Homestead mailing list

[Roy Morgan <k1lky AT earthlink.net>]

Homesteaders,

 I have not checked into this, but even though most of us are  
unlikely to use this stuff, here it is:



Begin forwarded message:
> Begin forwarded message:  Discovered in 2003, updated and verified  
> in July of 2007.
>
> Still dogs are dying.
>
> http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp
>
>
> WARNING - DO NOT USE COCOA MULCH IF YOU OWN PETS OR IF YOUR  
> NEIGHBORS HAVE PETS...
>
> DON'T USE THAT COCOA MULCH!
>
> A BYPRODUCT MADE BY THE HERSHEY COMPANY IN MEXICO...
>
> PLEASE READ AND HEED  the following information:
>
> Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply  
> and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called  
> 'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like  
> chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff  
> and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just  
> a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be  
> aware of what your gardeners are using in your gardens.
>
> Theobromine is the ingredient that is used to make all chocolate  
> especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs.
>
> Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of  
> theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and  
> theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch  
> made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17  
> hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao  
> bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.
>
> Please email the manufacturer at michellemessick AT hersheys.com and  
> request that accurate information about this product be posted on  
> the packaging to avoid further tragedy.
>
> PLEASE GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION !!! .

Roy Morgan
k1lky AT earthlink.net
Lovettsville, VA 20180