Menu Foods (Poison Pet Food Company), Harrass Suing Pet Owners

[DeSwiss]

Court: Menu Foods Harassed Pet Owners
Menu Foods, whose pet food products include the Nutro brands shown here, has hired an insurance adjustment company to contact pet owners who called the company to report animal illnesses or deaths.

By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Updated May 27, 2007

The pet food company that recalled 60 million cans of contaminated dog and cat food repeatedly made harassing phone calls to pet owners who had lawyers and said they didn't want to talk, even after a judge ordered the firm to leave them alone, court records show.

Lawyers from six firms representing clients who claim their pets were harmed by Menu's pet food asked a federal judge in New Jersey Wednesday to stop Menu from "bullying" people who had called the company since the recall was announced March 16, according to their court filing.

U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman in Camden, N.J., agreed with the plaintiffs, describing the calls as "aggressive," according to a transcript of the hearing obtained by USA TODAY.

"It's one thing for two people to sit down at the table and voluntarily agree to settle their case. It's another thing to harass people on weekends through automated phone calls," Hillman said to Edward Ruff of Pretzel & Stouffer, Menu's lawyer.

more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-26-menu-foods-harassment_N.htm

*** - There's stupid. Then there's REALLY, REALLY stupid...

[drm604]

1. This part really gets me.

Menu posted a notice on its website after the hearing, saying it could not have direct contact with individual pet owners "for the time being" because of the court order.

"In light of the order, we regret that we cannot communicate with you at this time. As soon as the court permits, we intend to resume efforts to resolve claims directly with pet owners. We will post additional information when we are able," the notice says.

Oh sure, that nasty judge is preventing you from making honest efforts to resolve claims with your customers. You'd settle things honestly and fairly if only the courts would allow it. :sarcasm:

[Mythsaje]

2. I don't think these people realize exactly HOW pissed off

a lot of people are about it.

We've switched to an all-natural, human grade dog food over it. Since a lot of the worst offenders were "premium" brands, I don't think they can afford to pull this crap. We don't spend a heck of a lot more on our new brand than we would on one of their "premiums."

Not smart. Not smart at all.

[shenmue]

3. Just let me and my dog have a few words with 'em.

Their crap almost killed her. :grr: