Pet Food Recall: Nationwide Class Action Filed By Audet & Partners, LLP Against Menu Foods Seeking Medical Monitoring for Injured Animals and Emotional Distress for Class Members

CAMDEN, New Jersey and SAN FRANCISCO, March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The death toll from allegedly contaminated pet food sold by Menu Foods is likely going to be in the tens-of-thousands, according to William M. Audet, an partner with San Francisco-based trial and class action firm of Audet & Partners, LLP.

"Our firm has been contacted by dozens of distraught pet owners who have lost their pets because of this contaminated pet food," says Audet. "And that is just in the last few days," he says.

"I would not be surprised if tens-of-thousands of pets become ill and even die because of this," says Audet. "It's just sad and staggering."

This is confirmed by published reports that indicate that of the 40 to 50 animals in Menu Foods' own tests that were fed the contaminated food, 7 died. This indicates at least a 15 to 17 percent mortality rate.

Canada-based Menu Foods recalled more than 60 million containers of pet food in mid-March. This "cuts-and-gravy" style pet food was sold under more than 90 brand names including IAMS, Eukanuba and Science Diet. Recent press reports indicate that this pet food was contaminated with rat poison. This is one of the largest consumer product recalls in U.S. history.

However, recent press reports indicate that Menu Foods was aware of problems with their pet food as early as December 2006. "It is completely unacceptable for a company to wait months before recalling a contaminated food product," says Audet.

Furthermore, it is not clear what testing, if any, Menu Foods did on the food prior to shipping. According to other published reports, the pet food industry is largely unregulated and "self-policing."

"Clearly, something went wrong here," says Audet. "And as a result, tens of thousands of beloved pets will get sick or even die."

The class action complaint alleges the defendants knew by late December 2006, yet failed to let the public know of the reports. The class action seeks a damages and also request creation of animal medical monitoring program, paid for by the Defendants.

"We are pet owners too, and we want justice for those people who've lost their companions, it could have just as easily been any one of us here at the firm," says Audet. "I don't often get personally angry with our cases, but I'm angry here. This is just wrong."

Filed in federal court in New Jersey, the suit seeks unspecified damages. Furthermore, those pets that weren't killed by this product will have to undergo years of periodic testing to ensure proper liver functioning, and this suit seeks to reimburse pet owners for this cost.

Audet & Partners, LLP, represents individuals, governmental entities, small businesses and institutional shareholders in product liability, tort, negligence, consumer, construction defect, investment fraud, securities, insider trading, antitrust, environmental, whistle blower, aviation and employment cases. In recognition of their outstanding abilities and commitment to the legal profession over the years, the firm and its members have served as Court-appointed Plaintiffs' Counsel in dozens of federal and state cases throughout the United States.

For further information, please contact William Audet or Kevin Thomason at kthomason@audetlaw.com or 415.982.1776. Further information about this suit can be found at http://www.audetlaw.com/pet-food/index.html. In addition, the firm has put up an internet "memorial" for bereaved pet owners. That memorial is here: http://www.audetlaw.com/petstories2/guestbook.php.