Andrea Rosebrock 
There’s a warning and horror story out on a specific dog toy called the Pimple Ball with Bell by Four Paws. This is not a joke.
I’m going to give you just a brief overview.
A ten year old retriever, Chai, was playing with the Pimple Ball and bit a hole in it. Because there was not adequate airflow, the dog’s tongue was sucked into the ball by the vacuum created. He was rushed to the vet to have the ball removed. It was not pleasant. The dog’s tongue had swelled up and due to complications. After several days under observation, it was determined that the dog’s tongue would have to be amputated.
Now the dog needs almost constant care, has to try to relearn how to eat and drink, not an easy thing.
The poor dog was in continual pain but is now starting to heal but has a long journey ahead of him.
His story is not the only one but may be the most severe.
Initially the company was not at all sympathetic but since the story got out, and you know how quickly
news can make the rounds on the internet, it has now taken a second look at the toy’s design and acknowledges a design flaw.
Four Paws is having retailers pull these toys off all the shelves and is asking anyone who owns one to get rid of it!
These toys come in several different colors and sizes. They have a larger hole on one side and a small one on the other. The smaller hole is the problem, it’s not completely open so there is no airflow.
You can see to the right a picture of the ball the poor dog got his tongue stuck in.
You can read Chai’s story – HERE. This incident just took place in June. There are pictures and video along with the very detailed story.
There is also a recent update regarding the company, Four Paws, Inc. acknowledging the problem and working to make amends, as much as anyone can make amends for a dog that has lost his tongue.
I want to thank Daniel Rechelbacher, Chai’s owner, for working so hard to get the word out on this dangerous toy and in his efforts, forcing Four Paws, Inc. to acknowledge their responsibility.
And if you have this toy in your house, GET RID OF IT!!
UPDATE – 8/23/08
There was a comment posted to Chai’s story about Four Paws acknowledging the problem about another dog dying from this very thing. Due to this, Daniel has decided not to accept Four Paws’ offer .
Seems this also happened to another dog, Cole, in 2005, but Cole was not as lucky as Chai, if you can call Chai lucky. Cole died from his injuries.
After phone calls and letters to the company I was assured the ball design would be changed. I have copies of what I sent to them. I was told several times this was just a freak accident and I agreed but still asked they change the design so that no other dog would suffer. I hope they did not tell you this had never happened before because I can assure you THEY KNEW about the problem in 2005!
Now to see that they did not respond and did not make changes and other dogs suffered needlessly makes me very sad. These balls are not sold in any stores near me, so I was not able to check to see if they had modified the design.
My Coley boy died as a result of his injuries. He was a 5 year old bouncy beautiful lab mix that wagged his tail up till the very end when we let him cross the rainbow bridge due to the horrendous injury to his tongue.
Now Daniel wants to know if others have went through this same horrendous ordeal;
I have chosen to reject four paws offer due to the following post that arrived over last night and ask ANYONE with similar situations to contact me. We need to find out if this a repeating pattern of indifference or just complete negligence.
If you, or anyone you know, has been involved in a similar situation, please comment here or at Daniel’s blog, The Chai Story.
Help to get the word out! Don’t let this happen to another dog!!
If you go to the Four Paws website, you will find no mention of a recall of this product, Pimple Ball with Bell. As a matter of fact, it is still being offered!!
And if you look at the ‘Legal‘ section of their website, you will find that they will not be liable for ‘any damages whatsoever’.
In no event shall Central Garden & Pet Company or Four Paws be liable for any damages whatsoever. In particular, Central Garden & Pet Company or Four Paws shall not be liable for direct, special, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages, or damages for lost profits, loss of revenue or loss of use, cost of replacement goods, loss or damage to data arising out of the use or inability to use the Four Paws Web Site or any of our products or services. This includes damages arising from use of or in reliance on the documents or information present on the Four Paws Web Site, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages
And this is a company that uses the motto, “The brand you can trust”???
Read about this on the Consumerist last nite.
@AIR – I got the info a couple of days ago and meant to do something on it then, have just been swamped. Very scary!! Thankfully the information is getting out and around quickly and effectively.
I think the Consumerist and FTLOTD are the top sites for advocacy. You know, you ARE mentioned on other sites. I found you mentioned a couple of times on KC Dog Blog.
http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog/
Word get out D. It gets out.
@AIR – Well, that’s encouraging. I try and with the help of so many, I know we are making a difference. Thanks Andrea!
I actually never look to see who is saying what about FTLOTD, I just do what I do and hope it gets out to as many people as possible. Helping the dogs and animals, raising awareness and educating is the only priority I have. Kind of interesting tho.
Deanna
Thanks, Deanna, for the info! I only discovered your website about a week, or so, ago and I’m glad I did! You are a godsend to the animals and their proud pawrents!
I have two words for the owners who’s dogs have suffered because of this.
1) Law
2) Suit
The Truth About Four Paws Toy
My name is Dr. Charles Greco. I’m a veterinarian in New York. I came across your blog about your dog Chai. I wanted to extend my well wishes for a speedy recovery. I own 6 dogs, 2 cats, 4 birds and 3 tortoises, so I know how much a pet can become a part of the family. I was shocked to learn that the toy that hurt poor Chai came from Four Paws Pet Products. I have used many products from Four Paws from Wee Wee Pads to toys and dental products and I have always found them to be of the highest quality. I personally contacted Four Paws today and talked to some lady in the customer service department that told me that the toy that hurt Chai was the result of a manufacturing defect with its pimple ball with bell toy. She explained that the defect, which is very difficult to see with the naked eye, is caused by a blockage in a small hole in the ball that is critical to regulating the suction inside the toy. She also told me that when Four Paws learned of the injury to Chai they immediately stopped shipping the product to distributors and retailers. She also said that Four Paws asked any retailers that had this toy in their possession to remove the toy and send them back to Four Paws. She told me that Four Paws is individually inspecting everyone of the pimple balls in its inventory in order to identify and discard any that are defective. She also said that Four Paws will also be changing the packaging of its pimple balls to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects. I was surprised when she told me that the Executive V.P., Barry Askin, was so deeply moved by the injury to Chai that he is personally visiting the manufacturer next month to inspect the manufacturer’s operation and to make sure the defect has been corrected and that procedures are in place to make sure the defect has been corrected and that procedures are in place to make sure it will not happen again. It was reassuring that this company is not sitting by idly but is taking an active role in making sure this terrible accident never happens again. I would just urge any pet owner who may already own one of these toys to check carefully to see if the second small hole in the ball is blocked. If they have any doubt whether the hole is open they should not let their pet play with the ball. I also went on Four Paws’ webpage, http://www.fourpaws.com. On the webpage they state that they will replace any defective toy. Again, all the best to you and Chai. I hope the two of you can share many years of happiness ahead.
Deanna,
I just got your email update on the “Chai Story” and I want to say thank you so much for providing the link to Daniel’s (Chai’s daddy) blog. You are a true lover of animals and I appreciate you more and more each day for all the work you do.
Sincerely,
Vicki Tankersley