Published: February 13, 2007 11:31 pm      

Tests show no signs of toxins in dog food

Test results from laboratories at Texas A&M University and Purina show there no connection between Beneful dog food and the mysterious deaths of two Huntsville dogs.

The canine companions of Janet Rambeck and Robert Barley died of similar causes the last weekend in January.

When Rambeck discovered both their dogs died just days after eating Beneful dried dog food bought from Wal-Mart at about the same time, Rambeck decided to send the food off for testing by both Purina and Texas A&M.

Rambeck and Barley weren’t alone, though.

Pet products Web-site DoggyBling.com had reported nearly 20 other cases of dogs dying under nearly identical circumstances and symptoms.

Results from both tests came back showing no signs of abnormalities within the food.

Purina released the following statement regarding their test results.

“Purina has conducted numerous tests to confirm the quality and safety of Beneful, including physical and microscopic examination, extensive third-party analytical testing for a broad spectrum of mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, as well as for the presence of pesticides,” the statement read.

“We have examined product from our factories, product at retail and results provided from the testing of consumers’ product and have found no indication of any abnormalities with Purina Beneful dry dog food.

“We are saddened by these pet owners’ losses. However, we can state that there is no indication of a link between Beneful and the deaths of their pets.”

Calls to Wal-Mart were not returned late Tuesday.

Rambeck, however, wasn’t satisfied with Purina’s statement.

As of last week, she sent off the remainder of the dog food off to the Food and Drug Administration for testing.

“We were told that they were not going to admit to anything,” Rambeck said. “We knew that we were going to be hitting a dead end with Purina so we sent off what we had left to the FDA.”

FDA representatives said they had not been informed of the incident until Rambeck alerted them.

Tests on Rambeck’s food are currently being conducted, but no timetable for results has been established.