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 filthy conditions.
The lawsuit filed this week against Petland, the Hunte Corp. and other unnamed suppliers claims the companies misled thousands of customers into thinking the puppies came from the finest breeders when they really came from puppy mills and brokers. Petland and Hunte have denied the claims.
“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 lawsuit 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,” Hunte 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.
Petland, which has 131 U.S. stores, has said it is outraged and disappointed by what it calls false accusations. The company has not been charged with any crimes.
High volume
Puppy mills are high-volume breeding kennels that animal-protection groups say harm the animals and lead to sick puppies being sold.
The Humane Society and other animal-welfare groups want to outlaw puppy mills. They say legislation is pending in 27 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 cracked down.
