• Report: #367855

Complaint Review: Petsmart

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  • Submitted: Thursday, August 28, 2008
  • Last Posting: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
  • Reported By:West Bloomfield Michigan
Petsmart
7260 Orchard Lake Road West Bloomfield Michigan 48322 U.S.A.

Petsmart dangerous rawhide dog chews West Bloomfield Michigan


1Author 2Consumer 1Employee/Owner

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My dog died in my arms while choking on a rawhide dog chew purchased at Petsmart. While I realize these are sold all over the country, they are dangerous in that small pieces break off while the dog is chewing and become lodged in the dogs throat. It turns out that it is all over the web that this choking hazard from these dog chews is recognized as a substantial risk and many owners will not give these to their dogs. Petsmart must have had lots of similar complaints but does not post any warnings concerning this known choking hazard. I learned the hard way. Demand that stores, such as Petsmart where I bought these mini-Dingo dog chews, remove them from their shelves or at a minimum, post large warnings so that dog owners know that they are risking their pets lives giving them these items.

Bill
West Bloomfield, Michigan
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 8/28/2008 12:42:26 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/pet-shops-supplies/petsmart/petsmart-dangerous-rawhide-dog-25cd9.htm.

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1Author 2Consumer 1Employee/Owner
Updates & Rebuttals

#1 Consumer Comment

Most people don't know.

AUTHOR: Blahsblah2001 - Copley (U.S.A.)

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I'm glad that there's now another person spreading around news of the dangers.

I'm not sure why, but some people, even when informed of the dangers, flat-out deny them.
When I used to work in a kennel, people would check their dogs in with a rawhide chew. We'd tell them to take it home and throw it away, and they'd insist that the toy was fine because "Fido loves his rawhide, he's never had any trouble."
Invariably, the rawhide toys left in our possession would become 'lost.'

People just don't listen. Apparently Some of those people work in pet stores.
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#2 Consumer Comment

So sorry to hear

AUTHOR: Nari - Memphis (U.S.A.)

I am very sorry to hear for your loss, I would be absolutely heartbroken if this happened to me, but I thank you for posting this. I have a small dog that loves these mini Dingo bones. I noticed that they end up in a lot of pieces that I would usually have to throw out. I never even realized that it poses a choking hazard, and I agree with you that there should be some type of warning about this. The company should print a warning on the package. I won't be giving these to my dog again unless I'm supervising him and definitely won't leave them out for him whenever he wants anymore.. I just keep picturing this terrible tragedy happening with him. He is like a baby to me and I would be just devastated as I'm sure you were. Have you written to the company telling them your story? I am thinking about writing them myself to suggest a choking hazard warning on the package. It makes sense they should have one the same way they have labels for children, a lot of us think of our animals as our children too.
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#3 Ex-Employee

I feel for you

AUTHOR: Heather O - (USA)

I feel for you but how is this PetSmart's fault?  It is not the merchandiser who is responsible for posting these risks, but the manufacturer of the product.  When I used to work there, I ALWAYS told customers about the risks and issues with rawhide, and suggested other similar products they can buy.  I was blown off at least half the time, as others have mentioned.  A written warning on the package isn't going to change anything for anyone else. 
And they choking hazard is only part of it, since most dogs generally don't try to swallow things they can't.  It's intestinal blockage that is the real issue.  Rawhide does NOT break down during digestion since it is essentially dried leather.even if they get it down their throats, it may not pass through.  If you catch it early enough, it is a VERY invasive surgery that can range into the thousands.
Having a dog and a baby are very similar.  Just like you wouldn't give your child a new toy, no matter how popular, without research (or at least I wouldn't,) do the same for your dogs.

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