Veterinary Chain Owned by JAB Holdings Defeats Antitrust Lawsuit

National Veterinary Associates Inc., an animal health chain owned by German consumer goods giant JAB Holding Co., dodged federal antitrust litigation brought in Spokane, Wash., by two veterinarians who opposed its alleged plan to acquire an animal hospital there.

Judge Stanley A. Bastian granted summary judgment Thursday for NVA, about 18 months after he let the case move forward with allegations that the company tried to build a regional monopoly through noncompetes tied to its planned purchase of Pet Emergency Clinic PS, where the two vets worked. He also threw out related claims against the animal hospital.

Bastian, writing for ...