A recall was issued after a sedative was found in one brand of dog food.
If you’re like most dog owners, your pup is part of your family. You only want the best for your four-legged companion — and that includes treating him or her to the highest quality dog food you can afford. Unfortunately, many dog owners got an unwelcome surprise recently when they learned that one popular brand may have been tainted by a sedative used in euthanasia.
Evanger’s Dog and Cat Food, produced in Illinois, announced that its Hunk of Beef, Braised Beef, and Against the Grain Pulled Beef dog food was being recalled after pentobarbital, a sedative used in euthanasia, was detected in five lots of the canned food. One dog died and four other dogs were sickened after consuming the food, leading to a nationwide recall of the 12 ounce cans, which were distributed nationwide and sold online to 15 states, including California. The company is investigating how the sedative got into its food supply, and has ended its relationship with its beef supplier. It is possible that a euthanized animal ended up in the food stream, as the company has learned that whenever a veterinarian euthanizes an animal, there is no requirement that the doctor put some sort of marker on the animal to prevent it from entering the food chain. That is likely how the sedative got into the dog food; a euthanized cow was used in producing the dog food. Evanger’s investigation is continuing, and the company stated that it will share the results with consumers.
If you have any Evanger’s Dog Food in your home from the following batches, do not serve it to your pets:
- Evanger’s Hunk of Beef: Lot 20109 (12 ounce can, manufactured between December 2015 and January 2017)
- Evanger’s Braised Beef: 20107 (12 ounce can, manufactured between December 2015 and January 2017)
- Against the Grain Pulled Beef: 80001(12 ounce can, manufactured between December 2015 and January 2017)
Instead, return the items to the store where you purchased them for a full refund. Symptoms of illness from pentobarbital include drowsiness, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, and death.
If your dog has been injured by consuming Evanger’s Dog Food or another brand of tainted dog food, you may have legal recourse. The manufacturer of a defective product is liable for any injuries caused, which may include vet bills and other damages. In the cases of Evanger’s, the company has paid vet bills for the dogs that have been harmed by its dog food, and will make a donation to a shelter in honor of any dog that died after eating the contaminated dog food.
It can be difficult to know whether the food you are giving your dog is safe. Staying alert to recalls and watching your pet carefully for signs of sickness are critical to making sure that your dog is not harmed by potentially dangerous dog food. If your dog has been harmed by contaminated or tainted dog food, you may be eligible for compensation. A skilled products liability attorney can assist you to determine whether you can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer, retailer, or other responsible party.
At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we help victims seek compensation for their injuries. We have assisted more than 100,000 people obtain recoveries for their losses, with a 95% success rate. Contact our office today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to learn how we can help you. We never charge a fee unless we get money for you, and initial consultations are always free!
