Giant Tiger returns dog chew treat to shelves after investigation

The discount store chain Giant Tiger has returned a dog chew treat called Big Chew to its shelves after an investigation.

Earlier this month the chain pulled the treat from its stores across Canada after a P.E.I. family reported their four-year-old female shih tzu had choked to death while chewing a smaller piece of a Big Chew.

The hard chew treat is about 12 centimetres long, or the length of a granola bar, and is made of rice flour, wheat starch and chicken meal, according to the company that makes it.

In an email,Giant Tiger spokeswomanSara Chesiuk wrote:

"At this time, the investigation is complete and the product meets all quality and safety standards in accordance with CFIA. We are fully satisfied with the results of the investigation. That said, it is only after diligently reviewing the Certified Lab Test results that the decision was made to place this item back on the shelves."

When asked if thecompany has any idea why the dog in this case died, Chesiuk wrote:

"It's not possible without access to the dog in question and product sample to determine exactly the cause of death. We can however ensure that based on the extensive investigation the product is safe and meets all CFIA safety standards."

Earlier in April the vendor,Rush Direct Inc. Pet Products in Illinois, spoke withCBC News."We produce one of the best, top-selling products. The product is very safe," saidChief Executive Officer CharlesFerreira."This is a product we are producing more than 15 years and we run tests every year and we saw how the dogs eat that."

Ferreira said the chew treat is produced in the United States and many other companies make similar products.

"We've sold millions and millions of this product like the other factories ... and in 25 years nobody has had any choking case," he said.

Dog owner still upset

The dog's owner, Derek Wamboldt, is upset the investigation was done within a couple of weeks. The treat was pulled from shelves in early April.

Wamboldtsays he declined to send anything to the company that madethe treat. And he says because the dog died at home they just buried her, and didn't take her to a vet.

He still hopes to hire a lawyer.

"I don't know what to go do from here but I'll definitely do anything I can to fight this, fight itfrom being on the shelves".