Consumers whose pets were affected by tainted pet food, will be compensated by a fund set up by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc, and five other companies which have been sued for damages. They have asked a U.S. Judge to approve a 24 million dollar settlement. These funds will will permit consumers to recover up to 100 percent of their money damages.
Those consumers must be able to document their claims, according to attorneys for both sides, stated in papers filed this past Friday with the U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman, in Camden, New Jersey.
Reports received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from consumers whose pets were injured by from these products, contained information stating that approximately 1,050 cats and 2,200 dogs died as the result of eating contaminated pet food, according to a statement made on February 6.
According to court papers, over 100 lawsuits were filed in the United States and Canada following Menu's initial product recall in March 2007. Over 180 pet food and treat brands manufactured by 12 different companies were eventually recalled.
Ingredients made in China which were used in the manufacturing process of the 180 brands of pet foods and treats, contained melamine-tainted wheat gluten putting the animals at high risk of kidney failure and death.
However, the FDA never released information about precisely how many pets were affected, but it received over 17,000 pet-owner complaints.
The settlement document does not reveal how much each of the recalled product companies will have to pay. Upon approval, the settlement will be widely publicized with a web site and a toll-free number provided in order to distribute information about how to make a claim.
Of course, no matter what the financial settlement may be, it will never never heal the hearts of those who have experienced the pain and suffering of the needless loss of their beloved pets.
You can read more about this decision by visiting: Tulsa World and
Gina Spadafori's blog, Pet Connection.
What are your thoughts about this pending approval? Do you think that it is fair? Please share your feelings with a comment.
