Oregon Man Sues Wild Coast Pet Food After Cat Dies from Bird Flu

Lead: In a tragic case shedding light on the risks of raw pet food, Tim Hanson, a pet owner from Oregon, has filed a lawsuit against Wild Coast Pet Food. The lawsuit, filed this week, stems from the death of his beloved cat, Kira, who succumbed to bird flu allegedly contracted from the company’s raw chicken cat food. The suit seeks nearly $8,000 in damages for veterinary bills and legal fees as a result of the incident that occurred in early February.

Details of the Lawsuit

– **Plaintiff:** Tim Hanson
– **Defendant:** Wild Coast Pet Food
– **Claim:** The product was marketed as healthy without warnings about potential risks
– **Damages Sought:** Approximately $8,000

Hanson, who adopted Kira in 2021, had been feeding her raw food, believing it offered health benefits. He purchased the Wild Coast brand cat food in January and noticed Kira refusing to eat in early February. After a trip to the vet on February 5, tests confirmed Kira was infected with H5N1 bird flu, and she was euthanized on February 9.

Wild Coast Pet Food Response

– **Recall:** On March 1, Wild Coast recalled its 16 oz and 24 oz Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula for cats sold in Oregon and Washington.

The recall alert warned pet owners to monitor their pets for bird flu symptoms, stressing the importance of contacting a veterinarian if any concerning signs appeared. Symptoms can include fever, lethargy, and neurological issues.

The Threat of Bird Flu

– **Impact on Cats:** Numerous cases of H5N1 bird flu among domestic cats have been documented across the U.S.
– **Deaths Reported:** Cats from New York to Oregon have died from the disease, raising concerns among pet owners.

Despite the alarming nature of these cases, U.S. health authorities have maintained that there has been no documented transmission of bird flu to humans through food consumption. Both milk and beef have been tested as safe for human consumption when properly handled.

Public Concerns and Observations

– **Human Transmission:** No human-to-human transmission of the bird flu has been reported in the U.S., though mutations have raised concerns about future risks.
– **Documented Cases:** As of now, there have been 70 confirmed cases of H5N1 in the U.S., with one reported fatality.

Wild Coast Pet Food has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the lawsuit or the recall.

Conclusion: This lawsuit highlights the significant risks associated with raw pet food products and the potential dangers posed by bird flu. As pet owners seek transparency and safety in pet food, the outcome of this case may prompt further scrutiny of food labeling practices and health regulations.

Keywords: Oregon man, Wild Coast Pet Food, bird flu, raw cat food, lawsuit, pet safety, H5N1, cat illness, pet food recall

Hashtags: #OregonNews #PetSafety #BirdFlu #CatHealth #Lawsuit #WildCoastPetFood



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