New York-based company to re-inspect inventory.

Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008, 6:43 p.m., EDT

A New York-based pet product company has pulled all its dog toys off the market after a Labrador retriever was injured in June by the Four Paws Rough & Rugged Pimple Ball with Bell.

Four Paws said it has stopped shipping the toys to distributors and asked them to have retailers take the toys off shelves immediately and send them back at the expense of Four Paws.

“We’re not taking a chance,” said John Cummings, project manager with Four Paws. “50,000 toys are coming back because we want to make sure everything is 100 percent before it hits the market.”

In addition, the company halted shipments of the toys from the manufacturer and is sending Executive Vice President Barry Askin to inspect the manufacturer’s facility to make sure that the problem gets fixed.

A defect caused the ball’s second hole to be sealed, which can create a vacuum when chewed. The injured dog’s tongue had to be amputated after it got stuck inside the ball.

Cummings said that the dog’s owner, a resident of New York, contacted the company directly, without any lawyers, and the case was settled out of court. The company is taking full responsibility for the dog’s care, he said, adding that the dog is relearning how to eat.

Four Paws said on its website that it is also changing the packaging of its Pimple Balls with Bells to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects and they are individually inspecting every one of the toys in inventory in order to identify any that may be defective.

Consumers who have purchased one of the toys identified by the UPC listed on the company’s website should immediately take the toy away from their dog. People may call Four Paws at 800-835-0909 for more information. <HOME>