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A class action lawsuit claims the Gravy Train brand of canned dog food is poisonous to pets.
Plaintiff Thomas Roupe alleges that Gravy Train dog food, made by defendant Big Heart Pet Brands Inc., contains pentobarbital, a chemical used in animal euthanasia.
This Gravy Train contamination class action lawsuit comes on the tails of a similar class action lawsuit filed by consumers in February alleging that their dogs were injured by the dog food.
According to Roupe, pentobarbital is a “Class II controlled substance,” a chemical used in animal euthanasia that is toxic to animals even in small quantities. He goes on to state that the inclusion of pentobarbital in animal food renders the food “adulterated” under federal and state law. The plaintiff claims that consuming the chemical can cause the following injuries to an animal:
- Excessive salivation
- Vomiting
- Changes in stool
- Decreased appetite
- Lethargy/depression
- Tremors/seizures
- Unusual eye movements
- Unusual vocalizations
- Difficulty walking
- Collapse
- Coma
- Death
Roupe alleges that Big Heart did not take appropriate steps to ensure that pentobarbital was not present in its dog foods, and states that according to state and federal laws, “pet food manufacturers are responsible for taking appropriate steps to ensure that the food they produce is safe for consumption.”
The Gravy Train pentobarbital class action lawsuit suggests that Big Heart incorporated animals euthanized with pentobarbital in their dog foods, in violation of state and federal law. The poisonous Gravy Train dog food class action lawsuit notes that the FDA has not historically strictly enforced this law and has not enforced strict penalties on companies who incorporate “non-slaughtered animals” into pet food.
The poisoned dog food class action lawsuit claims that as a result, “manufacturers in the pet food industry, including [Big Heart] have continued their illegal practice of using non-slaughtered animals that may contain poisonous substances, like pentobarbital, in their pet foods.”
Roupe claims that on Feb. 8, 2018, an independent investigation determined pentobarbital to be present in Gravy Train dog foods. According to Roupe, the report noted that pentobarbital is not used on farm animals typically incorporated into pet food, so questions were raised as to whether or not Big Heart incorporated non-farm animals such as euthanized dogs, cats, or horses.
The plaintiff goes on to state that Big Heart did not respond to these questions, claiming that a Big Heart representative said “we launched and are conducting a thorough investigation, including working closely with our suppliers, to determine the accuracy of these results and the methodology used.”
Roupe seeks damages for himself and all other affected consumers, and seeks for Big Heart to ensure that no pentobarbital is present in its dog foods.
The plaintiff is represented by Robert K. Shelquist and Rebecca A. Peterson of Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP; Kevin A. Seely and Steven M. McKany of Robbins Arroyo LLP; Daniel E. Gustafson, Karla M. Gluek, Joseph C. Bourne, and Raina C. Borrelli of Gustafson Gluek PLLC; Charles Laduca and Katherine Van Dyck of Cuneo Gilbert & Laduca LLP; and Joseph Depalma and Susana Cruz Hodge of Lite Depalma Greenberg LLC.
The Gravy Train Pentobarbital Class Action Lawsuit is Thomas Roupe v. Big Heart Pet Brands Inc., Case No. 3:18-cv-01465-JSC, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Fransisco Division.
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545 thoughts onGravy Train Dog Food is Poisonous, Class Action Claims
I lost 2 dogs. They both were vomiting and eventually refused to eat gravy train. But it was too late. They were like my kids .it breaks my heart that anyone could do something like this to so many innocent animals . they aren’t just as ninaks they are friends, companions, family. They are loved and missed. It’s line killing people it’s the same thing
I have a Almost 4 year old Chihuahua! Ever since he was a puppy I fead him Gravy Train Dog Food because of the price. After Gravy Train been recalled, my dogs behavior changed its like my dog has 2 different personalities! He growls very bad like he about to attack then next he happy and playful? I don’t know what’s wrong with him?
I lost my dog after feeding this food to her for several months. She was taken to vet and suffered the last few days she was living. The vet couldn’t figure out at first what was wrong and sent her home. I took her back the following day when she couldn’t even stand up. I have videos saved to my phone I took of her the last week she was alive. They are heartbreaking! She was perfectly healthy months prior to this .. I filed a complaint with the FDA and got nowhere with them..smh. I definitely want to know the first step into being part of this lawsuit and see this company pay for their ignorance!!
Btw the food my dog ate was from the recall February 2018… can gravy train .
I have lost one of my prize show Boston Terriers, and the other is barely alive. I am having to bottle feed her pups. I bought several cases of the can food from a grocery outlet store. I never new about the recall. Both had terrible seizures one did not make it not sure yet about my other. I am heart broken and the one that is still alive has severe liver damage, with a litter of puppies. Thousands of dollars in vet bills so far and praying she will come out of this. Please help me.
My dog has been on gravy train nearly a year, he has been lethargic, his poop has been nasty, he hasn’t wanted to eat. So far these are the only symptoms and that’s enough!!!!!
i lost my best friend i believe from this dog food,
My baby has been on this food for 6 months now thank God we found out about the dangers prayers for all that have lost their babies from negligence on the part of theses dog food companies
I would like to be contacted I buried my Chow border collie last year 2017 I would like to know what other products because I have Boston Terriers that ate the same product had seizures and all the symptoms and I did not know this was a issue I trusted the dog food brand company to keep my dog safe and now I know why butthey were having these seizures vomiting and getting sick
I have lost a dog to Gravy Train Dog food and I have been trying to find out how to file in this claim. My daughter has lost 2 dogs also. No one will contact me. Please tell me how to file. Thank you.
The case is still moving through the courts and has not yet reached a settlement. Claim forms are usually not made available to consumers until after a court approved settlement is reached. Setting up a free account with Top Class Actions will allow you to receive instant updates on ANY article that you ‘Follow’ on our website. A link to creating an account may be found here: https://topclassactions.com/signup/. You can then ‘Follow’ the article above, and get notified immediately when we post updates!
I bought this for my dog repeatedly not knowing the dangers and he has suffered from gravy train. Please contact me