Tainted pet food fund approved

CAMDEN, N.J., Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Lawyers in the case say Procter & Gamble has approved a proposed $24 million fund for consumers whose pets ate food tainted with melamine last year.

The fund would pay for damages and end a lawsuit before U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman in Camden, N.J., the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Thursday.

Hillman has approved the fund and a pact between Procter & Gamble, Menu Foods Ltd., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and four other companies, the Enquirer reported, noting Canadian courts still must approve the agreement.

An estimated 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs died last year after eating pet food containing melamine-tainted wheat gluten from China.

Under the agreement before Hillman, consumers whose pets were injured or died could recover all of their financial damages if they can document claims, the Enquirer reported.