$1.9M PetSafe Settlement: Eligibility, Payouts, and Dates

The PetSafe settlement is a $1.9 million class action resolution that pays California consumers who bought certain PetSafe electronic collar and fence products between October 1, 2018, and October 31, 2022. Per-product payments range from $30 to $140 depending on the product type. Judge Jesus G. Bernal of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granted final approval on February 13, 2026, in Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation, and the settlement administrator began issuing payments on April 15, 2026.¹²

Who Qualifies for a Payment

You are in the settlement class if you live in California and purchased one or more covered PetSafe electronic collar products between October 1, 2018, and October 31, 2022.³ Buyers outside California are not covered.

The covered products fall into four categories:

Bark collars: Classic Bark Collar, Basic Bark Control Collar, Lite Rechargeable Bark Collar, and Rechargeable Bark Control Collar.
Barrier products: Pawz Away Mini Pet Barrier, Pawz Away Indoor Pet Barrier, and Pawz Away Outdoor Pet Barrier.
In-ground fence systems: PetSafe, Basic, Classic, Rechargeable, Stubborn Dog, Elite Little Dog, YardMax Rechargeable, and YardMax Cordless In-Ground Fences, plus the Deluxe In-Ground Cat Fence.
Wireless fence systems: Wireless Pet Containment System, Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence, Stay & Play Wireless Fence for Stubborn Dogs, and Stay & Play Wireless Fence with Replaceable Battery.³

How Much You Can Get

Payments are set per product, by category:

Bark collar products: $30 per product.
Barrier products: $35 per product.
In-ground fence products: $90 per product.
Wireless fence products: $140 per product.⁴

You could claim up to three products without proof of purchase. Claims for more than three required documentation such as a receipt or order confirmation.⁴ Final amounts can move in either direction. If approved claims exceed the money available after deductions, payments are reduced pro rata; if claims come in under the fund balance, payments can be increased.⁵

By the December 22, 2025 final approval motion, 57,732 claims had been filed out of an estimated class of roughly 143,055 members.⁵

What the Lawsuit Alleged

Steven Hernandez, a Rialto, California resident, filed the complaint on October 21, 2022, after his Husky was reportedly injured by PetSafe barrier collar products he had bought on Amazon. He said he found a sticky residue, a burning smell, missing fur, and holes in his dog’s skin that lined up with the collar’s metal electrodes, and that the dog became more timid afterward.⁶

The suit brought claims under California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law, and Unfair Competition Law. It alleged Radio Systems used terms like “static correction,” “stimulation,” and “tickle” to disguise that the products deliver painful electric shocks, and that the company falsely claimed the products were recommended by veterinarians and professional trainers and were “scientifically proven” safe.⁷ Alleged injuries included burns, infections, skin ruptures, bruising, inflammation, and behavioral harm such as anxiety, aggression, and fear responses.⁸

Radio Systems denied wrongdoing, and the settlement contains no admission of liability.⁹

Key Dates and When Payments Go Out

Judge Bernal granted preliminary approval on August 19, 2025.¹⁰ After Petco’s purchase records arrived late, the court extended the claims, objection, and opt-out deadline to December 29, 2025.¹¹ The fairness hearing was held January 26, 2026, final approval was entered on February 13, 2026, and judgment dismissing the case with prejudice followed on February 26, 2026.¹

Angeion Group began distributing payments to approved claimants on April 15, 2026.²⁵⁹

1
Justia. Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation, Judgment
2
ClaimDepot. Pet Safe Settlement
3
Angeion Group / PetSafe Settlement. Long Form Notice
4
Top Class Actions. $1.9M PetSafe Electronic Collar Class Action Settlement
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Angeion Group / PetSafe Settlement. Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement
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ClassAction.org. Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation, Complaint
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ClassAction.org. Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation, Class Action Complaint
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ClassAction.org. $1.9M PetSafe Settlement Ends Class Action Lawsuit Over Allegedly Dangerous Shock Collars
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ClassAction.org. Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation, Notice of Settlement
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ClassAction.org. Hernandez v. Radio Systems Corporation, Preliminary Approval Order
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PetSafe Settlement. Important Documents