Dog owners face soaring veterinary bills after Hau hau chew roll poisoning in Finland

Dog owners are facing veterinary bills amounting to hundreds of euros due to poisoning symptoms linked to the Hau hau brand’s chew rolls. Several dog owners have contacted Yle regarding the issue. Over the past year, dogs have displayed poisoning symptoms on two occasions: recently from the chew rolls and previously from dry food linked to Musti Group’s Smaak brand, which caused illnesses in November 2023.

Agria, a pet insurance specialist, stated via email that coverage for veterinary costs depends on the pet’s insurance policy, which may reimburse expenses for confirmed poisoning or illness according to its terms.

When asked if owners can receive compensation in poisoning cases, Ari Juntunen from Pohjola insurance noted that insurance generally covers veterinary costs if the visit is due to illness, including poisonings, though a deductible will still apply. Sini Kujala added that it is crucial for owners to seek veterinary care and inform the doctor about the potentially toxic product consumed by their dog, to help in evaluating the extent of the issue.

In the unfortunate event that a dog needs to be euthanized due to severe illness from poisoning, Juntunen explained that the dog’s value might be covered under a life insurance policy. Kujala emphasized that if a pet has to be euthanized, owners can turn to life insurance for support.

Regarding deductibles, Juntunen clarified that owners would normally cover that cost themselves when claiming through their insurance. However, they can seek compensation from the importers or manufacturers’ liability insurance if their dog was harmed by contaminated food. Kujala highlighted that manufacturers are responsible for the products causing symptoms, and if later investigations confirm a link to a faulty product, they are liable for veterinary costs.