[News] Humane Society sues Petland and Hunte Corp. over 'puppy mill' dogs

[yorkiesmiles]

Humane Society sues Petland and Hunte Corp. over 'puppy mill' dogs

Humane Society files suit: Humane Society files suit against Petland and Hunte Corp. over sales of 'puppy mill' dogs -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Humane Society files suit against Petland and Hunte Corp. over sales of 'puppy mill' dogs

By Mc Nelly Torres | South Florida Sun Sentinel
11:56 AM EDT, March 17, 2009

The Humane Society of the United States filed a class-action lawsuit Monday against Petland Inc. and the Hunte Corporation alleging the companies are conspiring to sell unhealthy puppies from large-scale breeding facilities to unsuspecting consumers in numerous states including Florida.

Petland is the nation's largest chain of pet stores with numerous stores in South Florida and Hunte is one of the country's largest distributors of mass-bred dogs.

The lawsuit comes months after the Humane Society released the results of an eight-month "puppy mill" investigation stating that animals sold at Petland Inc. stores across the country come from massive commercial breeders.

The group reviewed USDA inspection reports for more than 100 breeders that supply dogs to Petland stores and found that 60 percent were cited by inspectors for animal-care violations, including: dirty and unkept enclosures, inadequate shelter, dogs kept in small cages and poor veterinary care.

Petland and Hunte officials were not immediately available for comment.

[yorkiesmiles]

Petland faces suit for selling dogs from puppy mills

Petland faces suit for selling dogs from puppy mills

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
By Paula Reed Ward, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Petland Inc., which has five stores in Pennsylvania including four in the Pittsburgh area, has been named a defendant in a federal lawsuit claiming that the chain sells sickly dogs from puppy mills to unsuspecting customers.

The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, was filed yesterday in Arizona by six plaintiffs who bought puppies from Petland at various locations between 2005 and 2008.

They are seeking monetary damages, as well as a court order to stop the sale of puppy mill puppies, and attorney fees and costs. The complaint was based in part on an investigation done by the Humane Society.

The lawsuit, which also names as a defendant the Hunte Corp., which is the nation's largest puppy broker, cites violations to the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

The plaintiffs allege that Petland forced its franchisees to only purchase puppies from suppliers it has approved, including Hunte, and that nearly every one is either a puppy mill, or a puppy mill broker.

Petland, headquartered in Chillicothe, Ohio, has approximately 140 stores in 31 states.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

[yorkiesmiles]

Saltz Mongeluzzi At Forefront of Class Action Combating “Puppy Mill” Practices by Petland, Inc. and Its Puppy Suppliers

Saltz Mongeluzzi At Forefront of Class Action Combating “Puppy Mill� Practices by Petland, Inc. and Its Puppy Suppliers

March 17, 2009 10:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time

PHILADLEPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Assisted by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, P.C. is serving as class counsel in a federal class action complaint filed today alleging that Petland, Inc., the nation’s largest puppy retailer, and its puppy suppliers, including the Hunte Corporation, the nation’s largest puppy broker, have orchestrated a scheme to sell sickly “puppy mill” puppies to unsuspecting consumers throughout the United States, including Pennsylvania. The lawsuit challenges their conduct under the federal RICO statute, and marks what is believed to be the first use of this statute against alleged interstate puppy mill traffickers. It seeks an end to the practice and the recovery of three times the consumers’ damages, which includes the puppy’s cost along with the veterinary costs incurred in sustaining that puppy’s life.

Petland, headquartered in Chillicothe, Ohio, and Hunte, of Goodman, Missouri, are among those alleged to have intentionally misled thousands of unsuspecting Americans into believing that the puppies sold in over 130 of its stores (including three in Pennsylvania) were healthy and the product of the finest quality breeders, rather than bred in the dreadful conditions of a puppy mill. The complaint, based in part on an extensive nationwide investigation by HSUS, details how many of the puppies sold by Petland were bred in horrific conditions in puppy mills and other commercial breeding operations, or through brokers such as Hunte. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona.

