(Photo courtesy of PetSmart)

Phoenix-based PetSmart will pay a $4.25 million fine over defective fish bowls.

(Photo courtesy U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

This fishbowl cracked and shattered during normal use and caused serious injuries to people, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

As part of a settlement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Phoenix-based PetSmart will pay a fine over two brands of fish bowls. The commission said the retail chain failed to immediately report the bowls sold between March 2010 and September 2013 for about $20 contained a defect. 

The agency said PetSmart received at least 19 reports of fish bowls cracking, breaking and shattering during normal use, causing serious injuries to people in at least a dozen cases. The commission also alleged the company failed to reveal the correct amount of bowls sold which eventually led to an expanded recall. The 1.75 gallon fish bowls were shaped like a brandy snifter and sold under the Great Choice or Top Fin brand names.

In addition to the $4.25 million fine, the Commission said that PetSmart agreed to maintain an enhanced compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act.

 A PetSmart representative provided the following statement to KJZZ:

“The safety of our pet parents and their pets is our top priority, and we are committed to identifying and addressing any safety issues quickly. We stopped selling the glass fishbowls in 2013 and conducted two voluntary recalls. Since that time, we have made significant improvements to our processes, protocols and sourcing of products.”