It was supposed to be a Christmas treat for their a pint-sized pooch, but a Saugerties couple, Steve Smith and Debi Arthur, believe that the chicken jerky treats, purchased from a local supermarket, became a death sentence for their beloved Chihuahua, Lacy. What they found out later — the treats were suspected in the illness or death of hundreds of dogs as far back as 2007 — left them stunned, angry and looking for answers.
“I was just shocked, knocked back by the laid-back attitude some of these people have,” said Smith. “These are people’s pets and they’re dying.”