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A New York woman says Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food contains dangerous pentobarbital, echoing similar claims recently filed over other dog food brands.
According to plaintiff Rosemarie Schirripa, a recent investigation concluded that Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food contains pentobarbital, a sedative drug that is now most frequently used to euthanize dogs and cats.
She accuses defendants Big Heart Pet Brands and The J.M. Smucker Co. of failing to alert consumers to the pentobarbital content in Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food.
Schirripa says ingestion of pentobarbital by a pet can cause many adverse side effects. She claims that pets may suffer from vomiting, salivation, stool changes, decreased appetite, lethargy or depression, neurologic abnormalities, difficulty walking, and possibly even coma or death.
No amount of pentobarbital in dog food is small enough to be considered “safe,” according to this Kibbles ‘n Bits class action lawsuit. Any presence of pentobarbital in dog food makes that food adulterated, Schirripa claims.
Schirripa says the pentobarbital allegedly found in Kibbles ‘n Bits is present in the product’s meat ingredients. The meat was allegedly sourced from animals that were euthanized using pentobarbital, she claims.
“Pentobarbital is routinely used to euthanize animals, and the most likely way it could get into dog food would be in rendered animal products,” according to this Kibbles ‘n Bits class action lawsuit. “Rendered products come from a process that converts animal tissues to feed ingredients, including tissues from animals that have been euthanized, decomposed or were diseased.”
Pentobarbital used to euthanize these animals allegedly survives the rendering process, Schirripa says, and it can show up in the final dog food product.
Schirripa says in February 2018, television station WJLA reported that an independent investigation revealed pentobarbital in Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food. The investigation ran over seven months and was conducted using two different labs.
Yet the labeling for Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food shows no indication that it is tainted with pentobarbital, Schirripa says. On the contrary, photos of the labeling included in her complaint show it bears indications like “100 percent complete and balanced nutrition” and other assurances of high-quality nutrition.
This Kibbles ‘n Bits class action lawsuit comes shortly after three other actions raised similar claims over Gravy Train dog food, also made by defendant Big Heart Pet Brands. In one of those actions, plaintiff Nancy Sturm complains of a lack of regulation of the use of euthanized animals in pet food, as opposed to animals raised and slaughtered for their meat.
Schirripa proposes to bring her claims on behalf of a statewide plaintiff Class that would include all New York state residents who from Feb. 1, 2012 through the present purchased the Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food at issue for their own household or business use and not for resale.
She seeks a court order barring the defendants from selling any more Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food until it is free from pentobarbital and from continuing to market its dog food as “healthy, pure, quality, and safe for consumption.” She also seeks awards of damages, restitution and disgorgement, plus reimbursement of court costs and attorneys’ fees.
Schirripa is represented by attorneys Paul B. Maslo and Salvatore C. Badala of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC and by Anne Andrews of Andrews & Thornton.
The Kibbles ‘n Bits Contaminated Dog Food Class Action Lawsuit is Schirripa v. Big Heart Pet Brands Inc., et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-02345, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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421 thoughts onKibbles ‘n Bits Dog Food Contains Euthanasia Drug, Class Action Claims
Two of my dogs were effected my eating kibbles n bits, both had seizures, one died as a result. I wrote into the company and they supposedly tested the food I sent to them. Of course they lied and said there was nothing found in the food.
Add me! I just had to have my chocolate Labrador put down yesterday, 10/16/18. In a matter of a few days he developed skin problems with red bloody scabs, patches are hair falling out, dry crusty skin with oozing of pus, back leg problems, vomiting and diarrhea that started off green in color and in two days was orange in color with blood and mucus in his stool. Please contact me asap!
Okay, I commented about my Pomeranian gagging. But My German Spits has all of these symptoms! He lost his beautiful hair on his back! He has become almost bald! I purchased a new flea treatment because I thought the last one must not have been working. There are huge scab from chewing! He is miserable. Could this be the Kibbles and Bits as well????
What’s going to happen to my Shih Tzu?
Add me! My Yorkie had been eating this for a while and out of nowhere she lost motor function in her back legs, almost as if she was having a seizure, she would puke all the time and she also developed horrible skin problems, red bloody scabs, patchy hair and extreamly dry skin…. Since switching foods, it’s almost as if I have a new dog.. Her energy is up and she’s a happy dog!
I have been feeding my 2 dogs kibbles and bits for about a year. In May my golden retriever suddenly couldn’t walk, lost his appetite, began vomiting dark stuff and within several hours passed away sadly. My 2 year old dog just underwent major surgery to remove 7 huge bladder stones that they beleive are the result of the food. They are sending to a lab to confirm. How do I join this lawsuit. I am horrified that a company would knowingly kill pets. So so devastating.
Please add me! My little 2 lb Yorkie became very ill very quickly, and we could not imagine what happened! She was gone within 2 days of noticing that she was not well, staggering, dark bloody discharge. This happened on a Friday, and the vet was already closed. By early Sunday morning she was gone. She suffered a HORRENDOUS death! It was traumatizing to watch her suffer the way she did! And now we discover that there was a recall for Kibbles N Bits, which is what we fed her. I have no doubt that the “small amount” of pentobarbital was enough to kill a 2 lb. dog! I am heartsick over the loss of her – and would like to be a part of the class action lawsuit!
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Dog became ill after a few weeks eating KIBBLES AND BITS dog food. Vomiting and lethargy. I changed brands and dog improved after about 10 days. What is the company putting in the dog food – horse meat?
I am floored! Why I didn’t know about this until I happened to stumble on Dog food my best friend and licsened Support Dog has been eating Kibbles and Bits for 1.5 years and has been loosing her fur vomiting at least 2 times per week
Most importantly I thought she may have Hip Displsua and early dementia. … Vet nor I would have ever thought to do tests for poison!!! Especially since Kibbles n Bits was always on the shelves never retracted.
Now She has been tested and positive for the lethal drug…. Unbelievable!
Yet know I knew she May actually be out of pain and ne with me longer… I am grateful .
I am placing a demand for Vet bills for blaten neglect to reoort and inssure ALL product Sales where Stopped
dogs continued to have lethargy when fed kibbles and bits. about a week or so, after changing dog food brand the dogs improved. I now make their food in my kitchen from human grade products.
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i HAVE REGULARLY FEED ALL MY DOGS GRAVY TRAIIN AND KIBBLES AND BITS CAN FOOD until the news came out about the issue with it and one of my yorkie poos had major issues thank god I stopped feeding it to her in time
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