Local News

Feds: PETCO Warehouse Infested With Rodents, Birds

JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) ― Federal officials announced Thursday that PETCO Animal Supplies was under investigation for possible contamination of its pet food.

CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports that FDA inspections revealed rodents and waste at the company's storage facility in Joliet. The inspection was conducted one day after federal prosecutors filed a lawsuit claiming unsanitary conditions.

Federal marshals acting on a warrant seized pet food and products from the Joliet PETCO warehouse Thursday afternoon. That facility supplies products to stores in 16 states, including Illinois and Indiana.

Federal authorities said the warehouse on Rock Creek Boulevard in Joliet was overrun with birds and rodents, some of which had been gnawing at bags of pet food. During two inspections in April and May, investigators said they found animals and excrement inside, including 26 live rodents, 7 dead rodents, 30 birds, 1,300 rodent droppings and what appeared to be urine stains in and around stored containers of pet food.

Dog owner Jenny Wilson said, "That is concerning. I definitely don't want to buy anything that would make my animals sick. They should be a little bit more careful."

PETCO customer Dana Vicari said, "If you have a pet that you love, just like if you have children, you wouldn't want to give them food that's contaminated in any way."

When many people think of their pets as members of the family, news of the warehouse conditions put them on edge, especially coming on the heels of last year's pet food recall, in which thousands of animals were sickened by tainted food.

Dog owner Deb Martello said, "Thankfully, we were very lucky. That last problem with the pet food our dogs were on different products, so I think everybody is a little more aware."

Kevin Whalen, spokesman for San Diego-based PETCO issued this statement to over the phone:

"Since the last FDA inspection of our Joliet facility, which was earlier this spring, we've really acted aggressively to look at and address all the concerns raised in the inspections. We are fully committed to complying with all the requirements of the FDA."

Customers will have the final say. This may, or may not, have an impact of PETCO's already booming business.

PETCO customer Matt Schafer said, "It definitely makes me think twice about not going to PETCO again."

Andrea Baumgartner said, "It's like the only place you can get what you need. It's either PETCO or PetSmart and there's not a lot of other options."

The FDA allows for the seizure of food, even pet food, in cases such as this where it may have been contaminated with filth. It's important to note, at this time, there have been no cases of animal illness traced to products at the PETCO warehouse in Joliet.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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