Pet Toy Recall Issued Nationwide With Warning of Possible 'Death'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Petmate has issued a nationwide recall of its Pet Zone Laser Pointer & LED Ball pet toys, citing a severe risk of injury or death if the button cell batteries inside the toys are ingested.
Newsweek reached out to Petmate and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The recall targets the Pet Zone Laser Pointer & LED Ball pet toys, which violated federal battery safety standards established under Reese's Law, enacted on August 16, 2022, mandating that CPSC implement federal safety requirements for button cell or coin batteries and consumer products containing such batteries. Those requirements do not apply to toy products for children under 14 if the products comply with the so-called Toy Standard designated by federal regulation.
In September 2023, CPSC voted on and approved a mandatory standard to reduce button cell and coin battery ingestion hazards to children ages 6 and younger.
CPSC reports that such incidents remain a leading cause of accidental injury and fatality among children in the United States.
Over 15,000 units of Pet Zone Laser Pointer & LED Ball pet toys have been recalled due to button cell or coin batteries that pose choking/swallowing hazards for children.
Over 15,000 units of Pet Zone Laser Pointer & LED Ball pet toys have been recalled due to button cell or coin batteries that pose choking/swallowing hazards for children.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
What To Know
The recall, announced Thursday, affects approximately 15,400 units sold exclusively at Menards stores and online from September 2024 to March 2025, according to CPSC.
Swallowed batteries "can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and death," per CPSC.
Newsweek reached out to Menards via its online contact form.
The recall affects two Pet Zone products: a white laser pointer with blue paw prints measuring 2.9 inches; and a clear, motion-activated LED ball measuring 1.6 inches in diameter. Both toys were packaged with six button cell batteries preinstalled.
The affected products are identified by "Danger" and "Accession No. 2430278-000" on a silver label on the laser pointer, with the "PET ZONE" logo and "LASER POINTER & LED BALL" printed on the packaging front and "Item #:15712EAM" on the back.
Caution is warranted, as the LED ball's plastic sphere can break upon impact, making the batteries accessible—presenting an ingestion hazard, particularly to children who may be exposed while playing with or being around pets.
The importer, Doskocil Manufacturing Company Inc. doing business as Petmate, is based in Arlington, Texas. The toys are manufactured in China.
While no injuries have been reported as of August 7, the remedial action is a full refund for consumers.
The CPSC and Petmate advised all consumers to immediately stop use of the affected toys.
What People Are Saying
CPSC, in a recall notice on August 7: "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled pet toys and contact Petmate for a full refund."
What Happens Next
Consumers should immediately halt use of the recalled products and seek a refund through Petmate.
Refunds can be requested via Petmate's recall portal at recallrtr.com/pettoys or at petmate.com (click "Recall" at the bottom of the page), or by calling Petmate's customer service at 888-847-8716 during weekday business hours.
Proper disposal or recycling of the batteries should follow local hazardous waste guidelines.
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