Other "Pet Food" Companies: Menu Foods

Suffering from acute hair loss and a mammary tumor, Menu Foods dog HJDMFT seeks the attention of our investigator. HJDMFT, who was killed on September 26, 2002, remained untreated in her cage for 42 days prior to death despite the fact that her condition had steadily worsened (i.e., there was increased hair loss, the tumor was hot to the touch, she cried when handled, etc.)

On July 9, 2002, Menu Foods dog (H)8J483 was found in her cage with large, swollen, open wounds on both her hind legs. The wounds, which were the result of her having gotten stuck in the flooring of her cage, were so severe that the bone on one leg was exposed. The wounds were washed and shaved and (H)8J483 was placed back in her cage, but she received no painkillers.

On July 15, 2002, with (H)8J483 still in pain and her wounds looking worse than they did the week before, it was decided that she would be killed. (H)8J483’s fate amused many of the laboratory personnel who joked that since she was going to be killed, they might as well make some money off her by selling her cerebral spinal fluid and bile to a bioreclamation firm.

Menu Foods dogs are forced to spend their entire lives balancing on the narrow steel slats of their cage flooring. The slats, which splay and injure the dogs’ feet, also act as traps in which the dogs often become caught.

Denied even a single toy to alleviate the stress and boredom associated with life in a cage, many of Menu Foods dogs and cats exhibited stereotypical behavior (i.e., continually walking in circles, pacing, etc.). Throughout the entire course of our nine-month investigation, there wasn’t a single time that Menu Foods dog YYU-0 was not observed walking in circles in her cage.

In loneliness and constant boredom, a Menu Foods cat languishes in her cage.

Lacking any socialization whatsoever, Menu Foods dog HILMLM spent her entire life hiding in the back of her cage. When let out, HILMLM approached humans in fear and submission, almost crawling along the floor.

The Menu Foods dogs are imprisoned in stainless steel cages inside barren, windowless rooms. The dogs are never let outside to breathe fresh air, see the sunshine, or feel the earth beneath their feet.