LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California resident is suing the makers of a flea and tick medication over allegations the product caused essential oil poisoning in one of her animals.
Lori Johnson filed a complaint on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated on Nov. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Sergeant’s Pet Care Products Inc., doing business as Sentry, citing the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff purchased various versions of Sentry Natural Defense flea and tick medication for her dogs, which contains concentrated essential oils. The suit states in April, she purchased the product again and applied it to her dogs. She alleges one of her dogs experienced essential oil poisoning and was unable to walk and required a veterinary visit. She alleges it took two hours for her dog to walk without muscle tremors after the product was scrubbed off.
The plaintiff alleges that the defendant misrepresents that its products are safe for use around pets and children.
The plaintiff holds Sergeant’s Pet Care Products Inc. doing business as Sentry responsible because the defendant allegedly violated the CLRA by failing to inform consumers the medication could cause essential oil poisoning.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory, statutory and punitive damages; injunctive relief; prejudgment interest on all amounts awarded; and an order of restitution and all other forms of equitable monetary relief. She is represented by L. Timothy Fisher, Joel D. Smith and Thomas A. Reyda of Bursor & Fisher PA in Walnut Creek, California and Scott A. Bursor of Bursor & Fisher PA in New York.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 5:18-cv-02426