(CBS SF) — A popular pet flea and tick collar has been linked to hundreds of pet deaths, and thousands of other pets injured, and hundred of humans harmed as well, according to a published report.
A joint investigation by USA Today and the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting cited U.S. Environmental Protection Agency documents which the report says details the side effects from the Seresto flea and tick collar.
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According to the report, since the pet collars were introduced in 2012, the EPA has received reports of at least 1,698 related pet deaths as of June 2020. In addition, there have been some 75,000 incident reports related to use of the collars, including nearly 1,000 people experiencing side effects, including seizures, rashes, and heart arrythmia.
The report also said the EPA has not informed the public of the risks of using the Seresto collar.
Former EPA scientist and communications officer Karen McCormack told USA Today the agency has known about these incidents for years.
“The EPA appears to be turning a blind eye to this problem, and after seven years of an increasing number of incidents, they are telling the public that they are continuing to monitor the situation,” McCormack told USA Today. “But I think this is a significant problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.”
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