Update: Menu Foods Tested Deadly Pet Food on Dogs Before Recall, Killing 7

As if the North American-wide recall of 60 million products wasn't enough for pet food manufacturer, Menu Foods, emerging facts now suggest as many as seven animals died as a result of the company's own testing.

Ontario, Canada-based pet food manufacturer Menu Foods had the difficult task of recalling at least 60 million cans and pouches of wet dog and cat food across North American Friday after pet owners complained that animals were getting sick and dying after eating the food. First complaints of the tainted food were recorded as early as February 20, nearly a month before consumers were warned. Since then, at least 13 privately owned cats and one dog has died as a result. But it turns out that a number of animals died from the tainted food due to animal testing the company itself began on February 27: Menu Foods told the Food and Drug Administration that it fed the tainted food to 40 to 50 dogs and cats, seven of which died. The company said the food seemed to be more deadly for cats than dogs. The company is also seeing its first lawsuit after a Chicago-based woman sued the company, alleging it knew its products were contaminated and possibly deadly, but delayed the recall. “I want my vet bills and I want some compensation for what they did to my kids — and for the company’s neglect,” said Dawn Majerczyk, who's orange tabby, Phoenix, fell sick last week just two days after he ate a single package of Special Kitty, one of the brands covered by the recall. The recall news continues to cause a frenzy among pet owners and pet food retailers all across Canada and the US. Menu Foods, released a list on its website Saturday morning identifying what gravy-style wet pet foods that were affected. The list, which includes popular brands including Science Diet, Eukanuba, Iams and Nutro, caused retailers like Petsmart and Walmart to scramble to get the foods off their shelves. At least 10 animals died from kidney failure after eating the food. But disturbing reports say that Menu Foods proceeded to test the tainted food on 40-50 test animals to figure out the cause. At least seven of the test animals died. Related story: UPDATE_Dog_Cat_Deaths_Spur_Recall_of_Top_Brands