Please read -calling all dog owners! See post #25, Jessika posted update.

**Taz_Zoee** · 08-20-2008, 06:17 PM

My friend just sent me this story. http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/
Please read and inform all dog owners.

**Husky_mom** · 08-20-2008, 06:24 PM

OMG how tragic!!...

better make second holes to every ball that doesn´t has one....

**Jessika** · 08-20-2008, 06:42 PM

That is just awful... and the fact that its happened to more than one dog disgusts me. WHY didn't he contact the company?!!??! I would have called them and made them pay for some of my vet costs!!!! I wonder if they've even acknowledged this issue??

**Freedom** · 08-20-2008, 06:44 PM

How awful! I have some of those around, need to get them gathered and picked up until I can address this.

Thanks for posting for all of us!

**Pam** · 08-20-2008, 07:15 PM

Bella and Ripley have that exact same ball. Fortunately neither one of them has ever really cared for it. I shall throw it out immediately! Thank you for this notice.

**shepgirl** · 08-20-2008, 07:22 PM

My dogs have never chewed a hole like that in theirs but maybe I'd be safer to get rid of it before they do...thanks for the warning.

**Karen** · 08-20-2008, 07:40 PM

Those of you who have one - no need to throw it out - just grab a nail, or a skewer, and make a second hole in it. The bigger the nail the better. Just something so air has an escape.

**Chica** · 08-20-2008, 11:19 PM

Hi, I read your story. I also replied to the company.
This is my e-mail I sent.

Mr. Allen Simons,

I am in support of a boycott of your company until you recall the product pimple ball with bell. It causes tremendous damage and pain to dogs. A dogs tongue can get caught in the hole of the ball and it cuts off the circulation of the tongue. If not able to remove the ball immediately, the tongue swells. Some dogs have had their tongue amputated because of this product. This is horrible and painfull to the dog who has to go through this surgery and feeding tubes to survive and recover. This product is inappropriate to sell to consumers who think it will be something enjoyable to their pets, when it is a danger to them instead.

A consumer,Sherry

I hope this helps your cause!

**jennielynn1970** · 08-21-2008, 04:01 PM

That poor dog! The fact that the company is saying that it's not going to do anything because it hasn't happened to enough animals, that's just disgusting.

I sent the story to my brother, since he has two dogs, so I hope he will read it and if they have any of those balls, I hope they cut another hole in them or just get rid of them.

**pitc9** · 08-21-2008, 04:29 PM

Omg!!!

**lizbud** · 08-21-2008, 05:01 PM

What an awful thing to have happened.

I tried watching the video of
the time after his surgery but, it's too painful to see how he's suffering.

I don't have any of those toys around here. I never buy a toy with a bell
inside if it's for my dogs.

Does anyone know if the owners have contacted TV station people
or other broader media to publish this story? It could really spread the
word about the danger of this toy.

**Jessika** · 08-21-2008, 05:21 PM

On zootoo, users have been emailing the company letting them know they're boycotting the product. The company has responded with this email:

Thank you for your recent note expressing concern over the Four Paws® Pimple Ball with Bell. We were equally alarmed to learn that a dog may have injured himself while playing with this toy.

Dogs have been enjoying the Pimple Ball with Bell for more than a decade with over 500,000 units sold. In all the years this product has been on the market, this is the first injury of this nature that we are aware of. Unfortunately, accidents sometimes happen. That’s why we recommend that dogs always be supervised when they are playing with any toy. We take great care in developing safe products for pets and their owners.

At this point we have identified the problem and are not shipping any more Pimple Balls. We have contacted customers that carry this product and have asked them to immediately return their inventory.

Thank you for your concern and feedback. Please know that we are in direct communication with the pet owner whose dog was injured. At Four Paws, happy pets and satisfied pet owners are our number one priority. Rest assured we will continue to work hard to deliver on our priority.

Sincerely,

Allen Simon

President, CEO

Four Paws Products

Sent by Haley Birk on behalf of Allen Simon