Sportmix Hit with Class Action Lawsuits Over Deadly Dog Food

UPDATE: On Jan. 28, 2021, a group of grieving pet owners from all over the nation came together to file the latest class action lawsuit against the Midwestern pet food maker. They’re demanding the company pay up in damages of over $5 million for its part in their pets’ deaths and illnesses. 

The lead plaintiffs in this case include pet owners from California to Pennsylvania, and even in Georgia where plaintiff Harvey E. Williams says that his healthy American Pit Bull Terriers suddenly died after eating Midwestern’s Sportmix food. One of his dogs gave birth to a litter of eight puppies before she died. Those puppies also all died “suddenly and unexpected,” according to the class action lawsuit. 

All the plaintiffs assert that they would never have bought or fed their fur babies the Sportmix pet food had they known about the excessive levels of Aflatox. They accuse the company of lying about its product’s safety, as well as unjust enrichment and fraud. 

They’re looking for other pet owners nationwide who bought the company’s cat or dog food to join this proposed class action lawsuit. The plaintiffs are also demanding a jury trial in this one. 

Top Class Actions will continue to update this news article as the lawsuit develops. Click on the “Follow Article” button at the top of this page to get the latest updates on the Sportmix class action lawsuits by using your free Top Class Actions account.

Sportmix, an Indiana-based pet food maker, has been hit with several class action lawsuits after dozens of dogs died after allegedly eating one of the company’s products.

The class action lawsuits follow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recalls for more than 60 products in its line because of reports of pets dying after eating the foods.

At least four complaints have been filed against Midwestern Pet Foods Inc., the parent company of Sportmix.

The FDA issued a notice about the company that warned consumers to stop feeding their pets Sportmix products due to potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin comes from a mold that can grow in corn products, according to the recall notice.

The recall, which was issued after more than 70 dogs were reported to have died, includes 65 Sportsmix and other products made by Midwestern.

Top Class Actions is committed to helping right consumer wrongs by reporting on recalls and resulting lawsuits. If your pet got sick from the recalled Sportmix products, you may be able to join a lawsuit investigation.

Midwestern Allegedly Hid Dangerous Contamination

At least eight consumers have come forward in Sportmix class action lawsuits alleging that they purchased products that were potentially contaminated with aflatoxin. They say they would not have purchased the products had they known about the contamination and that Midwestern failed to properly warn consumers about the problem.

Initially, the recall was limited to Sportmix products associated with an investigation launched by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The recall was expanded to products made in Midwestern’s Oklahoma processing plant.

The Sportsmix class action lawsuits claim that consumers should have been warned far in advance of the aflatoxin contamination; instead, Midwestern knowingly or negligently exposed pets to a potentially deadly toxin.

Pets Become Ill, Die After Consuming Sportmix Food

Some plaintiffs claim that they’ve also been warned by vets that their pets will suffer complications from the aflatoxin exposure.

The Sportmix class action lawsuits say that Midwestern touted their quality control and the safety of their products.

“As a result of Defendant’s negligent, reckless, and/or knowingly deceptive conduct and representations, Plaintiffs suffered injury, harm, damages, veterinary care/expenses, consequential damages, incidental damages, and loss of business income, among other costs and expenses,” states a complaint filed by the Missouri couple who says their dogs died after eating Sportmix. “Further, Plaintiffs suffered injury and illness to animals, pets and loss of life to pets (including dogs), and other past and future damages and/or lost revenue.”

“We look forward to seeking reimbursements on behalf of pet owners for both the product they purchased and related veterinary expenses they may have incurred as a result of their pets consuming this now recalled pet food,” one of the plaintiff’s attorneys told Law360.

Did your pet get sick after eating Sportmix pet food? Tell us what happened in the comment section below!

The plaintiffs are represented by Young & Young and Gibbs Law Group LLP.

The Sportmix Pet Food Class Action Lawsuit is Williams, et al., v. Midwestern Pet Foods Inc., Case No. 3:21-cv-00022, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Do You Qualify: Sportmix Pet Food Recall Class Action Lawsuit
• High Levels of Aflatoxin Prompt Sportmix Pet Food Recall
• American Journey Dog Food False Advertising Potential Class Action Lawsuit
• WellPet Food Mislabeled As Grain Free, Class Action Lawsuit Says