“Pennsylvanians know all too well the evils of puppy mills and their disregard for proper canine husbandry practices. This lawsuit is intended to put an end nationally to the unscrupulous conduct by Petland and Hunte leaving the puppies and their purchasers as victims in the wake of this scheme,” said Simon B. Paris, Esq., of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky, PC. SMBB was engaged through a cooperative effort with the Humane Society through its office of chief counsel to serve as co-counsel in the case. Paris commended HSUS attorneys and its investigative team for helping to build a case that he expects to succeed in shutting down one of the most pervasive puppy mill operations in the country. Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, LLC; of Seattle, and Garen Meguerian, Esq, of Garen Meguerian, Attorney at Law, L.L.C., also served as co-counsel.

Paris, who leads SMBB’s anti-trust and consumer protection practice groups, uncovered Petland’s alleged RICO violations through a cooperative effort with co-counsel and the HSUS, whose investigation revealed a direct link between multiple Petland stores and unscrupulous puppy mills. Numerous other reports have also surfaced of Petland’s allegedly deceptive sales practices, including the marketing and sale of puppies with life-threatening genetic defects and highly contagious parasitic and viral infections.

The complaint includes several examples of sick or dying puppies Petland knowingly sold, including:

• Patrick, a $2,000 sable Pomeranian puppy, was sold at three months suffering from diarrhea and vomiting shortly after arriving at his new home. At 11 months, Patrick was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, dual luxating patellas, which will require expensive surgery on both of his knees.

• Mainerd, a Boston terrier, was diagnosed with a congenital spinal condition. Some of her vertebrae have not formed completely while others have fused together causing tissue to grow underneath along with possible nerve damage. Mainerd is now receiving steroid treatments for her ailments and may require expensive spinal surgery.

• Minchy, a miniature pinscher, was sold by Petland at 10 weeks and was immediately diagnosed with coccidian, an intestinal parasite that causes diarrhea and weight loss. Minchy was also diagnosed with an inherited disorder, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, which will ultimately lead to permanent blindness.

• Tucker, a bloodhound sold with various health problems before developing orbital cancer at only 7 months of age.

A copy of the complaint is available at Personal Injury Attorneys Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett and Bendesky: SMBB.com

[Wylie's Mom]

Great news! Thanks for posting this! I hope they put Hunte out of business. Petland should be ashamed of their conduct.

[Nancy1999]

Wow, a lot is happening on the puppy mill front. These corporations are so large, I don't think they will be going out of business anytime soon. Hunt buys from USDA breeders, and the USDA only lists violations, they aren't trying to shut anyone down. Until all States raise kennel conditions requirements, this mass torture of dogs will continue. At least, with it in the news, people will be more aware that there is a problem, and encourage their state legislatures to pass good laws.

[dogears]

This just warms my heart. I don't think Petland should be put out of business as a lot of people would lose their jobs, BUT I do want them to stop selling dogs and cats. They should only sell pet supplies.

[yorkie mom-3]

Logging on tonight and reading this just made my day!Lets hope and pray that this lawsuit sticks. It could be a big step in the fight against mills and those that do business with them. (fingers crossed!)

[yorkiesmiles]

Last year, I posted about this family in central Iowa http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...tion-iowa.html -- tonight on the news they said this couple is now part of the lawsuit being brought against Petland & Hunte

I am so sorry for what they went thru - but admire them so much for continuing to work towards shutting these greedy businesses down

[yorkiesmiles]

Petland faces puppy mill suit

Petland faces puppy mill suit - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

By Jason Cato, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

A federal lawsuit seeking class-action status accuses Petland Inc. of selling dogs whelped in puppy mills.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Arizona, accuses the Ohio company and its suppliers of violating racketeering laws by concealing the source of its animals. The 37-page lawsuit details the stories of sickly puppies bought in Arizona, Illinois, Georgia and Michigan.

Petland has four Western Pennsylvania stores — in East Liberty, Fraser, Robinson and Monroeville — none of which is named in the lawsuit. But the pet store chain is accused of supplying each of its 140 U.S. stores with animals bred at puppy mills.

The suit is partly based on a nationwide investigation conducted last year by The Humane Society of the United States, which is assisting the Philadelphia law firm of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky.

"Petland requires its retail locations use specifically approved puppy mills or puppy mill brokers to purchase puppies for resale to the public," the lawsuit states.

In a statement, Petland said it is "outraged and disappointed" by false accusations made by the Humane Society, which it described as "a radical animals rights group that has no affiliation with local humane societies."

Joe Watson, a Petland vice president, said each puppy sold through its stores is examined by licensed veterinarians before arriving at the store and again is examined by a veterinarian at the store to certify its health. The company also advises customers to have their pets examined by a veterinarian within a week of purchase.

"The health and welfare of the pets in our care is our upper-most concern," Watson said in the statement.

Plaintiffs seek damages including three times the dogs' cost plus veterinary fees. Losses are estimated at more than $5 million.

Other defendants include the Hunte Corp. of Goodman, Mo., which is accused of being the "world's leading distributor of puppies to pet stores" and of selling animals from puppy mills to Petland.

"This is another baseless, media-driven fundraiser for the 'Humane Society,'" said Hunte President Steve Rook.

[yorkiesmiles]

This is a link to a blog worth reading regarding Petland & a conversation this guy had with a puppy miller - the puppy mill owner blames it on brokers
Broward Palm Beach - The Juice - Petland Faces Puppy Mill Lawsuit; Dog From Davie Store Raised by Rat Bastard

[yorkiesmiles]

Federal Petland Lawsuit Has Mich. Ties - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit
Watch the video here - a bit different than the story below. The 1st guy they show has a yorkie, he talks about finding a good breeder.

The other important element in the video was - that they are looking for more people to join this class action lawsuit. So if you bought a pet from Petland, will you please, please contact the Human Society of the United States?

Federal Petland Lawsuit Has Mich. Ties

POSTED: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
UPDATED: 7:31 pm EDT March 18, 2009

WESTLAND, Mich. -- A federal class-action lawsuit has been filed against Petland Inc., accusing the chain of selling unhealthy puppies from puppy mills without consumers' knowledge.

The complaint, filed by the Humane Society of the United States, alleges that the Ohio-based company is the largest supporter of puppy mills.

The lawsuit is based on facts gathered from an eight-month undercover investigation of 17,000 puppies in 22 states -- including Michigan, where the chain has locations in Novi and Westland.

There is a Michigan plaintiff listed in the filed complaint, a woman from Fowlerville. The complaint states the woman said she bought a Boston Terrier from the Petland location in Novi for $999, but found out later that it was sold with a congenital spinal condition.

"They're claiming to be coming from high-quality breeders," said society attorney Aaron Green. "And essentially what they are supplying are dogs that are coming directly from puppy mills, or by way of puppy mills."

Mary McIver represents a local puppy mill awareness group. Her group recently took place in the nationwide protest against Petland locally.

"They're generally not healthy dogs, and the customers don't know this coming in," she said. "And then they're stuck with high vet bills on top of paying a high price for the pet to begin with."

Petland has responded to the suit, calling it a smear campaign and full of false accusations.

"Our puppies receive strict veterinary care and supervision," Petland's Vice President, Joe Watson, said in a statement. "First, each Petland puppy is examined by a licensed veterinarian and provided with a health certificate prior to arriving at our stores."

For more information, visit the Humane Society of the United States' Web site.

[crystalsmom]

This is wonderful!! Just saw the link you sent me and I must say this is the only way. There have been law suits against these people but to have the Humane Society is the way to go. Many yrs. ago we closed down a petland in a mall in Akron but they just went a few miles away and opened another. Between the economy and this lawsuit, it should put a crimp in their business for sure.

[yorkiesmiles]

Owners worry about puppies that came from Petland

Owners worry about puppies that came from Petland | National news | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

By LISA CORNWELL Associated Press Writer © 2009 The Associated Press
March 20, 2009, 6:06PM

CINCINNATI — Dawn Lewis and her family still miss Cash, the dog she had put to sleep in 2007 after it attacked her son and left him with scars on his face and ear.

She wonders now whether the Akita's behavior was a result of puppy mill breeding by Petland Inc., which sold her the dog in 2006.

