Pet Food Class Action - False Advertising
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What Good Is A Pet Food Class Action?
We, the pet owners, demand changes in the pet food industry. The pet food producers are getting away with using cheap, low quality ingredients. The FDA calls a number of the ingredients used in pet food as "poisonous" and not fit for human consumption.
Our cats and dogs were dying during the historic Pet Food Recall in 2007. The 2007 Pet Food recalls began in March and ended in November. Why is it our pets are still becoming ill, suffering such things as ear infections, fever, kidney swelling, dry skin, "hot spots", blindness, liver swelling, growths on their bodies, heart conditions, and still dying?
The main goal of the pet food class action is to prevent further pet deaths due to their diet and the junk these pet food companies produce for us to feed to our loved ones.
Pet food companies advertise their products are "healthy" when the pet food is still killing our cats and dogs.
--Susan Peters
Class Action Lawsuit File Against Pet Food Producers
This is a press release from Cathy MacIvor. Cathy MacIvor has filed a class action law suit in light of the recent pet food recall and the information the pet food producers are providing the public about the pet foods they produce.
For more information about Maltzman Foreman PA please visit http://www.mflegal.com/
Press Release is as follows:
Nationwide Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Pet Food Companies and Retailers For Misleading Consumers Regarding the Contents of Pet Food
"Premium" Pet Food Marketed and Sold as "Complete and Balanced" Has Historically Contained Such Items as Euthanized Dogs and Cats, Restaurant Grease, Hair, Hooves, and Diseased Animals, and Other Inedible Garbage
[MIAMI, FLORIDA] A cat and dog owner from Michigan and two cat and dog owners from Florida have filed a nationwide class action against food industry giants Mars, Inc., Proctor and Gamble Co., Colgate Palmolive Company, Del Monte Foods, Co., and Nestle U.S.A. Inc. These manufacturers have a combined approximate 70% of the market share in the $16 billion dollar a year pet food industry. The suit also names as Defendants Nutro Products, Inc., Menu Foods, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Target Corp., Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Winn Dixie Stores, Inc., as manufacturers and marketers of their own brand pet food and retailers PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc., Pet Supermarket, Inc., and Petsmart Inc.
The Plaintiffs maintain that these companies have spent $300 million a year in making false and misleading marketing statements regarding the contents of their pet food to the dog and cat loving American public. While these Defendants tout their pet food products as choice cuts of prime beef, chunks of chicken, fish, fresh wholesome vegetables and whole grains to induce consumers to buy them, the Plaintiffs contend the food is actually made from "inedible" slaughterhouse waste products of the human food chain such as spines, heads, tails, hooves, hair, and blood. Rendering companies who process this waste have also added other inedible "waste" such as euthanized cats and dogs from veterinarian offices and animal shelters, road kill, zoo animals, rancid restaurant grease, toxic chemicals and additives. Additionally, dead animals and those declared unfit for human consumption due to disease and illness are also placed in the mix.
The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida by attorney Catherine J. MacIvor of the 23 attorney Miami litigation law firm of Maltzman Foreman, PA. The case is pending before the Honorable Cecilia Altonaga. Class Counsel, Catherine J. MacIvor says that "The melamine debacle is not the only serious problem with pet food. The number and frequency of lethal pet food recalls in the last few years clearly shows the seriousness and extent of this problem."
The lawsuit alleges that pet food companies market their products as wholesome, choice cuts of meat, natural and complete and balanced diets even though they are fully aware that this food is largely carbohydrates and sugars combined with toxic preservatives and additives with very little to no meat at all. The lawsuit seeks damages to consumers for the false representations made in the Defendants' advertising as well as punitive damages.
"Sadly," MacIvor said, "the Defendant pet food companies and retailers recognized that American pet owners love their cats and dogs like members of their family. The Defendants deceptive advertising specifically marketed premium healthy food to the American public knowing that they want to buy the best food that they can for their loved one and knowing that the food consists largely of garbage, chemicals, additives, diseased meat and even residual pentobarbital from euthanized animals."
The 58 page lawsuit outlines in grotesque detail the actual manner in which most commercial pet food in the United States is made. The lawsuit also attaches and cites numerous news stories and research articles outlining the real content of the Defendant's pet foods and the misleading and deceptive advertising undertaken by the Defendants.
