Iris Nowell (1934–2018)

Thank god somebody has finally had the courage to speak the ugly truth about dogs, those omnipresent love objects that attack four million Americans each year, most of them little children. That grow fat while Third World children starve. That pollute the world with their offensive noises and droppings. Those pampered pets that spread disease and breed without restraint. This book should be required reading for all dog owners, though it probably wouldn't do any good. As the author concludes: "The prospect of educating today's adult pet owners to be responsible for their pets' behavior is dismal. It is like coming upon a tribe of savages and trying to talk to them about sanitation, public health, pollution, and social responsibility."

Did you know that Americans spend more money on dog food than on cancer research? More than the gross national products of some countries? That whale meat is a common ingredient in dog foods? That the pet food industry is responsible for widespread hunger among Third World children? That there are specialty dog foods for obese dogs? That dog barking can exceed 90 decibels; that it can be louder than OSHA limits for continuous occupational exposure? That a single bitch could theoretically produce 67,710 offspring in six years? That most dogs in pet stores are bred for profit in puppy mills? Do you know what a “party dog” is?

I wish I could give this book six stars. It is a voice in the wilderness that needs to be heard. It exposes the costs and consequences, human and environmental, of the pet food industry and the cult of dogs. And it debunks common myths and false ideas about dogs.… (más)