Category: Grrr

Are Doctors Oz and Fauci Really Puppy Killers?

If you’re a dog lover, you’re probably disgusted about the allegation that Dr. Mehmet Oz killed over 300 puppies in a cruel experiment.

And speaking of cruel experiments, perhaps you were also outraged last year over the allegation that Dr. Anthony Fauci personally approved disturbing tests involving Beagles.

My inquiring mind wants to know: Are these allegations true? Here’s what I found out.

Dr. Oz

Between 1989 and 2010, Oz oversaw experiments that killed over 329 dogs, according to a story on Jezebel earlier this month. Oz, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, had “full scientific, administrative and fiscal responsibility for the conduct” of the experiments performed at the Columbia University Institute of Comparative Medicine, according to the story. Dogs weren’t the only victims: other experiments killed 31 pigs and 661 rabbits and rodents.

About 20 years ago, veterinarian Catherine Dell’Orto testified that Oz’s experiments repeatedly violated the Animal Welfare Act, which requires researchers to give animals pain-relieving drugs and not experiment over and over again on the same animal.

In one horrible experiment allegedly witnessed by a veterinary technician, expired drugs were injected into the hearts of a litter of puppies without sedation. After the puppies died, they were tossed into a trash bag along with their living littermates. However, Dell’Orto told PEOPLE on Oct. 5 that the puppies were not killed by Oz and she didn’t know if he had any involvement in that experiment.

“But there are a lot of valid things he did wrong,” Dell’Orto added. Among those things was an experiment that left dogs left paralyzed and in pain for weeks before they were finally euthanized. In another experiment, Dell’Orto said pacemakers were inserted into some dogs’ hearts and then set to “a very high rate to induce heart failure.”

Oz spokeswoman Brittany Yannick told PEOPLE that Oz “was not personally involved in these incidents and to say otherwise is a lie. His name was on some forms due to his role within the Department of Surgery.”

Although Oz wasn’t personally involved, the experiments were still his responsibility. “When someone makes the choice to use an animal in a research experiment they should be 100 percent committed to reducing any suffering that animal will experience,” Dell’Orto told PEOPLE. “And I did not see that happening with Oz. I saw the opposite.”

VERDICT: Somewhat true. Not personally a puppy killer, but responsible for horrible experiments.

Dr. Fauci

As director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), Fauci approved funding for horrible medical testing on Beagles, at least according to 2021 blog posts on the website of the White Coat Waste Project (WCW), a Republican-led nonprofit whose mission is to end taxpayer-funded animal experiments,

“Fauci Funded $375K Beagle Torture Overseas, Too” was the headline of an Aug. 31, 2021 WCW blog post. A photo shows two drugged Beagles lying on their sides. Their heads are inside mesh cages filled with biting sand fleas, according to the caption.

Regarding this and other tests involving Beagles, the WCW insisted to PolitiFact that it was “100% confirmed that Fauci’s NIH division funded” the tests. However, the NIAID did not in fact fund the sand flea test; this was stated in error by the study’s authors. The journal that published the study later issued a correction.

Here’s another WCW headline, from an Oct. 5, 2021 blog post: “Fauci Wasted $1M+ to Poison Beagle Puppies, Cut Out Vocal Cords.” As proof, the post included a copy of a $1.68 million November 2019 order from the Drug Development and Clinical Sciences Branch of the NIAID. The order was for 44 Beagle puppies to be subjected to toxicity tests.

However, the medical news service MedPage reported that “Fauci himself did not sign off on the research contract” shown in the blog post.

Snopes reports that while it’s true that some of these studies were at least partly funded by NIAID with taxpayer dollars, “it is unclear whether such allocations were personally approved by Fauci.”

What’s interesting is that plenty of right-wing politicians were quick to jump on the #FauciLiedPuppiesDied bandwagon last year (ironically, elephant killer Donald Trump, Jr. even sold “Fauci Kills Puppies” T-shirts) — yet the WCW and all those others have been silent on the allegations about Dr. Oz killing puppies. Hmm.

