Print from Dogstuff
Pet owners from across the country are suing Petland Inc. in federal court. The plaintiffs, including the Humane Society of the United States, claim that Petland sells animals from puppy mills, misleading customers into thinking they come from high-quality breeders. Petland denies the charges.
Customers from Florida to Ohio, California and Arizona, some of whom are plaintiffs, say that Petland sold them puppies who had health problems, including brain tumors, congenital joint failure, ringworm and giardia. One family had to put their Akita to sleep after it attacked their son.
The HSUS investigated Petland for eight months before the lawsuit was filed, visiting dozens of stores, breeders and brokers. It also reviewed records for 322 other breeders and tracked over 17,000 puppies sold through 76 different Petland stores.
Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Virginia have passed laws regulating puppy mills. The HSUS says legislation is pending in 27 other states, including Ohio, where Petland Inc. is headquartered.
