Pet Food Isn’t ‘Human Grade,’ Class Claims

LOS ANGELES (CN) - PetCo and Old Mother Hubbard sell pet food under the false claim that it contains only "human grade" meat, though it actually contains feathers, viscera, skin and bones, a class action claims in Federal Court. The class challenges the claim that the ingredients of "Wellness" brand dry pet food are of "the same quality you would feed to your own family."

Lead plaintiffs Julie Barney and Candice Winzen say the defendants made millions from pet owners who are willing to pay extra for Wellness pet food, based on the false claims about its ingredients.

Wellness dog food contains chicken meal and other animal meal, which the class claims "consists of low quality poultry meat, poultry skin, bones, and may include feathers, internal organ and other viscera. Chicken meal is never suitable for human consumption."

The class seeks punitive damages and an injunction stopping the allegedly misleading ads. They are represented by Scott Ferrell with Call, Jensen & Ferrell of Newport Beach.

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