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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend April 14, 2007 Reno woman sues over cat's death Lawsuit targets Menu Foods; she joins growing list of complainants linked to recall The Associated Press RENO, Nev. — A Reno woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the manufacturer of recalled pet food, claiming Iams brand food killed her 20-year-old cat, "Patches." Marion Streczyn seeks unspecified damages from Ontario, Canada-based Menu Foods in the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Reno. Menu Foods spokesman Sam Bornstein said Friday that the company would have no comment. The company, which makes "cuts and gravy style" dog and cat food sold under nearly 100 store labels and major brands, recalled 60 million containers in mid-March after cats fell sick and died during routine company taste tests. The recall has since expanded to include earlier dates and other brands, and at least six pet food companies have recalled products made with imported Chinese wheat gluten tainted with an industrial chemical. The Food and Drug Administration said tests indicated the food was contaminated with melamine, which is used as a fertilizer and in the manufacture of cutlery and kitchenware. Advertisement FDA officials, however, have cautioned that it's uncertain whether the chemical has caused the deaths. While the FDA has confirmed about 16 pet deaths from tainted food, other sources put the death toll much higher. The Web site www.petconnection.com said as of Thursday, more than 4,000 animals have died, based on information from pet owners. Streczyn's suit filed April 2 joins a growing number of others filed around the country against the pet food maker and is believed to be the first in Nevada, her attorney, Brian O'Mara, said Friday. In the suit, Streczyn said she purchased and began feeding her cat Iams "Select Bites" cat food in December. By February, the suit said, Patches developed trouble urinating and was vomiting. A vet put her on antibiotics and steroids to help her eat, and changed her diet, but the animal eventually was euthanized. Though the cat was 20 years old, O'Mara said Patches was "in great shape." "The fact of the matter is, Patches never had a problem until she started eating the poison food," he said. ——— On the Net: Menu Foods: www.menufoods.com Food and Drug Administration: www.fda.gov Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary