Mark Purdey animal feed dates back to at least 1926. In the 1970s attention was directed within MAFF to the danger that this practice would result in the spread of infectious diseases. The diseases considered were those caused by conventional viral and bacterial organisms. No consideration appears to have been given to the risk that scrapie might be recycled in sheep, or even transmitted to other farm animals. This may seem surprising. The answer probably lies in the fact that half a century had elapsed without any indication that animal feed containing ovine protein was infecting sheep or any other animal." Purdey
Animal Boy used the drummer as a songwriter since original drummer Tommy Ramone, with Joey saying he wanted to make Richie feel like a part of the band, because he felt past drummers were not so much a part of the band nor any good at writing, while calling Richie a "regular Phil Collins." Johnny would later say the album needed a better production quality, commenting that the guitar moments did not sound like he had performed them. "The producer on ["Animal Boy"], Jean Beauvoir," Johnny relates, "was selected by the label, not us." For the album's front cover, the band wanted