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Inland Empire Company Donates Food

August 8, 2016

Star Milling Ships 800 Pounds to County Shelter

FRIDAY, Aug. 5, 2016 – An Inland Empire-based pet food manufacturer donated 800 pounds of dog food to one of

Riverside County’s shelters.

Star Milling Co. in Perris donated the food after its owners and employees heard about a high-profile, animal cruelty investigation conducted by Riverside County Animal Services. Riverside County animal control officers responded to a property near Lake Mathews on July 18 where they discovered a grisly scene with dozens of emaciated dogs and others that had perished from a lack of care.

(The original news release about the case can be found here: http://www.rcdas.org/index.php/about- us/newsroom/news-releases/item/218-officers-seize-dozens-of-emaciated-dogs)

That cruelty investigation inspired Star Milling Co.’s leadership to do anything it could to assist Riverside County with the skinny dogs. Late last week the company sent one of its trucks loaded with bags of dog food. Since the dogs – all pit bulls, ranging in ages from 8 months of age to 10 years old (most are about 4 years old) – were on a special diet in their early days after the seizure, Animal Services did not introduce the donated food immediately.

The dogs all were doing very well with the special diet and many were showing healthy weight gains. And, after county veterinary team members re-examined the dogs, it was determined that the donated food could be included in the dogs’ diets. The new diet program started yesterday (Thursday, Aug. 5) at the county’s San Jacinto shelter.

“Stories like this always pull at your heart,” Star Milling Co. Sales Director Paul Cramer said. “Being so close, we felt obligated to do what we could to help in any way we could.”

Star Milling Marketing Specialist Jena Lansford said she was especially troubled by the news since the neglected dogs are a breed near and dear to her. “As a pittie mom and advocate, my heart breaks whenever I hear of yet another case of pit bull abuse or neglect,” Lansford said. “I am so happy that we were able to make a donation of food to help these dogs on the road to recovery. I am also thankful for the great job that Animal Services does to serve our community.”

Riverside County Animal Services Chief Veterinarian Dr. Allan Drusys described the donation as significant and very generous. He noted that other, smaller donations of blankets and bags of food were also brought by local residents troubled by the emaciated dogs.

“Star Milling’s large donation makes us realize we have local businesses with employees that truly care about their communities,” Dr. Drusys said. “And we’re also very touched by the volume of smaller donations from individuals. We thank everyone and we’ll continue seeing these poor dogs get healthier and, eventually, to a better place.”