VERDICT: Somewhat false. Not personally a puppy killer, and may not have approved cruel experiments.

Medical Testing on Dogs is Horrible, Period

The fact that medical testing on dogs and other animals is cruel and unnecessary is something we can all agree on, no matter our political leanings.

VERDICT: True!

Photo: Wikibongmom

Insurance Companies Need to Stop Being ‘Breedist’

If you don’t have a Pit Bull, Doberman, Rottweiler or another allegedly “dangerous” dog breed, you may not be aware that most major U.S. insurance companies refuse to provide home or rental insurance for the owners of these dogs.

Banning certain types of dogs based solely on their breed or appearance is often referred to as “breedism.” It’s not surprising that every major animal welfare organization, including the ASPCA, HSUS, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and others, opposes it because it unfairly punishes well-behaved dogs and responsible owners. Fortunately, breed-specific legislation (BSL), laws that ban certain dogs, has been repealed in most places where it was enacted, most notably in Denver last year.

Too bad most insurance companies aren’t part of that trend. According to an April 2021 Forbes article that surveyed 42 homeowners insurance companies, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, and Rottweilers are banned by 100% of these companies.

Why are insurance companies so breedist? “We are in the business of evaluating risk, and based on what we know, the dogs on our ‘uninsurable list’ pose a higher risk,” an unidentified Allstate Insurance representative told Psychology Today in 2014.

“Higher risk?” According to the AVMA’s “Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed” report, the breeds that bite the most frequently include Jack Russell Terriers, Spaniels, Collies and Labrador Retrievers.

Yet not one of these breeds is banned by the 42 insurance companies surveyed by Forbes.

Could this be because insurance companies are racist as well as breedist? “The use of breed lists has a detrimental impact on three groups—uninformed consumers, people of color, and consumers of low or moderate means,” a coalition of animal welfare groups wrote in a November 2020 letter to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) urging an end to banned breed lists.

The group, which includes the Animal Defense League, American Kennel Club, Best Friends Animal Society and others, pointed out a strong correlation between Pit Bulls and the Black community.

“Scholars opine that this is especially true as it relates to breed-specific laws, which may be a product of the fear associated with stereotypical images and activities of minority groups,” the group wrote. “This fear may also be associated with an insurance carrier’s choice of which breeds to include on its list.”

It is currently illegal for insurance companies to use dog breed profiling in states including Michigan and Pennsylvania. It’s also illegal in Ohio, but owners of Pit Bulls and some other breeds must buy at least $100,000 of liability insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

The good news is that there is pending legislation in several states that would put an end to this blacklisting of breeds by insurance companies. In New York State, Assembly Bill A4075, which prohibits insurers from refusing to cover certain dog breeds, will hopefully be signed into law soon.

Breed-Friendly Insurance Companies

If you happen to have a dog whose breed has been declared “dangerous” by an insurance company, or if you’re disgusted after reading about this and want to change insurance providers, be aware that State Farm, the largest home insurance company in the country, doesn’t ban any breeds.

“State Farm does not ask what breed or type of dog a person owns when writing policies,” spokesperson Heather Paul, who happens to have two Pit Bulls, told Forbes. “Any dog, regardless of breed, can bite, and most bites are the perfect storm of situation and circumstance. People often put themselves and others at risk, and dogs are blamed. That’s why State Farm focuses on dog bite prevention education rather than breed restrictions.”

The following insurance companies also don’t discriminate against any breeds, according to BADRAP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing the future of Pit Bulls as cherished family companions. Just be aware that agents from independently run offices may have a different policy.

Photo: Queven

GRRR: TikTok Pet Hot Sauce Challenge is the Worst Ever

It was bad enough a few years ago when some people subjected their poor dogs to the otherwise worthy Ice Bucket Challenge that raised over $220 million dollars to fight ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

But the latest social media craze is downright crazy. And all it raises awareness of is just how cruel to animals some people can be.

