Animal Reports: Bad Chinese Food

Owner Caution: Dogs are getting sick and displaying Fanconi syndrome. The suspected culprit is chicken jerky treats manufactured in China. Because the FDA is unable to pinpoint a specific product, no recalls have been issued.

The problem has been noticeable since June 2011. According to the experts, signs of Fanconi syndrome can include decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. Blood tests may show increased urea nitrogen and creatinine. Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). The problem is that this can be confused with diabetes.

Dog lovers agree that it might be prudent to avoid chicken jerky treats from China. In 2007 there were many cases of Fanconi syndrome in the USA. These cases were linked to melamine contamination in treats made in China.

Local News

Feb. 1, 8:15 a.m. — A Wheeler Road resident reported her male Rottweiler on the loose. He was wearing a slip chain collar. She later recovered her dog. However, a written warning was issued for Failure to License. 

8:35 a.m. — Maya, a Dalmatian mix was reported missing from her Birchwood Lane home. The owner later recovered the dog without incident. Maya was validly vaccinated and licensed. 

Feb. 2, 12:14 p.m. — A Grindstone Lane resident reported holding a stray tan boxer mix. The pup had a black nylon cord collar and was dragging a plastic-coated steel cable. The dog was impounded and his Turkey Roost Road owner notified.

Diesel was validly vaccinated and licensed, but a frequent flyer. His rap sheet shows 20 pick-ups. Pursuant to Connecticut State Statute, the owner was issued an infraction ticket for a Roaming Dog Violation with a $92 fine. A fee of $15 was also paid by the owner to redeem Diesel. 

6:09 p.m. — Woodbridge owners reported that their missing dog was being held by the SPCA of CT in Monroe, the operation where they bought the dog a year ago. The dog disappeared from home last week. The dog was still wearing the SPCA tags and its microchip had not been re-registered to the new owners. Consequently, whoever found it returned it to Monroe instead of to the new owners in Woodbridge.

SPCA kept the dog. Acker, the operation's director was contacted by , notified of the owner's complaint by Animal Control facility.

Acker called on Thursday to say there is no way without a registered micro-chip to determine the owner of a dog adopted two years ago.

"Clearly we want to reunite these dogs with their owners, but dogs have to have proper registration and it's up to the owners to call us — especially if our tags are on the dog," he said.

The dog was brought in and subsequently transported back to Woodbridge Animal Control.

Feb. 4, 2:36 p.m. — A Pequot Court resident out for a run reported two Rottweiler dogs charged him from a Pepper Street driveway. There was no injury and no previous complaints against the dogs. Both were validly licensed and vaccinated. The pups were usually contained by an electric fence, which failed. The dog owner was given warning for Annoyance by Dogs in a Roadway.

Feb. 5, 12:40 p.m. — A Godfrey Road resident picked up and transported a small, collarless beagle to Animal Control. The next day the Gardner Road owner reported the loss. When he picked up the pup he paid a $15 impound fee and a $75 fine for Failure to License.  He was also given a verbal warning for failure to vaccinate against rabies. The owner had been warned in 2010 to get the dog vaccinated and licensed.  

Feb. 6, 2:38 p.m. — Diesel was on the run again and spotted over on East Maiden Lane. A Good Samaritan was holding him. His owner reported him lost 18-minutes later and was told where he was being held. Diesel was recovered without incident ... again.

6:20 p.m. — A High Rock Road resident reported a loose German Shepherd Dog wearing a cone around its head on Hammertown Road. An officer was unable to locate the animal. However, the owner was tracked down the next day and informed of the complaint and violation. The dog was validly vaccinated and licensed. 

License Survey 

Animal Control Officers will be making spot surveys of dogs around town, according to law. Expect to see Animal Control knocking on your door with a short questionnaire.

Monroe Round-up

On Feb. 2, the Purdy Hill cows were out for a stroll again looking for that greener grass on the other side of the fence. Animal Control rounded them up and led them home before notifying the owner.

Casualties

With the warmer weather deer and other animals are out and about around dusk and dawn. And they are being hit and killed by motor vehicles. Officer Ed Risko advises residents to "Keep your eyes to the right for the glow of their eyes and if you see a deer on the left, watch out for the one you don't see that is about to follow it across the road."

Deer were hit at Pepper Street and Old Town Road, 68 Hammertown Road, 432 Moose Hill Road and 18 Turkey Roost Road. Two of the injured deer had to be put down. A raccoon and opossum were also hit and killed.

The Monroe Animal Control office and pound is located in the school bus yard at 447 Purdy Hill Road. It’s the small, reddish brown building to the left and is open to the public seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Remember. Monroe’s creatures were here first. Respect them. Enjoy them. And if you need help with them, call Officer Ed Risko at Animal Control (203)452-3760. For an Animal Emergency call (203)261-3622.