# My rage is infinite! (pet deaths) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 18, 2007, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480 "2007-03-18T20:49:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/21 "2007-03-19T02:17:45Z")
[QUOTE=Unregistered Bull] Would your rage be as infinite if the victims were humans? [/QUOTE] In that case it would be trans-infinite. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/22 "2007-03-19T02:25:54Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] 1. There is no indication so far that A) their products are directly responsible (as a result of the ingredients or normal manufacturing process), or B) that even if there was some new ingredient in the pet food that did cause these problems, there were not extenuating circumstances (such as a pet whose kidney was already in poor shape or that had a health problem that this new ingredient could exacerbate) that led to the death of these pets. [/quote] We’re not talking about some new technology; it’s flippin’ _pet food_ for hell’s sake! It’s pretty simple: don’t poison it! > [@](#): > > NOTE: Dead carcasses are not in an of themselves hard evidence of an evil corporation negligently causing death. Correlation != causation. How do you know it wasn’t some sick fuck in the plant sprinkling some powdered castor beans into the food or something? Sure it could be. That only means that security at the plant sucks, and the company’s still responsible. > [@](#): > > 1. This isn’t the first time there’s been a pet food recall. So? Anytime something bad happens it ain’t the first time. Somebody’s still gotta pay! > [@](#): > > 1. Where in the holy name of Og’s biscuits did you get the idea that Canadian business typifies the “evil conglomeration?” I notice you’ve skipped over this question twice now. No skippage, Skippy. _All_ big corps are worthy of extra surveillance. I do find it suspicious, however, that only pets below the border perished in this incident. Can’t the friggin’ Cannucks experiment on their own animals first?! > [@](#): > > 1. Toxins? Biological agents? Do you think this is the Holy Pet Jihad or something? No, but all kinds of genetically altered shit is constantly getting into the food supply without our knowledge. Big Food is experimenting on us and our animals without our consent. That’s a fact and you know it. > [@](#): > > 1. Yes, a kidney exploding is a type of kidney failure. So is having it removed in a bathtub full of ice while you sleep. But then, so is simply having it stop functioning without any fireworks. How is it that you know these pets had exploding organs? That is what I surmised from the article. The horrified state of the owners seemed to imply this. > [@](#): > > That they are dead, and that they all ate the same type of food is a correlation – that’s when there a common element between the cases – but it is _not_ absolutely conclusive of anything, nor does it tell is what was in the food (if it was the food) that caused the kidney failure, which itself does not tell us that it was an ingredient which was deliberately added to the food or whether it was just some isolated incident of a sociopath spiking the food at the plant. If it wasn’t the food, then why have a recall? Obviously the company feels there is more than just a mere “corellation” at work! > [@](#): > > It’s one thing to be angry – I’m sure we’d all be utterly livid if one of our pets died because of this situation – but at least _try_ and keep a level head about you. It’s level with rage. Imagine your own pet exploding before your eyes, and you may come to experience the same level of rage yourself! ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/23 "2007-03-19T02:35:17Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] . Imagine your own pet exploding before your eyes, and you may come to experience the same level of rage yourself! [/QUOTE] My dog is 13, and actually that doesnt sound like a bad way to go, all things considered. I’d rather have Goldie go out with a bang than die slowly of cancer or something. So I’m sorry, I cant muster up your Hulkish Rage. I think you also need to explain why Canada is possibly satanic? South Park joke gone awry perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/24 "2007-03-19T02:36:35Z")
Okay, so you really have gone off the deep end, then. ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/25 "2007-03-19T02:37:07Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] We’re not talking about some new technology; it’s flippin’ _pet food_ for hell’s sake! It’s pretty simple: don’t poison it! [/QUOTE] Right, because that’s clearly what they did. Canadians and their nefarious schemes, when will it end?! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/26 "2007-03-19T02:41:38Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] That is what I surmised from the article. The horrified state of the owners seemed to imply this. [/QUOTE] This is what the owners said: > [@](#): > > “I’m absolutely devastated, I’m heartbroken. He is only six years old. He’s my companion,” said Sara Solomon about her cat Taz. > … > “You trust them that they know what they are doing when they make the food and you give it to your dog and you don’t realize you are poisoning your dog,” said Debbie Turcotte. So, from those quotes, you have concluded that the animals involved exploded. Right. Are you serious, or this some kind of bizarre, extended joke? ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/27 "2007-03-19T03:01:12Z")
