Tainted pet food claims near 6,000

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Lawyers say they expect the number of claims filed in a massive pet-food recall in the United States to continue climbing.

USA Today said Tuesday nearly 6,000 people filed claims for a portion of the class-action settlement over dogs and cats that became ill or died from contaminated pet food.

"I expect that number will go up a lot. There's quite a bit of time to go," said Sherrie Savett, one of the plaintiffs' lawyers in the case.

The Food and Drug Administration received about 17,000 complaints from people whose animals were affected by the bad food, which turned out to contain a tainted ingredient imported from China.

USA Today said the claims would be accepted until Nov. 24.

The settlement, which must still be formally approved by a judge, provides up to $900 for vet bills and burial expenses for pet owners in the United States and Canada.