If your pet is hurt by an unsafe or contaminated pet product, you may be able to sue for damages.
Dog Food Recalled For Possible Metal Contamination Across Texas
According to a KSAT News report, the US Food and Drug Administration has issued a major recall over potentially contaminated pet food.
According to the report, the affected product is a 44-pound bag of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food with a best-by date of March 4, 2025. Walmart stores reportedly sold 315 bags of the potentially contaminated product across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. There have been no reported illnesses related to the product so far, but pet owners are warned to monitor their dogs if they have consumed the product and to immediately take them to a vet if they display any signs of illness.
To return the product, please contact Mars Petcare US consumer care at 1-800-525-5273.
Did You Know?
Chemical contamination caused 35% of pet food and drug product recalls between 2003 and 2022.
Can You Sue if a Contaminated Product Made Your Pet Sick?
While the law views animals as property, our furry friends are a dear part of our families. When a contaminated or tainted product makes them sick, it’s natural for you to be angry and want justice.
There are cases when you can sue pet product manufacturers for harm caused to your pet.
When You Can Sue for a Sick/Injured Pet
Food, treats, sprays, vitamins, and similar products can be contaminated with:
- Chemical contaminants,
- Biological contaminants,
- And plastic (melamine).
Dog food production and similar products are regulated to ensure safety. When a product becomes contaminated, pets can be made very sick, and even die as a result. When this happens, the responsible party can be held responsible through strict product liability laws.
Who Is Responsible for a Pet Injury?
When your pet is made ill by a defective or contaminated product, those who can be held potentially liable include:
- Product Manufacturers — If a product defect caused the injury/illness (such as an improper chemical concentration or choking hazard), the manufacturer would bear responsibility for the injury.
- Businesses/Caretakers — If a groomer, caretaker, or dog walker knew that a product was dangerous but exposed your pet to it anyway, they could also bear responsibility for the injury.
Proving liability in pet injury cases can be difficult, but it is possible.
How to Prove Liability in a Pet Injury Case
Trying to prove liability for your dog’s illness should be done with the help of an experienced product liability attorney. Necessary elements of a strong case will include:
- Recall Documentation (if the product was recalled),
- Proof of Purchase (i.e., a receipt showing you purchased the product),
- Vet Care Records,
- A Detailed Timeline of Events,
- Videos or Photos of Your Dog’s Condition,
- And Witness Testimony.
A product liability attorney will assist you in gathering this information and crafting a compelling case to secure the full legal compensation owed to you.
Was Your Pet Injured by a Defective Product? Call Carabin Shaw.
If your pet was made sick by a contaminated food product, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Vet Bills,
- Emotional Distress,
- The Value of the Pet (if the injury resulted in death),
- And Possibly Punitive Damages.
Carabin Shaw represents product liability cases all over Texas. Call our firm at 800-862-1260 to set up a free, no-obligation case evaluation with one of our attorneys to find out if you have a case today. We look forward to serving you.
Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.