This sad story, and the recall it caused, are all over the internet this morning! Just in case you missed it, here's the scoop:

Four Paws Inc. is recalling one of their products, the red pimple ball with bell, because a manufacturing mistake makes it very dangerous to the pups who play with it. Just ask Chai, whose mom writes:

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

Chai was rushed to an animal hospital, but the damage was severe and he eventually had to have his tongue amputated. Poor guy! He's re-learning how to live without his tongue, and it sure could have been worse, but it's shameful that it had to happen in the first place.

So anyway, Four Paws Inc is recalling the product from retailers. If you already own one of these balls, even if it looks like there's a second, smaller hole, ask your human to poke a nail through the small hole just to make sure it's open.