Emily
06-23-2008, 07:43 PM
Family Sues PetSmart, Claims Father Died From Contact With Diseased Bird
Updated: June 17, 2008 04:51 PM
Family Sues PetSmart, Claims Father Died From Contact With Diseased Bird
CORPUS CHRISTI-The family of a Corpus Christi man says he died because of a diseased bird. Back on September 30, 2006, Joe De La Garza's daughter Amanda, bought a cockatiel from PetSmart.
She told KRIS 6 News that she later learned the bird was sick with psittacosis, also known as "parrot fever" - a disease the family alleges in their suit killed her father and left Amanda in a coma and in the hospital for weeks.
Amanda pleaded, "PetSmart, please stop selling birds that may kill your customers, please stop." She wanted everyone to know about how her father died.
A former president of the American GI Forum and Vietnam Veteran, De La Garza died suddenly in October of 2006 at the age of 63.
Joe's brother, Mike, said the grieving process has turned into, "anger and frustrations, with PetSmart," where Mike said his niece bought the bird they claim caused his brother's death.
Weeks later, the bird died, Amanda was sick, and doctors could not figure out what was wrong. It was not until Joe's body was exhumed and tested by the Centers for Disease Control that the family learned Joe died from psittacosis, a disease that can be contracted by contact with infected birds.
Joe's son told 6 News, "It's been a whirlwind experience, since I walked into the house seeing my father dead, my sister almost dead."
Amanda added, "I feel as though PetSmart didn't show responsibility, didn't make the public aware that this disease is fatal."
The De La Garza family said PetSmart needs to stop selling sick birds. Mike asserted, "They had pulled their birds in 2006, 2007, 2008, so I think they're aware of it."
"It makes me sad. Of course, I feel lonely. I feel angry. I've lost my father, my birds," said Amanda - and nearly lost her own life.
The family is also suing Rainbow Exotics, who was the pet supplier at the time Amanda bought the bird.
A spokesperson for PetSmart said the store takes precautionary measures. Birds are treated and checked for symptoms by vendors for fifteen days before they get to PetSmart stores. The company also said they think it is highly unlikely that the De La Garza family contracted parrot fever from one of their birds.
Parrot fever is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria. It can be contracted from parrots, cockatiels, pigeons and other species of birds. The disease can be spread via the droppings of an infected bird or by contact with the feathers or eggs.
In birds, it causes inflamed eyes, difficulty breathing, watery droppings and shedding of feathers. In humans, it can cause symptoms such as high fever, respiratory problems, diarrhea and in severe cases, coma. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fatalities have been reported in less than one percent of cases.
Updated: June 17, 2008 04:51 PM
Family Sues PetSmart, Claims Father Died From Contact With Diseased Bird
CORPUS CHRISTI-The family of a Corpus Christi man says he died because of a diseased bird. Back on September 30, 2006, Joe De La Garza's daughter Amanda, bought a cockatiel from PetSmart.
She told KRIS 6 News that she later learned the bird was sick with psittacosis, also known as "parrot fever" - a disease the family alleges in their suit killed her father and left Amanda in a coma and in the hospital for weeks.
Amanda pleaded, "PetSmart, please stop selling birds that may kill your customers, please stop." She wanted everyone to know about how her father died.
A former president of the American GI Forum and Vietnam Veteran, De La Garza died suddenly in October of 2006 at the age of 63.
Joe's brother, Mike, said the grieving process has turned into, "anger and frustrations, with PetSmart," where Mike said his niece bought the bird they claim caused his brother's death.
Weeks later, the bird died, Amanda was sick, and doctors could not figure out what was wrong. It was not until Joe's body was exhumed and tested by the Centers for Disease Control that the family learned Joe died from psittacosis, a disease that can be contracted by contact with infected birds.
Joe's son told 6 News, "It's been a whirlwind experience, since I walked into the house seeing my father dead, my sister almost dead."
Amanda added, "I feel as though PetSmart didn't show responsibility, didn't make the public aware that this disease is fatal."
The De La Garza family said PetSmart needs to stop selling sick birds. Mike asserted, "They had pulled their birds in 2006, 2007, 2008, so I think they're aware of it."
"It makes me sad. Of course, I feel lonely. I feel angry. I've lost my father, my birds," said Amanda - and nearly lost her own life.
The family is also suing Rainbow Exotics, who was the pet supplier at the time Amanda bought the bird.
A spokesperson for PetSmart said the store takes precautionary measures. Birds are treated and checked for symptoms by vendors for fifteen days before they get to PetSmart stores. The company also said they think it is highly unlikely that the De La Garza family contracted parrot fever from one of their birds.
Parrot fever is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria. It can be contracted from parrots, cockatiels, pigeons and other species of birds. The disease can be spread via the droppings of an infected bird or by contact with the feathers or eggs.
In birds, it causes inflamed eyes, difficulty breathing, watery droppings and shedding of feathers. In humans, it can cause symptoms such as high fever, respiratory problems, diarrhea and in severe cases, coma. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fatalities have been reported in less than one percent of cases.