The Defendants targeted in the Complaint produce pet foods under a wide array of brands and names including: Pedigree®, Sheba®, Goodlife Recipe®, Royal Canine, Iams®, Eukanuba®, Science Diet®, Prescription Diet®, 9 Lives®, Amore®, Gravy Train®, Kibbles-n-Bits® and Nature's Recipe®, Snausages®, Milk Bone®, Pup-Peroni®, Meaty Bone®, Canine's Carry Outs®, Jerky Treats®, Wagwells®, Alpo®, Beneful®, Beggin' Strips®, Dog, Cat, Puppy and Kitten Chow®, Fancy Feast®, Friskies®, Mighty Dog®, Deli-Cat®, Pro Plan®, Purina One®, Natural Choice® Dog and Cat Products, Max® Dog Products, Max® Cat Gourmet Classics, Natural Choice® Complete Care® for cats, UltraTM Products for dogs, Americas Choice Preferred Pets, Authority, Award, Best Choice, Big Bet, Big Red, Cadillac, Companion, Compliments, Demoulus Market Basket, Eukanuba, Fine Feline Cat, Food Lion, Food Town, Giant Companion, Hannaford, Hill Country Fare, Hy-Vee, Iams, J.E. Mondou, Laura Lynn, Li'l Red, Loving Meals, Medi-Cal, Meijer's Main Choice, Mighty Dog Pouch, Mixables, Natural Life, Nutriplan, Nutro Max, Nutro Max Gourmet Classics, Nutro Natural Choice, Ol' Roy, Paws, Pet Essentials, Pet Pride, President's Choice, Price Chopper, Priority US, Publix, Roche Brothers, Save-a-Lot Special Blend, Schnucks, Science Diet Feline Savory Cuts Cans, Sophistacat, Special Kitty, Springfield Prize, Sprout, Stop and Shop Companion, Tops Companion, Wegmans, Weis Total Pet, Western family US, White Rose, Winn Dixie, Your Pet, LIFELongTM, Ol' Roy and Special Kitty brands of pet food.
The lawsuit alleges, among other claims, that the pet food companies have fraudulently and/or negligently misrepresented and concealed what is actually in their pet foods, violated Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices, and Failed to Warn the public of the health risks to animals associated with a diet consisting of their commercial pet foods. Through the lawsuit, the Plaintiff's hope to recover financial damages for all pet owners who have been similarly deceived. "Ultimately we are hopeful that our lawsuit will force the Defendants to more accurately describe what is in their pet foods and to offer more healthful pet food options that provide pets with food quality similar to that provided in human food products."
A copy of the Complaint and supporting research materials is available at www.mflegal.com/petfoodlawsuit
For more information about Maltzman Foreman PA please visit http://www.mflegal.com/
Ask Susan Peters Other Sites of Interest:
- Ask Susan Peters (click here)
This site will link you to all of the articles written by Susan Peters.
- Pet Care Information (click here)
Great articles on pet safety, grooming advice, nail care, and just about anything you might need to know.
- Pet Food Recall Information (click here)
This site will answer all your pet food recall questions. Is your dog or cat food included in the recall? Is your pet food on the Safe List? What is the Recall all about and what is being done about it.
Ask Susan Peters Other Sites Of Interest:
Cat Food Review - Cat Food Ratings
Cat Food Safe To Feed After The Cat Food Recall
Free Online Pet Food Recall Information - Buyers Guide - Understanding the Pet Food recall and why cats and dogs continue to get sick and die - written by Susan Peters
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Comments
My wife and I lost our cat Kit due to the poisen that was sold to us. I can't begin to tell you how badly we've felt , and the $28 dollar check that was sent to us from IAMS. This feeble attempt at buying us off has only caused insult to injury!
WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH ? WHEN THEY PUT IT IN OUR FOOD?
THIS NEEDS TO STOP RIGHT HERE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LETS STOP THESE GREEDY BASTARDS BEFORE THEY KILL US.