Yeah, I’m starting to wonder if **Aeschines** isn’t studying for his sailplane pilot’s license… 😉 Psst! I left you an out, dude, it’s ALL about plausible deniability-run, boy, run! ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/28 "2007-03-19T03:18:23Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] …Can’t the friggin’ Cannucks experiment on their own animals first?!.. [/QUOTE] Do you seriously believe this? Holy crap, calm down, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/29 "2007-03-19T03:23:10Z")
[QUOTE=Mindfield] Most of your posts are coming off sounding like your tinfoil hat is on too tight. [/QUOTE] I think he’s wearing a tinfoil wig underneath. Oh, and Canadians are satanic? Good to know, I was feeling a little guilty about that human sacrifice last night. Now I can go to sleep with a clear conscience. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/30 "2007-03-19T03:30:40Z")
Our loons are really loony too. Must be the food. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/31 "2007-03-19T03:32:52Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] Would you be laughing if I was _dead_?! [/QUOTE] Well, no. . . . _I_ wouldn’t be laughing, but that’s only because I defended your butt in the Pit when I was new here. And I’d be feeling like it was a waste of my time. On the other hand, the people in this thread whose chain you’re yanking might feel a bit differently. I gotta say, though, that you were able to get several jokesters in this thread to feed you straight lines, and that was pretty entertaining. OK, I admit it. I was laughing my ass off. And **GingerOfTheNorth** , it’s probably not in the Pit because the last time I saw **Aeschines** in the Pit, he was getting Pitted for being too callous. The thought that he could be this empathetic toward puppies is too incredulous. Sorry, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/32 "2007-03-19T03:45:03Z")
Aeschines, you should calm down and review the facts: 1. This company produces over a billion containers of food per year. 2. A handful of pets have died or been harmed. 3. The company has recalled the suspected products. 4. The company is trying to determine what went wrong. And while you are at it, quit with the shots against Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/33 "2007-03-19T03:52:28Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] We’re not talking about some new technology; it’s flippin’ _pet food_ for hell’s sake! It’s pretty simple: don’t poison it! [/quote] Evidently you seem to think that once a product is designed, no further research goes into trying to improve it or – yes – to reduce costs. Just because it’s an idea that’s as old as the hills doesn’t mean they aren’t continually looking for ways to either improve it or look for ways to make it cheaper. It is also in every company’s best interest to do it safely. Failing to observe proper safety standards is rather counterproductive to the goals of the food business in general. > [@](#): > > Sure it could be. That only means that security at the plant sucks, and the company’s still responsible. Now you’re just reaching. If a company hires an employee, performs the usual background check, talks to references and so on, and everything checks out, how is that company supposed to expect that one individual to wig out and poison some food tins when there is no indication that he might? Especially in a company that employs hundreds? That doesn’t make the company responsible for the poisoning, only for hiring the culprit. It would be up to them to fire the guy, and the cops to arrest him. > [@](#): > > No skippage, Skippy. _All_ big corps are worthy of extra surveillance. I do find it suspicious, however, that only pets below the border perished in this incident. Can’t the friggin’ Cannucks experiment on their own animals first?! See, this is what I mean by keeping a level head. If you’d given it some logical thought instead of flailing around ineffectively, you’d realize two things: 1. The majority of their product is exported to the US 2. Because the US is a whole hell of a lot more populous than Canada With any luck, this would bring to light the idea that out of all the product shipped both throughout the US and Canada, the odds of those few deaths that have occurred happening entirely in the US are pretty good, especially if the contamination was limited to a few small shipments that were bound for the US. It could have just as easily happened in Canada if the contaminated product ended up on a truck bound for some Canadian destination. There’s no conspiracy here. Please step away from the shiny hat. > [@](#): > > No, but all kinds of genetically altered shit is constantly getting into the food supply without our knowledge. Big Food is experimenting on us and our animals without our consent. That’s a fact and you know it. Wow. I just … I don’t even know where to start with this one. > [@](#): > > That is what I surmised from the article. The horrified state of the owners seemed to imply this.If it wasn’t the food, then why have a recall? Obviously the company feels there is more than just a mere “corellation” at work!It’s level with rage. Imagine your own pet exploding before your eyes, and you may come to experience the same level of rage yourself! That there is a correlation between the pets who have died and the food they ate is a given. Without further investigation it is impossible to say whether there is _causation_ – you do understand the difference, do you not? Correlation is an observed link between Outcome and Event. It is not proof, merely a commonality. Causation is the _definitive proof_ that Outcome was caused by Event. There is as yet no definitive proof, only a correlation – a _supposition_ that Outcome – dead pets – may have been caused by Event – eating this company’s food, because all of the dead pets in question have in common the fact that they all ate this company’s food. Once again, there are no facts in evidence here. The investigation is underway, but it has not produced any hard evidence yet as to what caused the kidney failure or who, exactly, is at fault. Full stop. The recall is a preventative measure, not an admission of guilt. