Pets bring joy. Pets fill homes with warmth. They become family. Yet new warnings arise. A congressional team links a common pet collar with many pet injuries and deaths. This link raises questions about the collar’s safety and how agencies keep watch.
The Controversial Ceresto Collar and Its Danger Signals
The investigation centers on the Ceresto collar. The collar protects pets from fleas and ticks. It works by releasing two ingredients slowly on the skin over eight months. The EPA approved it in 2012. A year later, it entered the market as a safe tool against parasites.
However, the hearing paints a grimmer truth. Lawmakers report more than 98,000 incidents and over 2,500 pet deaths. Earlier, counts showed 75,000 incidents and 1,700 deaths. These rising numbers show deep concern among pet owners.
Personal Stories and Public Outcry
Pet owners share heartbreaking experiences. One owner says the Ceresto collar caused her dog’s death and feels that without the collar, her dog would still live today. Another voice describes a dog with a severe allergic reaction, leaving its neck raw and bleeding. Some reports even mention fake collars sold online. These counterfeit products may be more dangerous because they lack quality control.
Even though incident reports do not prove the collar is the direct cause, the personal stories and growing data add weight to calls for change.
Regulatory Failures and Corporate Responsibility
The hearing reveals that the EPA and manufacturers knew about these risks for years. Despite a mountain of complaints and internal alerts, the collar stayed on the market without proper recall. Lawmakers demand answers. They stress that protecting pets—and by extension, their human families—is a top duty.
Bayer first made the collar. In 2020, Elanco took over the product. Together, they sold nearly 34 million Ceresto collars in a decade. While some call for a voluntary recall until a full probe is complete, Elanco defends the collar and has not issued public comments.
The Path Forward
The EPA now reviews the Ceresto collar again and hopes to finish soon. However, no current EPA official testified at the congressional hearing. Many questions about past decisions and future actions remain open.
For pet owners, this story is a reminder. Even common pet products can bring serious risks. It is crucial to research pet care tools and demand transparency from both makers and regulators.
Conclusion
Congress exposed a troubling link between the Ceresto collar and pet deaths. This case shows the challenges of public safety, regulatory oversight, and corporate ethics. Until a complete investigation results in safer guidelines, pet owners should exercise caution and seek advice from their veterinarians about other pest control options.
Protecting our pets means making informed choices and relying on strong oversight. This warning is a call to act—both to avoid further heartache and to rebuild trust among pet owners, companies, and regulators.
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