Greenies Dog Treat Maker Settles Class Action Lawsuit
The makers of Greenies dog treats have settled a class-action lawsuit claiming the treat injured or killed close to a dozen dogs.
Beginning in 2005, pet owners claimed that their dogs either choked on pieces of Greenies or were injured when undigested pieces became trapped in their intestines. The media outlets picked up on the story, and a CNN report from last year estimated at least 13 dogs had died of problems related to eating Greenies.
In the lawsuit, pet owners claimed S&M NuTec, the company that invented Greenies, knew of the dangerous risks from dogs eating Greenies, but they didn’t adequately warn consumers or pull them from shelves.
The company said the dental chew treats were safe when used as directed and when the correct size of Greenies was given to a dog.
The attorney, who represented 10 dog owners against the Kansas city manufacturer, said the case was settled but would not go into specific terms.
Last year, S&M NuTec was acquired by Mars.
As a result of the complaints, the company changed the packaging of the products to make warnings more visible. They also came out with a formula that is said to be more digestible and designed to break down into smaller pieces during chewing.
Source: Kansas City Star
Photo: Petvetcare
September 18th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Well, these treats would seem to be a problem if there has been a successful lawsuit. I am surprised that I see them being sold by veterinarians. Wonder if any vets were included in the lawsuit?
September 18th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
And the packaging is so misleading. “Greenies” all natural and healthy, such Bullsht. I almost bought some in early 2006 looking for healthy alternatives, but then thought they looked like something the dogs could choke on, not to mention the ingrediants. (More garbage and chemicals)
September 18th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Gelatin, Wheat Protein Isolate, Glycerin, Soy Protein Isolate, Sodium Caseinate, Natural Poultry Flavor, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Vegetable Oil (Preserved with Propyl Gallate), Sodium Tripolyphospate, Lecithin, Ground Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Monostearate, Monoglycerides of Edible Fatty Acids, Choline Chloride, Potassium Sorbate (A Preservative), Minerals (Magnesium Oxide, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Maganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate [source of vitamin E], Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Folic Acid), Chlorophyll.
Why would anyone object?
October 12th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
My dog just about choked to death on a greenie………My husband quick thinging pulled him up and shook him upside down down……little poperanian quit choking,,,thank godness