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LATEST LETTERS

Pet food peril

Tuesday, April 3 at 12:46 PM

Alison Baker of Parker writes:

I thought you might be interested in my story. A few weeks ago my cat was acting very lathargic, not eating and not looking well. Lab results showed the cat was in fact in renal failure. After reading your article I checked the catfood and it was IAMS “Select Bites". I further reserached and it has the same product code as the recalled catfood. I have the left over food with the product code, the vet bill and lab results. The cat was in “acute” failure, she is doing better after her tx.
I called Petsmart in Parker, CO where I bought the food and spoke to “Del” the manager on duty. She stated “Im so sorry about what happened, bring in the catfood and we will give you back the money. She also stated “bring in the vet bill and we will pay for that too".
I was shocked and relived because the bill was $518.66.
The very next day I went to the store and saw the same manager. She appoligized again and stated that she told me the wrong info. She took copies of everything and refunded the $7.00 for the food.
Anyway, payment from someone for the vet bill would be nice. I thought you might be interested in the story.

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

There is a class action lawsuit seeking damages but so far the only thing you can reocer wold be the vet bills and the price of the food or the dollar value of the animal.
We have 7 cats (don't tell Boulder county please) and are grateful that we only use the cheapest generic dry foods.
I would normally NOT support lawsuuits against an intermediary but reports say the company had some warning as they chaged suppliers and made changes to their web site.
I'm also very grateful this was an accident and didn't get into human food. Another vulnerability we didn't plan for or prevent against.

Posted by momma y on April 3, 2007 10:21 PM

Who is going to sue the Chinese supplier(s) of wheat gluten?

I'll bet they get away Scott free.

Posted by QBT on April 4, 2007 11:42 PM

Here's a story in the April 5 News on Chinese wheat gluten.

Most wheat gluten sold inside China
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CHINA_PET_FOOD_RECALL?SITE=CODER&SECTION=INTERNATIONAL&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-04-05-11-04-32

Ro rorry bout bad gluten. We made furniture from particle board week before. Gluten and particle board sawdust look same.

Posted by QBT on April 5, 2007 12:06 PM

I had to euthanize my cat two days ago. Total bill was over $800 to try and save him. Anyone else lose their pet to contaminated food? I'm currently looking for a lawyer.

Posted by John II on April 5, 2007 01:02 PM