ST. LOUIS - A Missouri couple are pursuing a class action lawsuit against Bayer Healthcare Animal Health and Elanco Animal Health Inc., alleging that the company knowingly marketed and sold flea and tick collars that were toxic to pets.
The suit was filed by attorney William T. Dowd on behalf of plaintiffs Michael and Christina McDermott in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, according to court documents.
The suit alleges that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents show 1,700 deaths and 75,000 incidents of pet harm have been linked to Seresto Flea and Tick Collars. It also alleges approximately 1,000 incidents involving human harm.
It is also alleged that the cat and dog collars were marketed as safe and effective, first by Bayer from 2012 through August 2020 when the company’s animal health division was sold to Elanco, and thereafter by Elanco.
In addition, some of the alleged complications caused in pets related to the use of the collars includes rashes, seizures, motor dysfunction, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive drooling. The suit also alleges that EPA documents indicate the number of adverse incidents with the collars are significantly higher than those from competing collars.
The McDermotts are seeking class damages in excess of the purchase price of the flea collars.