On March 22, 2005, Anna Ayala claimed she found a finger in a bowl of Wendy’s chili in San Jose. The finger became the talk of the Internet and late-night talk shows, and spawned numerous bizarre tips and theories about the source of the finger. Wendy’s lost millions in reduced sales.
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The finger belonged to an associate of Ayala’s ex-husband and both are now doing time.
Less noticed was that at least 20 copycat claims surfaced since Anna’s tale, bringing back memories of hosers Bob and Doug MacKenzie of Second City fame explaining how to get a free case of beer by claiming to find a dead mouse in a beer bottle.
This is not funny to the food companies who have, and succeed, in providing safe, affordable food but have to further protect themselves against bogus claims.
Debbie R. Miller, 41, of Appleton, Wis. was charged Monday with one felony count of extortion after she was accused of planting a dead lab rat in restaurant food and demanding $500,000 to keep quiet.
Miller claimed to find the rat in her lunch April 17 as she ate at the upscale Seasons Restaurant in Grand Chute, according to the criminal complaint.
She threatened to alert the media unless the owners paid her $500,000, the complaint said.
The owners turned the rat over to their insurance company. Investigators there determined the rodent was a white laboratory rat, the complaint said.
Tests also suggested the rodent had been cooked in a microwave, but the restaurant doesn’t use microwaves in cooking.
Even Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector could have figured that one out.
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The saga began in early November when a 19-year-old resident noticed the water was "smelly" and she began feeling ill.