PetSafe Dog Collar Maker Calls Deception Suit ‘Smear Campaign’

PetSafe collar maker Radio Systems Corp. says its marketing materials fully explain the proper use of dog training collar and barrier systems, calling a consumer’s deception suit “largely a smear campaign against what he pejoratively calls the ‘electric shock collar’ industry.”

California dog owner Steven Hernandez filed a proposed class suit in October, alleging the collars are falsely marketed as “safe” and “harmless” tools for preventing unwanted behavior in dogs when actually the electrical stimulation causes physical and psychological harm. Hernandez says his dog suffered skin and fur irritation.

But his complaint is factually deficient and there was no deception, ...