Two Families Claim Pet Food Killed Animals

Wal-Mart named as defendant in one case

Last updated Friday, March 23, 2007 10:30 PM CDT in News

By Christopher Spencer
The Morning News

"I would never have fed our dog poisonous or tainted food," she said. "Pets are companions too, and they depend on us to take care of them."

A handful of similar cases cropped up in the United States and Canada this week, according to the Widens' attorney, Jeremy Hutchinson of Little Rock.

"At some point, I suspect all the United States claims will be consolidated and a panel of judges will decide where the case will be heard. I think Arkansas has just as good a shot as any other district in being that place," Hutchinson said.

The Widens' case also names Wal-Mart as a defendant, because the Bentonville-based company was where the Widens' purchased the private label "Special Kitty" cat food that led to the poisoning, Hutchinson said.

That list of defendants could change as more details come in about how the pet food became tainted, he said.

Scientists still don't know how rat poison got into the tainted pet food suspected of causing kidney failure that killed at least 16 cats and dogs. The toxin was identified as aminopterin, which is used to kill rats in some countries, New York Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said Friday.

Aminopterin is not registered for killing rodents in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, although it is used as a cancer drug.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of pet food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. Menu Foods last week recalled "cuts and gravy" style dog and cat food. The recall sparked concern among pet owners across North America. It includes food sold under store brands carried by Wal-Mart, Kroger, Safeway and other large retailers, as well as private labels such as Iams, Nutro and Eukanuba.

Scientists at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell and at the New York State Food Laboratory tested three cat food samples provided by Menu Foods and found aminopterin in two of them. Hooker said they would test individual components of the pet food, as well. The early test results were released to give veterinarians a better idea of how to treat sick animals.

That information is not coming in quick enough, said veterinarian Vava Hooper of Rose Animal Clinic in Rogers, where the Widens' had their two cats euthanized. Hooper said she spent the day online looking for more information about aminopterin, but found it difficult.

This week there have been at least two additional cases of kidney failure in animals brought to the clinic, she said. And before the announcement from Menu Foods, there were several cases that in retrospect seems suspicious, she said.

"What tells me something is happening is that these are animals that are in the same household that are getting sick at the same time," she said.

The Associated Press CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT.

AT A GLANCE

Visiting The Vet

Calls from owners concerned their animals might be affected by tainted food increased at the Farmington Veterinary Clinic this week, said assistant Crystal Thompson. Symptoms include lethargy, drinking water in excess and vomiting, she said.

Anytime an animal does not eat for two days, that's also a red flag that something is wrong, said veterinarian Vava Hooper of the Rose Animal Clinic in Rogers. Testing an animal's blood is the best way to know if a pet is affected by the tainted food. The cost is between $50 and $75.

Menu Foods Contact Information

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted online by Menu Foods and is available at http://tinyurl.com/2pn6mm. The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

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