Pet Owners Double Checking Cabinets

Pebbles, the Yorkshire terrier that became a symbol of the national pet food scare is shown in this, March 21, 2007 file photo, at Collett Veterinary Clinic in Los Angeles. Pebbles died Thursday while being treated for kidney failure that developed after she ate some of the suspect food. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file) (Reed Saxon - AP)

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Pet owners were rechecking their cabinets and threatening legal action after state officials said rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs.

It was unclear how many deaths would eventually be linked to the "cuts and gravy" style food produced by Menu Foods, but scientists said Friday they expected more would be announced.

The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said.

The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food the company produced and sold throughout North America.

After Friday's announcement, Menu Foods food advised retailers to remove all brands from their shelves to verify the dates they were packaged, a company spokesman said, though the recall still applies only to the dog and cat foods identified on its Web site since March 16. Those cover cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6.

"The recall has not been expanded," Menu spokesman Sam Bornstein said Saturday.

Menu Foods, based in Ontario, Canada, said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the tainted food, but it was cold comfort to the owners of pets sickened or killed.

"Before they put this stuff in the bags, there should be some kind of test," said Jeff Kerner, whose Yorkshire terrier named Pebbles died Thursday. "I can't just let it go. Even if they just change the law."

The dog had eaten some of the food, Kerner said, and he was contacting an attorney because he wanted to prevent another pet tragedy.

Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and one dog. However, pet owners and veterinarians said the tally could actually be higher, and other deaths were reported anecdotally around the country.

There is no risk to pet owners from handling the food, officials said.