Killer pets


Consumer group Good Guide contends that Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters are unsafe. They could be killers.

Apparently the consumer group says the toys have too much antimony in them even though the manufacturer Cepia LLC of St. Louis, says that's a crock.

Of course, the toy (aimed at 3 to 10-year-old kids) would be the most popular on the must-have list this winter. Good Guide says it's flat-out dangerous because of the antimony, one of those chemicals that hangs around wherever consumer groups exist. Careful, some of it could be on your shoes.

Or your cat's fur.

Or in the paint that's on the toy that your kid shouldn't be eating.

GoodGuide CEO Dara O'Rourke said his group bought three of each of the year¹s 30 hottest toys and tested them multiple times. Antimony was measured at 93 parts per million in the hamster's fur and at 106 parts per million in its nose. Both readings exceed the allowable level of 60 parts per million.

O'Rourke also suggested the Zhu Zhu's could contain phthalates.

OH NO, NOT THAT!

I guess I'm happy Ralph Nader and his group invented consumer awareness, but if this toy were a box full of plastic clothes pins, would it be dangerous? Careful, you'll put your eye out.

(The little critter illustrated here is copyrighted, so don't be tryin' to make a profit off it, OK? They let me use this one because I am a nice fellow.)

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