Flea Collar May Be Linked to 1,700 Pet Deaths

March 19, 2021 – A top-selling flea collar that could be linked to the deaths of nearly 1,700 pets and hundreds of injuries to people is expected to be recalled, a U.S. lawmaker has said.

Since the introduction of Seresto collars in 2012, more than 75,000 incidents – ranging from skin irritation to seizures to death – have been reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to government documents obtained by a non-profit group, CBS News reported.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi wants a recall of the collars, which contain two different pesticides to fight fleas and ticks.

“I think it is only appropriate in this case that the manufacturer does a voluntary recall,” he said, CBS News reported. “We look at the situation, investigate and go from there.”

Retailer Elanco says the necklaces are safe. The “incident report rate … in the United States has been less than 0.3%” and the majority “relate to non-serious effects” such as skin problems, according to the company.

Elanco says he won’t issue a callback. It’s something that would belong to regulators, a company spokesperson said CBS News.