Tests show chemical agent in dog treats

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Tests of two Chinese brands of dog treats sold at Wal-Mart stores found traces of melamine, a chemical agent that led to another massive pet food recall in March, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Wal-Mart quietly stopped selling Chicken Jerky Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. and Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading in July, after customers said the products sickened their pets.

Company spokeswoman Deisha Galberth said 17 sets of tests done on the products found melamine, a contaminant that’s a byproduct of several pesticides.

“There were very small amounts of melamine found,” Galberth told The Associated Press.

“The amounts were so small the laboratory recommended more testing.”

More than 150 brands of pet food were recalled earlier this year after U.S. inspectors said wheat gluten from China that was used to make the food was tainted with melamine. An unknown number of dogs and cats died.

Since then, other Chinese products including tires, toothpaste, seafood, juice and toys decorated with lead paint have been recalled or have come under scrutiny.

Galberth said she couldn’t say if the amount of melamine found in its dog treats would be enough to sicken or kill a dog that ate the suspect products. Philadelphia television station WPVI reported last week that a woman claimed her 2-year-old Chihuahua died after eating some of the products.

The station reported that an autopsy found the dog died of an infection caused by toxic bacteria.