Twenty four million dollar settlement to Pet Owners - Page 1

Companies that were sued over contaminated pet food that was linked to the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats have agreed to pay 24 million to pet owners in the United States and Canada.

Three hundred people sued about 30 companies in state and federal court they and perhaps thousands of others would be eligeable for payments under the deal.  There has already been 8 million dollars  paid out to people whose pets were sickened or killed after eating contaminated pet food.  Under this deal pet owners cound be paid for veterinarian bills and burial or cremation costs.

Pet owners could also ask for farir market value for their deceased pets. Owners who do not have documentaion of their expenses can get up to 900 dollars for each pet.   Any money left over will be donated to charities.

The settlement still needs a judges approval a hearing will be held in US district court in Camden NJ on may 30th.

We all need to keep our eyes and ears open on this settlement so that we all get our fair share of this money. 

This is probably the result of the class action suits. A friend lost 4 dogs, all AKC champions and top producers, to the Diamond contamination. She did not join in the class action suit,  opted to file her own suit which is still pending. I think others filed privately as well thinking that they would not be offered enough for thier dogs that died. According to the above, they were correct. $900 is not much for a top winning/producing dog and will barely cover most vet expenses.  My friend's vet bills were in the 5 figures for 4 dogs. Remember at first their was no diagnosis, so vets were using a shotgun treatment aimed at the symptoms. I don't imagine many vets will just accept the $900 and write off any balance. Once again the American dog owner takes it in the shorts. This settlement is not nearly as punative as it shold be.