Family Sues Petco After Calif. Boy, 10, Dies From Rat Bite Fever

ABCNews ^ | Feb 25, 2014 | By Kami Dimitrova

[Daffynition]

The family of a 10-year-old-boy who died from rat bite fever is now suing Petco for the boy’s death.

Aiden Pankey died last summer from rat bite fever, a disease reportedly carried by a rodent purchased from a Petco in San Diego, Calif., according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The family, as a result, filed a lawsuit and is now waiting for a response from the national company.

[Daffynition]

What a terrible tragedy.

[lee martell]

Very sad, The ten year investment in a child’s life; all gone. Seems to me that even a healthy rat is known to carry certain viruses potentially harmful to humans. Sort of like racoons. I’ve always heard one should never touch a male raccoon (as if they would just stand there and let you touch them) There is a hormone based substance in the saliva of the male racoon we should avoid. Second point, do pet owners, sign some form a accepting liability when they adopt a pet?
Third point; the boy died last summer, are you telling me no doctor could figure out the cause of death for all those months? The doctors were probably not taking this child’s death as a serious matter.

[Mastador1]

Very sad, The ten year investment in a child’s life; all gone.

Dear god! I hope you aren't as cold hearted as you words appear. You really need to read what what you write prior to hitting the post button, because your words imply that the money spent on raising this child is a greater loss than the child.

[iontheball]

Very sad, The ten year investment in a child’s life; all gone.
_____________________________________________
It sounds like you put the child in the same category that I would put the loss of one of my Angus bulls on my farm. There is a difference, you know?

[lee martell]

I meant the investment of love and devotion. The way I was fortunate enough to be brought up. I aiways felt that I was a wanted child. Not everyone does.

[peeps36]

My daughter wanted another hamster after her first one managed to escape from its cage and get eaten by the cat. I wouldn't buy her another one because I don't like rodents or the way they smell. The first hamster was an escape artist who escaped right into the cat's mouth. The only think that was left was a small pork-chop bone and what I think was his skull.