State Health Department Points to California-Based Frog Supplier as Source of Massive, National Salmonella Outbreak
For Immediate Release:
June 21, 2011
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Quincy, Ill. — In light of recent reports that the California-based breeder that supplied live frogs for "EcoAquariums" sold by Kirlin's has been officially pinpointed as the source of a national salmonella outbreak, PETA is renewing its call for Kirlin's to immediately adopt a companywide policy against the sale of the 4-inch-by-4-inch plastic cubes, which confine two live frogs for life. In a letter sent today to Gary Kirlin, president of Kirlin's, PETA points out that the California Department of Public Health has issued an urgent notice recommending that vendors to "immediately discontinue distribution and sale of these frogs."
"EcoAquariums are cruel to animals and dangerous to children," says PETA Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. "Kirlin's has an opportunity to spare frogs from suffering a miserable life and a slow death and to prevent putting more children at risk of getting sick from contact with this product."
The EcoAquariums—and similar products—have been condemned by biologists and wildlife specialists as inhumane and inadequate, confining energetic animals to cramped plastic boxes in which they are slowly poisoned by their own waste. The company that acted as the live frog supplier for Wild Creations—the maker of the EcoAquariums sold by Kirlin's—has been identified as the source of a unique strain of salmonella that has affected more than 200 people, most of whom are children. A PETA investigation into Wild Creations' warehouse revealed filthy conditions, starvation, and rampant neglect and mishandling of frogs.
Many retailers—including Brookstone, Toys"R"Us, Target, JCPenney, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Albertsons—have discontinued sales of tiny tanks that contain frogs and fish.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.