BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — UPDATE: Lab tests revealed no link between Mr. Justice's dog and Purina Beneful dog food. A veterinarian tells Channel 2 Action News that tests show the dog had a heart tumor and kidney failure. Tests on the food showed nothing toxic.
A grieving dog owner is seeking lab tests on the food he suspects led to his pet's death.
Chuck Justice reached out to Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland after Strickland's continuing coverage on a class action lawsuit against Purina's Beneful dog food.
"My plan is to get to the bottom and get some answers as to why our dog died prematurely," said Justice.
Justice's bichon frishe Baxter was euthanized Sunday after a sudden and massive kidney failure.
Justice exhumed his dog Tuesday night and returned the remains to his veterinarian for more tests.
"Almost immediately, looking at the dog I realized the dog was very, very sick," said Dr. Sue Monsour, DVM of the Best Friend Veterinary Hospital in Barrow County.
Monsour says the dog had been healthy in November, but had lost nearly a third of his body weight in a short time.
"Are you baffled?" asked Strickland.
"Yes. It would be nice to know what happened here," Justice said.
Justice has requested samples be sent to UGA, and he's seeking a lab to test the dog's food.
"The vet said he had five more good years in him. And (Beneful is) the only thing that he ate over the last two years and treats that we would give him," he said.
The treats are Beggin' Strips, which are also made by Purina.
Justice's suspicions are clear but his vet is waiting for the results.
"At this point, can you blame the food?" Strickland asked.
"No. I cannot point my finger at anything right now. We don't have the facts," said Monsour.
A Purina spokesman refused to comment on an individual case but encouraged Justice to call the company. Spokesman Keith Schopp says Beneful, which is made in south Fulton County, passes strict quality controls and that owners can feed it to their dogs with confidence.