MANHATTAN – The manufacturer of “greenies” treats, sold to prevent bad breath and unclean teeth in dogs, has been sued in New York County Court by distraught owners who say the greenies killed their 3-year-old miniature dachshund, Burt.

Jennifer Reiff and Michael Eastwood sued S&M NuTec, of North Kansas City, Mo., claiming that after Burt ate a greenie, it swelled up inside him, causing a slow, painful death. Greenies have a toothbrush shape on one end and a bone shape on the other. The toothbrush end was the culprit, their vet told them after performing surgery. The plaintiffs say they have written to NuTec, telling them they should reformulate greenies, and NuTec has failed to respond. They seek $5 million for design defects, failure to warn, negligence, breach of warranty and punitive damages.