Puerto Rico veterinarians' group says 2 dogs killed by tainted pet treats

Two miniature schnauzers in Puerto Rico died of kidney failure after eating U.S. pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical, a veterinarians' group said Saturday.

The two pets died after eating Ol'Roy dog biscuits bought from the supermarket chain Amigo, which is owned by the Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., according to Victor Collazo, chief of Puerto Rico's Veterinary Medical Association.

The biscuits were contaminated with melamine, used to make plastics and other industrial products, Collazo said in a statement.

Collazo said it was the first animal deaths recorded in the U.S. Caribbean territory as part of a national recall of several brands of pet foods and treats that officials say is one of the largest pet food recalls in history.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received thousands of complaints but has confirmed only about 16 pet deaths. Other sources put the death toll much higher.