The purpose of the TikTok Hot Sauce Challenge is apparently to show how brave you are by eating this spicy stuff. Unfortunately, losers who should never own pets are posting videos of their dogs being fed chicken coated with hot sauce.

Not only is this a terribly mean thing to do, but, as you can imagine, it can make dogs very sick.

“Well, this little guy got chicken with hot sauce on it,” says veterinary technician Peter in a video with over 300,000 likes posted March 2 on the popular Peter & Jaycee TikTok account. He’s scratching the head of a small dog in an animal hospital. “And then he got another piece of chicken with hot sauce on it. They just kept giving him more and more because I guess his reaction was just so funny but now he’s in the hospital with pancreatitis. So, stop doing trends with pets.”

@vet_techs_pjSome trends can be fun with pets, but let’s remember safety first. #vet #trend #vettech #fyp #fy #pet #pets #chicken #dogsoftiktok #dog♬ Married Life (From “Up”) – Sergy el Som

Amen! Feeding a dog hot sauce or spicy foods can cause everything from heartburn to ulcers, Dr. Mary Altomare, the head veterinarian at New Jersey’s Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, told Insider. “Once it passes through the stomach, pets are likely to experience intestinal cramping and diarrhea,” she said. “Depending on how sensitive of a stomach your pet has, you may also see some vomiting and subsequent dehydration.”

Fortunately, this godawful trend appears to be short-lived. In response to the growing backlash, most of the disturbing videos have been removed from TikTok. Here’s hoping the idiots who posted them won’t subject their dogs to any future cruel challenges.

Photo: Pezibear (This photo is not from a TikTok hot sauce challenge!)

Nearly 1,700 Pets Have Reportedly Died After Wearing Seresto Flea and Tick Collars

Since they were first introduced in 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received more than 75,000 complaints about popular Seresto-brand flea and tick collars. According to those complaints, 1,698 cats and dogs may have died after wearing the collars. At least 1,000 humans became ill after handling the collars.

These scary statistics are from a report by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, an independent, nonprofit newsroom. The report was co-published yesterday in USA TODAY.

The information is based on thousands of federal documents from the EPA, which is responsible for regulating these and other products that contain pesticides. Despite the disturbing number of pets reportedly killed or sickened, the EPA has never issued a warning about Seresto flea collars.

“The EPA appears to be turning a blind eye to this problem, and after seven years of an increasing number of incidents, they are telling the public that they are continuing to monitor the situation,” Karen McCormack, a retired EPA employee, says in the report. “But I think this is a significant problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.”

McCormack said these collars have the most reported incidents of any pesticide pet product she’s ever seen.  Yet the company that makes them, Elanco Animal Health, insists their flea and tick collars are safe.

“There is no established link between death and exposure to the active ingredients contained in Seresto,” an Elanco spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting. “We take the safety of our products very seriously, and thoroughly investigate potential concerns related to their use.”

Seresto flea collars are top sellers on Amazon, but the online retailer has not removed them even though many reviewers have complained that their pets developed everything from skin rashes to neurological issues after wearing them.

Two Toxic Pesticides in Seresto Collars

Seresto flea and tick collars are intended to be worn by pets for eight months. They contain these two pesticides:

  • Imidcloprid, an insecticide that’s often used on crops — and is connected to the massive killings of bees and butterflies. Because of this, it’s banned for outdoor use in the European Union but is still allowed in flea collars.
  • Flumethrin, a pesticide that’s used only in Seresto flea collars, according to the report.

Bayer, the company that created the Seresto collars and has since been bought by Elanco, stated in a 2012 study that the combination of imidacloprid and flumethrin may have a “synergistic effect.” This means it makes them much more toxic for fleas and ticks—and perhaps for dogs and cats as well.

“You don’t even see these kinds of numbers with many agricultural chemicals,” Nathan Donley, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, says in the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting report. “For whatever reason, this combination is just really nasty.” He said the nearly 1,700 pet deaths are likely “just the tip of the iceberg.”