Pet owners nationwide are suing the chain in federal court, questioning their pets' medical and behavioral problems and accusing the Ohio-based company of selling dogs bred in in filthy conditions.

The lawsuit filed this week against Petland, the Hunte Corp. and other unnamed suppliers claims the companies misled thousands of customers into believing sick puppies came from the finest breeders when they really came from puppy mills and brokers. Petland and Hunte have denied the claims.

Puppy mills are high-volume breeding kennels that animal protection groups say harm the animals and lead to sick puppies being sold to consumers.

"This scheme to conceal the origin of these puppy-mill puppies from consumers has left thousands of families in its wake suffering from emotional turmoil and significant monetary losses," says the suit filed by six Petland customers — including members of The Humane Society of the United States.

"The claims that we conspired to sell sick puppies to consumers are baseless," Hunt president Steven Rook said Friday. "We only deal with licensed breeders, regulated and inspected by the USDA, and we require that they follow a strict regime. Everything is designed and managed for the health of the puppy."

Lawyers have asked a judge to certify the case as a class action, meaning others could join it and share any monetary award.

Stephanie Booth, of Flagstaff, Ariz., got her bloodhound Tucker from a Petland store in 2007. She said she thought a lump on his head came from roughhousing with another puppy, but Tucker was diagnosed a few months later with a brain tumor and had to be put to sleep.

Booth, 18, said documents she got from Petland included the dog's family tree and the breeder's name and said he was fine. She said her mother researched the breeder and found information suggesting it might be a puppy mill that had faced legal problems.

"I just want people to become aware of the situation with puppy mills and what the dogs go through," said Booth, who is a plaintiff in the federal suit against Petland.

Petland, which has 131 U.S. stores, has said it is outraged and disappointed by what it calls false accusations and insists it does everything possible to provide customers with healthy, happy and well-socialized pets. The company has not been charged with any crimes.

Petland says it has many satisfied customers like Aric Shock, of Kettering, Ohio, who said his French Bulldog puppy Dozer has been a great pet, and Sandy Voelker, of Fairfield in suburban Cincinnati.

"We've had no issues with her other than just being a puppy," Voelker, 32, said of her English Bulldog, Rosie.

Lewis, who lives in San Diego, said Petland guaranteed her puppy Cash's health. Even so, she said she found he had ringworm when she bought him. And when she complained about the biting, a store employee told her that Akita's are sometimes prone to aggressiveness.

"I will never buy another dog from a pet store," said Lewis, 37, who is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Petland warranties cover congenital and hereditary disorders for up to a year after purchase, and at least two licensed veterinarians examine each puppy before it's sold, said Petland spokeswoman Elizabeth Kunzelman.

"If a pet develops an issue at some point in their lives, this does not in any way indicate that the puppy came from a substandard breeder," Kunzelman said.

The Humane Society and other animal welfare groups want to outlaw puppy mills. They say legislation is pending in 27 different states to restrict puppy mills and protect consumers who buy puppies that are later diagnosed with health or genetic defects.

Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Virginia have already enacted laws cracking down on puppy mills. A bill setting standards and licensing requirements for large-scale breeders is expected to be introduced this month in Ohio.

An Ohio veterinarian said animals bred in the small, often filthy cages at puppy mills frequently develop behavioral and physical problems.

"Breeders use puppy mills to save money and maximize profits, spending little money on food, shelter and veterinary care," said veterinarian Matthew Heller, of the All about PetCare clinic in Middletown, about 30 miles north of Cincinnati. "They should be abolished."

___

[yorkiesmiles]

I found this online - it's short, but I thought very interesting.

Petland is a private company « Reading Tea Leaves by Randy Wilson

Petland is a private company
By Randy Wilson

I’ve been wondering about how all this bad publicity has affected Petland. I wondered if the recently filed lawsuit sank the stock and how they positioned these attacks against them in their SEC filings. I looked the company up and I’m not surprised to discover that they are a private company, not required to make disclosures or hold annual shareholder meetings and the like. I don’t think they could have taken such a belligerent, defensive stand if they were public.

[sfordedu2]

Someone is finally doing something about this horrific state of affairs.