THANK YOU ,
EDWARD AND CAROLYN CAMIOLO
I also lost one of my cats to this awful pet food poisoning. I had my Foxy (Maine Coon Cat) for 10 years, without any health issues at all and then this happened. Within a week and a half, he was dead. I still can't cope with knowing that I poisoned my own cat with what I thought was good cat food. Now this article about what the pet food mfg. companies are puting in the food, makes me sick to my stomach. I hope all the class action law suits rip away all their profits and puts all of them out of business. From now on, I'm going to be cooking and food processing my cats meals myself. No more processed foods, only healthy natural meats and veggies that are safe for cats.
Disgusted in Illinois
Edward and Carolyn Camiolo,
Could you please send to me an email ( asksusanpeters@hotmail.com ) telling me the story and telling me about the $28.00 check?
I am very interested in what you have to say!
Susan Peters
Janine,
I am so sorry! I feel the same as you do about these companies and what they produce. I don't want to see the companies go under, I want to see changes in how our pet foods are produced and what goes into them. I want these pet food companies to step up to the plate and let the public know what is actually in the pet foods they produce!
Susan Peters
I WILL-- ALWAYS FEEL-- THAT I WAS SLOWLY KILLING- MY BELOVED JAKE NO DOLLAR AMOUNT WILL COMPENSATE FOR HIS LOSS OF LIFE.IT'S NOT ABOUT THE $$$-----THE ARTFFICIAL WAY MENU FOODS HAS HANDLE THIS IS WRONG ---PLEASE PEOPLE
Michael,
What you have said abou the pet food companies is the very reason I am behind the pet food class action Cathy MacIvor has filed. She is looking for change. We, the consumers, must have these pet food makers hear us. They MUST provide what they advertise they are providing for our pets. Poison, is unacceptable!
Susan Peters
hear hear Susan
kill the rotters that have killed our pets
in loving memory of fat boy & sisy (my 8 yr old cats) and all the other pets that have lost thier lives do to the neglagents of the companies that new what they were doing was wrong, we need a law to protect the consumer weather, animal or human !!!!
We lost our heamalain purshian cat March 17. I sent an Email to menu foods and Wal Mart. The one to Menu Foods was abit stronger in words than Wal Marts. We had her 10 years.Her name was Sassy. We still miss her. Wal Marts Manager called me and said it was not thier fault. She said I could stop in and talk to her about my cat. Really does she think she is a srenk! heard nothing from Menu foods. I still have 5 packs of her food.
George & Ann,
Do you still have your receipts for this product? I would love to have it tested but I need an accompaning receipt.
Susan Peters
Hello Susan and Everyone:
Well after my dad left us like 3 years ago, we were really sad, my mom, sister and I went to lived by our selves. I think it was the worst moment of our life, that was the time when we got our two angels, Silly and Precious, this cats were so lovely and so silly that we were able to forget what was going on with our lives, we were happy and able to gave and recieved love from them. Now the story is different, after picking up Silly from the hospital on Sunday 20, 2007 with a renal problem and paying a lot of money for her treatment, I told my self this has to stop, I don’t want this to happened to any other person. Seening my cat with cables al over her was the worst that can happended to us. Last Wednesday we came back home and Silly was just laying, she couldn’t move normal, she looked lost, and of course we took her to the doctor immediately. The vet people keep asking us if she ate something that would cause this, and I keep thinking of any toxic at the house, until the person at the vet said what kind of food you are feeding her, and that was when I almost had a heart attack… I being feeding my cats with special kitty (as their main food) since they were babies, and I stop given them the food after the recalled, how ever I went to Wal-Mart like 2 or 3 weeks ago, and they had a sign were they assure that all the food that they had there was safe for our pets. I believe on it and got some special kitty since my cats love that wet food, I checked today (5/22/2007) on the code list of food and the food I got from Wal-Mart 3 weeks ago was contaminated too. We don't know what to do. PLEASE SUSAN, I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WERE TO START. Now I also have my other cat who is not feeling good, she’s being vomiting and drinking a lot of water, we also have Silly, who is trying to recover from her illness but the doc said that she might never be back to normal. Also all the hospital bills for Silly and the future bills for Precious are costing a lot, and It’s getting really difficult. We are up to the point of borrowing money to save our babies the same way they saved us when they came into our life. I need help to take my case against these companies. My cats are 2 years old, they should be playing, sleeping eating and more.... they shouldnt be going in and out of the hospital... please help us... we don't even know were to start.
Kattya Cazares and Family.
