Amicus Canis

For legal professionals and their pets.

Comments are always welcome!

		(This is a sticky post, please find current news items below) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

My faithful Readers , sorry for being offline for a while - important pleading that needed my attention.  I'm back and look forward to moving this blog along.

As always, please feel free to share your comments and stories along with my postings!

Joint Update: FDA/USDA Trace Adulterated Animal Feed to Poultry

		Tuesday, 01 May 07 - 04:49 PM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

FDA News

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have learned that byproducts from pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten imported from China have been used in chicken feed on some farms in the state of Indiana. This information came to light as part of the continuing investigation into imported rice protein concentrate and wheat gluten that have been found to contain melamine and melamine-related compounds.

At this time, the investigation indicates that approximately 30 broiler poultry farms and eight breeder poultry farms in Indiana received contaminated feed in early February and fed it to poultry within days of receiving it. All of the broilers believed to have been fed contaminated product have since been processed. The breeders that were fed the contaminated product are under voluntary hold by the flock owners.

As with exposure from hogs fed contaminated pet food and for similar reasons related to the dilution of the contamination, FDA and USDA believe the likelihood of illness after eating chicken fed the contaminated product is very low. Because there is no evidence of harm to humans associated with consumption of chicken fed the contaminated product, no recall of poultry products processed from these animals is being issued. Testing and the joint investigation continue. If any evidence surfaces to indicate there is harm to humans, the appropriate action will be taken.

Because the poultry being held have been fed adulterated products, USDA cannot knowingly approve products derived from these poultry for human consumption. USDA is offering to compensate producers who euthanize this poultry. USDA is also offering the expertise and assistance of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) personnel in carrying out depopulation activities, to ensure adherence to Federal and State laws.

FDA and USDA anticipate that as the investigation continues additional farms will likely be identified that received contaminated feed. As indicated in previous updates, FDA and USDA have also traced contaminated feed to swine farms in several states. The same procedures are being followed in relation to both swine and poultry; animals are being quarantined by state order or voluntarily held by the owners and USDA is offering compensation for depopulation and disposal of both swine and poultry that have been fed contaminated products.

USDA and FDA continue to conduct a full, comprehensive examination to protect the nation’s food supply and will provide updates as new information is confirmed.

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More of Our Friendly, Furry, Faithful Law Partners are Posted!

		Wednesday, 21 March 07 - 06:34 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Hi All!

Just posted a couple more pictures of our pets.  Keep sending them in to amicuscanis@gmail.com.  Lets make our commmunity grow!   

New Llama pics are posted!

		Tuesday, 20 March 07 - 07:20 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Hi all!

Posted a few pictures from Grandma Gwen's birthday party.  Llama really enjoyed playing with his cousins Meghan and Will.  Llama was running around with Will when poor Will was tackled by Llama as Will leaped down the stairs.  Llama is surely exherting his Alpha Male instincts. 

Your pet, your family member

		Monday, 19 March 07 - 04:35 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Did anyone see the March 2007 Washingtonian First Person article “You Love Me, Right?  He was a party animal and a perfect gentleman, and he liked to hit the road.”?  Trish Vrandenburg, tv comedy writer, playwright, and cofounder of Alzheimer’s Action PAC, wrote about Bixby, her Wheaton terrier.  Bixby was truly the ultimate host in her home.  “We have letters of thanks to Bixby for his graciousness from a congressman and a governor, which we framed and hung above his water bowl.”  Friendly with everyone, filled with a little wanderlust, he always returned home.  But as time went on and Trish’s family member got older, Trish would have to take Bixby on his last trip to the vets – a trip, sadly, from which Bixby would not return. 

My synopsis does not do Trish’s essay justice.  Instead, I am using her article as a springboard to my readers.  I would love to hear how your pet plays an active part of your life.  And no, I don’t mean how you have to “walk him, feed her, etc.”  Instead, would love to hear how he/she is an active member of your family, perhaps even your lawoffice.  Llama, our pet Coton dog, in a short time is already a valued members of our family – a playmate for Mindy’s niece and nephew, a napping buddy for Mindy and I, and always a priority in how we decide our daily activities.

Please share your stories…

POSTINGS TO RESUME!!!

		Friday, 16 March 07 - 05:14 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

I’m sorry about the lack of postings over the past week.  One of the reasons we got Llama was to prepare us if/when we were to ever have a baby.  It has given us some interesting experiences as we learn how to handle a young life.  Occasionally barking at night, occasional nipping during the day, bursts of energy, and bursts of sleep.  Llama is a delightful additional to our family and we love him dearly. 

That being said, posting should resume.  I have a book review and a contest planned in the next week.  Stay tuned and please feel free to contribute your thoughts.  Pictures can always be e-mailed to me at amicuscanis@gmail.com. 

Have a great day! 

My Dog Hops

		Wednesday, 07 March 07 - 08:19 PM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Its cute – sorta doggie, sorta bunny. 

Does your pet have any unusual gaits? 

Would love to hear! 

New Maine Law Offers Family Pets Protection From Abuse

		Friday, 16 February 07 - 04:36 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Stephen M. Worrall of the Georgia Family Law Blog brought this my attention.  “[A] new law in Maine . . .  allows judges in Protection From Abuse cases to include pets in the order.  As reported in the Press Herald, the law would allow judges to include the pets of those who have been battered so that the person leaving can take the pet with them or else come back to the residence and retrieve the animal.” http://sworrall.typepad.com/georgia_family_law/2007/02/family_violence.html.  Another interesting item his blog entry notes that “. . . a resource in the Atlanta area called Ahimsa House, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation that provides shelter and aid to animals caught in the cycle of domestic violence. Ahimsa House is the first and only shelter of its kind in Georgia.”  What else is being done around the country to protect family pets?

Please post your thoughts and comments below at the  “Leave a comment” link. 

Opps – E-mail address was missing. Now up! Send Your Pics!

		Thursday, 08 February 07 - 06:57 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Like I had said from the beginning, some mistakes would be made but corrected in time.  I had thought the terapad blog maker had a contact/e-mail button – appreantly not.  My mistake! 

Please send your picture to AmicusCanis@gmail.com.  Remember, the category is “Aw, he/she is soo cute!”. 
 

Request for pictures and comments!!!

		Monday, 05 February 07 - 08:37 AM (GMT -05:00) By Michael DJ Eisenberg in General

Hi everyone!  Last week I requested pictures of your little (or big) bundle of joy.  Would love to receive pictures to post on the blog.  Ideally, in keeping with the first theme (more themes to be asked for later).

Also, please feel free to add your own comments and thoughts to the postings as we have discussions about pet office issues over time (at the bottom right of each blog is a “Leave a comment” link). 

Stay warm!!! 


... More items are available in my News Archive