300 deaths tied to tainted pet food

More than 300 cats and dogs may have died in North America from eating contaminated pet food this year, according to a Michigan State University study.

The survey of veterinarians found that 236 cats and 112 dogs died or were treated for symptoms linked to food that was recalled starting in March, Wilson Rumbeiha, a clinical toxicologist who conducted the study, said.

Companies including Canada’s Menu Foods Ltd. and Nestle recalled more than 100 pet food brands. Health officials found that an ingredient imported from China contained melamine, a substance used to make plastic utensils and fertilizer.