Kattya and family,
Start here
For more information about Maltzman Foreman PA please visit http://www.mflegal.com/
I have 1 question for everyone. I work at an animal shelter with over 250 dogs. With the recall & this lawsuit, what do you recommend feeding all these dogs? We survive on donations from the public to feed them. I'm not griping, but I would gladly like to have some input on this.
Goldenfire,
You are looking for a dog food with a 10/10 rating. Look through the list and see what is available. http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog_Food_Review
Susan Peters
Am interested in lawsuit and all information to follow
Marie,
For more information about Maltzman Foreman PA please visit http://www.mflegal.com/
Susan Peters
I LOST TWO DOGS WHOM I LOVED DEARLY AND MY COMPANIONS FOR 12 YEARS DUE EATING TAINTED FOOD,HOW DO I JOIN IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT.THESE COMPANIES NEED TO BE PUNISHED FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE.BOUGHT THE FOOD FROM COSTCO WHO ADMITTED THAT THE LAMB&rice TINNED FOOD WAS BEING RECALLED AND I COULD COLLECT THE REFUND.PLEASE ADVICE
HARINDER
These people can help you,
For more information about Maltzman Foreman PA please visit http://www.mflegal.com/
Susan Peters
We have now lost FOUR of our "kids" due to the lying Bastard Food Packagers and Manufacturers! I purchased a bag of Natural Balance Dry food on a Thursday...Opened it on Saturday Morning...All the Dogs began throwing up and having bad diarrhea by Saturday Nite, Sunday Morning...The first one to DIE...Our Westy "Abby", DIED on Tuesday...THAT QUICK! She went from 18 pounds on Thursday, to 10 pounds the day she DIED. And it was NOT a pleasent death! Her system had shut down so bad...that when the vet tried to administer "the SHOT", she never responded...They had to put a bag over her head and GAS HER TO SLEEP! Another one of my puppies was placed on DIALYSIS for a week...the day after they took him off, "Yogi" DIED! If you read the web, it brings out that the Pet Food Companies are not only to blame. The Packaging Company in San Fransico, the Company that packaged for almost 100 suppliers...was the one responsible for certain mistakes also! READ about this company! Total Kidney Failure! SAD! HURTFUL!! And yet it doesn't stop...Now my sheepdog mix has lost 13 pounds this month and has lost all functions...doesn't play, can barely get up off the floor, listless...no life! Someone needs to help...Our vet/emergency animal hospital/and crematory bills are well over $7,000. Not something I had saved up for!
I want my voice heard. I joined this class action, myself. I feel like if enough people stand up against these companies we should see some real changes.
Susan
We plan to forward this information to every pet owner we know, and also provide the information to our vet, requesting the office share it with all their own pet-owner clients.
Perhaps the campaign would be most effective if every pet owner who comes across this information does the same, as well as posting to bulletin boards, especially those for pets owners, and writing letters to the editor of the paper regarding this lawsuit (springboarding off of the most recent melamine disaster).
Melanie,
So many people are still in the dark about the pet food recalls, the effects of the garbage the pet food companies are producing to feed our loved ones, and the Class Actions against these companies. Thanks for getting the information out there!
Susan
I lost my old boy after eating a can of the Kroger brand dog food. He walked at least a 1/2 mile everyday and was very health for an old boy. (16 1/2yrs) He ate a 1/2 can of dog food and a couple of hours later was in a coma state, this was at a time just before the recall hit the news....(3/2/07) I have in my possesion at least 15 cans of these recalls plus the one that killed my dog. I am looking for a lawyer that can give my old boy justice. The reason that he didn't go to the vets was we had a very bad winter storm that last a couple of days and my vet said he would not go out in that storm.
Rachael,
Very wise of you to save the products. The companies which produced these products wanted the consumer to throw away the unused products or return them to the stores where the products were purchased. You don't suppose the pet food companies were trying to cover their tracks, do you?
