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Author
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Topic: verdict - Wrather v. Farnam Companies/Equitrol
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Sandra-A1
Member
Member # 588
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posted April 01, 2004 03:46 PM
Cross post from another board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JURY AWARDS $1,007,500 IN EQUITROL® LAWSUIT
Santa Ana, CA, March 25, 2004 -- The jury in Wrather v. Farnam Companies1
returned a verdict of $1,007,500 in favor of plaintiffs Charlotte Wrather,
Christopher Wrather and Lori Araki. The jury found that Farnam's product
Equitrol®, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed (not
safe when used in the intended manner) and that it had caused harm to
plaintiffs' thoroughbred racehorses and thoroughbred and warmblood sport
horses. Mr. and Mrs. Wrather are the owners of Cottonwood Ranch in Los
Alamos, California, a thoroughbred breeding and training farm. Ms. Araki is
manager and trainer at Cottonwood Ranch.
Equitrol® works in the manure to kill fly larvae before they mature. Its
active ingredient is the organophosphate insecticide tetrachlorvinphos, a
cholinesterase inhibitor and neurotoxin which is also known by the trade
name Rabon®. Feed-through fly control products containing Rabon® are widely
used in beef and dairy cattle and other livestock industries, as well as in
horses.
-- MORE --
Farnam has advertised that Equitrol® is designed to pass quickly through the
horse's gastrointestinal tract without being digested, and that it is safe
for all horses including pregnant and lactating mares and their foals. The
Wrathers and Ms. Araki claimed that they fed Equitrol® as directed, that the
organophosphate in it was absorbed into their horses' systems, and that this
caused or exacerbated a variety of health problems in the horses including
reproductive problems and birth defects, stunted and retarded growth,
hyperexcitability and other neurological dysfunctions, laminitis,
immunosuppression evidenced by unusual or unusually severe infections, low
thyroid, diarrhea, colic and more.
Testifying as an expert witness for plaintiffs was Dr. John Madigan, D.V.M.,
professor in the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology and chief of the
Equine Section at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of
Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Madigan
last summer conducted a pilot study of the effects of feeding Equitrol®. In
his study (forthcoming in the veterinary literature), the group of test
horses fed Equitrol® experienced a sharp drop in their whole blood
cholinesterase to levels consistent with organophosphate intoxification. The
study also revealed statistically significant differences in behavior while
on Equitrol® as compared with the control group. In a series of behavioral
tests, the horses fed Equitrol® exhibited heightened or intensified flight
response, that is, they were "spookier" or more easily startled or
frightened.
-- MORE --
Also testifying for the plaintiffs were Drs. Mark Rick, D.V.M. and Greg
Parks, D.V.M., both of the well known Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in
Los Olivos, California; Dr. David Jensen, D.V.M., who practices privately as
San Marcos Equine Practice in Los Alamos, California; and Dr. Warren Porter,
Professor of Environmental Toxicology at the University of Wisconsin at
Madison.
The Wrathers and Ms. Araki had also alleged that Farnam knew at least since
1981 that 10% to 30% of the organophosphate in Equitrol® was absorbed, so
that the advertising and marketing for Equitrol® contained negligent and
intentional misrepresentations and omissions. The jury did not find that
this had been proved by a preponderance of the evidence.
1 Charlotte Wrather et al v. Farnam Companies, Inc., United States
District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana Civil No.
03-967 JVS(RCx)(March 25, 2004)
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"It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
-Dumbledore
Posts: 1863 | From: Alabama | Registered: Aug 2003
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Horse&Pony luver
Member
Member # 1864
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posted April 01, 2004 05:55 PM
wow.... im glad i have never fed it!
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Jumping is just dressage with speed bumps!
Proud Owner of:
San Bar Frost aka Sandi
Justabita Scribbles aka Bubba
Little Bit O'Trouble aka Little
Reddy For Anything aka Red
Baby's Gone Blues aka Babe
Classic Lines aka Molly
Twozone Top Chex aka Two
Posts: 213 | From: Fort Bragg, California | Registered: Mar 2004
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spyro1
Member
Member # 647
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posted April 02, 2004 04:29 AM
Thanks sandra, very interesting sure:)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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http://members17.clubphoto.com/beth819817/2122088/guest.phtml
Only those who risk going too far, will ever know how far they can go.
Posts: 2755 | From: Sunny South Florida | Registered: Aug 2003
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Sandra-A1
Member
Member # 588
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posted April 02, 2004 04:44 PM
Here is a link to the rest of the information in case anyone is interested. :
Wrather v. Farnam: the Equitrol® lawsuit
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"It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
-Dumbledore
Posts: 1863 | From: Alabama | Registered: Aug 2003
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spyro1
Member
Member # 647
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posted April 02, 2004 05:13 PM
thanks, I just was emailed it and read through it..makes you go *HMMMM* doesn't it?? ok, I was mailed something different, not Cottonwoods website. ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blush.gif)
[ April 02, 2004, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: spyro1 ]
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http://members17.clubphoto.com/beth819817/2122088/guest.phtml
Only those who risk going too far, will ever know how far they can go.
Posts: 2755 | From: Sunny South Florida | Registered: Aug 2003
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