A growing number of veterinarians state that the processed pet food (kibbles and canned food) is the main cause of illness and premature death in the modern dog and cat. The FDA will not allow by-products or 4D (dead, diseased, disabled, dying) animals to be sold into the human food chain because they know we would get many diseases from these already dead or dying animals and die ourselves. But they allow these animals to be sold to commercial pet food companies and used in pet food. An average size dog should live for 27 years - unless you don't feed them healthy food! The average life span of a mid-size dog in the USA is about 12.8 years. It's so sad and such a shame that our beloved pets are dying far too soon due to poor nutrition such as this. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act laws clearly include the protection of pet foods (and any other animal food). Yet the FDA clearly doesn't care to enforce the Act with pet food. Below are direct quotes from the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that pertain to pet foods...(http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Legislation/FederalFoodDrugandCosmeticActFDCAct/FDCActChapterIVFood/default.htm) • Section 201 (f) provides the definition of food: “The term ‘food’ means (1) articles used for food or drink for man or other animals, (2) chewing gum, and (3) articles used for components of any such article.” • Section 402 Adulterated food: “A food shall be deemed to be adulterated – (a) Poisonous, insanitary, or deleterious ingredients.” (a)(5) “if it is, in whole or in part, the product of a diseased animal or of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter;” It is crystal clear; no pet food or human food is allowed - per Federal law - to contain a poisonous, insanitary, deleterious ingredient or is sourced from a diseased animal or animal that has died other than slaughter. However, the FDA instructs Field Representatives of the FDA to ignore the above Federal laws. They are called 'Compliance policies'; a nice name for blatant violations of the law. "CPG Sec. 675.400 Rendered Animal Feed Ingredients POLICY: No regulatory action will be considered for animal feed ingredients resulting from the ordinary rendering process of industry, including those using animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter, provided they are not otherwise in violation of the law. http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/UCM074717 You can read the rest of this long, sad article at the following website: http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/disturbing-%28and-illegal%29-fda-compliance-policies.html I don’t know how everyone else feels about their dogs or other pets, but I couldn’t love a child any better than I love my dog. I would love to take away the regular diets of the FDA employees just for one day and give them a can of the so called meat-by-products then see if they get concerned with the processing of dog food. To sum it all up, the way the FDA allows dog food to be manufactured & sold... It's a CRIME! We are not allowed to break the law so why should we stand by and let the FDA break the law and at the same time kill our precious furry pets? It's time for pet owners to take this proof to the FDA's boss – Congress. If you care for animals, PLEASE sign this petition.