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LJS · 06-30-2008, 02:08 PM

NY Daily News 6/30/2008:

Queens-based 'Bulldogs R Us' owner accused of selling sick puppies
BY BRENDAN BROSH
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Keivom/News

Valerie Ramirez (l.) and daughter Jessica hold photos of bulldog Ozzie, whom they eventually euthanized.

Ward for News

Robin Schulder, who operates the Web site 'Bulldogs R Us,' has also been ordered by a Bronx judge to pay $2,095 to a heartbroken family that had to put down their ailing 7-month-old puppy.
A prolific Queens dog breeder has drawn the ire of animal lovers and the scrutiny of state law enforcement officials for running what a former customer described as a "house of horrors" that produces too many sick puppies.

The breeder, Robin Schulder, who operates the Web site "Bulldogs R Us," has also been ordered by a Bronx judge to pay $2,095 to a heartbroken family that had to put down their ailing 7-month-old puppy.

Schulder sells at least five different dog breeds from her home in Queens Village, and has numerous consumer complaints against her - drawing the attention of state law enforcement officials.

"We are aware of the complaints, take them seriously, and are reviewing them closely," said Alex Detrick, a spokesman for state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

The Ramirez family in the Bronx bought an English bulldog puppy from Schulder in November that suffered from neurological disorders, blindness, parvovirus and a host of other problems.

"Within the first few days we noticed something was wrong," said Jessica Ramirez, 16, who borrowed money from her grandmother to buy Ozzie, a handsome mahogany and white puppy. "He started to lose weight. He walked around in circles."

In a contract, Schulder guaranteed Ozzie's health for a year, but she didn't help the family with veterinary care when he fell ill.

"We got three unfit-for-sale letters from three different veterinarians," said Jessica's mother, Valerie, a paraprofessional with the city Education Department. "I wanted her to pick up the medical bills but we didn't want to give [Ozzie] back to Robin."

One vet noted on Ozzie's medical chart that he was "depressed, weak, unable to support weight, vomiting in cage, no appetite."

After seven months of heartache the family tried to place Ozzie with a bulldog rescue group but another veterinarian advised them to euthanize him.

"I didn't want to lose him," said Jessica, who worked at a supermarket to pay her grandma back. "I didn't want to go with my family when they put him to sleep."

The family took Schulder to court and a judge ruled in their favor with a $2,095 judgment, which Schulder has yet to pay.

"I have no comments for these people," Schulder told the Daily News in a phone interview, contending she has done nothing wrong.

Schulder said the case was still pending. Court papers show the judgment is dated April 24. During the court hearing, Schulder said she sells 200 dogs a year, the Ramirez family said.

"I have no violations with Albany," Schulder said, referring to the fact that dog breeding is regulated by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. "I'm a licensed breeder."

She also sells Yorkshire terriers, pit bulls, bull terriers and Chihuahuas from her home, and operates several Web sites.

Animal rescue groups are familiar with "Bulldogs R Us" and other animals sold by Schulder.

"This is a terrible operation," said Laurette Richin, head of the Long Island Bulldog Rescue, a group that places abused and sick animals with families. "I have had so many complaints about her that I don't know how she can still be in business."

Several former customers described Schulder's home as being overrun by dogs.

"It was filthy, it was smelly, it was disgusting in there," said Patricia Czech, who bought a bulldog named Vinny from Schulder. "It's a house of horrors."

Czech had so many problems with the 8-month-old that she had to return it to Schulder in two weeks and was refunded her $1,000. She has inquired about Vinny's fate, but Schulder won't return her calls, Czech said.

The Ramirez family cautioned potential customers from doing business with Schulder.

"Just look her up on Google," said Valerie Ramirez. "She needs to be shut down. She has sold sick puppies to a lot of people."

06-30-2008, 02:08 PM	#25
LJS YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York, NY, USA Posts: 3	Robin Schulder fined in lawsuit over sick puppies - yorkie bulldog NY Daily News 6/30/2008: Queens-based 'Bulldogs R Us' owner accused of selling sick puppies BY BRENDAN BROSH DAILY NEWS WRITER Keivom/News Valerie Ramirez (l.) and daughter Jessica hold photos of bulldog Ozzie, whom they eventually euthanized. Ward for News Robin Schulder, who operates the Web site 'Bulldogs R Us,' has also been ordered by a Bronx judge to pay $2,095 to a heartbroken family that had to put down their ailing 7-month-old puppy. A prolific Queens dog breeder has drawn the ire of animal lovers and the scrutiny of state law enforcement officials for running what a former customer described as a "house of horrors" that produces too many sick puppies. The breeder, Robin Schulder, who operates the Web site "Bulldogs R Us," has also been ordered by a Bronx judge to pay $2,095 to a heartbroken family that had to put down their ailing 7-month-old puppy. Schulder sells at least five different dog breeds from her home in Queens Village, and has numerous consumer complaints against her - drawing the attention of state law enforcement officials. "We are aware of the complaints, take them seriously, and are reviewing them closely," said Alex Detrick, a spokesman for state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. The Ramirez family in the Bronx bought an English bulldog puppy from Schulder in November that suffered from neurological disorders, blindness, parvovirus and a host of other problems. "Within the first few days we noticed something was wrong," said Jessica Ramirez, 16, who borrowed money from her grandmother to buy Ozzie, a handsome mahogany and white puppy. "He started to lose weight. He walked around in circles." In a contract, Schulder guaranteed Ozzie's health for a year, but she didn't help the family with veterinary care when he fell ill. "We got three unfit-for-sale letters from three different veterinarians," said Jessica's mother, Valerie, a paraprofessional with the city Education Department. "I wanted her to pick up the medical bills but we didn't want to give [Ozzie] back to Robin." One vet noted on Ozzie's medical chart that he was "depressed, weak, unable to support weight, vomiting in cage, no appetite." After seven months of heartache the family tried to place Ozzie with a bulldog rescue group but another veterinarian advised them to euthanize him. "I didn't want to lose him," said Jessica, who worked at a supermarket to pay her grandma back. "I didn't want to go with my family when they put him to sleep." The family took Schulder to court and a judge ruled in their favor with a $2,095 judgment, which Schulder has yet to pay. "I have no comments for these people," Schulder told the Daily News in a phone interview, contending she has done nothing wrong. Schulder said the case was still pending. Court papers show the judgment is dated April 24. During the court hearing, Schulder said she sells 200 dogs a year, the Ramirez family said. "I have no violations with Albany," Schulder said, referring to the fact that dog breeding is regulated by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. "I'm a licensed breeder." She also sells Yorkshire terriers, pit bulls, bull terriers and Chihuahuas from her home, and operates several Web sites. Animal rescue groups are familiar with "Bulldogs R Us" and other animals sold by Schulder. "This is a terrible operation," said Laurette Richin, head of the Long Island Bulldog Rescue, a group that places abused and sick animals with families. "I have had so many complaints about her that I don't know how she can still be in business." Several former customers described Schulder's home as being overrun by dogs. "It was filthy, it was smelly, it was disgusting in there," said Patricia Czech, who bought a bulldog named Vinny from Schulder. "It's a house of horrors." Czech had so many problems with the 8-month-old that she had to return it to Schulder in two weeks and was refunded her $1,000. She has inquired about Vinny's fate, but Schulder won't return her calls, Czech said. The Ramirez family cautioned potential customers from doing business with Schulder. "Just look her up on Google," said Valerie Ramirez. "She needs to be shut down. She has sold sick puppies to a lot of people."