The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously ruled that a proposed class action over alleged mislabeling of prescription dog food was appropriately returned to state court, deciding that federal courts lost jurisdiction once the plaintiff removed her federal claims.
The dispute centered on whether the case, filed by Missouri resident Anastasia Wullschleger against Royal Canin USA Inc. and Nestlé Purina PetCare Co., should remain in federal court or be sent back to state court. Wullschleger’s lawsuit alleges the companies misled consumers into believing their prescription dog foods were tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Initially filed in state court, the case was moved to Missouri federal court by the defendants.
The Eighth Circuit had ruled that elements of Wullschleger’s antitrust and unjust enrichment claims implicated federal law, justifying federal court jurisdiction. However, after Wullschleger amended her complaint to remove federal law elements, the Eighth Circuit determined the revised claims were solely state law issues and sent the case back to state court.
