Do Not Use Laser Pointers With Dogs. Part 6

Part 6 – I Inform Petco of the Danger of Laser Pointers for Dogs

On October 6, 2020, CNN reported that Petco is no longer selling e-collars.

“Shock collars are not consistent with our mission of improving lives,” Petco CEO Ron Coughlin told CNN Business in an interview.”

Petco also did a Press Release.  Petco’s CEO sounded like a sincere person who is truly interested in discontinuing the sell of  products that damage dogs.  As I write this, I am fighting back tears so I can continue to see to type.  This is why …

On December 28, 2023, I emailed Petco’s CEO, Ron Coughlin.  On the subject line, I put “The Danger of Laser Pointers and Dogs.”  I requested a read receipt.   Coughlin’s X (formerly Twitter) profile says

“Improving the lives of pets, pet parents …” 

I thought certainly he would want to know that Petco is selling a product that is marketed as a toy for dogs, but when used, causes them OCD.   My email to Mr. Coughlin ended with the following:

“This condition was created because the laser is marketed as “irresistable” to most pets – from dogs …”.   That is true, but there is no warning on the label, nor warning on Petco’s website that using the laser might cause your dog OCD. “

“I humbly ask that Petco considers educating dog owners by putting information on their website about using laser pointers.  Since Petco sells laser pointers, it would be a great educational advantage to require manufacturers to include a warning in their product description that the product is not for dogs.  In the alternative, Petco should discontinue selling laser pointers.  Petco can be the hero in this matter by making a public announcement or a Press Release announcing why they are discontinuing to sell laser pointers.  It should educate many dog owners, shelters, and breeders. “

“Additionally, for those customers who have purchased laser pointers through Petco, and now find that their dog needs medical and behavioral modification help, Petco should setup a fund to help defray the cost.  Not many dog owners can afford a professional trainer and the cost of prescription drugs.  From my experience, I am already feeling helpless and guilty.  I am a senior citizen and my sole income is social security retirement.  Prescription and behavioral modification costs are estimated to be $700.00 – because of the laser pointer.   Please consider this a claim for damages.”

On January 10, 2024, I received an email informing me that my email to Coughlin was deleted without being read.

I was devastated.  Wasn’t the title in the subject line enough to get his interest, especially since he says he wants to improve the lives of pets?  He doesn’t have staff to read his email and advise him what emails he should read?   Or maybe, he already knows that laser pointers are a danger to dogs but continues selling the product until another country puts warning labels on them or discontinues their sell, (as what happened with e-collars when some countries banned them years before Petco discontinued selling the product). 

On January 17, 2024, I reached out to Petco via X, (formerly Twitter).  It turns out that Petco uses a third-party to monitor social media, so the most they can do is request that you direct message them.  I did, asking what information they need.  I gave them requested information and in the direct message, copied and pasted the email I wrote to Ron Coughlin.  It also turns-out that numerous members of Petco’s staff are sent the direct messages.   It appears that the staff decides what other third-party should follow-up on the issue.

On January 18, 2024, I received a phone call from Cynthia Elizarraras who identified herself as a claims specialist for Petco.  However, she doesn’t work directly for Petco but is a third-party who works for Helmsman Management Services.  The phone number appeared on my caller ID as Liberty Mutual.

Cynthia was only interested in my claim — monetary claim for damages.  She was not interested in the considerations I asked of Ron Coughlin in my email and she has no authority to send my email back to Petco for consideration of anything beyond the scope of her job. As of writing this post, I’ve not heard from anyone with Petco, nor representing Petco, about my request for their considerations as set-forth in my email. 

Cynthia wanted proof that the laser pointer caused my dog OCD.  She wants a statement from the Vet.  The Vet only knows what I told the technician.  The Vet prescribed Prozac for Gracie based on what I told his technician.  He diagnosed Gracie with “Generalized Anxiety Disorder”.  He reported that he does not know the etiology. Overall, Petco’s third-party claims specialist has to rely on what I told the vet’s technician. 

There is a survey conducted by Center for Canine Behavior Studies on dogs exposed to laser pointer play. There is another survey conducted by two colleges on laser pointers and cats.  That’s the only way to conduct a “study” that laser pointers cause dogs and cats OCD — they ask pet owners to answer questions and report the answers.  Their survey is limited to the number of returned surveys.   To get a sampling of dogs never exposed to laser pointers, and expose them to laser pointers to prove that they cause OCD, would constitute animal cruelty as it has potential to cause them great, psychological damage. 

Factually, medical professionals do not know the etiology for OCD in human beings.  But, Cynthia Elizarrars, Petco’s third-party claims specialist, wants something that medical professionals can’t give her for humans, much less animals.

An article published in Newsweek titled, “Dog Owner Shares Reality of German Shepherd’s Life With OCD: ‘Sad“,  supports that vets do not, or hesitate to officially go on the record that playing with laser pointers causes dogs OCD. 

“Oakley, who is now a year old, initially displayed signs of obsessive behavior when she was a young pup. The trigger? A seemingly harmless game with a laser pointer. ‘My boyfriend thought it was cute [and] fun to make her chase it around, not realizing that this would cause long-term effects,’ Ashley explained.”

“While Oakley’s OCD has not been officially diagnosed by a veterinarian, Ashley, who works as a veterinary technician, has consulted with fellow professionals in her field who have confirmed the condition based on videos and descriptions of Oakley’s behavior.”

Vets would also hesitate to state an official cause because they base their diagnosis on what was told to them rather than witnessing the laser pointer used with the dog then witnessing its behavior after the laser pointer is turned off.   In the legal realm, this is considered hearsay and would not be acceptable testimony or evidence. 

Imagine if the Surgeon General never put warnings on cigarette packages because he never witnessed anyone smoking who was subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer?   How did the government come to its conclusion?  This is how — scientists conducted a study/survey on cause and effect relationships.  They put the links together.   Of course, they called what the scientists did a “study”, but the article states that the participants were asked whether they smoked cigarettes as wells as other questions.  When there was follow-up, there was also a questionnaire that required check-offs.  That’s characteristic of a survey.

However, when professionals and colleges conduct a “survey” of dog and cat behavior after playing with a laser pointer, it’s not considered a “study”; it’s not given cause and effect relationships; no links are connected; leaving pet owners in a state of abandonment. 

That red dot is marketed to use with pets who have prey drive.  The red dot has no smell, no taste, no sound.  It attracts only by movement, requiring nothing more than the animal’s sense of vision to movement.  It cannot be bitten or squashed under a paw.  It simply disappears from where it was appearing and thus, the animal continues looking for it — becomes obsessed with trying to find it by using one sense only — that of sight.   Maybe they can dig it out of its hiding place.  Maybe they can bark to scare it out of its hiding place.  Maybe they can bite through the object they saw it on and find it.  It has to be there.  With no smell or sound, the pet continuously tries to bring it out its hiding place so it can see the lighted dot and capture something that is designed not to be captured.

Can those responsible for selling laser pointers as toys for dogs and cats not see the link between the use of the laser pointer, and the pet’s behavior after playing the losing game? 

Next: Part 7 – Cynthia Elizarrars, Petco’s Third Party Claims Specialist, Passes The Proverbial Buck.