Real Ham Bone for Dogs Class Action Settlement

Dynamic Pet Products LLC and Frick’s Meat Products Inc. have agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging they engaged in false and deceptive marketing of the Real Ham Bone for Dogs products.

If you purchased a Real Ham Bone product between Jan. 1, 2011 and May 12, 2017, you may be entitled to benefits from the class action settlement.

Plaintiffs Michael E. Taylor, Dawn R. Fortner and Catherine Gemkow allege the Real Ham Bone products are sold so that the defendants can profit from slaughterhouse waste. The defendants market the Real Ham Bone as a chew product for dogs, according to the class action lawsuit.

“Defendants represent in their advertising and marketing materials that the Real Ham Bone For Dogs is a safe and appropriate product for dogs,” the Real Ham Bone class action lawsuit says. “These representations are false and misleading because the product is extremely hazardous to dogs.”

According to the Real Ham Bone class action lawsuit, when dogs chew on a Real Ham Bone product, it creates “needle-like shards” that can irritate and possibly puncture the dog’s intestinal tract, causing the dog to suffer severe internal injuries. The plaintiffs also claim the Real Ham Bone products contain bacterial toxins that can cause dogs to become ill and/or die.

“As a result of consuming this product, numerous dogs have experienced vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, internal bleeding, infection and death,” the plaintiffs allege in the Real Ham Bone class action lawsuit.

The Real Ham Bone is reportedly an 8-inch pig femur that is brined, smoked and baked in an oven for around eight hours at 130 to 150 degrees Celsius. According to the class action lawsuit, the smoking and baking process causes the bone to dry out and become brittle. When dogs chew on the brittle bone, it can allegedly splinter. When the shards of bones are swallowed, it can cause severe internal injuries.

The plaintiffs claim that their dogs suffered severe, debilitating or fatal illnesses as a result of consuming the defendants’ Real Ham Bone products. Some of the plaintiffs’ dogs required emergency surgery to remove the bone shards from their gastrointestinal tracts after chewing on the Real Ham Bone. The plaintiffs say the products were not worth the price they paid for them.

The Real Ham Bone for Dogs class action lawsuit asserts violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The plaintiffs sought actual damages, punitive damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment, attorneys’ fees and costs.

The defendants deny the allegations but agreed to settle the Real Ham Bone class action lawsuit to avoid the uncertainty and expense of ongoing litigation.

The Real Ham Bone class action settlement was preliminarily approved on April 19, 2017.

If you would like to exclude yourself from or object to the Real Ham Bone class action settlement, you must do so no later than July 11, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Real Ham Bone for Dogs settlement include anyone who purchased the Real Ham Bone product or who sustained a pet injury/property damage from the use of the product between Jan. 1, 2011 and May 12, 2017.

Potential Award

Up to $2,500 for documented veterinary bills and expenses for pet injury or death caused by the Real Ham Bone for Dogs product and up to $3 per Ram Ham Bone product purchased.

Class Members who submit a proof of purchase along with their Claim Form, can claim up to 10 bones, for a total of $30. Consumers who bought Real Ham Bone for Dogs products during the Class period can claim up to four bones without a receipt, for a total of $12.

Proof of Purchase

Class Members who intend to file a claim for veterinary expenses (up to $2,500) must submit appropriate documentation about the product purchase and its association with the pet’s injury or death.

Class Members seeking reimbursement for their purchased products who do not submit proof of purchase may claim only four Real Ham Bone for Dogs products (up to $12), while those with proof of purchase may claim up to 10 bones (up to $30).

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

9/9/2017

Case Name

Michael Taylor, et al. v. Dynamic Pet Products LLC, et al., Case No. 1616-CV11531, in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri at Independence

Final Hearing

8/3/2017

UPDATE: The Real Ham Bone settlement was granted final approval on August 11, 2017.  Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

UPDATE 2: On September 11, 2017, an appeal to the Real Ham Bone class action settlement was filed.  Claims will not be paid until all appeals are exhausted.  We appreciate your ongoing patience. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.  

UPDATE 3: On September 5, 2018, It’s been reported that the Real Ham Bone class action settlement has been affirmed by the Missouri Court of Appeals.  It is not known how quickly claims will be paid.  Top Class Actions will continue keep viewers updated.

UPDATE 4: On April 12, 2019, According to the settlement website, the appeals to the Real Ham Bone Class Action Settlement are over.  Payments were mailed to claimants on April 12, 2019. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

UPDATE 5: On April 15, 2019, Top Class Actions viewers started receiving checks in the mail from the Real Ham Bone class action settlement worth as much as $2,500. Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got PAID!

Settlement Website

www.RealHamBoneSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Real Ham Bone Settlement
c/o Dahl Administration LLC
P.O. Box 3614
Minneapolis, MN 55403-0614
1-866-276-3832
info@RealHamBoneSettlement.com

Class Counsel

SHANK & MOORE LLC

Defense Counsel

WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN & DICKER LLP