25 May 2026
In a landmark verdict that marks a significant escalation in the legal and financial ramifications of the avian influenza crisis, a Multnomah County jury has awarded $808,000 to a Portland resident after his cat contracted bird flu from contaminated raw pet food and died.
The plaintiff, Tim Hanson, filed the lawsuit against Washington-based Wild Coast Pet Foods after his beloved four-year-old Siamese mix, Kira, fell severely ill in late January 2025. According to court proceedings, Kira had consumed the company's "Wild Coast Raw Free Range Chicken Formula," which was later found to be contaminated with the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus. Within roughly a week of eating the raw food, the feline began gasping for air, and veterinary staff were ultimately forced to euthanize her.
The jury's verdict includes $8,000 to cover veterinary medical expenses and a staggering $800,000 in punitive damages.
The ruling sets a major legal precedent, signaling that the ongoing H5N1 avian flu outbreak, which has heavily impacted poultry farms, dairy cattle, and wildlife across North America, is now entering a costly litigation phase.
