As a consequence of the drought last summer, many livestock producers and horse owners have had to cull or liquidate animals they would rather have kept if they had anything to feed them. With that in mind, along with the hay shortage, people have frequently been forced to buy hay from unfamiliar sources and certainly without any known history of how the hay was produced, harvested, or even where it came from. That information led to a full scale media blitz from various organizations...

Animal law attorney Emily Gardner filed a multiparty personal injury suit on behalf of Hawaii pet owners who suffered the death or severe illness of a pet. The legal action stems from contaminated pet food that has sickened or killed an unknown number of dogs and cats nationwide. Contaminated pet food leads to more legal action. More than 100 brands of pet food have been recalled since March 16th because they were contaminated with melamine. It's a consumer class-action suit for Hawaii...

A Michigan State University expert is launching a survey to better estimate how many pets have died after eating tainted food. Federal officials haven't said how many animals have died after eating pet food with ingredients imported from China. About 100 brands of pet food have been recalled because of contamination. A Michigan veterinary group says it knows of 35 cats and 17 dogs suspected of dying from eating the contaminated food. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten...

Department of Agriculture must conduct a detailed scientific study of Roundup Ready alfalfa's effect on the environment and other alfalfa varieties before deciding whether to approve it. Alfalfa, which is used for livestock feed and can be planted in spring or fall, is a major crop grown on about 21 million acres in the country. SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge Thursday barred the planting of genetically engineered alfalfa nationwide until the government can adequately study the crop's...

Boutique and high-end pet food stores across the Chicago area and the country report sales increases of 30 percent to 50 percent since the pet food recall began March 16. Winings' approach is among several alternative pet diets that have attracted new followers since the massive recall of contaminated pet food blamed for the illness and death of thousands of cats and dogs. Like a growing number of pet owners, she feeds her dogs a natural diet that she figures costs up to $400 a month...