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/34 "2007-03-19T03:59:21Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] I do find it suspicious, however, that only pets below the border perished in this incident. Can’t the friggin’ Cannucks experiment on their own animals first?! [/QUOTE] Dude, don’t you know where all that Canadian processed pet food originates? American pets that are picked up in your country and shipped to Canada for rendering into pet food that is shipped back to the USA to fatten up more little darlings, of which many in turn will be picked up so that the cycle can continue. The more pets you have, the more we will take and grind up to make into feed for your pets. If you don’t want pets made into pet food, then stop keeping pets. Surely you have heard farmer’s saying: “We feed the chickens the pig shit, and we feed the pigs the chicken shit.” Well guess how that applies to Fido and Kitty? Just where do you think all those lost dogs and lost cats go to? Just where do you think all those pets in shelters go to? The Great Canadian Rendering Plant, that’s where – for resale for consumption by your little darlings. And it gets worse, for the rendering of pets is not only done for pet food. We also grind up American pets for use in canned food that we export to the USA for consumption by people. It gives us great satisfaction to know that people south of the border are eating their own pets. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/35 "2007-03-19T04:07:15Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] \We already have an agency, the FDA, and I hope it comes down hard on these Cannuck poisoners.\ [/QUOTE] I feel the need to address this, in spite of the evidence that **Aeschines’** post is lunatic raving - Canada has agencies similar to your FDA which monitor foods and drugs - Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are two of them. Doing very little research, I’m going to guess that the standards for pets aren’t as high as the standards for humans, but we aren’t in the business of making pet food that poisons pets. For one thing, there’s no profit in killing your customers. For another, Canada is a major supplier of foodstuffs to the entire world; we take food safety extremely seriously here. The fact that the only pet deaths have happened in the U.S. from [two plants located in the U.S.](http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/03/16/petfoodbad.html) more likely indicates that there are problems at those particular plants, not that there is some kind of Canadian plot to murder American pets. > [@](#): > > The recall affects products made between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6 at two of its American facilities in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J. And it’s spelled “Canuck.” ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/36 "2007-03-19T04:08:15Z")
And you don’t want to know where all the homeless people in the USA end up thanks to Canadian meat packing plants. I hope you are vegetarian. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/37 "2007-03-19T04:11:32Z")
Kinda stepping on my point there, **Muffiin**. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_I\_Am](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@Sam\_I\_Am](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_I_Am)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/38 "2007-03-19T04:24:03Z")
[QUOTE=Aeschines] We’re not talking about some new technology; it’s flippin’ _pet food_ for hell’s sake! It’s pretty simple: don’t poison it! [/QUOTE] There are many ways for contaminants to accidentally end up in foods. Remember the e coli in spinach in California? e coli causing kidney failure (among other things) at Taco Bell? [QUOTE=Aeschines] I do find it suspicious, however, that only pets below the border perished in this incident. Can’t the friggin’ Cannucks experiment on their own animals first?! [/QUOTE] Perhaps that’s because ALL the recalled products were produced in their US factories - in Emporia, Kansas, and Pennsauken, New Jersey. [QUOTE=Aeschines] That is what I surmised from the article. The horrified state of the owners seemed to imply this. [/QUOTE] Kidney failure does not typically involve exploding organs. Do you really think if pets were actually exploding, the sensationalist media would leave that part out? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/39 "2007-03-19T04:30:14Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > satanic company (figures that it’s Canadian, too!) > [@Aeschines](#): > > Cannuck poisoners. > [@Aeschines](#): > > friggin’ Cannucks > [@featherlou](#): > > the only pet deaths have happened in the U.S. from [two plants located in the U.S](http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/03/16/petfoodbad.html) > > > [@](#): > > > > The recall affects products made between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6 at two of its American facilities in Emporia, Kan., and Pennsauken, N.J. ROTHLMAO! **Featherlou** , that is one humdinger of a smackdown. Thanks! I trust, **Aeschines** , that you will forthwith make a sincere apology and retraction concerning the repeated scurrilous libel you have made against my nation. ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2007, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480/40 "2007-03-19T04:31:10Z")
Doesn’t this belong in the Pit? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-rage-is-infinite-pet-deaths/396480.md?page=3)