiful walk in nature.

What are the Alternatives to Conventional Plastic Bags?

If you are lucky (in this case) to live in the USA, you can call the services of a professional to come to your house and pick up your dog poop! I am not kidding you,  Doodycalls is the company. But, if like me, you live in the UK, you have no choice but to deal with your beloved pet excretions. Whether you are at home or out for walkies with your pooch, I  think you will be surprised with the greener alternatives available.

Biodegradable / Compostable Bags

The earth-friendly option that takes anything between three to six months to decompose fully. 

Beware, however, that due to unregulated guidelines and misleading packaging, not all “green” poop bags are as environmentally friendly as they claim to be (see press article by the Federal Trade Commission). 

Many of this so-called eco-friendly bags are made of the same petrochemicals as conventional synthetic plastic bags with added toxic chemicals to accelerate the breakdown of plastic. 

Look out therefore for poop bags that are made from corn-starch or other plant-based material, such as the ones sold by Earth Rated, MyAlphaPet, PupRepublic or TSP Premium Poop Bags. These later ones are actually "OK Compost Home certified", meaning that their bags disintegrate outside industrial composting facilities. Please note however that it is not advisable to compost dog poop at home as dog waste contain parasites and pathogens that would be harmful to your plants.

Flushable Dog Poop Bags

Made from a water-soluble alternative to normal plastic (Polyvinyl Alcohol - PVA), these bags are designed to be flushed down the toilet along with your dog waste. The bags start to break down as soon as they are immersed in water and bag and waste ends up being processed at your local sewage plant. 

You won't be adding waste to landfills and can say goodbye to smelly bins.

Flush Puppies are one of the leading brands and their bags are also certified compostable.

Cardboard Dog Poop Scooper

Scoopeasy has a genius design that consists of a funnel made of cardboard (recycled and compostable, in fact) that comes flat with an attached scooper. It's as simple as using the scooper to push the "goodies" inside the quickly assembled funnel. You then fold the funnel close and carry it by the handles to the nearest bin. Have a look at this video to see it in action (don't worry, no real poop is used in this advert).

Reusable and Washable Bags

The ultimate environmentally friendly and zero waste option in the market but certainly not one for the faint hearted! 

This one requires you to pay close attention to your dog because as soon as you see him squatting, you have to place the flat-out bag under your dog to collect the faeces. You clinch the bag and carry it to the nearest toilet to dispose of the waste. Rinse and dry the bag until next time. Curious? Check out Poof

Dog Waste Disposal

DoggyBog has designed this innovative system that fits quickly in just 30 minutes into your house's existing outdoor soil pipe. You simply pick up the poop (or bag it in a flushable poop bag if away from home), throw the waste down the pipe and flush it away. Their starter kit retails are £54.

Flushable Dog Loo

We discovered one of this In-Ground Dog Waste Disposal Units at one of our regular client’s home in North London. They are essentially a container with drain holes that you sink into the ground. At certain intervals, you add water and if necessary a non-toxic active liquid to help break down the waste. It is a sealed container so it is discreet, smell and insect free. Good Boy and PowerLoo are two very different product examples.

If you have found this article interesting and somewhat amusing, please feel free to like and share with other dog and "tree-hugging" lovers and don't forget to let us know if you have discovered other ingenious ways to deal with this unpleasant task.

But enough poop talk. Owning a caring for a dog is one of the most rewarding things you could ever experience. Even though we don't share a common verbal language something magical happens when your soul meets with the warm, trusting nature and intelligence of a dog. All they ask for is kindness, compassion and a regular meal. In return they will be with you through the trials of life, your best friend, always loyal and always has your back when the road gets rough.

So let me finish this blog entry by sharing with you a dog story extracted from the book "Dog Tales: 60 True Doggy Stories of Loyalty, Heroism and Devotion" written by John Hodges and published by our sister company VIDDA Publishing: "Would you like to see the woodpeckers?"

Dog Tales is Available in Kindle, Paperback and Audio

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