These Treats Killed My Dog

TO:  ALL DOG OWNERS - PLEASE READ!

On Saturday night, (8/16/09)  my 6 year old Shih Tzu, Nikko, was eating a dog chewie named Windee (a/k/a Moo tubes & Beef Trachea).  He began choking and I tried but could not get the Windee chew from him.  I thought the choking stopped before I went to bed but the next day I woke up and Nikko was dead.  The necropsy performed that morning revealed approximately 2 inches of the chew lodged in the trachea leading to death by asphyxiation.

The  6" Windee chew is manufactured by Jones Natural ChewsCompany (the label says Jones Gourmet Chews Company) located in Rockford Illinois. I purchased the Windee from SitStay.com.   The chew is advertised as "good chewing for all size dogs".  There are absolutely no warnings that choking can occur and cause death OR the Windee can lodge in the trachea and thus cause death by asphyxiation.

I contacted Jones Natural Chews company and spoke to Dean Jones, one of the owners.   I  told him what happened and he said he would send me a letter advising as to what would be done.  When I didn't receive the letter I called him back and he said the letter was sent. I still have not received any letter.  I requested this product be taken off the market so this would not happen to another dog.  He said they would NOT take the Windee chew off the market. I then requested a warning label on the product that choking can occur and lead to death. He said he spoke to their Attorneys and they may put some type of warning that "Choking could be hazardous"  That is not sufficient. It minimizes the reality that death can occur.

Here is a company that trades on the close bond we share with our pets that showed no expression of remorse to a bereaved owner as contained in their following email and letter to me.  As you also see in their letter they did not feel any further communication would be productive.

 Bobbie,

      I checked on the letter we sent and it was written on the 28th of August ( the Friday after our original discussion ). The office informs me it may have hit the post office on the 1st or 2nd of September.

     Because I am over production my days tend to be earlier. I am usually here around 6 am and try to leave around 3pm whenever possible.

     I am very sorry for your loss but I do think any further communication would not be productive.

Thank you,
Dean Jones
Jones Natural Chews Co
815/874-9500 ext 206

Jones Natural Chews Co
3450 Pyramid Drive
Rockford, IL 61109

September 14, 2009

Dear Bobbie Spiegel,

We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved dog. As dog owners ourselves and having suffered the heartache of losing dogs, we understand how painful the experience is.

Our company goal is to manufacture and provide natural, safe treats for dogs to enjoy without extra preservatives.

We appreciate your contact regarding this incident and hope that you can recover quickly.

Sincerely,
Laura L Herr
Dean A Jones

AS OF TO DATE, (SEPTEMBER 27, 2009) I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE LETTER FROM THEM.

 I know our dogs love bones and chewies and we all love to see our dogs happy BUT the consequences are not worth it.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE IF YOU HAVE A DOG DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GIVE  Windee (a/k/a Moo tubes & Beef Trachea) TO YOUR DOG.

I can't tell you how much I loved Nikko, I bred him and thus had him since the day he was born. IF you have had a dog die because of choking on this or any other product please notify me at fortheloveofnikko@hotmail.com

By signing this Petition WE are all requesting that Jones Natural Chews Company place company warnings on their label stating the following: "Choking can occur and as a result the product can lodge in the throat and cause death by asphyxiation" OR if Jones Natural Chews Company refuses to put this exact warning on their label we want this product taken off the market.

If either of these actions are not taken we will boycott this product and refuse to buy any products that are made by Jones Natural Chews Company.

Thank you.

Bobbie Spiegel

fortheloveofnikko@hotmail.com