Shoppers Demand Dog Treats Be Removed From Shelves

PEKIN, Ill. — More than 60,000 consumers are petitioning Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway, Kroger and Walgreens to pull chicken jerky dog treats imported from China and thought to be linked to illness and death in nearly 2,200 dogs.

The campaign was started on Change.org by Rita Desollar whose German Shepherd died five days after eating two dog treats purchased at a Walgreens here.

“I knew nothing of the dangers of chicken jerky treats from China when I bought the package of Waggin’ Train dog treats at my local Walgreens in Pekin, Il as a special treat for my sweet and happy German Shepherd, Heidi. There were no warning on the package nor was there any warning posted on the shelf where I found them,” stated Desollar on Change.org, a site for creating petitions and building momentum for social change.

Read more: Byerly's Opens Pet Store, Launches Pet Rx Program

Chicken jerky dog treats are under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration, which over the past 18 months has fielded reports of 360 canine deaths and one feline death. While the FDA cautions consumers about a potential association between the treats and illness in dogs, scientists have not been able to determine a precise cause for the illnesses and no products have been recalled.

“Please be the store that we, your loyal customers, can trust,” implores Desollar's petition letter. “Please protect us, your customers, our families and our pets. We want to feel safe shopping with you. Please show us we can trust you by removing these dangerous jerky treats made in China from your shelves."

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