Here is a link to Cathy MacIvor, she can help you out. http://www.mflegal.com/
Susan
I lost My Dog "Nalu" to this tainted dog food back in 1/16/2007 ~ And what really got me pissed off is that I could'nt figurewhy or what had happened to him ! Then by the end of the week I heard about some CFO who hadsoldhis shares ! Because of knowing what was going to happen ! and then by that friday ! they posted a recall on the tainted dog food products ! well its a little bit to late ! My "Nalu" was as much a human ! There nothing I could do or the animal hospital ~ It was hopeless , It had eaten away his insides! and his kidneys failed ~ He was in so much pain the last few hours of his life ! This isn't fair to have happen ! I want some justice for "Nalu" ~ He was a hard to find designer dog {corgi-labarador}called a Corigidor and was extremely well trained and experanced Waterdog & surfdog ~ One of a kind ~ Now what or where can I find another one like him ? ~ Its not only the chinese at fault !we have inspectors who are suppose to inspect any imported by-product that goes into making the dog food ! there isn't any Quality Assurance !
I have a 6 year old cat named Smokey. He has eatten Goodlife for about 6 months now and recently I had to buy a new bag. He would cry for food but when I put it in his bowl he smelled it and wouldn't touch it. He's an overeater...there's noway he would turn down food. For a week I couldn't figure out what the problem was. Then I decided to look closer at his food and noticed that there was hair in it. Not just one piece but it was all over the place. In the food and not just on it. I went to the store and bought him another brand of food and as soon as i put it in his bowl he consumed it with no hesitation. I'm trying to find out if there has been anyone else out there with the same problem. My sister's cat just died at 5 years of age and he was eating the same brand of food. please let me know if anyone else has had any problems. I don't want to lose my baby.
Linda,
The Goodlife is one of those products which use rendered pets, etc. as their "meat" that is probably where the hair comes from. Oh yes, there are so many pet deaths associated with this company's false advertising and poor products there has been a Class Action filed against the company. As we can see by your post the company hasn't changed a thing in the cruddy food it produces.
Susan
Linda,
The Goodlife is one of those products which use rendered pets, etc. as their "meat" that is probably where the hair comes from. Oh yes, there are so many pet deaths associated with this company's false advertising and poor products there has been a Class Action filed against the company. As we can see by your post the company hasn't changed a thing in the cruddy food it produces.
Susan
these dog food companys have to be regulated, I lost my 6 yr old whippet 8 weeks ago due to kidney failure and today i just got the news from my vet that my other whippet is in kideny failure, they were both feed " I ams " dog food both packets and dry food. we all need to stand up to these companies together and make them change they way they produce these foods.
wendy
Wendy,
I used to feed Iams, too. Iams was the product I was using when I noticed how miserable my little dog was due to scratching. I checked the ingredients to discover the amount of corn used to make what I thought was a premium pet food.
I'm so sorry,
Susan
we lost our cat L OKI a KORAT WHO HAD THE MOST WONDERFUL PERSONALITY 7YEARS OLD WE FED HIM WHAT WE CONSIDERED THE BEST AVAILABLE FOODS & SUPPLEMENTS AVAILABLE,HE HAD A HEALTHY APPETITE & HE WAS VERY PLAYFUL UNTIL HE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT TOUCH HIS FOOD & STARTED VOMITING ,WE TOOK HIM TO THE VET WHO WAS PUZZLED,ON THE THIRD DAY HE REFFERED US TO A PET HOSPITAL WHO TREATED HIM WITH ANTIBOTICS FOR3 DAYS ,RELEASED HIMTO US STILL UNABLE TO EAT OR REMAIN STANDING WE TOOK HIM BACK WHERE HE PASSED AWAY. tHE SENIOR VET WAS UNABLE TO GIVE US A REASON FOR LOKIE'S DEATH WE NOW KNOW THE TRUTH & ARE OUTRAGED THAT THE REASON WAS WITHHELD.LETS GET THEM.JERRY & FELICIA
Jerry and Felicia,
I am so sorry for your loss. I, too, joined this Class Action.
I want changes!
Susan
i have just lost my beautiful choc labrador coco! she was only six years old from first symptoms of what semmed to be depression to blood in her stools it took five days to take her life there was nothing my vet could do her liver and kidneys were severely damaged. there is nothing out there that you can trust to give your pet other than what you make from scratch yourself.
Tara,
There are safe foods produced for our pets but they are few and far between. NO Corn, Wheat, or Soy - thats the rule to live by. I am making my pet foods, too.
Remembering you, Coco,
Susan
working
sherry says:
17 months ago
Amen!