For more information, contact: Marty Lanus at 502 647-5483 Canine Kingdom Weighs in on EPA Flea-Tick Controversy (Albany, NY) CanineKingdom.com, a web site devoted to evaluating dog products and the well-being of dogs, was among the first to question the equivocating posture of the Environmental Protection Agency about topical treatments for fleas and ticks. In Canine Kingdom’s blog “A Nose for News” award-winning journalist Marilyn Wilson first asked why the EPA removed from its web site a list of topical flea and tick medications believed to be linked to 44,000 adverse reactions among pets in this country. “Could manufacturers have strong-armed the EPA to remove the list? Is the EPA allowing the companies time to ‘get their ducks in a row?’ Could this be another Menu Foods scandal? Will the EPA fumble the ball as the FDA did with pet food just two years ago?” blog author Wilson asked. The 44,000 adverse reactions represent double the number reported from the year before, and range in severity from skin irritation to seizures and, in 1,300 instances, severe reactions and fatalities. Wilson, who had planned to use one of the named treatments on her two dogs before the initial list was disclosed, urged pet parents to be cautious and to report any adverse effects immediately. Friends and bloggers responded quickly to “A Nose for News.” One wrote, “I was going to use one of these products on my K9, but now I am going with something less toxic and poison free, for the sake and health of my whole family…You are definitely in the know, Marilyn, I’d be lost without you.” The EPA has since relisted the suspect products on its website and issued a cautionary advisory. “A Nose for News” has provided a link to the product warnings as well as a recipe for a lemon lotion that is a safe and effective treatment for fleas and ticks. “It is the mission of Canine Kingdom to keep pet parents in the know about problems and dangers of pet products, and conversely the best pet products and practices to use,” says Canine Kingdom founder Mary Beth Close. “Millions of unsuspecting pet parents are using these products right now. Since some of the spot treatment products have been around for years, we know that pet parents may have a difficult time believing they are not safe, but it is crucial that they get the information about this critical health alert.” The lotion recipe and the latest on the controversy are available at www.caninekingdom.com. -30- Editor’s note: Both Canine Kingdom founder Mary Beth Close and blogger Marilyn Wilson are available for interviews.