Rescue Group Claims Tennis Balls Responsible For Chemical Burns In 4 Dogs’ Mouths

The Humane Animal Project, a rescue group in Texas, is claiming that tennis balls have caused severe reactions in dogs under their care.

The group, located in Hempstead, Texas, had given four dogs brand new tennis balls, straight from the can. The dogs had serious adverse reactions after licking or chewing the balls. The tennis balls were purchased from a Costco store in Katy, Texas.

The Humane Animal Project/Facebook

The dogs suffered from “swollen tongue, white ulcerations, heavy drooling, difficulty in drinking, eating or breathing,” according to the rescue group. “Several of the dogs required IVs because of the pain caused while drinking and eating. Several vets have described the ulcers as ‘chemical burns.’”

Penn, the company responsible for the production of the balls, has claimed that no other complaints have been made.

Allison Barnett, a brand manager for Head Penn Racquet Sports, tells PEOPLE. “Tennis balls are made for tennis; they are not marketed or sold as pet toys, but we want to assure our customers that no toxic materials are added to our tennis balls, and we would never knowingly market a product that harms animals or humans.”

The Humane Animal Project/Facebook

Barnett also claims that Penn has no information about any change to the production of its tennis balls. “We have checked with our VP of manufacturing and he doesn’t believe that anything in the manufacturing process has changed in years, however, we are investigating further to confirm this,” she says.

PEOPLE contacted Costco, where the balls were bought, but they declined to comment.

The Humane Animal Project/Facebook

Alfred Restivo has been giving dogs at the Texas shelter tennis balls since 2014 (when the shelter opened) without incident. But four months ago, a Border Collie named Sydney became ill after licking a Penn Championship tennis ball, brand new out of the can.

“The dog was in horrible pain,” Restivo tells PEOPLE, she was crying and drooling. “Her tongue was so swollen it was bigger than her mouth.”

Then three more dogs fell ill and the shelter workers figured out it was all due to the tennis balls. Restivo said, “It’s from the balls just being in their mouth and them licking them. It doesn’t even have to be chewing.”

Dr. Gaffrey, the veterinarian who treated Sydney, did confirm that she came in with significant symptoms and her tongue “was so swollen it was pushing out of her mouth.” Gaffrey added, “That combination of symptoms, it looks like a dog that had oral contact with an irritating substance. Another way of saying that is chemical burns.”

The Humane Animal Project/Facebook

While this kind of reaction is completely abnormal and NO chemicals should be used that are toxic to dogs or humans, we suggest you instead give your dog tennis-like balls purchased from a pet store instead.

However, if the tennis balls are toxic to a dog licking them, it makes you wonder if you touch the tennis balls while using them for their intended purpose, will there then be dangerous chemicals transferred to your hand? And what if your hand touches your eyes or mouth?

This is a scary thought!

Restivo reports that all dogs who had reactions have recovered and are now doing well. Phew.

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