Advance Dermocare recall: Dog deaths spark pet food law call

HEARTBROKEN owners of dogs who died after eating a potentially contaminated batch of high-grade dog food have been left horrified after discovering there are no laws to regulate the safety of imported dog food.

OWNERS of dogs who died after eating a potentially contaminated batch of high-grade dog food have been left horrified after discovering there are no laws to regulate the safety of imported dog food.

They are demanding an urgent review of industry standards, as authorities continue to probe links between recalled dog food brand Advance Dermocare and an incurable illness that has killed more than a dozen dogs across Australia.

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Advance Dermocare was recalled from 500 stores nationwide.

The lack of regulation has attracted attention in federal parliament, with one MP declaring he will take action.

Pet-food manufacturers are not required to disclose where they get their ingredients from, and there are no laws to regulate the safety of imported products beyond assuring it is not a quarantine risk.

Instead, the industry is self-regulated by a voluntary code managed by the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia.

Sharon Brown was forced to have her dog, Duke, put down following a diagnosis of megaesophagus after eating the ­premium food brand.

She has demanded immediate action to ensure food undergoes quality control checks before hitting the shelves.

Aaron O'Toole with Stan, 9, who was euthanised two days later after falling ill with megaesophagus. Picture: AAP Image/Matt Loxton

“It’s not good enough. We need to know where the food comes from. There should be the same regulations with dog food as there is with human food,” she said.

Anthony Brown, whose family dog, Rooney, died of the same condition after eating the food, said the industry needed to be more transparent.

“I want to know the companies making the food we feed our animals are held to some kind of account and that the food they are advertising as quality is just that,” he said.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon has vowed to take action.

“I’m surprised to learn there is no government regulation of imported pet-food standards,” he said. “It’s a matter I am willing to pursue.”

Advance Dermocare was removed from 500 shops ­nationwide last month.

At least 18 dogs have died, and 35 have become severely ill since eating the food.

Rooney, a much loved family dog, died after eating the pet food.

Links between the food and deaths are not expected to be known for several months as Melbourne University continues testing.

Advance Dermocare, owned by Mars Petcare, refused to reveal where it sourced its ingredients.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said as a dog owner he was saddened by the news but stopped short of calling for a review.

“The cause of the dog deaths is still under investigation and Advance Dermocare has been voluntarily recalled from the shelves,” he said.

“The Pet Food Industry Association manages compliance with Australia’s pet food safety standards in close consultation with the Australian Veterinary Association to track potential health problems linked to pet food.”

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