UPDATE: Deadly Jerky Treat Manufacturers Offer $6.5 Million in Damages

For those that haven’t heard, late last month it was discovered that certain jerky treats imported from China were tainted, resulting in thousands of dogs falling ill and dying. The actual cause of the illness remains a mystery, the source has been well documented.

Related Story: Mysterious Outbreak Kills Thousands of Dogs, Makes People Sick

In a settlement reached earlier this month, two major labels accused of distributing the tainted treats (Nestle Purina Pet Care Co. and Waggin’ Train LLC) have offered up $6.5 million in damages to be parceled out to those families affected by the outbreak. Along with that, these companies have agreed to adopt “enhanced quality assurance measures” in an attempt to prevent another disaster like this from occurring.

While the settlement will end up providing these families with a little compensation for the tragedies they had undergone, Purina and Waggin’ Train want to make it clear that this settlement is in no way an admission of fault. “All parties entered into the agreement only to bring the litigation to a prompt and certain resolution,” said a lawyer during a statement to the press.

Outside of the recent settlement, the FDA has also updated its investigation to include Chinese jerky treats consisting of chicken, duck, and sweet potatoes. And even though the testing has been expanded to become more comprehensive, the actual cause of the sickness is still unknown, leaving our pets open to further infection. That being the case, if you have any jerky-based treats in your home, especially those made in China, it is still advised that you stop giving them to your pet immediately.

Related Story: Caring for a Sick Dog: The Dos (and Don'ts)

Alternative Treats

One Earth Peanut Butter TreatsNewman's Own Organics Cheese Dog Treats

Also, since the condition has persisted, you should make sure you are aware of the symptoms of the condition, which can be found - along with any other relevant information - here.

To read the entire 158-page settlement, see it here.

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Sources:Food Safety News - Jerky Treat Makers Agree to Compensate Pet Owners with $6.5-Million FundMSNBC - Press Release on Settlement