On December 26, 2024, Oregon Division of Agriculture issued a press launch that put a world of pet homeowners in panic. Oregon Division of Agriculture informed the general public they had been “assured” uncooked pet meals was the reason for a cat’s Avian Flu prognosis. “Assured“.
From Oregon Division of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz:
“We’re assured that this cat contracted H5N1 by consuming the Northwest Naturals uncooked and frozen pet meals. This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not uncovered to the virus in its atmosphere…”
However…because it seems, Oregon Division of Agriculture and Dr. Scholz was recklessly deceptive the general public. Buddy Dr. Laurie Coger filed a public information request (Freedom of Data Act request) with Oregon Division of Agriculture. One of many paperwork offered evidences Oregon’s “assured” assertion was little greater than regulatory advertising and marketing meant to direct public worry in the direction of a pet meals…a uncooked pet meals.
This doc clearly states the cat was NOT “strictly an indoor cat” as Oregon said of their press launch. In reality, this doc confirms Dr. Scholz of Oregon Division of Agriculture knew the pet proprietor “takes the cat on leash walks“, knew the cat was uncovered to “grass outdoor”, and knew the pet had a “potential publicity” to “waterfowl“.
Oregon deliberately used deceptive language (at greatest). Oregon informed the general public the pet was “strictly” an indoor cat. Oregon selected the phrase ‘strictly’, once they had been nicely conscious the cat was NOT strictly an indoor pet. Oregon selected the phrases this pet “was not uncovered to the virus in its atmosphere” once they knew the pet had out of doors publicity; their very own information said potential publicity to waterfowl.
This doc proves Oregon Division of Agriculture may NOT have been “assured” the pet meals was the trigger. The doc proves there was a threat of publicity from the atmosphere.
Paperwork offered additionally proof a number of samples of Northwest Naturals pet meals and treats had been examined, however solely the opened product (pictured beneath) examined optimistic. Photos offered seem to indicate the opened product was virtually empty.
Oregon Division of Agriculture’s reckless selection of phrases resulted in 1000’s of veterinarian and media web sites unknowingly sharing misinformation. Just some examples:
Posted on the AVMA web site: “We’re assured that this cat contracted H5N1 by consuming the Northwest Naturals uncooked and frozen pet meals,…”
NBC Information: “The Oregon report represents the primary documented case of an indoor cat…”
Individuals.com: “…a home cat in Oregon died…”
AP Information: “The dying of an Oregon home cat and a pet meals recall are elevating questions…”
The info are, Oregon Division of Agriculture gave false info in a press launch that had devastating, lengthy reaching outcomes. Oregon Division of Agriculture MUST right their error in an equally public method.
Pet homeowners can’t stay silent when a regulatory authority deliberately alters the info of an investigation. Pet homeowners are urged to name or e mail the Governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek. And/or contact the Director of Oregon Division of Agriculture, Lisa Charpilloz Hanson.
Contact info:
Governor Tina Kotek.
Share Your Opinion webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/share-your-opinion.aspx
Cellphone: (503) 378-4582
Division of Agriculture Director
Director’s Workplace
information@oda.oregon.gov
Cellphone: 503-986-4552
Instance e mail:
Expensive ,
A public information request has revealed that Oregon Division of Agriculture deliberately (and maybe maliciously) gave false info in a press launch. I’m requesting Oregon promptly right the false assertion in a brand new press launch.
On December 26, 2024 Oregon Division of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz was quoted in a ODA press launch relating to a reported case of avian flu in a pet cat: “This cat was strictly an indoor cat; it was not uncovered to the virus in its atmosphere…“
Oregon public information proof one thing very totally different. Within the public information requested doc titled “Name Report” of Dr. Ryan Scholz, dated 12/10/24, Oregon’s information proof the cat in query was NOT ‘strictly an indoor cat’. The doc states the pet proprietor “takes the cat on leash walks“, the cat was uncovered to “grass outdoor”, and states the pet had a “potential publicity” to “waterfowl“.
Oregon’s press launch additionally informed the general public “We’re assured that this cat contracted H5N1 by consuming the Northwest Naturals uncooked and frozen pet meals”. I query Oregon’s confidence. The ONLY product that examined optimistic was an opened bag (with little or no pet meals left within the bag), all different pet meals merchandise examined adverse. The potential for publicity may have equally been within the atmosphere. A extra truthful assertion from ODA would have been…’we can’t be positive how this cat was uncovered’.
Oregon’s false assertion to the general public was repeated by 1000’s of media retailers and veterinarian web sites, unknowingly facilitating Oregon’s lie. Oregon’s false statements to the general public affirm pet homeowners distrust of pet meals regulatory authorities altering investigation info to match a most popular narrative.
Oregon should promptly right this severe error, in the identical public method the lie was initially informed; a press launch should be issued with factual statements from Oregon Division of Agriculture. Oregon Division of Agriculture should publicly admit the company gave false info within the unique press launch, and should admit the atmosphere may have uncovered this pet to avian flu.
Sincerely,
Please encourage all pet proudly owning buddies to name or e mail Oregon’s Governor and/or Director of the Division of Agriculture. To guard all pets, we should demand that investigations are truthful and never biased.
Wishing you and your pet(s) one of the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Meals Security Advocate
Creator Purchaser Beware, Co-Creator Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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