Woman claims Chinese dog treats nearly killed her dog
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SEATTLE -- A local pet owner says her dog nearly died after eating pet treats with chicken jerky, and she's now part of a class action lawsuit aimed at getting the treats off the market.
The treats are made in several different varieties, but the one common factor is that the chicken jerky is made in China.
Bandit is a healthy and active miniature rat terrier, but owner Maria Higginbotham said seven months ago the dog nearly died.
"He couldn't lift his head, he couldn't blink at me, he couldn't do anything," she said.
In a matter of hours, Higginbotham said Bandit went into organ failure and not even her vet knew what was wrong.
There was just one clue.
"By his elevated liver toxins they could tell that he'd ingested some type of toxin," Higginbotham said.
Two weeks later, Higginbotham said she learned of an FDA warning about dog deaths and illnesses that may be associated with chicken jerky dog treats made in China.
She'd been feeding Bandit, as well as another dog named Cali, the treats for four days prior to Bandit getting sick. She said Cali had diarrhea, but figures she didn't get as sick because she's twice the size of Bandit.
"There was nothing new in their pet diet other than the treats," she said.
A class action lawsuit blames Nestle Purina and Waggin' Train dog treats for hundreds of dog deaths and thousands of illnesses.
In a written statement, Nestle Purina denied the allegations, saying, "(We) believe the claims made in the suit to be without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves." The statement goes on to say, "Waggin' Train products continue to be safe to feed as directed."
Costco, Target and Walmart all carry the treats, and Costco officials say they've undergone extensive safety testing.
"Until we get more information, we're considering this item to be wholesome," said Craig Wilson of Costco.
But Higginbotham insists the products should be removed from store shelves to protect other pets.
"These animals don't have to suffer," she said. "They don't have to die."
The FDA has issued three warnings about chicken jerky treats from China, but officials say unless they can isolate a specific contaminant, they are limited in what they can do.
The treats are made in several different varieties, but the one common factor is that the chicken jerky is made in China.
Bandit is a healthy and active miniature rat terrier, but owner Maria Higginbotham said seven months ago the dog nearly died.
"He couldn't lift his head, he couldn't blink at me, he couldn't do anything," she said.
In a matter of hours, Higginbotham said Bandit went into organ failure and not even her vet knew what was wrong.
There was just one clue.
"By his elevated liver toxins they could tell that he'd ingested some type of toxin," Higginbotham said.
Two weeks later, Higginbotham said she learned of an FDA warning about dog deaths and illnesses that may be associated with chicken jerky dog treats made in China.
She'd been feeding Bandit, as well as another dog named Cali, the treats for four days prior to Bandit getting sick. She said Cali had diarrhea, but figures she didn't get as sick because she's twice the size of Bandit.
"There was nothing new in their pet diet other than the treats," she said.
A class action lawsuit blames Nestle Purina and Waggin' Train dog treats for hundreds of dog deaths and thousands of illnesses.
In a written statement, Nestle Purina denied the allegations, saying, "(We) believe the claims made in the suit to be without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves." The statement goes on to say, "Waggin' Train products continue to be safe to feed as directed."
Costco, Target and Walmart all carry the treats, and Costco officials say they've undergone extensive safety testing.
"Until we get more information, we're considering this item to be wholesome," said Craig Wilson of Costco.
But Higginbotham insists the products should be removed from store shelves to protect other pets.
"These animals don't have to suffer," she said. "They don't have to die."
The FDA has issued three warnings about chicken jerky treats from China, but officials say unless they can isolate a specific contaminant, they are limited in what they can do.
If youâre looking for SAFE, Real âAmerican Madeâ chicken jerky for dogs or cats, we started making our own Chicken Jerky for our 3 dogs after we ran across the FDA warning of 2008 about Chinese chicken treats making dogs sick or killing them. It turned into a cottage âMom & Popâ business and we now sell our TriPom Chews online and in 20 stores in the New England area. Our products are the only homemade, handmade, âMaine Madeâ, âAmerican Madeâ Chicken Jerky produced from whole, restaurant-quality chicken breasts containing NO Additives and NO Preservatives. Our 3 Pomeranians (our babies!) taste test every batch for quality.
Why buy treats made in another country when you can buy treats made here in Washington? Wet Noses dog treats are organic and made in Monroe, WA, and you can save a lot of money by ordering them in bulk on their website.
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http://wet-noses.com/our-story
My dog did die. This all has to stop. Please help and sign my petition to get a voluntary recall. Thank you to all who are helping save these dogs!!!!
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http://www.change.org/petitions/del-monte-purina-issue-a-voluntary-recall-of-chicken-jerky-dog-treats
 @Go Sharks Signed and shared on facebook and twitter.
We always check pet products now to make sure they are made here and not China. They can be tricky about it too and say distributed in the U.S.A but that doesn't mean they were made here. Sadly, even things made here aren't guaranteed safe either.  Enough money behind it can make anything safe.Â
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I just hope the chinese don't start making baby food too.
@Magic 8 Ball remember the chinese baby formula of several years past that used melamine or some such chemical ?
No more chinese take-out?