Latest news with #pet safety
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Distraught animal lover says $5 cat toy she bought from Target killed her kitty
A heartbroken pet owner revealed that a cheap cat toy she bought from Target tragically killed her beloved kitty. Mazie Kayee, known as @ on TikTok, shared a video last week warning about Target's $4.39 'Fish Trio Wand Cat Toy,' which she had purchased for her one-and-a-half-year-old cat, Blue. She said that the colorful tassels hanging from the tails of the three plush fish became lodged in the cat's stomach and wrapped around his intestines, causing his death. 'These toys are supposed to be safe. What we buy off shelves is supposed to be safe,' she told the Daily Dot. 'But it's not - and pet safety, pet care, and product accountability need to be talked about way more than they are. Animals deserve better.' On June 26, Blue began vomiting continued to through the night. Kayee grew increasingly alarmed when the color and smell of the vomit became 'indescribable,' she said in a TikTok clip. Kayee went to the animal hospital, where veterinarians confirmed through X-rays that something was stuck in Blue's stomach. Initially, veterinarians told her they could perform surgery remove the object, but it came too late and Blue passed away. Veterinarians explained that the tassels had clumped together inside Blue's stomach, with some strands wrapping around his intestines - leading to a severe infection that caused sepsis. 'I feel like I failed as a fur parent,' Kayee said. 'This is something I didn't read reviews on because it was a $4 toy.' She eventually reached out to Target's corporate office, where the representative she spoke with was reportedly at a loss for how to respond to such a tragic situation. Kayee was then referred to the company's insurance provider, which she said seemed unsurprised - leaving her to wonder how many other animals may have suffered the same fate. Her desperate pleas on TikTok and outspoken response caught widespread attention, leading Target to pledge changes to the toy - a redesign their team is now actively working on. 'Target said they're going to redesign the toy,' Kayee said in a follow-up video. 'After hearing my story and then reading the reviews, they just said, "No more."' She told the Daily Dot that reps from the retail giant personally called her to inform her of the redesign. 'The insurance company has sent a letter to the manufacturer stating that they are legally obligated to give us compensation,' she explained. 'The lady I talked to through Target said she greatly appreciated me reaching out because they don't know if no one speaks up.' As of now, the cat toy has been removed from Target's website. Kayee posted another video showing its absence from the app, stating, 'Target is taking this very seriously, and that's all they can do now.' Her story resonated widely on social media, with her videos surpassing a million views and earning thanks from fellow cat owners. 'You probably saved my cats lives. Thank you for sharing your story! I'm so sorry for your loss,' one viewer wrote. 'This is terrifying, I just got this exact toy for my cat. It's going right in the trash,' another commented. 'I'm sorry for your loss but thank you. You've saved a lot of cats, including mine,'a third added. Kayee urged others to read product reviews carefully, especially when buying items for their pets. Pets are not just aesthetic fur balls,' she told Daily Dot. 'They're living, feeling members of the family.'
BBC News
01-07-2025
- BBC News
Dog treats with fishhooks found in Abergavenny park
Dog walkers have been warned to "be vigilant" by police and council after treats laced with fishhooks were found in a popular park. Jon Moss said his Spanish Mastin, Ripley, was seconds away from eating the treat in Castle Meadows in county council said it had received multiple reports from the area and asked walkers to "exercise caution".Gwent Police said it will be patrolling the area. Mr Moss, 54, from Llantrisant, and Ripley, have enjoyed walking in Castle Meadows in the past because of the river and the long grass which allows "friendly dogs" to run around freely. However, on Friday, Mr Moss was warned by several dogwalkers they had found dog treats with fish hooks in. Speaking on Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr Moss said: "I put my dog on a shorter leash, and kept my eyes out. And sure enough, about five minutes later, on one of the little paths, I found one myself." Mr Moss said: "It's staggering. I mean, if I didn't meet that couple five minutes before, my dog would have been on a 50ft (15.2m) lead, and she definitely would have eaten it - she saw it moments after me and tried to get it."I mean, best case scenario is if it got stuck in her mouth, I suppose, but if she swallowed it that's a whole different thing, and [would cost] thousands I would imagine in a vet these days," he said. He said he "certainly couldn't trust taking [his] dog there again" which is "a real shame". David Seabridge, 52, from Abergavenny was walking with Fox red Labrador Benson on Saturday when they passed a group of dogwalkers who warned him of the treats. He said: "I went, 'Oh my God, wow. Okay, so it's dog on lead time, because my dog's very well trained, but I cannot guarantee he wouldn't pick up one of his favourite dog treats."He said as soon as he did this and began scanning, one of the dogwalkers "found one just literally just off the pathway, in the grass".Mr Seabridge said the walk was "wrecked" because he was "panicking" about dogs eating them. His partner Clare Stone, 52, said: "We go there twice a day. So I'd say initially, we were quite nervous."But after her Facebook post to the community page received a lot of attention, the community banded together to warn dogwalkers and she said they felt much safer. She said they will still let Benson off the leash but will remain "vigilant".Ms Stone said her dad who is a fisherman told her dog treats with hooks are used for carp fishing - though the couple said they do not think this species is found in the river Usk. "It's a bit of a mystery whether it was a mistake or malicious," Ms Stone said. Gwent Police, Insp Emma Sowrey said: "Following this report we will be carrying out patrols in the local area and we would encourage dog owners to be County Council posted on Facebook that the treats had been found "on the footpaths at Mill Street, Abergavenny, which leads to the River Usk and may also be found in Castle Meadows itself".
