A New Rochelle family claims its beloved Pomeranian was the victim of tainted pet food that's blamed for several animal deaths nationwide.

The Colemans are mourning 14-year-old Sebastian who died last month while the family was on vacation. Michael and Lisa Coleman say their pet sitter called them saying the dog was lethargic, suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. The Coleman's eventually allowed a vet to put the animal to sleep.

Menu Foods, which manufactures several brands of dog and cat food, told retailers Friday to pull products from store shelves. The recall includes "cuts and gravy" style food made between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. The FDA believes rat poisoning may have tainted some of the wheat from China that was used to make the food. Menu Foods says it will pay for customers' vet bills.

However, the Colemans say picking up the tab will do little to ease the pain of losing their dog.

Related Information:U.S. Food and Drug Administration