Hau Hau brand chew bones are being withdrawn from sale because they have already caused severe neurological symptoms in many dogs. The company has begun reviewing requests for reimbursement of vet bills.
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Pointer Licca became seriously ill after gnawing on a Hau Hau bone. Image: Sari Ursin
Yle News Service
Husband Marie Pekkarinen from Mikkeli at the end of September I bought a package of chewing bones for dogs on sale.
On Wednesday, October 16, Pekkarinen took the penultimate bone of the Hau-Hau Champion brand out of the bag and gave it to her German pointer Lykke. After a couple of hours, the dog began to behave strangely.
“She was like in psychosis.” She barked, howled, and rolled her eyes. The dog was confused. I tried to calm her down and took her outside. There the attack intensified,” says Pekkarinen.
The owner called the veterinarian late in the evening. After hearing about the symptoms, the doctor asked: Has the dog eaten any Hau-Hau treats?
Duck treats have not been studied
This is the same product that has previously caused neurological symptoms in pets. Yle reported on September 19 about a dog owner who gave his Brazilian terrier Tico a duck chew stick made by Hau-Hau Champion.
The dog then suffered a severe neurological reaction and was euthanized the following Monday at the veterinary clinic.
Several dogs developed symptoms from the same brand back in August.
According to treat importer Prima Pet Premium, their products were withdrawn from circulation twice: on August 28 and October 11. The company promised to reimburse veterinary expenses for sick pets at its discretion.
– I didn’t know anything at all [об изъятиях]. This was a huge worry and shock for us,” says Mari Pekkarinen.
On Thursday 17 October, the Food Safety Agency said tests had found no quality defects in the duck treats.
“We did our best”
According to the executive director of Prima Pet Premium Timo Pârssinenthe withdrawal of products was voluntary.
– We inform the Food Safety Agency of buyers about this through our social media channels. Also, information about the product subject to seizure, indicating EAN codes and expiration dates, is sent to stores,” he says.
“We did everything possible to remove the products from the shelves,” says Pärssinen.
More than a hundred requests
According to Pärssinen, the company has received more than 100 urgent requests regarding the seized products. The company also became familiar with the epicrises after the owners of sick dogs visited veterinarians.
– Neurological symptoms appear to be a common denominator, but they vary. It was not possible to identify any single cause, notes Pärssinen.
He also said that the company has begun reviewing customer claims for compensation for veterinarian expenses. Decisions regarding compensation are made on a case-by-case basis.
– For many people, a vet bill of several hundred or even thousands of euros is a serious financial blow. We decided to help so that animal owners can avoid financial problems.
