PetSmart agrees to pay $1.46 million in civil penalties to settle false advertisement claims

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on Thursday that PetSmart, LLC, entered a stipulated judgment and will pay $1,460,000 to settle a civil complaint that alleged the company engaged in false advertising and acts of unfair competition.

The civil law enforcement complaint specifically alleged that PetSmart unlawfully charged customers higher prices at checkout than what was listed in the aisle, a violation of Business & Professions Code sections 17200, 17500, and 12024.2(a)(2).

The complaint was filed in Santa Cruz County Superior Court on behalf of District Attorneys of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Sonoma, and Marin counties.

"Every Californian who walks into a retail store is entitled to pay the lowest advertised price for the products they purchase,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney Andrew Reid with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Consumer Protection Unit. “Consumers should be vigilant to ensure that they are charged only for the items they intend to purchase, and that they are charged the lowest advertised price for those products.”

The judgment requires the California limited liability company to pay $1,250,000 in civil penalties, $100,000 in restitution, and $110,000 for investigation costs to county agricultural commissioners and sealers around the state details the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

According to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, the judgment also includes an injunction that prohibits PetSmart from engaging in false or misleading advertising or charging any amount greater than the lowest price posted for an item and that PetSmart implement price accuracy procedures in its California stores for a three-year period.