Safe Alternatives to Flea Collars

Instead of putting a pesticide-filled collar around your dog’s neck, there are safer ways to help get rid of fleas without harming your pet in the process.

If you don’t want to use any chemicals, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit environmental group, recommends doing the following:

  • Bathe your pet regularly, since soap and water will kill adult fleas. Just be aware that flea and tick shampoos often contain many of the same chemicals as topical treatments.
  • Use a fine-tooth flea comb to brush your dog’s fur. Dunk any fleas in soapy water.
  • Wash your pet’s bedding every week using hot water.
  • Every day, vacuum or wipe down any furniture or surfaces that your pet’s been in contact with.

Some of the following chemicals may be safer to use than others:

  • Oral flea prevention pills that contain lufenuron, nitenpyram or spinosad “can be a better option, for both animals and humans, than treatments that leave residue on fur that might get on hands or furniture,” the NRDC says.
  • For topical products, the NRDC recommends those containing s-methoprene or pyriproxyfen, “which are less toxic ingredients—but read the labels carefully because some products use them with other, more harmful pesticides.”

Not surprisingly, the NRDC warns about using flea collars, which “can contain some of the most dangerous insecticides, including tetrachlorvinphos, carbaryl and propoxur.”

What to Do If Your Pet Gets Sick

If your pet becomes ill after wearing a Seresto flea collar or being treated with another flea and tick product, see your veterinarian. Report the illness by following these EPA guidelines.

GRRR: Lady Gaga’s Dogwalker Shot and French Bulldogs Stolen

April 29, 2021 UPDATE: The dognappers have been caught, including the “good Samaritan” (yeah, right) who turned in Lady Gaga’s stolen French Bulldogs. The five losers are all being held on charges including attempted murder.

Feb. 26, 2021 UPDATE: Koji and Gustave have been found unharmed! Last night an unidentified woman brought Lady Gaga’s two stolen French Bulldogs to a downtown LAPD station. The LAPD said the woman wasn’t involved with the shooting or dognapping. Those creeps are still at large, and it’s not yet known whether the woman will receive the $500,000 reward. In more good news, although he was shot in the chest with a semi-automatic handgun (!), dogwalker Ryan Fischer is expected to make a full recovery.

When my local KABC Eyewitness News reported the disturbing news last night that someone with a semi-automatic handgun had shot a man walking three French Bulldogs in Hollywood and then stole two of the dogs, my heart went out to the victim and the owner of the stolen dogs.

It turns out the owner of those Frenchies — Koji, Gustav and Miss Asia — is Lady Gaga. The victim is Ryan Fischer, her dogwalker.

When paramedics arrived at the crime scene, Fischer was conscious and still managing to hold onto Miss Asia, the dog who wasn’t stolen. In the video below, a police officer can be seen taking and comforting the frightened Frenchie. Fischer was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and, fortunately, is expected to recover from his wounds.

Witnesses say the gunman fled with the dogs in a white Nissan vehicle. Lady Gaga, who is currently filming a movie in Italy, is offering a $500,000 reward for the safe return of Koji and Gustav, no questions asked. The LAPD’s robbery-homicide division is investigating the crime.

It’s not known whether the creep knew he was stealing Lady Gaga’s dogs. An LAPD spokesperson told KABC that thefts of French Bulldogs are on the rise in the city.

Because they’re so popular, expensive and easy to pick up because of their small size, French Bulldogs are among the most stolen dog breeds, Tara Bruno, founder of the Short Noses Only Rescue Team (SNORT), a New Jersey nonprofit that rescues these and other dogs, told PEOPLE.

“Our whole family is upset and praying Koji and Gustavo are not harmed,” Lady Gaga’s dad, Joe Germanotta, told Fox News. “Help us catch these creeps.”

Anyone with information about Koji and Gustav’s whereabouts is asked to email KojiandGustav@gmail.com.

Photo: Justin Higuchi

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