Sign Up for PetSafe Class Action Lawsuit
PetSafe class action lawsuit.
The class action applies to plenty of PetSafe products!
PetSafe Class Action Lawsuit
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Radio Systems Corporation due to allegations that its PetSafe electronic collars were falsely advertised as “safe” and “humane” despite causing burns, injuries, and anxiety in pets. The PetSafe E-Collar class action case, titled Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation (Case No. 5:22-cv-01861-JGB-DTB), was filed in October 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by plaintiff Steven Hernandez, represented by Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP.
The PetSafe E-Collar lawsuit details claim that the company misled consumers by using euphemisms like “static correction” while concealing evidence of harm. After nearly three years of litigation, including extensive discovery, motions, and mediation, the case reached a $1.9 million settlement in May 2025, preliminarily approved by Judge Jesús G. Bernal in August 2025.
The PetSafe E-Collar legal claims include violations of California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law. Eligible class members are California consumers who purchased PetSafe collars, fences, or barrier products between October 1, 2018, and October 31, 2022.
PetSafe Class Action Settlement - $1,900,000
The PetSafe E-Collar settlement reveals how the $1.9 million fund was structured to fairly reimburse California consumers.
Rather than a flat payout, the settlement ties compensation to each product’s original retail price and category—reflecting how much consumers actually spent and the severity of alleged misrepresentations.
Court filings show the fund was modeled around 98,000 PetSafe units sold statewide, translating to a recovery pool equal to roughly 2% of total retail sales, after accounting for administrative, notice, and attorney costs. Each device type—Bark Collar, Barrier, In-Ground Fence, and Wireless Fence—was assigned a fixed payout ($30, $35, $90, and $140, respectively) to create a balanced structure that rewards claimants proportionally without requiring proof for small claims.
The non-reversionary nature of the fund means any unclaimed money will stay within the class, either through pro rata increases for valid claims or a cy pres distribution to pet welfare organizations. Radio Systems also agreed to product labeling reforms, more transparent safety disclosures, and third-party oversight in future advertising—making this not just a payout, but a precedent-setting settlement in pet product accountability.
Deadline for filing a claim: May 23, 2026
E-Collar Class Action Payout: $30 - $140 Per Product
The PetSafe E-Collar settlement sets clear, product-based payments designed to mirror each item’s original retail value and how it was marketed. The court-approved plan pays $30 for Bark Collars, $35 for Barrier Systems, $90 for In-Ground Fences, and $140 for Wireless Fences—amounts calculated from the products’ average sale prices in California between 2018 and 2022.
Each claimant can receive compensation for up to three products without proof of purchase to keep the process accessible for most buyers. Claims above that threshold require receipts or order confirmations, a safeguard against duplicate or fraudulent filings.
From the total $1.9 million fund, the court may award up to one-third (approximately $633,000) to class counsel Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP for attorney fees and case expenses. The named plaintiff, Steven Hernandez, who initiated the lawsuit and sat for depositions, will receive a $10,000 service award for his role.
Once final approval is granted in January 2026, payments are expected to be distributed within 30 to 60 days, with remaining funds either redistributed to class members or donated to pet welfare organizations.
PetSafe Product Payouts
Product
Per Product Estimate
Max Claims (Without Proof)
Max Claims (With Proof)
Bark Collars
$30
3
Unlimited
Barrier Systems
$35
3
Unlimited
In-Ground Fences
$90
3
Unlimited
Wireless Fences
$140
3
Unlimited
Product Safety Misrepresentation Class Action Payouts
E-Collar Class Action Eligibility
Eligibility for the PetSafe E-Collar class action is shaped by evidence uncovered during discovery showing most sales came from California retailers and Amazon, where PetSafe’s “safe correction” claims appeared on packaging and digital listings. As a result, only California purchasers between October 1, 2018, and October 31, 2022 are included.
The PetSafe E-Collar class action claimants form focuses on details the court deemed traceable in sales data:
Product Type: Collars, barriers, and fences listed in Exhibit A of the settlement (19 specific models).
Purchase Channel: Amazon, Petco, PetSmart, Chewy, or direct PetSafe.com sales.
Purchase Volume: Up to three items without proof, tied to average household purchase data from subpoenaed retailer records.
These criteria ensure claims align with verified California transactions from the 98,000 documented sales examined in the case.
Class Products
Stay & Play Wireless Fence with Replaceable Battery Collar
Pawz Away Mini Pet Barrier
Stay & Play Wireless Fence for Stubborn Dogs
Pawz Away Indoor Pet Barrier
Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence
Pawz Away Outdoor Pet Barrier
Wireless Pet Containment System
PetSafe In-Ground Fence
Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence
Elite Little Dog Deluxe In-Ground Fence
Deluxe In-Ground Cat Fence
YardMax Rechargeable In-Ground Fence
Basic In-Ground Fence
Rechargeable In-Ground Fence
YardMax Cordless In-Ground Fence
Classic In-Ground Fence
Rechargeable Bark Control Collar
Lite Rechargeable Bark Collar
Classic Bark Collar
Basic Bark Control Collar
E-Collar Class Action Claim Form
1
2
3
FAQ
Anyone who purchased a PetSafe e-collar, bark collar, barrier, or fence system in California between October 1, 2018, and October 31, 2022, including online orders shipped to California.
Payments range from $30 to $140 per product, depending on the type of collar or fence purchased. You can claim up to three products without proof of purchase so you can recieve a MAXIMUM of $420 without proof!
All claims must be submitted or postmarked by December 2, 2025.
No proof is required for up to three items. If you claim more than three, you’ll need documentation such as a receipt, order confirmation, or credit card record.
If final approval is granted in January 2026, payments should begin within 30–60 days, meaning most claimants could be paid by March 2026.
During discovery, Radio Systems’ sales records showed that over 98,000 PetSafe products were sold through California-based channels. The lawsuit was brought under California’s CLRA, FAL, and UCL statutes, limiting eligibility to California transactions.
Retailer data subpoenaed from Amazon and Petco showed most households purchased no more than three devices. The court used that data to balance accessibility for consumers and prevent fraudulent multi-item claims.
The payout tiers—$30, $35, $90, and $140—were tied to each product’s average retail price in California from 2018–2022, ensuring reimbursement roughly matched what consumers paid.
Radio Systems agreed to revise product packaging and online descriptions, eliminating terms like “safe correction” and adding clearer warnings about proper use and potential irritation risks.
The case involved multiple amended complaints, expert testimony on animal behavior and product safety, and extensive retailer discovery before the $1.9M settlement was finalized in May 2025 and preliminarily approved by Judge Jesús G. Bernal in August 2025.