S&M NuTec Stands Behind Greenies
Responding to widely reported allegations that dogs are choking,
developing intestinal obstructions and even dying after eating
Greenies treats, S&M NuTec L.L.C. (North Kansas City, Mo.)
is modifying product packaging to include clearer instructions
about choosing the right size of product for the individual
dog.
In addition, feeding instructions will be more prominent
on new packaging, Dr. Joe Roetheli, co-founder of S&M
NuTec, said during a national telephone news conference conducted
from Greenies headquarters on Feb. 22.
However, he asserted, the dental treats are safe when fed
according to package instructions. “The incident rate
with Greenies is incredibly low,” Roetheli said. “The
worst-case scenario statistics we have seen has one incident
reported for every 8.1 million Greenies sold. What some consumers
may not know is that poor oral hygiene can shorten a dog's
life by three to five years, or almost a third of a pet's
life expectancy. By safely feeding a dog Greenies, an owner
can avoid this silent killer.”
According to Chris Brandt, general counsel for S&M NuTec,
the company has compensated fewer than 20 pet owners for dogs
that died.
The most visible complaint is that of Michael Eastwood and
Jennifer Reiff of Manhattan. They filed a $5 million product
liability lawsuit against S&M NuTec last fall, charging
that Greenies are “unsafe, inadequately labeled, and
ultimate caused the death of [their] 4-year-old dog.”
Their dog, a miniature Dachshund, died after an undigested
portion of a Greenies dog treat became lodged in his intestinal
tract.
S&M NuTec acknowledges on its Web site (www.thetruthaboutgreenies.com)
that dogs can have problems if “the pet has been given
the wrong size Greenies by its owner, or the pet has swallowed
an abnormally large piece of Greenies without chewing it.”
While numerous incidents have involved canine versions of
Greenies—which are hard, molded treats—no reported
incidents have involved Feline Greenies. Even though they
also have dental cleaning properties, Feline Greenies are
extruded products similar in texture to cat kibble, according
to Roetheli.
More than 730 million Greenies treats have been sold since
1998. The only edible treats certified by the Veterinary Oral
Health Council (Philadelphia), Greenies have been proven to
reduce tartar by 62 percent and gingivitis by 33 percent.
[April 2006 PET AGE]
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