Monday, May 11, 2009

Governor Pawlenty Vetos Cocoa Bean Mulch Warning Legislation

Last Friday, Governor Pawlenty vetoed legislation that would have required retailers of cocoa bean mulch to post warning signs alerting potential buyers of the mulch's potentially dangerous affect on pets. In a letter announcing the veto, Governor Pawlenty called the legislation "well intended" but was also concerned with its "legislative overreach."

Even though the bill will not be signed into law, it's a good opportunity to remind everyone that cocoa bean mulch can be very dangerous to our pets! According to an article published by the AVMA, while the odds of a pet dying from ingesting the mulch are low, it's still a good idea to avoid using the mulch in areas assessable to unsupervised dogs. And, it's important to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested the mulch.