PITTSBURGH — A group of consumers filed a class-action lawsuit against dog food distributors Champion Petfoods USA Inc. and Champion Petfoods LP, citing alleged breach of express and implied warranties.
Lead plaintiffs Anthony Cesare, Elizabeth Donatucci and Taylor Kennedy filed a complaint June 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, alleging that the defendants violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs purchased the defendants' dry dog food products form Chewy.com. As a result of the defendants alleged misrepresentations, the plaintiffs claim they paid a premium price for product that contains excessively high levels of toxic heavy metals.
The plaintiffs said the Champion Petfoods entities prominently represented that their products are “biologically appropriate” and contain “fresh, regional ingredients."
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek an order certifying the class action and appointing the plaintiffs and their counsel as representatives. They also seek an award for all damages, interest, legal fees, costs and expenses and other just and appropriate relief. They are represented by Charles E. Schaffer and Daniel C. Levin of Levin Sedran & Berman LLP in Philadelphia and Aaron Rihn of Robert Pierce & Associates PC in Pittsburgh.
A spokesperson for Champion Petfoods reached out with a statement indicating the company plans on "vigorously" defending the lawsuit.
"Champion plans to vigorously defend itself regarding the Anthony Cesare, Elizabeth Donatucci and Taylor Kennedy complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and related litigation, while moving to dismiss all baseless plaintiff’s complaints," the statement reads. "Champion will not be deterred from our mission to make safe and healthful foods."
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 2:18-cv-00744-CB