Originally published March 11, 2010 at 11:54 a.m., updated March 11, 2010 at 11:54 a.m.
The BBB warns consumers to be very cautious when giving “Real Ham Bone For Dogs” to their pets.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Contact the BBB for more information:
St. Louis BBB
15 Sunnen Dr
Maplewood, MO 63143
(314) 645-3300
A popular pet treat distributed by a meat company in Washington, Mo., and sold in stores across the United States is under attack by dog owners who blame the product for injuring or killing their animals.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) said Thursday consumers should be very cautious when giving “Real Ham Bone For Dogs” to their pets. The bones are distributed under the Dynamic Pet Products label of Frick’s Quality Meats of Washington.
Several consumers said their dogs became seriously ill or died when the animals ate pieces of the bones, causing damage or blockage to internal organs.
According to the BBB, a veterinarian who surgically removed bone fragments from one of the dogs said, “Things like this shouldn’t happen. If you can’t say it’s safe, it probably isn’t something you should have in stores.”
The BBB said the company has denied any wrongdoing and a manager there said most consumers are fully satisfied with the bones.
Four consumers have filed BBB complaints against Dynamic Pet Products. Other consumers said the company denied their requests to pay medical bills.
A woman from Richardson, Tex., told the BBB the meat company paid for a new dog after she claimed her bull terrier died after eating one of the bones. Under terms of her agreement with the company, the settlement is confidential. The woman described her dog’s death as “violent” and “horrific.”
Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO, said consumers appear to have a legitimate reason to be concerned. “There simply are too many of these cases to ignore. Consumers have a right to expect that items sold commercially for their pets will not end up causing them harm.”
Sara Frick-Mades, director of plant services for Dynamic Pet Products, told the BBB in an email that the company would not release information on numbers or types of complaints it has received about the product. “I can tell you that the praises and compliments far outweigh the complaints or concerns received,” she said.
The website for Dynamic Pet Products notes that the bones are “smoked.” Dr. Tony Buffington, professor of veterinary clinical services at Ohio State University, said that the more cooked a bone is, the greater the likelihood of the bone splintering and potentially causing problems. He said it is important to weigh the risks against the benefits in giving any food product to your pet. He said pet owners should always use caution when giving a bone to a dog.
The bones are sold in stores across the country, including in the St. Louis area. They retail for about $3 each and are sold wrapped in plastic with labels that say “100% FOOD GRADE INGREDIENTS.” Just beneath those words, in smaller type, is a warning to pet owners:
“Supervise your pet while consuming any natural bone product,” the warning says in part. “Not recommended for dogs with digestive problems or aggressive chewers. Remove bone immediately if splintering occurs or small fragments break off.”
The label also says that the “Pet owner assumes liability associated with the use of this or any natural bone product.”
According to the BBB, most pet owners interviewed by the BBB said they did not read the label. They said they assumed the bones were safe because they are sold in grocery and other stores.
A dog owner from Hebron, Ind., said after her dog ate the bones, her veterinarian used her hand to clean “a bunch of pieces of bone” from the dog’s intestine.
A woman from O’Fallon, Mo., who also filed a complaint with the BBB over the bone, said that in March 2008 she gave the same products to a boxer and a Jack Russell terrier. “It was my first and last time,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to try it again.” She said that soon after giving the dogs the bones, they both began to vomit stomach material that included splintered pieces of bone. She said the animals were ill for two days. She said she contacted the company, which told her the product was safe. She said they offered her coupons for the more of the bones, but she rejected the offer.
A Brandon, Fla., woman sent the BBB copies of extensive veterinary reports compiled during surgery and follow-up treatment of her pet beagle after the animal was given a Dynamic Pet Products ham bone. The reports indicated an 8 centimeter intestinal blockage caused by “small, chewed bony fragments.” The animal subsequently died. The woman said the company’s insurer said it would not pay her veterinary bills.
The St. Louis area BBB points pet owners to an article on the website WebMD, entitled “Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat” that suggests that pet owners not give bones to dogs. “Although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it,” the report says. “Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog’s digestive system.”
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