Class Action Lawsuit Arises from Pet Food Recall

Representing pet owners nationwide, Sacramento law firms Kershaw Cutter & Ratinoff, LLP and Wexler Toriseva Wallace, LLP, have filed the first Class Action lawsuit against Del Monte Foods (U.S. District Court, Central District of California, CV 07-1958-GHK AJWx).

Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) April 6, 2007 -- Representing pet owners nationwide, Sacramento law firms Kershaw Cutter & Ratinoff, LLP and Wexler Toriseva Wallace, LLP, have filed the first Class Action lawsuit against Del Monte Foods (U.S. District Court, Central District of California, CV 07-1958-GHK AJWx) arising from its alleged sale of contaminated dog food and other pet foods to the public. The pet food class action lawsuit (www.petfoodsclassaction.com) alleges that Del Monte’s Jerky Treats, Gravy Train Beef Sticks, and Pounce Meaty Morsels are contaminated with chemicals that can cause fatal kidney failure in animals that consume it. All of these brands were the subject of a recent nationwide recall and are believed to be contaminated by tainted wheat gluten from China. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for all veterinary bills that were paid by affected pet owners.

The recent Del Monte recall follows directly on the heals of the Menu Foods Recall that resulted in more than 60 million cans of pet food being pulled from shelves. Sacramento attorney Stuart Talley commented: “This problem is massive. Since the recent wave of pet food recalls, more than 9,000 people have submitted complaints to the FDA. We believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. At the end of the day we expect several thousands claimants to be part of this Class.”

Veterinarians recommend that all animals known to have ingested recalled pet foods be examined immediately. “Acute kidney failure can be reversible if caught early,” states Diane Roberts of Veterinary Medical Specialists in San Mateo, California, as reported by the San Mateo County Times.

•    A complete list of the recalled pet food can be found at www.delmonte.com.

The law firms of Kershaw Cutter & Ratinoff, LLP and Wexler Toriseva Wallace, LLP urge concerned pet owners to review the recommendations recently provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This information is available at http://www.avma.org/press/releases/070319_petfoodrecall.asp.

If you feel your pet has suffered injury or death as a result of consuming one or more of the pet foods listed on the Del Monte web site, and if you would like to participate in the Class Action, please visit www.petfoodsclassaction.com or contact Kershaw Cutter & Ratinoff or Wexler Toriseva Wallace.

CONTACTS:

Stuart C. Talley

KERSHAW, CUTTER, & RATINOFF, LLP

980 9th Street, Suite 1900

Sacramento, CA 95814

916-448-9800

www.kcrlegal.com

Mark J. Tamblyn

WEXLER TORISEVA WALLACE LLP

Sacramento Office

1610 Arden Way, Suite 290

Sacramento, CA 95815

916-568-1100

www.wtwlaw.us

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