TAIPEI, Jan 5: Agricultural authorities in Taiwan have ordered a local firm to destroy 30 tons of contaminated dog feed after it was suspected to have killed more than 300 stray dogs, an official said on Monday.

Ji-Tai Forage Company imported 1,500 tons of corn from Pakistan in November, of which 50 tons were used to make dog feed and 1,450 tons to make pig feed.

The deaths of hundreds of stray dogs at two shelters in northern Taipei County late last year prompted the Council of Agriculture to investigate.

“We’re almost certain that the polluted feed caused the deaths of the more than 300 stray dogs found dead,” said Hsu Tien-lai, chief of the council’s Department of Animal Industry.

Samples taken from the dog food showed it contained up to 150 ppb (parts per billion) of aflatoxin, a chemical produced by a fungus, which causes severe liver damage in animals, he said.

International allowable levels of aflatoxin for dogs stand at around 20 ppb.

Around 30 tons of the tainted dog feed were retrieved and destroyed but 20 tons, and 1,450 tons of pig feed, have been consumed.

Allowable levels of aflatoxin for pig feed are 200 ppb.

The council said it would step up its tests of corn imports from Pakistan to prevent any recurrence.

—AFP